What judging actually feels like from a judge's phone — and the real-world hiccups that rattle them if you haven't prepared.
Your judges are experts at judging, not at software. A ten-minute huddle before doors and a few small preparations turn a nervous judge into a confident one — and this is the section hosts underestimate most.
QA judge's phone rings — or locks — in the middle of scoring. Do they lose their place?
Here's the one fact worth teaching every judge: LiveJudge saves a scoresheet only when the judge commits it — there's no auto-save partway through. So the habit is simple: finish an entry and commit it before setting the phone down. Once committed, that scoresheet is safely stored and a call, a screen lock, or a dying battery can't touch it. The only thing ever at risk is a single scoresheet still open and uncommitted.
TipSay this out loud in your judge huddle: "Score one entry, commit it, then move on." Ten seconds of instruction that prevents the one situation that loses work.
QSo when exactly is a score saved?
The moment the judge commits the scoresheet for that entry — and only then. There's no partial or background save, which is exactly why committing each entry promptly, instead of leaving several open at once, is the safe habit.
QWhat if a judge's battery dies?
This one's pure logistics, and it's on you to prevent. Ask judges to arrive fully charged, put a power strip and a couple of chargers at the judges' table, and keep one spare phone on hand. A dead phone mid-round is far more disruptive than a weak signal.
TipLong event? A cheap battery pack per judge is the simplest fix.
QJudges can't see the screen outdoors in bright sun.
Glare is a real problem at outdoor events. Position judges with the sun behind them or under shade, and tell them to turn screen brightness all the way up. A small canopy over the judging spot pays for itself.
QDo judges need to install anything or learn the software?
No — they judge from their own phone through the event link, and there's nothing to install or remember. A five-minute walkthrough before the event is more than enough for anyone.
Before event day
Judges know to arrive charged; chargers and a spare phone are at the table.
You've planned the judge huddle and a practice entry to score.
For outdoor events: judging positioned for shade and glare.
