Can I be a judge at a WCA speedcubing competition?
Yes — you can, and most of the time you should. At WCA competitions, judging (just like scrambling) is part of the teamwork that keeps the event running. Without help from competitors, rounds can’t stay on schedule.
If you’re not a newcomer, your competitor card will list the rounds where you are REQUIRED to judge. If you refuse or are absent when it’s your turn to judge, delegates may apply sanctions.
Who can judge
- Competitors — most judges are competitors themselves.
- Newcomers — can judge too, as long as they attend the newcomer tutorial (rules training/demonstration) at the start of the competition.
- Restriction: you usually don’t judge in your own group until you’ve finished all your attempts in that group.
How to judge “the right way”
- Arrive on time and complete check-in (if there is one).
- Don’t skip the newcomer tutorial if it’s your first time judging or your first WCA competition.
- Follow the procedure: inspection → start → solve → stop → check → record the result.
- If you’re not sure — pause and ask a delegate/organizer for guidance. (Important: don’t shout “Hey Delegate!!!”. Just raise your hand high and wait for the delegate to come to you.)
What a judge does during an attempt (short)
- Preparation: check the timer, mat, cover, and result sheet.
- Inspection: uncover the puzzle and track inspection time; remind “8” and “12 seconds”.
- Start: the competitor starts the timer; the judge ensures the start procedure is correct.
- Finish: the judge checks the solved state and possible penalties, then confirms the result.
- Recording: the judge writes the time and penalties; the result is confirmed with the judge’s and competitor’s signatures.