Maximum Deviation Rule

Since the high and low scores are not dropped when three officials are used in form and weapons one judge, the maximum deviation rule limits the impact of a single judge’s score to control with his/her high or low score the outcome of placement.  Defined:  When a performance is ready to be scored, the Center Official will say “Ready Check”, at which point the three judges show their scores to each other only (not the competitors or audience.  The judge’s score that is between the other two judges scores (middle score) is considered the middle score.  Once that score has been determined, the other two judges cannot be higher or lower than .02 points of that middle score.  If their score is higher or lower than .02, they must adjust their score up or down accordingly to that .02 maximum deviation.