It is similar to last years points of performance in the Mid Atlantic Qualifiers Snatch WOD- a full squat snatch was prescribed yet athletes were allowed to power snatch then OH Squat. It was not the prescribed movement yet it was allowed. If anything, after the question was asked all competitors should have been alerted to that question and answer when points of performance were covered.

With that said, I think there are a few lessons learned that I think the organizers of this and future events can take to improve upon the format and make them even bigger successes:

1 – Write back-up WODs (well) in advance to account for incliment weather
2 – ALWAYS test your WODs.
3 – When testing the WODs, have all judges either participate or watch, and document all questions that arise regarding specific points of performance and variations on movements (eg. a thruster is not a front squat and jerk… yes, it’s slower, but it also saves your shoulders)
4 – If a WOD encourages gaming, change it.
5 – If organizing heats by performance, put the fastest performers last

I think this event has awesome potential. With a few tweaks and additional planning, the organizers will avoid many of the safety and logistical problems created primarily by WOD 3. As the first guy on HSPUs – and subsequently the first guy to take a head-dive into concrete (with a pretty cool bruise to show for it) – I think I have decent standing to comment.

In any case, thanks again, and I’ll look forward to making this an annual staple in the run-up to sectionals.

Jason Hoggan
Outlaw CF / CF Alexandria

i just didnt and still dont understand the strictness for the bodyweight movement (burpees and hspu) but relaxed standards for barbell movement (thrusters). i clearly understand that a front squat and a jerk is slower than a thruster, but its also easier.

im with you that the change was needed to lower the number of hspu and goes back to the programming point. if you had months to program these wods shouldnt you have consulted other coaches or run other athletes through similar wods beforehand to know what the times and fatigue would be like? or if you didnt want to do that do an actual cf bwi style hopper challenge.

anyway, crossfit is a constantly humbling process and a learning process as well.

Secondly, if you break up bar momentum by stopping at the top of a front squat, then push pressing it, you have done more work in a slower time.

Thirdly, judging is different than coaching. They are very different things and not relevant to a competitive environment. What about back position on a 3 minute deadlift event or not catching a snatch with locked out shoulders on the final or any other hundreds of coach-able “faults” that happen when people get tired and try new things?

That workout differentiated a lot of people and our last minute change needed to happen to keep the event going with a high level of competition. I admit we didn’t estimate the amount of shoulder fatigue, but our last minute fix ended up working just fine.

Judges not enforcing standards is another issue. We said that clear violations of feet width outside the shoulders would be counted back; that should have happened. It’s pretty obvious when people are rotating into an incline press vs a handstand pushup and the feet being wide is indicative of that.