In everybody's opinion, what are the 4 key things to look for when judging dance? For me it is rhythm, technique, poise and performance.

What does everyone else think?

I have yet to compete, so I can't offer any comments from personal experience by any means, but I stumbled upon this link one day and found it interesting. It's from the web site from the Emerald Ball 2011. The judges' comments are interesting.

http://www.dvgrafix.com/flash02/EB2010_vid/EB_interviews2010.html

I know a judge who was an amateur champion. When there are many couples on the floor, the first thing he looks at is footwork ie: heel leads in the waltz and viennese. Mess that up and you are out of the running right off the bat.

I don't know what people say they are judging...but when watching a comp this is what seems to me to be what's being judged...

I think judges look for all of the things everyone else said...but I think they also look at whether or not 'you've paid your dues'

When at a couple of the major comps I've noticed that when you get to the final rounds the girls all have the same gorgeous legs and figures. The guys have the same body shape. Some of that is due to work but like legs...you can't change the shape of your legs.

I think that the chemistry between the partners is something essential that gets overlooked. The emotion has to look believable.

Also if the judges are looking at the same choreography over and over again....I believe they get bored because many of the same judges, judge all the major competitions.

Interesting observation ( the bodies etc ).

If one looks at top flite Amats or Pros, one should remember, yrs of practice have gone into developing a toned body .

On the other hand, there was a couple that danced as Amats in the late 40s early 50s in the UK, where the man was "portly " and the lady very slim. They became the SE Uk champions .


Scrivener once made an interesting comment..he said that Silhoutte was an important part of HOW we display ourselves on a dance floor .

Being an adjudicator is about "opinions".. thats why we have an odd number in major events ( it should create a majority ) .

AS to paying dues , of course, if one is seeing the SAME couples over and over during the course of a yr, then it does simplify the task to some degree ( not always ) in fact, to some degree it helps .

The more difficult thing to adjudicate are the " newcomers " ,especially when there are heats that are sometimes on a crowded floor .

And if anyone thinks its an easy task, then think again ( it can be very tiring mentally and physically ), standing for hrs on end .

I've had a very limited experience of judging at a lower level - almost 'fun' competitions.
The first thing i looked for is the general shape of the couple - good posture and poise - the 'top line'. This stands out, even on a crowded floor. I believe most judges do this. After all, you can't move very freely on a crowded floor in the early rounds. But you can look good.
Dancing out of time is a complete no-no of course.
Judging is a very difficult task and obviously very subjective. Rather like deciding which is the 'best' car!

Phil Samways. I cant find your correspondence regarding the Skating System in judging so I will put it here. You might like to look at How a dancer can lose when the majority of judges mark them to win.. Dancesport UK Interviews and Articles. Harry Smith- Hampshire cites a case where this did happen but doesn't go into how.

Terence. Was the couple, Paddy Shannan and Maureen Cavener(?) The girl with long blonde hair.

If I remember correctly,I believe it was Charlie Ellis and Maureen Canavan ?. I do remember they were S.E. Amat. champs .


It was a general consensus, as you may remember, that they had ,and I quote... " The finest F/trot in the Amat. ranks " . I believe he was a haulage contractor ? .

And yes, I remember Paddy .

I have had coaching lessons with many adjudicators and ask every one of them what they look for.

Number one is topline. They can tell the most from it. If your footwork, frame or timing is off they can tell just by looking at your topline. If everyone is equal there then they will look at the feet. If equal there then they will look into styling, etc.

Judges mark the dancers who "offend them least" according to the late Scott Montague.

I do not believe that people are marked or not based on their body. However their dancing CAN be overlooked because they are not wearing costumes that are appropriate for their body. Both men and ladies should keep their problem areas covered. Ladies should always be in panty hose unless they are extremely tan and toned. Even then, I'd still recommend it. Everyone's legs look better in hose, plus it keeps the spanks from riding up which is a MAJOR distraction from your dancing.

Other big no-nos: hair in your face, nude colored spanks (everyone spends the whole time trying to figure out if you're wearing any, and miss out on your awesome dancing), glitter (just looks like sweat under the lights).

As far as seeing many of the same people called back, there are a couple factors. One is because they probably deserve to be there. Judges do call also call people back that they know, that is true, but its not a politics thing generally. It's because they know their dancing. If they have someone that they already know if a fabulous dancer in a semi-final they are going to call them back without really watching them. This allows them to spend more time watching the dancers they don't know to see who else deserves a call back. When it gets to the finals then they'll spend more time with each couple.