Judge's Opinion
Judges are part of the dance audience. What are they looking for? Jonathan Marion answers this question in his book on the culture of competitions by referring to an online article on judging, written by former U.S. ballroom champion Dan Radler. Radler lists fourteen different criteria that judges use, and Marion argues that judges examine each in scoring every competitor. The list is formidable: posture, timing, line, hold, poise, togetherness, lead and follow, floor craft, and finally, intangibles, Marion shows photographs of what each looks like when done properly. No doubt judges look at all these things. However, given the number of couples on the floor at once (often as many as twenty) and the short time span of each dance (less than two minutes), judges cannot give equal weight to each of these criteria for every couple. Douglas had been a judge for many years, and he conceded that it was not possible for judges to examine everything. He told me that each judge has a specific priority, adding,
“my priority is about musicality. For most judges, it’s about speed, structure, impact and all that. That’s necessary, but to me the context of dance is music and that to me is the number-one thing. As a musician and as an individual who has been a musical dancer and as a choreographer, I see all kinds of flaws in this area, and that tends to influence me a lot. “
When I judge a competition, I almost put myself in a trance…I try to wipe the slate clean and I just look out there, and I just let my eyes be drawn. Within about twenty seconds, I have my winner, my second, third, fourth person. I start writing down, look at it , see if what I’ve written down is true…switch a place here. That’s how I do it. I have an absolute horror of allowing myself to be influenced by the results of a previous competition…I have to try to judge, and then what I’ve done I’m happy with.
Having the correct posture
Posture usually occupies the top spot in competitive ballroom dancing and can help determine your fat at a dance competition. A dancer must exude elegance and confidence.
Understanding the craft
Some judges will also appreciate a dancer who understands their craft and appears to take it seriously. Adherence to technique is usually a tell-tale sign of how passionate you are about ballroom dancing. Things like being aware of your body tone, your vertical alignment, and balancing the foot and ankle pressure correctly will tell a judge how much you understand ballroom dancing. It also emphasizes your attention to detail and your discipline as a dancer, which is highly appreciated.
What judges look for in ballroom dance competitions (timing)
If your timing is off, nothing can save you. Dancing and music go together, so if you fail at this part, then it doesn’t matter if you do everything else perfectly. Listen carefully to the music and try and adapt to the rhythm.
Expression
Expressions matter a lot s a form of expression and you need to treat it that way, you must also try and keep it natural. Appearing artificial on the dance floor will only cause you to lose points.
Stamina
A lot of judges will rate you on your stamina as well. Energetic dancers are a lot more exciting to watch. If showcases their enthusiasm and passion for dancing, which is appreciated by the audience and judges alike.
Make sure it does not interfere with your posture and overall technique. It’s also important to remember that different types of dances require different energy levels, so youmust adapt accordingly.
Telling a story
Telling a tory through your dance an also get your points.
It shows your creativity and the amount of thought you put into your performance. Telling a story can also help tap into the emotional aspect of ballroom dancing. You can add in expressions that complement the emotions you’re presenting. Story telling is also a test of your skills as a choreographer. Being able to say something through movement alone can help you Catch judge’s attention.
Styling and Appearance
Some judges will also factor in your style and how it adds to your appearance. They will judge whether you dance outwardly and really express yourself on the dance floor. If you show introversion and nervousness, it will reflect negatively on your performance.
Connection with your dance partner
Besides the technical aspects, there are also some intangible factors such as how a couple looks together. Dancing couples that have more chemistry and appear to fit emotionally together will get more appreciation.
To sum it up
We hope you found these tips on ballroom dancing to be useful. In the end, there is no particular formula when it comes to competitive ballroom dancing, but most judges will stress on improving posture, technique musicality and energy. Your connection with your partner is also incredibly important. Both of you need to be able to understand complement each other’s movements. Remember that like everything else, there is a learning curve to ballroom dancing. Even if you are not a pro yet, continuing to work hard and maintaining your passion for dancing can help you overcome any minor obstacles and compete in the big leagues!