How do adjudicators judge dance competitions ?

When I was younger and use to compete at dance competitions, I remember my dance teacher saying that apart from performing to the best of my ability I also had to make sure that I looked the part.

Now I'm an adjudicator I know why.

Often when adjudicating, there could be approx 20-40 dancers on the floor at the same time. How can an adjudicator possibly watch all of these dancers routines in just a few minute to judge? Well, its impossible.

Which is why as a competitor it is crucial to start dancing as soon as the music starts. This will catch the judges eye, and you will receive their devoted attention if only for a few seconds. An attractive costume will also help get you noticed on an overcrowded dance floor.

In the first few heats judges will mark down the dancers who they feel has the overall presentation of a projected standard to go through to the next round.

Its in this next round where other factors come into play.

When the competition is on a circuit ie.dancers compete by dancing around the dancefloor in an anti-clockwise direction, judges tend to mark when you dance past them. When you dance too close to a judge, you are too close to be seen properly. It is much easier to be able to look at a dancer from a distance. So remember this next time.. the judge is more likely to watch you when you past them.

When marking for final places, judges look for techinical ability, projection and controlled breathing. Breathing is very important for dancers, if you do not breathe properly it may look like you are rushing your steps and in doing so not finishing them off properly. This will deliver a poor presentation result.

When it's between two dancers as to who gets 1st or 2nd place for example and both dancers are able to express similar levels of abilities, projection, and rhythmical interpretations then the bottom line does come down to... yep you guessed it.. the costume !

Good luck for your next comp !

Take care

Dawn DeMendonca
Founder
www.dancemass.com