layout image layout image
 
ballroom dancing header image

The Judging Criteria In Ballroom Dancing

Judging ballroom dancing is difficult business and you need experience to be able to do it well. True, there are a few set parameters on which the couples are rated but in any competition, the relativity factor is very important. Every couple has to also be judged in comparison to the others and this is the tough part.

 

Let's look at the rateable factors. These are Timing, Posture, Hold, Line, Poise, Presentation, Togetherness and Power and each competition could just have a few more on the list.

Timing is so important. You blow that and you're out. This is why couples practice so much so they can be sure of getting the timing right in their sleep. You just have to be in perfect time to the music.

Posture is equally important. That grace, that elegance just will not be present without perfect posture. If you maintain perfect posture throughout you can also be sure of perfect balance and confidence, both so essential to dancing. Posture requires a lot of practice but what you have in the end is perfection. So you can see just how vital it is to ballroom dancing.

Hold is how your body parts are held, not just yours but both yours and your partner's, during any dance movement. So your arms, legs, feet and body need to be in the right position at the right time. It also has to be in perfect symmetry with your partner's. If you don't follow this, you are said to be breaking your hold and this could lose you quite a few points.

What is also important is Line which is the position of the body right from your head down to your toes. You have to make sure that your line is perfect. It does not matter if it is straight or curved, the lime should be graceful, elegant and right.

Poise of course is what sets you apart as you glide around the room. This certain something that needs to come from within is what makes for smooth dancing. It is the way the body moves upwards and outwards, the way a woman's body moves perfectly into the man's waiting arm, balancing, connecting and making it a graceful movement.

Of course, in today's world, presentation is so important. It is necessary to sell yourselves to those watching, especially the judges. You need to do more than just dance correctly and gracefully. You need to let the expressions show on your face as well. You need to smile, to involve the viewers. This is the packaging that sets today's dancing apart.

Togetherness in ballroom dancing is a given. You and your partner have to move as one. The leading and the following have to be done without any seeming effort and there has to be a total synchronizing of every move.

All judges have their own unique style of judging and different ideas on what is good and what isn't. Some may place a lot of emphasis on presentation while another on technique. These are individual preferences that one cannot really gauge. Of course, this could mean that two judges look very differently at the same couple dancing. However, when it comes to the rateable factors, one hopes that being more tangible, there will be a greater concurrence among the judges.

 

Ballroom Dance Music Headlines

FreeTulsa! music festival begins in Tulsa - NewsOK.com


FreeTulsa! music festival begins in Tulsa
NewsOK.com
"Several derivatives of indie rock, whether it's instrumental or hip hop even, electro, electronic music, dance music, anything like that, ...

and more »

Read more...


So You Think You Can Dance Week 7: Can it Be, a Week Without Injuries? - Huffington Post (blog)


E! Online (blog)

So You Think You Can Dance Week 7: Can it Be, a Week Without Injuries?
Huffington Post (blog)
This was interesting - it was like big band Cuban music that I would expect a kind of old-style Mambo Kings-era Salsa to be danced to; this dance didn't ...
'So You Think You Can Dance' recap: Top 6 perform (for real)Baltimore Sun (blog)
So You Think You Can Dance - Top Six Perform Some MoreHouston Chronicle (blog)
So You Think You Can Dance Recap: The Top 6 Will Soon Be 4BlogHer (blog)
fwdailynews.com -Ology (blog) -Niles Herald Spectator (blog)
all 103 news articles »

Read more...


Music & Dance calendar: July 30-Aug. 5 - Times Herald-Record


Music & Dance calendar: July 30-Aug. 5
Times Herald-Record
Inclement weather site: Eisenhower Hall Ballroom. Visit www.westpoint.edu/band. Allow extra travel time for the 100 percent vehicle and photo ID inspection ...

and more »

Read more...


Agape Healing Center hosts National Day of Dance event - York Daily Record


Agape Healing Center hosts National Day of Dance event
York Daily Record
Debbie Loxley of Seven Valleys dances with instructor George Winchell during a recent ballroom dance session at Agape Healing Center in ...

and more »

Read more...


Chemistry in motion in Vail - Vail Daily News


Chemistry in motion in Vail
Vail Daily News
8 at Ballroom 2010: Tango. Of course, the International Evenings of Dance will be a parade of dance stars from around the world. Sometimes they dance with ...

and more »

Read more...


 
layout image layout image