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 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. The grace and elegance associated with ballroom dancing 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 posture 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. 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 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 line 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 unique to each person and 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 yourself 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 others favor 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, the rateable factors do provide a degree of standardization to the judging process to help reach a greater concurrence among the judges.

Bookmark and Shareshare

 

Ballroom Dancing Recommended Products

Visit the Top Links page for more information about Ballroom Dancing.




Judging Ballroom Dancing News

PHOTO: See Bristol Before — and After — Dance Practice - People Magazine


ABC News

PHOTO: See Bristol Before — and After — Dance Practice
People Magazine
Though she admits that she doesn't have much experience in the ballroom, Palin says she “come[s] from an athletic background, so I'm thankful for that. ...
"Dancing With the Stars" - The Pairings are Revealedfwdailynews.com
'Dancing with the Stars' cast announced; here's trivia about the celebrity dancersPlain Dealer
Bristol Palin Puts On Dancing Shoes for “Dancing With the Stars”Waleg.com

all 93 news articles »

Read more...


'Dancing with the Stars' professional partner pairings announced - Reality TV World


Washington Post

'Dancing with the Stars' professional partner pairings announced
Reality TV World
... season's cast is Edyta Sliwinska, the only professional dancer who had participated in all of the ABC ballroom dancing competition's first ten seasons. ...
Photo Flash: 'Dancing with the Stars' Reveals Rehearsal PhotosBroadway World
Dancing With The Stars Professional Partners AnnouncedComtex Smartrend
Tattle: Predicting 'Dancing' winner gets you into a Grey areaPhiladelphia Inquirer
ABC News -allvoices -Access Hollywood
all 1,783 news articles »

Read more...


RUMOR MILL YET AGAIN - J-LO, AN “AMERICAN IDOL” JUDGE? - Hollywood Outbreak (blog)


ABC News

RUMOR MILL YET AGAIN - J-LO, AN “AMERICAN IDOL” JUDGE?
Hollywood Outbreak (blog)
Maybe take a page out of the Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance playbook and make the contestants available for interviews on the ...
Jennifer Lopez 'American Idol' Judge Deal All but DoneAssociated Content
Kara DioGuardi Officially Out At 'American Idol'Access Hollywood

all 407 news articles »

Read more...


It's Glitter Glory As ABC Unveils Official 'Dancing With The Stars' Cast Shots - Access Hollywood


Daily Mail

It's Glitter Glory As ABC Unveils Official 'Dancing With The Stars' Cast Shots
Access Hollywood
Pro Lacey Schwimmer returns to the ballroom sporting a new blonde 'do as she leans on her celebrity partner, Kyle Massey, formerly of “That's So Raven. ...
Baby's ready to Dance DirtyThe Sun

all 28 news articles »

Read more...


Kelly Osbourne shows off toned legs and slim figure a day after performing ... - Daily Mail


Daily Mail

Kelly Osbourne shows off toned legs and slim figure a day after performing ...
Daily Mail
'It's the first time I've really danced since filming Dancing with the Stars, but it's so different. 'This isn't stiff ballroom - it's slinky and sexy! ...

and more »

Read more...


 
layout image layout image