DANCESPORT ADJUDICATING PRINCIPLES · 2018. 2. 13. · NZBDC – Adjudicating Principles Version...

NZBDC–AdjudicatingPrinciplesVersion2017 Page1

New Zealand Ballroom Dance Council

DANCESPORTADJUDICATINGPRINCIPLESAdaptedbyNZBDCFrom,andwithpermissionoftheDSAAccreditationCommission

AdjudicatingPrinciples

IndexChapter1. Introduction 3. AimsoftheManual 4. Chapter2. EthicsandConductofAdjudicators 9. RolesandResponsibilities 9. Mentors 10. ChairmanofAdjudicators 12. Scrutineers 12. LicensingRequirements 14. Adjudicators'CodeofConduct 15. AdjudicatorDressCode 18. RulesInterpretation 18. RuleEnforcement 19.Chapter3. MarkingRequirements—AdjudicatorCards 21. Obligations--requirementsofSkatingSystem 21. “D”Markingprocedure 23. SampleAdjudicatorCards 25.Chapter4. Scrutineering–TheSkatingSystemexplained 27.Chapter5. AssessmentofCompetitors 30. PrioritiesofAssessment 31. TechnicalMeritasaBasisforAdjudicating 33.

Chapter1.

Introduction

Thecliché“IttakestwotoTango”(oranyotherdancewithintheconfinesofDanceSport)identifiestheactivityasa“TeamSport”.

InthisrespectDanceSportdiffersfrommostother“TeamSports”insomuchasasuccessfulpartnership,IRRESPECTIVEOFWHETHERITBEINStandard,LatinAmerican,NewVogueorClassicalSequence,isexpectedtoproduce,asageneralprinciple,asingleentity“performance”,whereasinTeamSportsgenerally,successisdependentuponacombinationoftheindividual(andgenerallysingular)activitiesoftheteammembers.

Aswell,withintherealmsof“TeamSports”,DanceSportisuniqueinsomuchasresultsaredetermineddirectlybythecollectivemarksoftheAdjudicatorsasopposedto“pointscoringdefinitiveactions”byindividualteammembers.

TheroleoftheDanceSportAdjudicatordiffersconsiderablyfromthatofthe“judgement”roleofthesportsRefereeorUmpirewhoseconcernisprimarilywiththe“rulesofplay”whereasthemarksoftheDanceSportAdjudicator(andultimatelythecollectivemarksofthepanel)directlyindicateanassessmentoftheparticularcompetitiveperformances.

Beingoutsidetheparametersofan“exact”science,aswithotherstylesofdanceorindeedany“judged”physicalactivity,DanceSportbecauseoftheimmeasurableorunquantifiableelementsinperformance,isbynecessityadjudicatedsubjectively.

InDanceSport,subjectivejudgingisassessmentbypersonalthoughtsandfeelings(gainedinthegreatmajorityofcasesfromcompetitiveand/orcoachingexperience)andbaseduponknowledgeandunderstandingofarangeoftechnicalandfundamentalprinciples.

WhilstanexperiencedAdjudicatormaypossesstheabilitytoquicklyassessthenecessaryingredientscollectivelyandmakeaninformeddecisioninashortspaceoftime,itisindeedadauntingtaskforthenewerorlessexperiencedAdjudicatorsincethereisnoprovisionofarequiredsetcriteriaorprocedurefortheweighting/prioritisingofthevariouselementstobeadheredto.

Itisundoubtedlythis“Judgingsystemscenario”thatistherootcauseofmanyoftheproblemswhichbesetDanceSportandwhichbreedssuspicionwhenlegitimateinconsistenciesbetweenAdjudicatorsmarkingsareobserved,andwhichinturnisoftenperceivedasbeingalackofneutralityinjudging.Thisperceptioninthevastmajorityofsuchinstancesisunfoundedandgenerallyforavarietyofreasons,factuallyincorrect.

Tohaveablueprintormethodologyrequiringcriteriainadjudicatingtobeappliedinawaythatisperceivedasbeingclearerandmoreeasilyunderstoodbycompetitorsandspectatorsalike,wouldundoubtedlybeviewedasbeing“theultimate”,howeversuchaproposal

wouldseemtosuggestthatallAdjudicators,atanygivenevent,wouldneedtobelikemindedforittobeeffectiveorevenworkable.

Unfortunatelygiventheimmeasurableandunquantifiableperformanceelementsinvolvedtogetherwithhumannaturebeingwhatitis,andtheformatgenerallyusedincompetitiveevents,thelikelihoodofsuchcollectivethinkingmoreoftenthannotishighlyimprobabledueinnoshortmeasuretothefactthatsuchnon-absolutequalitiesofstyle,movement,rhythmandpicturevalues(or“togetherness’”)bywayofexample,arecomprehendedinthemindandeyeoftheviewer.

Overtheyears,anumberofhighlyrespected,knowledgeableandveryexperiencedpeopleontheinternationalscene,haverecordedinprinttheirviews(prioritiesorcriteriaifyoulike)onvariousaspectsofadjudicating,sothereexistsaveryvaluableresourcefromwhicheducationalmaterialhasbeendrawnforinclusioninthismanual.

ItistheferventhopeoftheNZBDC,thatthispublicationwillassistandencouragebothnewandestablishedAdjudicatorsintheexecutionoftheirroleinthismostseriousandresponsiblepositionFORTHISISWHERESTANDARDSSHOULDBESET.

TheaimsofthisAdjudicatingPrinciplesManual

NZBDC’sAdjudicatingPrinciplesManualisdesignedtoprovide:-

• AclearunderstandingoftheroleandresponsibilitiesofAdjudicators.• AclearawarenessoftheNZBDCRulescurrentlyinforceastheyrelatetoboth

Adjudicatorsandtheadjudicatingprocess.• PracticalknowledgeandadviceontherequirementsoftheSkatingSystemof

Scrutineering,includingthemarkingofJudgingCards.• Adocumentofadviceexplainingthecomplexitiesofadjudicatingandwhichpresents

considerationsfortheprioritisingofelementsofassessmentandcomparativeanalysisofcompetitiveperformances.

ThemanualpresentsastandardapproachtotheeducationofDanceSportAdjudicators.

BasicPrinciplessupportingaDanceSportAdjudicatingsystemare:-

Transparency

Makingavailabledetailsoftheperformancecriteriathatistakenintoaccountinarrivingatajudgingresult.

ProvidingCompetitors,Spectators,Coaches,andDanceSportFanswithaccesstoinformation,which,eveniftheydon’tagreewithit,willhelptounderstandthereasoningforaparticularresult.

Neutrality

AccreditedAdjudicatorsmustnotonlybeconsistentandunbiased,theymustalsobeseentobeconsistentandunbiased.Theymustadjudicatewithoutprejudice,fearorfavouronwhatispresentedonthatoccasion,andnotallowthemselvestobeinfluencedbypreviousperformancesseenelsewhere,or(inthecaseofVisualJudging)byconcernsofdisagreementwiththepositionsgivenbyotherAdjudicatorsonthepanel.

Accountability

Preservationofintegrityisabsolutelyessential.AccreditedAdjudicatorsmustbeaccountablefortheirdecisionsand(baseduponrecognisablestandards)havethecourageoftheirconvictionsinadditiontobeingaccountablefortheirupholdingoftheNZBDCAdjudicatorsCodeofConduct.

COURSESTRUCTUREANDPERSPECTIVE

TheAdjudicatingPrinciplesCourseisaSelfStudyProgrammeascoveredbythecontentsofthismanualandwhilstitisprimarilydesignedfortheeducationofTraineeAdjudicators;existingaccreditedAdjudicatorsmaywellfindthecontentstobeofvaluewithContinuingProfessionalDevelopment.

Subjectmattercoveredbythecourseincludes:-

• ConductandethicalrequirementsforAdjudicators.• Fundamentalrulesandrestrictionsrelativetoage,gradeandsyllabusrequirements.• CompliancerequirementsoftheSkatingSystemastheyrelatetothemarkingof

Cards.• AnoverviewofthemechanicsoftheSkatingSystemofScrutineering.• TypicalexampleofJudgingCardsandhowtheyshouldbecompleted.• AssessmentofCompetitors,includingforconsideration,suggestedElementsof

Performance.• InformativenotestoassistwiththerecognitionofCorrectTechniqueandQualityof

Performance.

CHAPTER2.

ETHICSANDCONDUCTOFADJUDICATORS.

Theinformationinthischapterwillassistinpreparingthereaderto:-

• AppreciatethemanyissuessurroundingtheethicsandconductofAdjudicators• UnderstandtherolesandlicensingofAdjudicators,and• HaveagoodworkingknowledgeofDanceSportcompetitionrulesandtheir

application

INTRODUCTION

ItisdifficulttothinkofanothercompetitiveenvironmentwherethepositionofanAdjudicatorisascomplex,orperhapsascontroversialasthatofDanceSport.

ForExample

Thereisno“firstpastthepost”inDanceSport.Style,technique,musicality,andotherelementsofperformanceareallfactorsforconsiderationwhendeterminingtheallocationofwinnersandplacegetters.

Onthetechnicalside,notonlyisthereaneedforasoundtheoreticalunderstandingoffiguresforeachofthestylesinwhichtheywillbejudging,butAdjudicatorsmustalsobeabletoassesswithinaverylimitedtimeframe,meritsofhowroutinesarestructuredandperformedtomusic.

AnAdjudicatormustcomparetheperformancesofallthecouplesinvolved(thatis,ofboththemaleandfemale)ineachdancefromroundstofinals.

Spectatorsandthosewithoutappropriateexpertisewilltendtofirsttakeanoverviewofallonthefloor,butthenconcentrateonindividualperformances,suchasthoseofcouplestheyknoworthosewiththemostcrowdappeal.

ItalsohappensinDanceSportthatmostAdjudicators,whoarealsocoaches,oftenjudgecompetitionsinwhichtheirstudentscompete.ItcanalsohappenthatsomeAdjudicatorshaveallegiancestoTeachingStudios.

RolesandResponsibilities

Putsimply,anAdjudicator’sroleistoensureallcompetitorsarejudged(freefromanybiasorcoercion)onthemeritsoftheirperformanceonanygivenoccasion.PriortodirectinganissuetotheattentionoftheChairman,Adjudicatorsshouldensurethat

• Thefactsofthematterareclear,andthat• Theyarenotjustmattersofopinionandarenotfrivolous.

Itisalife-longchallengetogain,andthenmaintain,expertiseasanAdjudicator.Youneedtoaspiretothefollowing:-

SkillsofanexperiencedAdjudicator

• In-depthknowledgeandunderstandingofstylespecifictechniqueasdescribedinapproved/acceptedtexts.

• KnowledgeandunderstandingofNZBDCSyllabusrequirementsrelativetoeachstyle• Previouscompetitorand/orcoachingexperienceareadistinctadvantage.• Attentiontodetailandabroadperspectiveofwhatconstitutesa“gooddancer”• Abilitytoassessandmarkcompetitorsperformancebyageandrelativedegreeof

competence• Speed.accuracyandneatnessofcardmarkingwhilestilldevotingmaximumtime

availabletoobservecompetitors(thesameprinciplesapplywhenusingelectronicmarkingdevices).

PersonalattributesofanexperiencedAdjudicator.

• Keenawarenessofresponsibilities• Wellrespectedforfairness,honesty,impartialityandknowledge• Consistencyinmarking• Goodmemory• Balancedviewandopenmind• StrengthofCharacter• Wellgroomedandappropriatelydressed• Respectedbycompetitors,parents,coaches,andotherAdjudicators• Personalconductalwaysabovereproach• Reliableandhardworking• Goodrolemodel

So,asaninexperiencedAdjudicator,whatarethemostimportantattributesyouneedtodevelopfromdayoneinordertopursueasuccessfulcareer,andaddresssomeoftheobstacleslistedpreviously?

Commitmenttocontinuingeducation,developmentandenhancementofoursport,andanethicalandmoralcodeofbehaviourthatisabovereproach.

Mentor

TheaimistoprovidenewandTraineeAdjudicatorswithanexperiencedAdjudicatorasarolemodeltohelp/guidethemthroughtheirearlyexperiences.

OnceaTraineeAdjudicatorhascompletedtheTechnicalAssessmentandthatoftheAdjudicatingPrinciplesCourse,theyshouldcontacttheirprofessionalassociationorNZBDCtoseekamutuallyacceptableMentortoguidethemthroughthefinalPracticeModuleoftheaccreditationprocess.

AlthoughtheChairmanofAdjudicatorsmayprovideMentoringtoTraineeAdjudicators,adedicatedMentorisbetterplacedtofulfilthisrole.

TheroleoftheMentoristoguideandsupervisenewapplicantsthroughthePracticeModuleoftheaccreditationprocess(thatis,attendanceandparticipationatanumberofNZBDCregisteredevents).ItispreferablethatthesamepersonbetheMentoroneachoccasion.MentorsarepreferablyClassAChampionshipqualified.Ascrutineeringqualificationwouldalsobeanadvantage,butnotessentialforthisposition.

IdeallyanappointedMentorwillnothavehadanypreviousaffiliationwiththeassignedTrainee.Itisoftheutmostimportancethatthecredibilityoftheaccreditationprocessbemaintained.

MentorResponsibilities

• Providea“Walk-through”withtheTraineeofthepracticalcomponentofcertification,includingpaperworkrequired,proceduresandassessmentcriteria

• AgreetoascheduleofcompetitiveeventsthattheTraineewillattend,andadvisetheNZBDCaccordingly

• Obtainpriorapprovaloforganisersofthenominatedevents,oftheintentiontocarryoutpracticeadjudication.Note:practiceadjudicationmustnotbeundertakenatNationalChampionships.

• ThenumberofappropriateeventstobejudgedbytheTraineeonanyoneoccasion(coveringbothRoundsandFinals)mustbenotlessthan10.

• ProvideTraineewithclearlyidentifiedcardsforHeatsandFinals• Pre-arrangewiththeOrganiserorChairmanofAdjudicators,provisionofresults

fromselectedevents• CompareTrainee’smarkingwithofficialresults• Requestreasoningforspecificmarkinganddiscussifnecessary• CompleteawrittenassessmentoftheTrainee• Provideadviceandansweranyquestionsregardingeacheventbeingassessed,

includingcounsellingontheTrainee’sperformancethatmaynotbesatisfactory.Clearlyidentifysuchproblems,explainthereasoningandadviseremedialaction.

• SignoffTrainee’sAdjudicatingAccreditationforthePracticeModuleoncealleventshavebeencompleted,attachingacopyofthewrittenassessments.TheapplicantmustforwardthecompleteddocumentationtoNZBDCforconsiderationoffinalcertification.

ChairmanofAdjudicators

ArguablyoneofthemostcriticalrolesinDanceSportisthatoftheChairmanofAdjudicators.AlongwiththeScrutineertheirroleispivotaltotheperceptionoffairnessintheachievementofbestcompetitiveresults.

Asageneralruleofpractice,organisersofDanceSporteventsappointaChairmanofAdjudicatorsintheknowledgethatthequalityandeffectivenessofthepersonsoappointedcontributesinnosmallwaytotheoverallmanagementandsuccessoftheevent.ItisdesirablethattheOrganisingManageroftheeventisnotalsotheChairmanofAdjudicators.Whendeterminingactiontobetakeninregardtodisputes,interpretationsorquestionsthatmaybebroughttohis/herattention,theChairmanofAdjudicatorsisoftenobligedtoconsider,inadditiontotheNZBDCRulesofDancesport,therightsofeventpromoters,theinterestsofspectatorsandthoseoftheadjudicatorsandcompetitors.

Duties:ChairmanofAdjudicators&Scrutineers.

TheChairmanofAdjudicatorsisresponsibleforthecorrectinterpretationofthemarksandformakingdecisionsonpointsofquestion/conflictthatariseduringtheconductofevents.Itishis/herdutytoinspectthemarksandtoensurethecorrectimplementationofthedisqualificationrule.Itisalsohis/herdutytoinspectthemarkingsheetsaftereachroundandtoagreewiththeorganiserthenumberofcouplestopassforwardtothenextround.

TheChairmanofAdjudicatorsshallagreewiththeorganiserthenumberofheatsineachroundofcompetition,andthenumberofcouplesinafinal.TheChairmanmaylimitthenumberofcouplesinanyheatorinthefinal,ifitisbelievedthereshallbeanydangertothehealthandsafetyofthecouplesfromovercrowding.

TheChairmanofAdjudicatorsmayserveinanon-votingcapacitybutmustbeaqualifiedAdjudicatorandholdaScrutineersqualificationrecognisedbytheNZBDC.ThereisanexceptiontothisrequirementatClassBcompetitions,whereitmaynotbepossibletoappointsomeonewithscrutineeringqualificationsandanelectronicscrutineeringsystemisbeingemployed(referNZBDCRulesofCompetition).

Onrequest,theChairmanofAdjudicatorsmayberequiredtoforwardtotheNZBDC,ashortreportofthechampionshipatwhichhe/shehasofficiated.Thisreportmustalsostatethenumberofcompetitorsandapproximateattendancefigures.

TheHeadScrutineermustholdaScrutineerQualificationrecognisedbytheNZBDCandisresponsibleforthecorrectrecordingofthemarks.Itishis/herdutytoensurethecorrectimplementationofthedisqualificationrule.IfthereareanymattersrelatingtothemarkingofAdjudicatorcardsthatrequireattention,theScrutineeristoensurethattheChairmanofAdjudicators(orinhis/herabsence,theOrganiser)ismadeawareofsuchmatters.TheChairmanwillthenberequiredtodealwiththeissueasgovernedbyNZBDCCompetitionrules.Anexamplewouldbetheissueof“D”marking.ItisthedutyoftheChairmanofAdjudicators,(ortheScrutineeronhis/herbehalf)toimmediatelyrefertotheAdjudicatorconcerned,anymarkingcardthathasapalpableerrororomission,orthatisnotlegible.

AScrutineermustnotalsoactasChairmanofAdjudicators.

OnlytheChairmanofAdjudicatorsandScrutineersshallhaveaccesstothemarksuntiltheyarehandedovertotheorganiser,andthosemarksshallbeembargoedforsuchfurthertimeasgovernedbyNZBDCCompetitionrules.

ChairmanofAdjudicatorswillasageneralruleofpractice:

• Priortothecommencementoftheevent,calltogetheralltheAdjudicatorsinordertoprovidedetailsoftheAdjudicatorsresponsibilitiesandduties,outlineappropriateconduct,answerquestionsandprovideacomplaints/queriesprocesstofollow.

ItisincumbentupontheChairmanofAdjudicatorsto:-

• EnsurethatallNZBDCCompetitionrulesareenforcedwithoutfearorfavour,fairlyandconsistentlythroughout,includingmusicandtempi,restrictionsonsyllabus,gradeanddressandcodesofconductforcompetitors,coachesandadjudicators

• Ensurethatthescrutineeriscompetentandefficient,andknowsthattheymustimmediatelyadvisetheChairmanofany“D”markingsonadjudicatorcards,whetherforselectionsorfinals,sothattheChairmancandiscusstheinfringementwiththecouple(s)concerned.

• Overseeallevents,sothattheycanbeinapositiontomakeadecisionshouldany“D”markingorothercontentiousissuesarise.Iftheyhavenotwitnessedanissueleadingtoa“D”marking,theyshouldaccepttheAdjudicator’smarkingandfollowdueprocess.(“D”markingisdealtwithindetailinChapter3).

• ImmediatelyremoveanAdjudicatorfromthepaneluponwitnessingabreachoftheAdjudicatorsCodeofConduct,orwhereitisbelievedaconflictofinterestmayoccur.

• Remainimpartialatalltimes.• ProvidedirectionandguidancetoAdjudicators,particularlynewonesortrainees.A

postcompetitionreviewmaybeofferedtodiscussAdjudicatorperformance,issuesthataroseandactiontobetaken,andsuggestedareasofimprovement.

• IfrequestedbyNZBDC,prepareawrittenreportonanyissuearisingandactiontaken,orrequiredtobetaken,andsubmittotheNZBDC.

LICENSINGREQUIREMENTS

AllAdjudicatorsinanyeventconductedunderNZBDCjurisdictionmustholdacurrent,validNZBDCAdjudicatorLicenceunlessspecificallyexemptedunderNZBDCrules.

TheissuingofanAdjudicatorLicencetoanapplicantisnotmandatory.NZBDCreservestherightatitsabsolutediscretiontodeclineanapplicationforanAdjudicator’sRegistration.NZBDCreservestherighttosuspend,cancelorpermanentlywithdrawtheAdjudicatingRegistrationofanypersonwhohasgrosslybreachedtheCodeofConductforAdjudicators,orwhoisfoundtobenotafitandproperpersontoadjudicateDanceSportevents.

ApersonsuspendedorexpelledfromRegistrationwithNZBDC,orwhorefusesRegistrationwithNZBDC,orwhorefusestocorrectlycompletetheNZBDCRegistrationapplication/renewalform,orwhorefusestopaythecorrectcombinedRegistrationfeeshallnotbeseparatelygrantedAdjudicatorsRegistration.

ThepurposeoftheRegistrationfeeistoensureautomaticRegistrationforalllicensedAdjudicators,therebyensuringthatNZBDChastheappropriateauthoritytogoverntheaffairsoftheDanceSportfraternity,andtoensurethatNZBDCremainsrepresentativeofthemajorityoftheDanceSportfraternity.

AnAdjudicator’sRegistrationisnotineffectuntilthelicensee’sregistrationisrecordedontheNationalDataBaseforthecurrentperiod.

AdjudicatorsareonlypermittedtojudgeinthestylesandatthelevelcoveredbytheircurrentRegistrationandcurrentlevelofaccreditation,exceptforspecialcircumstances,asmaybeapprovedbytheNZBDC.

RegisteredAdjudicatorsmayadvertiseorpublicisethefactthattheyholdsuchNZBDCRegistration.

ItisaconditionofholdinganAdjudicatorsRegistrationthat:-

• TheAdjudicatorsCodeofConductisadheredtoatalltimes.• ANZBDCRegisteredAdjudicatorshouldnotacceptnominationtojudgeor

participateinanAdjudicatingPanelataproscribedunregisteredevent.• AnAdjudicatorshallnotparticipateinorprovidesupportorcooperationtoany

combination,organisationorindividualsseekingtoundermineNZBDC’sroleasthegoverningbodyforDanceSportinNewZealand.

• QuestionsrelativetoAdjudicatorRegistrationorRegistrationproceduresshouldbeaddressedtotheSecretary,NZBDC.

THEADJUDICATORS’CODEOFCONDUCT

AsoutlinedearlierintheManual,therearemanyinherentconditionsinDanceSportthatrenderanAdjudicator’srolebothdifficultandcontroversial.Unfortunately,inthepastmanyofthesefactorscouldalsocloakineptitudeorimproperconduct.Therehasbeenarealperceptionthatlittlewas“seentobedone”tocorrectanomalies,andifactionwastakentheresultswerenotgenerallyvisibletoall.

NZBDCCodesofConductandDisciplinaryActionswerecreatedtomakeitcleartoall,whatisexpectedofAdjudicatorsandwhatthepenaltiesarefortheirflagrantdisregard.(GenerallyAppendix9oftheNZBDCRulesofDancesportrevolvearoundprovidingAdjudicatorswithguidelinestoavoidbehaviour,whichcouldbeperceivedbya“reasonableperson”,asbeingunethical,improperorbiased).

Theconsequencesofbreachingtheserulesmayleadtodisciplinaryactionand/orexpulsion.

AnewAdjudicatormusthaveasoundknowledgeandunderstandingoftheseRulesandbepersonallycommittedtothetypeofconductandethicalstandardsthatwillholduptopublicscrutiny.AnAdjudicatorwhoconstantlystrivestowardsachievingtheattributesofthe“IdealAdjudicator”willhavenoconcernswithmeetingtheirobligationsundertheCode.

Rulesofcoursearealwaysopentointerpretation,however,itisexpectedthatthespiritandtheintentbealwaysobserved.InadditiontoitemsspeltoutintheRules,thefollowingareexamplesofbehaviourthatthisCodewasdesignedtoavoid.

DuringthecourseofanyDanceSportevent,aparticipatingAdjudicatorshouldnot:-

• Arrivelate• DrinkAlcohol• Offeropiniononacompetitors’attire,mannerorperformance• Makeremarksaboutanindividuals’age,sex,religion,physicalattributes,culture• Dressinappropriately(DressCodedetailsfollow)• Engageinsecretiveconversations,swearoruseunacceptablelanguage• Trytocoverupmistakes,orfailtoaskforhelpwhenrequired• Leavethefloorbeforecompletionoftheeventbeingadjudicated• Beinfluencedbytheexpectationsofpeers,competitors,organisersorparents• Criticisemembersofthedancefraternity.• Demonstrateanger,frustrationorirritability• MarkcontrarytoanyDanceSportRules.

FailuretomeettheserequirementscouldleadtoareportbeingsubmittedtotheNZBDC.

ThefollowingistakenfromtheNZBDCRulesofDancesportasatJune2017

Appendix9AJUDICATORSCODEOFCONDUCT1. Thefollowingconductshallconstituteabreachoftheadjudicator’scodeofconduct:

1.1. KnowinglycommittingorconnivinginanybreachofNZBDCRules1.2. Notretiringfromthepanelofaneventonanyoccasionhe/shehasamemberofhis/herimmediateand/orextendedfamilyincludingdefactoandsamegenderrelationshipscompetinginthatevent1.3. Misrepresentinghis/heradjudicator’squalificationlevelorexperience1.4. Makingafalsestatementinrelationtohis/heradjudicator’sregistration1.5. Threateningtomarkacoupleinaparticularway,soastogainsomeadvantageforhimself/herselforforsomethirdparty,orsoastocoercethecoupleintodoingorrefrainingfromdoingsomeact.1.6. Threateningacoupleduringtheconductingofaneventheisjudgingandinwhichthecouplearecompeting,includingthreateningtomarkacoupleinaparticularway.1.7. Coaching,teaching,orgivingadvicetoaparticularcoupleduringaneventthatheisjudging1.8. Seekingbyanymeanstoimproperlyinfluenceorintimidateanotheradjudicator1.9. Whereheisnotonthejudgingpanelforanevent,discussingwithanadjudicatorwhoisonthejudgingpanelforthatevent,themeritsoftheperformanceofacompetitorinthatevent,beforethecompletionofthefinalround1.10. Discussingthemeritsofacompetitorsperformancewiththecompetitorbeforethecompletionofthefinalroundinaneventwhichhe/sheisjudging1.11. Seekingtoinfluencetheoutcomeofaneventotherthanbythemarkingofallcouplesontheirmerits1.12. Markingorthreateningtomarkacoupleotherthanontheirmerits1.13. Undertakinganyconductthatisintendedtogainacompetitoranunfairadvantageoverothercompetitors1.14. FalselyclaimingtoofficiallyrepresentNZFDTInc.,SATD(NZ)Inc.orNZBDCinanycapacity1.15. Condoningdiscriminatoryorimproperbehaviourbyafellowadjudicator1.16. Participatingonajudgingpanelknowingthatanothermemberofthepanelhashadtheirregistrationsuspended,withdrawnorisnotregisteredwithNZBDC1.17. Participatingonajudgingpanelforaproscribedunregisteredevent1.18. OtherwiseactinginsuchawayastobringtheimageofNZFDTInc,SATD(NZ)Inc,NZBDCand/orDancesportgenerallyintodisrepute

2. Ifanadjudicatorconverseswithspectators,competitorsorcoaches,hemaynotdiscusstheperformanceofanycoupleheisjudging,untilafterthefinalroundhasbeencompleted

3. Adjudicatorsareremindedthattheyoccupyapositionoftrustintheircapacityasanadjudicator.Accordingly,ahigherstandardofbehaviourisrequiredofadjudicatorsthanallotherpersons,beforeduringandaftertheconductofeventstheyarejudging3.1. Anadjudicator’sbehaviourbothonandoffthedancefloormustbeconsistentwiththeprinciplesofgoodsportsmanship.3.2. AnAdjudicatormustnotbehaveinaquestionableorunseemlymannerinpublicoratanyDancesportrelatedfunctionoroccasionwheremembersofthepublic(includingspectatorsandmedia)arepresentinanycapacity

4. AnAdjudicatormustbeconsistent,objectiveandneutralinhisdecisions.Biasedjudgingunderminesthewholebasisofcompetition

5. AnAdjudicatormustbemeticulousinpenalisingdangerousand/orviolentbehaviour.6. AnAdjudicatormustnotpubliclyquestionhisfellowadjudicatorsjudgementandnevertheir

honesty.

7. AdjudicatorsinvitedbyOrganiserstoAdjudicateatNZBDCregisteredcompetitionsarerequiredtobeseatedtogetherthroughouttheperiodofthecompetition,inanareaspecificallysetasideforAdjudicators.WiththepermissionoftheOrganiserand/ortheCOAtheAdjudicatormayleavetheassignedareaatthecompletionoftheirAdjudicationdutiesoratothertimesdeemedappropriatebytheOrganiserand/ortheCOA.ItisnotacceptablepracticeforAdjudicators,duringthecompetition,tobeseatedamongthegeneralpublicandorcompetitors.

8. AdjudicatorsmustfollowtherecommendedprotocolsoftheOrganiserand/ortheCOAintheinterestsofProfessionalismandthesmoothrunningofthecompetition.AnyfailurebyanAdjudicatortofollowtherequirementsoftheOrganiserand/ortheCOAmayresultintheirexclusionfromthejudgingpanels.

AdjudicatorsareremindedthattheyoccupyapositionoftrustintheircapacityasanAdjudicator.Accordingly,ahigherstandardofbehaviourisrequiredofthemaboveallotherpersons,before,duringandaftertheconductofeventsthatareadjudicating.

Adjudicatorsarerequiredtocomplywiththefollowingconductsoastoupholdthehigheststandardsofbehaviour:-

• AnAdjudicator’sbehaviourbothonandoffthecompetitionfloormustbeconsistentwiththeprinciplesofgoodsportsmanship.AnAdjudicatormustnotbehaveinaquestionableorunseemlymannerinpublicoratanyDanceSportrelatedfunctionoroccasionwheremembersofthepublic(includingspectatorsandthemedia)arepresentinanycapacity.

AnAdjudicatormust:

• Beconsistent,objectiveandneutralinhis/herdecisions.Biasedadjudicatingunderminesthewholebasisofcompetition.

• Bemeticulousinpenalisingdangerousand/orviolentbehaviour.• Notpubliclyquestionhis/herfellowAdjudicator’sjudgementandnevertheir

honesty.CommentsofthisnatureshouldbereferredtoNZBDCforfurtherenquiry• Beadisinterestedobserveroftheperformanceofcoupleshe/shetrainsorcoaches

whenadjudicatingeventsinwhichtheyareparticipating.• Maintainanddevelophis/heradjudicatingskillsbykeepinghimself/herselfinformed

ondevelopmentsintechnique,style,andsoundadjudicatingprinciples.InthisregardAdjudicatorsshouldcheckregularlyonthecurrentrequirementsoftheNZBDC.

WhereanAdjudicatorisjudgingacouplewhonolongerengagehis/herservicesasacoach,theAdjudicatormustbeontheirguardagainstadjudicatingthecouplebymeasuringhis/herownworthasacoachagainstthatofthecouples’currentcoach.

Inapplyinghis/herknowledge,experienceandskilltothecriteriathattheAdjudicatorusesinforminghis/herassessments,thefollowingshalldemonstratecompliancewiththeAdjudicatorsCodeofConduct.

• Techniqueandcompetitionrulesbeinginterpretedtomatchtheageandskilllevelofthecompetitors.

• Commonsensebeingusedtoensurethatthespiritofcompetitionisnotlostbyanunnecessary,idiosyncraticordogmaticinterpretationofstyle.

ItisabasicrequirementfortheholdingoftheAdjudicatorsLicence,thatanyAdjudicatorengagedtojudgeataneventshallonarrivalatthevenue:-

• Reporthis/herpresencetotheOrganiserandChairmanofAdjudicators.• AscertaintheprogramdetailstogetherwiththeirAdjudicatingSchedule.• Beavailableasscheduled.

Duringtheconductofacompetition,theAdjudicatorsonthejudgingpanelshall:-

• Standapartorbeseatedapartfromoneanotherwhilstadjudicating,andatsuchlocationsthattheydonotinterferewiththecompetitors

• Movetowhateverpositionisnecessarytoviewallofthecouples.• Judgeindependentlyandnotcomparenoteswith(orshowtheircardto)other

Adjudicators• Markandsigntheirscorecardsinink,includingtheiridentificationcodeif

applicable.TheAdjudicatormustinitialeachandeveryalterationtothescorecard• WhereelectronicmarkingisutilisedkeeptheirPINcodesecretandsubmitmarksas

soonastheyhavefinishedjudging• Immediatelyleavethefloorafterthecompetitors(exceptwhererotatingpanelsare

involved

Dependinguponthesizeofthepromotion,Adjudicatorswillgenerallybeadvisedofanytimeconstraintsinrelationtolengthofmusic,howeverifandwhenitisfoundnecessarytorequestmoremusicinordertocompleteassessmenttheusualpracticeistoclearlyindicatetothecomperebyraisingoneshand.LikewiseitcanbeofgreatassistancetoacompereforAdjudicatorstoindicatewhentheirassessmentiscomplete---theusualpracticehereistosimplyloweronesfolder(ortablet)totheside.

DRESSCODE

Personalpresentationmustalwaysbeapriority.TherecommendeddresscodeforAdjudicatorsunlessspecifiedbytheeventorganiserisasfollows:-

MaleDaytime:LoungeSuitandTie

Evening:LoungeSuitandTie,or,DinnerSuit/TuxedoandBowTie

FemaleDaytime:SmartDaywear

Evening:Smarteveningwear,longeveningorcocktaildress/Eveningtrousersuit

InterpretationoftheRules

Exploitationoftherulesbyindividuals,toeitheravoidtheirresponsibilitiesasAdjudicators,ortobeusedbyotherstoadverselycriticiseanAdjudicatorforanunavoidablebreachisnotwhatisintended.Examplesofthisareasfollows.

Whenasituationariseswhereduetovenuesize,thereisnoroomforAdjudicatorstostandapart:AlthoughthiscouldbeseenasabreachofAppendix9(NZBDCRulesofDancesport),undersuchcircumstancesitdoesnotautomaticallyimplytheAdjudicatorhasdonesomethingrequiringdisciplinaryaction.Ifhowevertheyusedthecloseproximitytodeliberatelyinterruptacompetitors’performance,orcomparecardswithotherAdjudicators,abreachofItemAppendix9(NZBDCRulesofDancesport),disciplinaryactionwouldbewarranted.

BecauseanAdjudicatorconverseswithspectatorsitshouldnotbeassumedthattheyarebreachingarule–therulesarenotdesignedtoeliminatecommonpleasantries.But,anyprolongeddiscussionswithcompetitors,parents,coachesorotherAdjudicatorsareboundtocreatesuspicion(whetherfoundedorunfounded),particularlyifitseemstheyare“inacorner”orawayfrompublicview,andshouldbeavoided.Ifthesubjectmatterisinanywayconfidential,evenifnotrelatedtodancing,acompetitionorchampionshipisneitherthetimenorplace.

WhileanAdjudicatormaynothavedirectlythreatenedtomarkacoupleinaparticularway,anythreattocoercethecoupleintodoingorrefrainingfromdoingsomeact,ordesignedtodisruptthecouples’abilitytoperform,isclearlyunconscionableconduct.

Anexamplewouldbeathreatmadetoacoupletomarkdownacompetingfamilymember.AlthoughnotabreachofNZBDCRules,itisdefinitelyagainstthespiritandintentoftherules,andmorallyandethicallywrong.

Anychoiceoflanguagetoveilathreatisstillathreat.e.g.,“Ionceknewacouplelikeyourselvesbutunfortunatelytheyfailedtolistentogoodadvice”.IfanAdjudicator,eitherpriortoorduringacompetitionorchampionship,deliveredthesewordstheyareinappropriate,andlikelytobeconstruedasathreat.

Adjudicatorsarerequiredtoapplycommonsensetoavoidunnecessary,idiosyncraticordogmaticinterpretationofstyle.ThiscannotbeusedbyanAdjudicatortofailto“D”markcompetitorswhointentionallybreachrulerestrictions.ForExample,acouplereleasesholdinNewVoguewheretheapprovedtextbooksstatethatitshouldbeaclosedhold.EveniftheAdjudicatorpersonallythinksthatitlooksbetter—failingto“D”markonthatbasisisincorrect–notethatthereisreasonablerelaxationofholdsatallagedivisionsandgradesinNewVogueundertheNZBDCrules.

ClarificationofRulesshouldbesoughtfromtheChairmanofAdjudicators,oryourMentor.

RuleEnforcement

TherearetwomajorissuesforyouasanAdjudicatortoremember.

• YoumustknowandcomplywithallNZBDCrules.Youcannotarbitrarilydecidewhichrulesyouwillcomplywithandwhichyouwillignoreorbreach.LikeallNZBDCRegistrants,ifanyAdjudicatorfeelsanyruleisunfairorunworkable,commentsorsuggestionsshouldbesenttotheNZBDC.

• Reasonableexplanationsastoconductormarkingsmustbegiven,ifsorequestedbytheChairmanofAdjudicatorsorNZBDC.

Adjudicatorsareappointedbecauseoftheirprofessionalandtechnicalcompetence.StatingthatacouplewasmarkedinaparticularplacingbecausetheAdjudicatorthoughttheydidn’tdancewelloritwasthoughtanothercoupledancedbetter,wouldnotbeconsidereda“reasonable”explanation.Competenceormotiveswouldbethoughtquestionableifamoresubstantialexplanationcouldnotbesupplied.

Widevariationsinmarkinginthemselvesdonotindicateineptorcorruptconduct.NotwoAdjudicatorsseeexactlythesamethingsatthesametimeforthetotalofanyoneevent.

IfyouweretomarkacouplelastbecauserightinfrontofyouthemandancedincorrectfootworkintheNaturalTurninWaltzoraReverseTurnandFeatherFinishinSlowFoxtrotorworsestillthecouplewereoutoftimewiththemusic,whichinyourviewmadethemperformworsethanothercouples,thiswouldbea“reasonable”explanation.

ParticularlyinyourearlydaysasanAdjudicator,taketheopportunitiestodiscusswithyourMentororChairmanofAdjudicatorshowtheywouldhavemarkedwhattheysawandwhytheywouldmarkinaparticularway.

CHAPTER3.

MARKINGREQUIREMENTS----ADJUDICATORCARDS

Theinformationcontainedinthischapterwillassistinpreparingthereaderto:-

• Understandtherequirementsfortheuseofarangeofadjudicatingcards,and• Understandapplicationoftherulesrelatingtoinfringementofunacceptable

practicesbycouplesinacompetitionorchampionship.

TheAdjudicators’expertise,particularlyinthetechnicalarena,isthemainattributedistinguishingtheirdecisionsfromtheopinionsofalayperson.

Speedandaccuracyofcardmarkingisessentialinadditiontovalidcompetitorassessment.Thisdoesnotmeanthatyoushouldstartmarkingyourcardbeforethemusicstartsorthatyoumustmakerushedjudgements.Theprocessofselection(inrounds)andallocationofplacings(infinals)isopentopersonalpreferences(basedonacquiredknowledge)andtheAdjudicatormustmakeaquickbutaccuratejudgement.

Professionalreputationshouldbeofultimateimportance.Alwaysmarkperformancesonhowyouseethemnotasyoumightthinkotherswouldexpectyoutomark.

AdjudicatingCards.

Samplesoftypicaladjudicatingcardsaretobefoundattheendofthischapter.

Asageneralprinciple(anddependinguponthesizeoftheevent),adjudicationcardsareusuallypreparedinadvanceshowingamongstotherthing,theEventNo.andifappropriate,thenumberofcouplestoberecalled.AnychangestorecallrequirementswillbeannouncedbytheChairmanofAdjudicatorsortheCompere.

Incaseswherecardsarenotpreparedinadvance,besuretoalwaysinsert(attheveryleast)theEventNumber,thedance(s)andyouridentificationsymbol.

Whereelectronicmarkingisutilised,adjudicatorsstillneedtobemindfulthatchangesmaybenecessarytotheinformationontheirtablets,forexampleacoupleenterthefloorotherthanfromthemarshallingareaandhavenothadtheirnumberscannedintothesystem.Adjudicatorsshouldcontinuetoassessthecompetitorsandrememberwhattheyintendforthemissingcouplenumber–thescrutineerswillupdatethetabletorthecomperemayrequestadjudicatorsto“refresh”whenthecorrectedinformationisavailable.

ObligationsofAdjudicators.---RequirementsoftheSkatingSystem.

Rules1to4ofthe“SkatingSystem”(theprocessofassessingthecollectivemarksoftheAdjudicators)setoutobligatoryrequirementstobeobservedwhenmarkingcards.

Rule1.AppliestotheRoundsuptoandincludingtheSemiFinal/QualifyingRound.

Ineachroundoftheevent,thenumberofcouplestobepassedforwardtothenextroundshallbenominatedbytheChairman(inpracticeusually2/3andpreferablynotlessthan50%ofthetotalnumberofcouples)andeachadjudicatormustvoteaccordingly.

ItmustbeunderstoodthatuntilcompletionoftheSEMI-FINAL,AdjudicatorsaremerelyVOTINGineachround,forthecoupleswhomtheyconsiderareworthyoffurtherconsiderationinthefollowinground.THEYDONOTNECESSARILYMARKTHECOUPLESINORDEROFMERIT.

WhenaRoundinvolvesmorethanoneheat,thenumberofcouplesselectedfromeachheattomakeuptherequiredvote,ISATTHEDISCRETIONOFTHEINDIVIDUALADJUDICATOR.AllthatmattersisthateachAdjudicatorvotesineachdanceforthenumberofcouplesrequiredoverthewholeround.Soallornocouplesinaheatmayberecalled.

Rules2to4RelatetotheAdjudicators’markingofCardsintheFINALROUND.

Rule2.EachAdjudicatorshallplacethecompetingcouplesinorderofmeritineachdance.

Rule3.TheorderofmeritestablishedbyeachAdjudicatorshallbeindicatedby1forfirst,2forsecond,etc.

Rule4.ItisnotpermissibleforanAdjudicatortotiecouplesforanyplaceinthefinalinanydance.

Repechage

Therepechagesystemisamethodoforganisingtherecallrequirementsintheinitialroundofaneventthatensuresallparticipantstheopportunityofdancingatleasttwice.ItinnowayvariesfromtherequirementsofRule1.;ineffectitcreatesa“secondchance”roundforcouplesthatwerenotselectedtopasstothenextround.

BYWAYOFEXAMPLE:48couplescompeteinRound1,12couplesareselectedtopasstoRound3,theremaining36couplescompeteagain(asRound2–the“repechage“round)fromwhichafurther12couplesareselectedtocompeteinRound3.

WhenusingtheRepechagesystem,apartfromtherequirementtohaveanoverallrecallofnotlessthan50%oftheoriginalentry(towhateffectivelybecomesthethirdroundoftheevent),thereisnospecificrequirementregardingthenumberofcouplestoberecalledfromaroundorarepechageround.

Generalobligations.

• Cardsmustbesigned.• Cardsmustbelegible.• ChangesshouldbeclearlymadeandinitialledbytheAdjudicator.• Markonlytherequirednumberofcouplestopassforwardtothenextround.• MarkallcouplesinFinals.

Markinglessthantherequirednumbermaybedeprivingacoupleofaplaceinthenextround.IfmorethantherequiredquantityismarkedthentheScrutineerwillonlytakethefirstrequiredsetofnumbersfromthecard.

Somecomputerisedscrutineeringprogramswillonlyacceptthespecifiednumberofcouplesrequiredwhileothersincorporatingascanningdevicewillnotacceptcardswithexcessselections,whichmustthenbereturnedtotherespectiveAdjudicatorforamendment.

• Insituationswherecardshavenotbeenpreparedinadvancewithprintednumbers,takecaretorecordacouples’numberonthecardonlyonce.

IfthecardismarkedincorrectlyparticularlyinFinals,theChairmanofAdjudicatorswillreturnthecardforcorrection.Occasionallyinatightlypackedprogramscheduleitcanhappenthatacorrectionisfoundnecessaryandcalledfortwoorthreeeventslater.ThiscansometimesbenotonlyextremelyembarrassingfortheAdjudicatorbutaswell,grosslyunfairifrecollectionisnotaccurate.

“D”MarkingProcedure.

CompetitorsinallgradesofJuvenileeventsand“Level1”eventsinallotheragedivisionsarenotpermittedtousefiguresoutsideofthosecontainedintheRestrictedSyllabussetbyNZBDC.

AdjudicatorsaretobefullyconversantwiththecontentsoftheRestrictedSyllabusandanyothercompetitionperformancerulessuchasthe“GuidelinesinNewVogueDancing”whichmayapplyfromtimetotime.

ThedocumentsreferredtohereareincludedintheAppendicessectionofthisManual.

Ifaninfringementofsuchrulesiswitnessed,itmustbenotedonthejudgingcardbymarking“D”againstthenumberofthecoupleconcernedevenifthisincludesthecouplesforselectionintothenextround.

AtthetimeofpublicationofthisManual,theprecedingparagraphsoutlinethecurrentrequirementsunderNZBDCrules,however(andwhilstnotremovinganyonusofcompliance)recognisingthetaskforAdjudicatorsinassessingthecompetitiveperformancesasbeingonerousenoughwithouttheexpectationofruleinfringementidentificationatalltimes,provisionismadeforoneormore“invigilators”(PenaltyJudges)tobeengaged.

• InvigilatorsreportdirectlytotheChairmanofAdjudicatorsorOrganiser.• Thedecisionastowhatcourseofaction(ifindeedany)istobetakenremainsthe

soleandabsolutediscretionoftheChairman.

Itisimportanttounderstandthat:-

• A“D”markisNOTadisqualificationassuch.• Adjudicatorsarenotrequired/obligedtomarkacouplelastinspiteofa“D”

notation.• AtnotimeisanAdjudicatorpermittedtoapproachanycoupleandadvisethemof

theiractioninrelationto“D”marks.OnlytheChairmanofAdjudicators(ortheorganiser)isauthorisedtodiscusstheinfringementwiththecoupleconcerned.

• TheonusrestswiththeScrutineertoreport“D”markingtotheChairmanofAdjudicatorsorintheirabsence,theorganiser.

• Inallcasesof“D”markings,AdjudicatorsarerequiredtosubstantiatethisactiontotheChairmanofAdjudicatorsor(intheabsenceofaChairmantheOrganiser).

Insubsequentroundspriortothefinal,thesameprocedureappliesexceptthat,wherethesamecouplecollects“D”marksfromatleasttwoAdjudicatorsinthesamedance,theonusrestswiththeChairmanofAdjudicatorsorintheabsenceofChairman,theOrganiser(afterbeinginformedbytheScrutineer)todeletethemarksofthatcoupleinthatdanceinthatround.

“D”MarkingProcedure---IntheFinalRound.

Adjudicatorsmustmarkthecouplesintheirselectedorderofmerit,marking“D”foranyobservedinfringementagainstthecoupleconcerned.

Shouldanycouplecollect“D”marksfromatleasttwoAdjudicatorsinthesamedance,theonusrestswiththeScrutineertoplacethecouplelastinthatdanceandreportsuchactiontotheChairmanofAdjudicators(ortheOrganiser)inadditiontonotingthe“D”markingonthescrutineermarkingsheet.

VisualJudging:ThismethodofjudgingiswidelyusedbytheInternationalDanceSportFederationinthefinalsofeventsinEuropeandatWorldChampionshipsundertheirjurisdictionbuthaslimiteduseinNewZealandmainlybecauseofits’timeconsumingnature.

ThepublicdisplayofAdjudicatorsmarkingisatthediscretionoftheOrganiser.Itcanbedoneaftereachdance,followingaspecificnumberofdances,orafterthefinaldance.

TheprocedureisfortheAdjudicatortoholdup,orhavedisplayed,asignwiththenumbercorrespondingtotheplacinggivenforcompetitors,asthecompereannouncestheirnumber.

SampleAdjudicatorCards.Areshownonthefollowingpages.Sincethereisnosetformat/layout,thiswillvaryfromorganisertoorganiserhowevertheinformation/instructionsshownareprettymuchstandard.Whilstthesesamplesareformattedas“SingleDance”cards,itisbynomeansunusualtohavecardscoveringmultipledances.

Round Number of Heats

Select

Out of Event No.

QR 3 16 23

ADULT STANDARD LEVEL 1 107 204 Dance

124 206

147 220

149 223 Select Couple

154 229

156 232

159 234 Cancel Selection

165 235

179 239

189 245

Reinstate Selection

190 257

195 261

198 275 Scratch Pad

Signature: SYMBOL

EVENT Grade Style Sub Juvenile Level 1

Juvenile Level 2 Standard

Junior Level 3

Adult Level 4 Latin

Youth Open

Masters I 6 Dance New Vogue

Masters II 8 Dance

Professional 10 Dance

Position PLACE ALL COUPLES

EVENTNo.

83 1st

4th DANCE

7th SYMBOL

Signed:

CHAPTER4SCRUTINEERINGAlthoughquestionsonthemechanicsoftheScrutineeringprocesswillnotformpartoftheAdjudicatingPrinciplesAssessmentpapers,itisneverthelessstronglyrecommendedthatAdjudicatorsacquireareasonableunderstandingofitsworkings.

The“SkatingSystem”isthemethodusedworld-widetoassessthecollectivemarkingsoftheAdjudicators,determinetherecallstosubsequentroundsandultimatelytheallocationofpositionsinthefinal.

ThebrainchildofMrArthurDawson.TheSkatingSystemoriginatedintheearly1940’s.Thecurrentformat,comprising11rules,acceptedbythethen“EnglishOfficialBoard”hasbeeninusesince1956.

Rules1to4DealingwiththeactualmarkingoftheAdjudicatorCardsaredetailedinthepreviouschapter.

AscertainingwhichcouplesgoforwardtothefollowingroundisestablishedbystartingwiththeHIGHESTaggregatetotalofselectionmarks(awardedoveralldancesintheevent)andworkingdownuntiltherequirednumberofcouplesisobtained.

ShouldithappenthattheLOWESTtotalofmarksallowingforprogressiontoasubsequentroundisheldbymorethanonecouple,thenEITHERallthecouplesconcernedarepassedthroughORnoneofthem.ThisdecisionrestswiththeChairmanofAdjudicatorsorintheabsenceofChairman,theOrganizer.

Rules5to8DealwiththeallocationofpositionsintheINDIVIDUALDANCES.

TheAPPLICATIONANDCONCERNuponwhicheachoftheserulesisbasedisMAJORITYmarkingsoftheAdjudicators.

• Rule5ThewinnerofaparticulardanceisthecouplewhoisplacedfirstbyanabsolutemajorityoftheAdjudicators.Second,thecouplethatisplacesecondorhigherbyanabsolutemajority.Theremainingpositionsareallocatedinthesameway.

• Rule6Iftwoormorecoupleshaveamajorityofmarkingsforthesameposition,thecouplewiththelargestmajorityshallbeallocatedthepositionunderreviewandthecouplewiththenextlargestmajority,thefollowingposition.

• Rule7issetintwoparts.(a) Ifsuchmajoritiesareequal,thenthelowesttotalofmarksgivenbythose

Adjudicatorswhoformthemajorityshalldeterminetheallocationofthepositionunderreview.

(b) Ifthetotalofthesemarksareequal,thenthenextlowerplace(orplaces,ifnecessary)inrespectoftheparticularcouplesconcernedmustbeincludedandtheprocessasin7arepeated.

Inacaselikethis,shouldithappenthatwhenthemarksareexhausted,thecouplesremaintied(equal)thentheyshallbeallocatedthemean(average)ofthepositionsthatwouldnormallybeawardedbetweenthatnumberofcouples.

• Rule8Ifnocouplereceivesamajorityofmarksforthepositionunderreviewthenthenextlowerplacemarksmustbetakenintoaccountuntilamajorityisfound.

Rules9to11DealwiththeallocationofpositionsintheFINALSUMMARYofeventsthatarecontestedovermorethanonedance.TheresultallocatedtoeachcoupleineachdanceiscarriedforwardtotheFinalSummary.ThesemarksarethensimplyADDEDTOGETHER.

Rule9Theaggregatetotals,commencingwiththeLOWESTandworkinguptothehighest,determinetheallocationoffinalpositionsfromfirstplaceonwards.

IfthereisatiebetweentwoormorecouplesforapositionbecauseofequaltotalsthenRule10mustbeapplied.

Rule10Itisimportanttonotethatintheapplicationofthisrulethebasisofconcerniswiththe“mostorgreatest”numberofmarksNOTmajorities.

Thepositionshallbeallocatedtothecoupleswiththemostnumberofplaces(orhigher)forthepositionunderreview.Whenmakingcalculationsunderthisruleif½marksareinvolvedtheymustbeconsideredas“higherthanthenextfullmark”e.g.amarkof2½wouldbecalculatedasa”3rdandbetter”markNOTa“2ndandbetter”.

Whendealingwithtiesunderrule10ifithappensthatnoneofthecouplesinvolvedhaveactuallywonaplace(orhigher)intheindividualdancesforthepositionunderreview,theywillremaintiedunderrule10andreassessedunderRule11.

Ifithappensthattwocoupleshavewonthesamenumberofplaces(orhigher)forthepositionunderreview,theLOWESTaggregateofthoseplacesdetermineswhoisallocatedtheposition.Theremainingcouplewillbeplacednext.

Ifitisthecasethatbothcoupleshavethesameaggregatetotalofthoseplacemarks(orhigher),theywillremaintiedunderRule10andreassessedunderRule11.

Ifthetieinvolvessaythreecouples,thepositionunderreviewisallocatedinthesamewaywiththeremainingcouplesbeingthenconsideredagainunderRule10forthefollowingplaces.

Rule11DealswiththebreakingoftiesthatremainaftertheapplicationofRule10.

Allthedancesintheeventaretreatedasonewiththecalculations(usingtheapplicationofproceduresunderrules5to8)basedonMAJORITYofAdjudicatorsmarkings.BywayofexampleafivedanceeventwithsevenAdjudicatorswouldhaveamaximumof35marksforanyparticularpositionsointhiscasethetotalofmarksneedtohaveamajoritywouldbe18ormore.

InthepossiblebuthighlyunlikelyeventofatieremainingaftertheapplicationofRULE11,thedecisionastohowtodealwiththematterrestswiththeOrganiser.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

CHAPTER5

ASSESSMENTOFCOMPETITORS.

TheinformationcontainedinthischapterwillassistthereadertounderstandthemanyissuessurroundingtheassessmentofperformancesandtolearnfromtheexperienceofestablishedAdjudicators(bothNationalandInternational)informulatingprioritiesofassessment.

The“Art”ofAdjudication

CompetitivedancingwhichwecallDanceSport,certainlyatitshigherlevelsofachievementisanartisticphysicalactivitywhichwithitsmanyunquantifiableelementsofperformancemakesits’adjudicationanexerciseofgreatcomplexity,andevenmoresowhenthecomparativeanalysisofthecompetingcoupleshastobemadeandarankingdecisionmadewithinsuchalimitedtimeframe.

Withlittlemorethanafewseconds(dependinguponthenumberofcouplesinvolved)spreadoverprobablyseveralquickglances,itseemstobealmostnexttoimpossible,butithastobedoneandnodoubtamplifieswhysooftendifferentAdjudicatorscanreceivevaryingimpressionsofthesamecouplequiteapartfromallowingforvariationsintheindividualapproachtotheadjudicatingprocess.

Thisthenexplainswhyexperiencedadjudicationisanart,almostaninstinct,developedfromthatexperience.FurthermoreitunderlinesthejustificationfortheuseofpanelsofAdjudicatorswherebythecollectiveresultfromthemarksgivenbyavarietyofconsideredopinions(bearinginmindthe“non-measurable”natureoftheactivity)isundoubtedlytheclosesttoperfectionthatcanbeachievedandusuallyensuresthattheendresultisthecorrectandequitableone.

TheDutyoftheAdjudicator

Aboveallelse,competitorsarerelyingonthehonestyandintegrityoftheAdjudicators.

ThedutyoftheAdjudicatoristousetheirknowledgetogiveaninformedpersonalopinionbasedontheperformance(s)beingviewed.He/sheshouldNOTbeconcernedwithagreementorotherwisewiththeotherAdjudicatorsonthepanel.

Thelate(andmosthighlyexperiencedandrespected)internationalauthorityAlexMooreoncewroteinhisMonthlyLetterService“themarkingofsixreallytopcouplesinagoodfinalshouldvary,otherwisethejudgesmightaswellsitathomeandsendtheirmarksinbypost”.

PrioritiesinAssessment

DictatinghowAdjudicatorsshouldmaketheirassessmentsreliesuponthesuppositionthatonanygivenoccasiontheywillthinkalike.Sometimestheymay,butinrealitythelikelihoodisthattheywillhavedifferentprioritiesandemotionalattachment.Alsotheelementsofperformancetobeconsideredaremanyandvaried,andbyandlargearedifficulttoanalyseindividually

Adjudicatorswill,withexperience,assessthetotalperformanceswithoutconsciouslyanalysingeachelementandveryoftentheirchoiceismadebydefault.Thatis,theywillfavourthecouplewiththeleastnumberoffaultsratherthaninreverse.Prioritisingofcriteriaalsoalterslightlydependingontheparticularlevelofcompetitionorwhichroundoftheeventisinprogress,orperhapstheagedivisionbeingadjudicated

ElementsofPerformance.

ElementsofperformanceforconsiderationwouldberoughlythesameforbothStandardandNewVoguestylesandshouldinclude:

• Timing• Technique• FluidityofMovement• Style/Hold/Posture/Shape• Partnering/Togetherness• Floorcraft• Musicality/Expression/Characterisation• Presentation

InregardtotheLatinAmericanstyle,whilstthetechniqueislaiddownclearlyenoughinthetextbooks,thelackofbodycontactallowsforahighdegreeoffreedomofexpressioninchoreography,anddrawingheavilyonballet,theatricaldanceandfloorgymnasticdisciplinesfornewideas,hastendedtomoveawayfromtheoriginalauthenticconceptsofLatindanceresultingintheneedforaslightlydifferentapproach.

Particularlyatthehigherlevelsofcompetition,afterTiming,thetwomainaspectsofperformanceevaluationinvolveTechnicalAbilityandArtisticInterpretation,andacombinationofhighskillsinboththeseaspectsisindispensible,however,whilsttheatricaltypemovementsmaybereadilyappreciatedbythelayperson,TechnicalAbilityshouldstillbeapriorityintheassessmentprocess.

Atthelowerlevelsofcompetitiontheemphasisshouldcertainlybeonthedancersdemonstratingathoroughgroundinginsoundtechniquebeforeattemptingtouseadvancedchoreography.Adjudicatorsshouldencouragethisbymarkingaccordingly.

ElementsofperformanceforconsiderationintheLatinAmericanstyleshouldinclude:-

• Timing• Technique• RhythmicInterpretation/Musicality/Expression• Style/Posture/Shape• Floorcraft• Choreography/Characterisation• Presentation.

Itshouldbenotedthatinbothinstancesasshown,theElementsofPerformancearenotlistedinanyspecificorder,howevertheelementofTIMINGirrespectiveofthestyleofdanceisofabsolutesignificance.Ifacoupleisnotdancingintimewiththemusic(orisconsistentlyinandoutoftimewiththemusic)noamountofproficiencyinanycombinationoftheotherelementscanovercomethisandtheyshouldbemarkedaccordingly.

Intheearlyroundsofcompetitionstheperformanceelementsoftiming,astylishlook(meaningagoodcarriageoftheheadandarms)andfluidityoreaseofmovement(inStandardandNewVogue)andrhythmicalaction(inLatinAmerican)areeasilyrecognised,andcangenerallyberelieduponasagoodindicationoftheworthinessofselectionforcloserscrutinyasthenumbersthinoutinsubsequentrounds.

TECHNIQUE

NotwithstandingthesegregationofaspectsintheforegoinglistsofElementsofPerformanceTECHNIQUEmeanseverythingconcernedwiththemechanicalpartofartisticperformance.ITISTHEVERYFOUNDATIONOFGOODDANCING.

TheinformativenotesthatfollowhavebeencollectedfromanumberofinfluentialsourcesandwillnodoubtassistwiththerecognitionofCORRECTTECHNIQUE&QUALITYOFPERFORMANCE.

TECHNICALMERITASABASISFORADJUDICATING.

WhetheritbeStandard,LatinAmericanorNewVogue,TechnicalMeritisofvitalimportanceasabasisforteaching,coachingandadjudicationandequallyso,istherecognitionofCorrectTechniquewhichcoversthemajorelementsofthewaydancersproduce,andconnoisseursappreciate,Style,MovementandMusicalInterpretation.

ThefollowingpointsareextractsfromnotesbyHarrySmith-HampshireandwhilsttheydealprimarilywiththeStandarddancesmuchofthecontentcanbeappliedalsotoNewVoguesequencedances.

PostureandBalance:ThecorrectcarriageofthebodyisthefirstimportantelementofTechnique.Bothpartners’bodiesshouldbestretchedandwiththeweightpoisedovertheforepartofthefeetatset-up,bodyuprightfortheman,bodycurvinginagentlecurvefromthefeetupwardsforthelady.Thiscurveshouldbringherwaistintocontactwiththeman’smiddle,herupperbodydescribinganoutwardcurvefromthemiddleline.Thelady’shipsshouldbestretchedupwardsandforwards.Thecontrolledcurveofthelady’sbodyshouldbeindicativeofelegantfemininity.Exaggeratedarchingoftheupperpartofthebodydetractsfromthiselegance.

TheCorrectHold:Whenthepartnershipholdiscompleted,theeffectshouldbetohighlightthemasculinityofthemaleandthefemininityofthefemale.Theman’sarmsshouldbe(andlook)supportive,thoughrelaxed,whilethelady’sarmsshouldbeassoftandfluidasthoughmadeofchiffon.Thissoftnessissothatrelativechangesofpartnershippositionfrom,say,normalclosedholdtopromenadeorfallawaypositionscanbeachievedwithoutdistortionoftheman’sarmandbacklines.Theshouldersshouldnotbeliftedbutremainsettled.Aclean,unbrokenshoulderlinewiththearmsextendingthenaturaldeclininglineoftheshouldersdowntotheelbowsistheidealforthemale.“Theartificialpositionwiththeelbowsashighorhigherthantheshouldersistechnicallyincorrectforeitherpartnerandthetensioninducedbythisexcessiveelevationisthedirectoppositeofartistic”.

BodyContact:ThemaintenanceofBodyContactintheStandarddanceshasalwaysbeenoneofthemostsolidofthepillarsoftheBallroomstyle.“Gapping”istoberegardedasasinandmustbepenalisedassuch,Thehigherthegradeofthecouplethemoredeadlyisthesin,Unbrokenbodycontactisimperativeforallinternationalclasscompetitorsandisimportantforallothergradesofcompetitorsandmedallists.

BodySwingandRiseandFall:Inthe“swingdances”thesequalitiesareinter-related.BodySwingisusedtoinitiateprogressiononallleadingstepsofbasicfiguresandvariations.Asaconsequence,thecorrectuseofBodySwingwillinduceanaturalfeelingofRisetobefollowedbyacontrolledloweringactioneachofwhichshouldappearasthougheffortless.

TherearetwomaintypesofRise,thoughmanyvariantsexist.Pendulumtypeswingisusedinthe“English”waltzandashallowerformofthisfortheNaturalandReverseTurnsoftheVienneseWaltz(thereisnoriseusedinFleckerls).Awaveformtype(i.e.undulating-swingtypifiestheSlowFoxtrot.TheQuickstepembracesbothmaintypesofRise,usingwaltz-typeriseinProgressiveChassesandLockStepsbutFoxtrottypeRiseintheTurns.

Tango.NOBodySwing–NOBodyRise–NOFootRise

BodySwingisnotusedinthisdance,henceneitherBodyRisenorFootRise.Tangoishistoricallyandcharacteristicallyarooteddance.Itisstilltheonlydancetobebasedonawalkingaction.Thekneesarealwaysslightlyflexedandeverystepisplacedwithafirmfootpressureintothefloor.NOforwardstepistakenonthetoe.OntheForwardWalkstheback-footheelisliftedonlyslightlyclearofthefloorbeforethefootisreleasedtomove

forward.Whereaheeliselevated,theballofthatfootshouldalwaysremainincontactwiththefloor.“SometimesseenistheaffectationofstretchingandelevatingtheheeloftheunweightedfoothighoffthefloorontheentryintoPromenadePositionwithonlythetipofthetoeremainingincontactwiththefloor.Thisistotallyoutofcharacter”.

InTangoallforwardstepsincludingthe“Quicks”aremadewithaHeelLeadandthefootisinstantlyplacedflat.Mostclosingstepsareplacedwiththewholesoleofthefootmeetingtheflooratthesametime...itisnotnecessarytostamp.

ContraBodyMovement:ThecorrectuseofCBMisveryimportanttostyleandmovement.Itmaybedefinedastheturningoftheoppositesideofthebodyasawhole(hipandshoulder)inthedirectionofthemovingleg.InitsapplicationtodanceCBMisusedtocommenceallturnsandOutside-Partnerfigures.Itgivescontinuityandfluiditytotheactionofturning.Italsofacilitatesasmarterpartnershipshapewhentakingastepoutsidepartnerandmakespossiblethemaintenanceofbodycontactonallsuchfigures.

NaturalBalancingSway:Thebody-swingdancesuseswayasabalancingforceonturns(butnotonSpins)inasimilarmannertoanaircraftbankingasitmakesaturn.ThismentalimageisanexcellentillustrationoftheuseofdynamicSwayindancing.(Ifanaircraftwereperfectlybalancedbyitsprecisedegreeofinclinationduringaturn—withforcesofturn-and-bankbeingequalised,apassengerwouldstillfeelasthoughtheaircraftwereflyinglevel).Thebodylineduringthiskindofbalancingswayshouldbeastraightlinefromheadtotoe.Thereshouldbenobreakingatthewaistinthiskindofsway.“BalancingSway”isnotusedinTango...Swaywhenusedforeffect/shapein“Picture”stepssuchasOverswaysandLungesetc.isreferredtoas“broken”Sway.

QualityofLegAction:Legs,ledbybody-swing,shouldswingfromthehips.Thelegsshouldnotappeartoleadthebody.Precisionlegtrackingisimportant,asthoughmovingalongrails.Theinsidesofthelegsshouldbrushwhenpassing.“Widthbetweenthelegswhenpassingisaclearsignofpoorqualitydancing”.

SeamlessFluidityofMovementintheSwingDances.

SeamlessfluidityindancemovementisaqualitythatdistinguishestherealexpertfromthelessexpertinthesamewaythataRollsRoyceexpressestheepitomeofsmoothnesswhenmeasuredagainstlessercars.FluidityofProgression,ofRiseandFall,ofTurnandSpin,ofaccelerationanddecelerationsothatthetwopartnersmoveasoneistheideal.

QualityFootwork:Withtheexceptionofstep2ofinsideturns,feetshouldbeseentobeparalleltoeachotherbothinmovementandplacementandthereshouldbeastretchedtensioninthefeetinordertocreateclean,straight-lineheel-to-toeshapestogetherwithacentralisationofweightpassingoverthefeetforwhichanklecontrolisabsolutelyvitalinordertoavoidthefeetrollingoutwardsovertheouteredgeinForwardandBackwardsteps.

Characterisation:Thedanceportrayalshouldconveythespecificcharacterofthevariousdances.Bywayofexample,robustoraggressivedancingisoutofcharacterintheWaltz,whichisadancesuggestiveofromanticlove,likewisethelivelynature,andoftenseenlight-heartedmovementoftheQuickstepisnotsuitedtothemoresedateandsilkyflownatureofFoxtrotmusic.

Floorcraft:Thestandardisedgeneraldirectionofprogressiononthedancefloorisanti-clockwise.Theheightofbadfloorcraftiswhencoupleschoosetodancemovementsthattravelforseveralmetresagainstthenormalflowofmovementorwhentheytravelacrossthecentre-lineofthefloor,therebyinterruptingthemovementofothercouples.Penalisingbadfloorcraftshouldencouragegoodfloorcraft.

Ballroom(Standard)Fundamentals.BillIrvineM.B.E.

OneofthemostbeautifulaspectsofBallroomDancingistoseeacoupleflightingtheirbodiesthroughintricatepatternsandmovementsincompleteharmonynotonlywiththemusic,butalsowitheachother.Itisthis“togetherness”whichhasmadetheBritishstyleofBallroomDancingfamousthroughouttheworld.

IfsomeoneweretotakethetroubletoworkouthowmuchtimeajudgehastoassessthequalitiesofthedancersintheearlyroundsoftheBritishChampionshipsitwouldprobablybesoinfinitesimalitwouldnotbeworthrecording,SOWHATDOESTHEDISCERNINGEYEOFTHEJUDGESEEASTHECOUPLESDANCEPASTHIM?.Hehasonlytimetolookattheoverallpictureandinthisoverallpicturehewillmostprobablyregisteragoodlineandstyle;movement;rhythmicalinterpretation.

OnecannotpossiblyseparatethesethreeimportantfactorsinBallroomdancing,butIdofeelthatasmartandwell-balancedlinewillgivethecoupleagreatadvantageingoingfurtherinthecompetition.

Poise,Line,andShape.Shape–awordmuchusedtoday–Thelineoftwobodiesmouldedtogetherasoneunit,movingeffortlesslyacrossthefloorwithnodistractionofexaggeratedlines,iswhatisdeemedtobeelegant.Dancingisanaturalactionandwhenstrainandstressarefeltorseen,itcannotbecorrect.

ChoreographicCharacterisationofCompetitiveStandardDances

BDFLectureNotesbyAnthonyHurley.

Recentyearshaveseenadevelopmentinchoreographictrendsinalldances.ThesemoderntrendsareconstantlychallengingthecouplestotheverylimitsofbalanceANDDANCEDYNAMICSINTHEIRQUESTTOBEASSENSATIONALASPOSSIBLE.Allveryexcitingandperhapstotheindividualandthepublicalike,veryexhilarating.Unfortunatelythesedesirestobechoreographicallysensationalarenotalwaysbeingselectedwitheitherthecharacterofthedanceinmind,orthemusic,andveryimportantly,thephysicalstructureofthecouple.

Thechoreographyshouldenhanceboththecharacterandthemusictocreatetheveryfeelofthedanceinquestion.Thefollowinganalysisisofferedasaguideintheselectionofsuitablefigures.

WALTZ:Superbswingingmotionofforward,sideandbackwardactions,elegantspinsandpivotingshouldbechoreographedtoenhancethecharacteristicsofthedance,withcontrolleduseofriseandloweringthroughstrongfeet.

TANGO:Amorecompactbodyandarmpositioningshouldbeinstantlyrecognisable.Thelegandankleworkcorrectlyappliedtellsthejudgeifthecouplehaveagoodbasicgroundingforthisdance.Theremustbenoswingorrise.Sharpbodyandheadmovementsareallessentialsofthedance.

SLOWFOXTROT:Aclassicaldanceoflightcontinuousflowingmovementmustbemaintainedatalltimes.Acontrolledslowlegactionistheultimatequalityofthedancetokeepthecouplemovingelegantlyacrossthefloor.

QUICKSTEP:Thefastestrhythmofthestandarddances.Itmustthereforebefastmovingincorporatinglightactionandimportantlybecauseofthespeed,contrastingrhythms.

Clearlymuchoftoday’sspectacularroutineswhilstverycleverarenotnecessarilyenhancingtheperformers’naturalabilitytoshowindividualityorcorrectcharacterisationandthisisparticularlynoticeableincoupleswithobviouslylimitedexperiencewhoseroutinesareoverloadedwithcomplexfigures.Aspiringchampionsshouldunderstandthatawincouldn’tbeexpectedbasedsolelyuponchoreographybutratherbytheperfectionofbasicprinciples,whichinturngivesthedancertheabilitytoattemptdifficultfiguresandtomakethemlookeasy.Choreographyshouldbeaselectionofbasicandadvancedfiguresalwaysensuringitisaestheticallypicturesquetothedanceinquestion.

THEVIENNESEWALTZ

NotesbyRichardGleave/HarrySmith-Hampshire/BillIrvineMBE

TheVienneseWaltzisafreeflowing,swiftmovingdance.Themusicdelightfullylilting.

Music,movementandlinearethemostimportantfactorsindancingagoodVienneseWaltzanditistheskilfulblendingofthesethreevitalelementsthatmakethedanceattractivetowatchandenjoyabletodance.Ideally,theprogressionofmovementshouldfollowanorbital–like“CurveofProgression”.Fleckerlsshouldbedancedinornearthecentreofthefloor.

MusicandMovement:Themusicisfast,thereisnotimeforrubatophrasingasinFoxtrot.InViennesewaltztrytobeperfectlywiththefronthalfofthebeat.Thebodyonthefootonthebeatisthemusicalgoal.Thebodymustgoforwardnotonlydownward.Itisacommonmistaketolowerthroughthestandinglegtoomuchtherebypreventingtheuseofthebigmusclesofthehipandthightopropelthebodyforward.Drivethebodyforwardnotdownward.

TheChangeSteps:Maybecommencedeitherforwardorbackwardasappropriatewiththefeetbeingplacedalongthe“orbitofprogression”soastoshownointerferencetothesmoothflowofthemovement.

TheNaturalTurn:Ifthefirstpowerfulthrustactioniscorrect,stepstwoandthreewillbeanaturalconsequence.Itisimportantforthebothbodiestoremaincentred,turningasoneunit.Themostcommonfaultisforeitherpartnertoturntooearly.TheCBMofthedancersmustbethesame,andattheendofthefirststepthebodyshouldbesquaretothefeetandnottwistedacrossthefeet.Theweightoftheheadsshouldalwaysbekepttothecorrectoutsidecircleofthecouplesoastousethenaturalcentrifugalforcestoimprovethebodyswingandmovement.

RiseandFall:ThecharacteristicRiseandFallpattern(ashallow,liltingarc)thatisalmostwhollyaresultofBodySwingshouldbefeltmoreinthekneesthaninfootelevation.Evenalittletoomuchfootrisewillcreateajerkyaction.Thedancerontheinsideoftheturnshouldkeeptheclosingfootflat–ornearlyflat.

Sway:Swayshouldbethenaturalreactiontotheturnandnotabreakfromthewaist.VienneseWaltzSway,ledbytheManbutextendedbytheLady,isaslightflexiblearcingofthebodyfromthewaistupwards.InthisdanceSwayshouldnotsomuchbeusedasatoolforassistingbalance,butratherforaddingimpetustobodyswingorforaddingartisticeffect.

Footwork:ThemajorfaultisforthemantoreleasethetoeoftheleftfootonstepsixoftheNaturalTurn.Thefootmustbeclosedwiththetoeoftheleftfootincontactwiththefloorendingwiththefootflat.

TheReverseTurn:ThisismoreofaRotarytypeofturnthantheNaturalTurnthereforerequiringalesseramountofforwardswing.Again,aswiththeNaturalTurnthe“centres”ofthecouplemustbalanceandnottwist.BycomparisonwiththeNaturalTurn,theuseofSwayintheReverseTurnisnotsostrongandisusuallyportrayedmorebytheLadythanbytheMan.

TheFleckerls:TherearetwomainfaultsseenintheFleckerls:THEUSEOFTOOMUCHRISEthatisusuallycausedbyincorrectfootwork.Agoodgeneralconceptistoturnontheballofthefootwiththeheelsjustskimmingthefloor.Theheelsmusttouchtheflooralbeitlightly.

Secondly,ALLOWINGTHEFLECKERLSTOTRAVEL...thecharacterofthesemovementsistoturnonthespotwiththemovementbeingdancedaroundthecentresoftheturnoneachbarofthemusic.ThecentreofthefirstpartofthereverseFleckerlistheman’sleftfootonbeatoneandonthesecondpartitisthelady’sleftfootonbeatfour.

ThissameprincipleappliesintheNaturalFleckerlusingtheRightfootineachcase.

WhilsttheforegoingnotescoverthemajorcomponentsoftheVienneseWaltz(withexceptionoftheContraCheck),recenttimeshaveseentheintroduction(insomecountries)ofadditionalfiguressuchas:TheSpinandNaturalPivot,ReversePivot,andtheLeftWhisk.TechnicaldetailshavebeenpublishedinseveralforumsandassessmentoftheiruseshouldbemadeonthemeritoftheirexecutioninlinewiththeusualaspectsofTiming,Control,ShapeandLineetc.,PleaseNote:These‘additionalstepsarenotrecognisedorallowedundertheexistingrulesoftheNZBDC.Theyarementionedherepurelyforinformationshouldyoubeadjudicatinginacountrywherethesestepsarepermitted.

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JudgingCriteria:StephenHillier.

ThinkofaJigsawPuzzle,allthepieceshavetobefittedtogetherforthepicturetobecomplete.SoitiswithBallroomDancing—thecompletedpictureresultsfromanunderstandingandapplicationofthecorrectprinciplesandtechniques.IftheseprinciplesandtechniquessuchasSwing,CBM,CBMP,correctuseofthefeet,turningetc.,arenotcorrectlyappliedthentheresultisanincorrectorincompletepicture.

Sojudgingis,orshouldbe,aboutassessingacoupleonthebasisofhowcompleteandcorrecttheirpictureis.Thiscanbemademoredifficultfortheadjudicatorbycouplesthattrytodisguisealackoffundamentalprinciples,ortechnique,throughsomeformofdistraction.Facialexpressionandcostumingareoftenusedtotaketheeyeawayfromthelackofcorrectdancing.Alackofsoundfoundationmaybecoveredbynotdancinganybasicfigures,onlychoreographedroutines,whichmaylookgoodsuperficiallybuttheadjudicatormustbeabletoseethroughtheseploysandplacethebestdancerfirst.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Floorcraft:HarrySmith-Hampshire/AnthonyHurley.

FloorcraftisoneofthefinerskillsoftheartofDanceSport:askillwhichseparates“themenfromtheboys”:thealert,consideratethinkingdancersfromtheclumsy.ItisasimportantandessentialqualityasisthefluidityofMovement,excellenceofStyleandexpressiveMusicality

Floorcraftalsoextendstotheavoidanceofone’sfellow-competitors.TheoddcollisionisperhapsforgivableBUTforthekamikazecompetitorwhoconsistentlyricochetsoffeverycouple(andsometimesadjudicatorsaswell)insight,theadjudicatormaywellbejustifiedinweighingthestandardoffloorcraftinthebalancewhendeterminingthewhichcouplesshouldgothroughtothenextround.

Itmaywellbethatrocketingroundthefloorwhenperformingahigh-speedQuickstepgroupisanattention-getterwhichwillyieldgoodresults,BUTTHISISONLYTRUEwhenthecouples’flightpathandbrakingabilityarebothundercontrol.

Thebasicrulesoffloorcraftcouldbesummarisedasfollows:-Stayoutoftrouble:predictandtakeadvantageofclearspaces;aimforanuninterruptedflowofartisticmovement.

Nevercrossthecentrelineoftheflooragainsttheflowofdancers..........AvoiduseoffiguresthattravelagainsttheLineofDanceformorethantwoorthreesteps...ANDEmploysufficientflexibilityinchoreographytobeabletomakespontaneouschangesofpace,figureordirection,notonlytoavoidcollisionsbutalsoforthemoreprofitablereasonofusingclearspacesonthefloortoshowyourdancingtothebestadvantage.

NEWVOGUE---SequenceDancing

Muchofwhathasbeendetailedintheprecedingpagesregardingthemechanicsoftechniqueand“TechniqueasabasisforAdjudicating”intheStandardstyle,appliessimilarlytotheNewVoguestyle,howeversinceNewVogueisaformofSequenceDancingwithsetroutines/choreographyemployingtheuseofavarietyofHolds(andmovementswithreleaseofpartnercontact)the“carriageandlineofthearms”componentisdeservingofaddedconsiderationinassessment.

Quiteapartfromtherequirementofadherencetothe”StandardisedGeneralCompetitionTechniquefortheNewVogueChampionshipDances”----ExpressiveuseoftheArmsandHandsthroughrhythmicalandwellco-ordinatedactionsthatareincompleteharmonywiththeflowofthemovement,andthemusic,areconducivetoQUALITYSequenceDancing.

Likewiseindanceswhere“releaseofpartnercontact”ispartofthechoreography,reasonableproximityneedstobemaintainedtogetherwithmatchingandbalanceduseofarmsandhandsinorderforthepicturetobecomplete.

Generallyspeaking,excessivedistancingin“releaseofpartnercontact”figures,theexcessiveuseof“semaphore-like”armmovements,theuseofexaggeratedSwaysandworstofalltheattemptto“playwiththetiming”,whichareemployedasattentiongrabbingexercises,inmostcasescomeattheexpenseofcontrolledandexpressiveuseofthefeetandankleswhichiseverybitasimportanttotheproductionofQUALITYPERFORMANCEinNewVogueasitintheStandarddances.

QualityofPerformanceintheNewVoguestyle,becauseitisaformofSequenceDancingwithlimitedfixedchoreographyandwithallcouplesdancingthesamemovementsatthesametime,needstobemeasuredinitially,againstthecomparativeaccuracyoftechnicalcompetency,suchastheaspectsofTiming,Footwork,ControlleduseofRiseandLoweringandFlowofMovementbeforetakingaccountofartisticembellishments.

LATINAMERICAN

ExtractfromanarticlebyAlexMooreMBE.

InModern(Standard)competitionsthejudgecanseethequalityofthemovementataglance,andthismorethananythingelseisoftenthedecidingfactorwhenmakingajudgement.InLatinAmericandancingthisqualityislessapparentandthejudgemuststudyacouplecarefullytoobservetherhythmicqualitiesoftheirdancing.Judgeswhoteachcompetitorsmaysaytheyknowthequalityofacouples’dancing,butsurelyitisnecessarytolookandseeifthisqualityisbeingexpressedonthatoccasion.

ProblemswithLatinAmericancompetitionsoccurwhena“teacher-judge”favoursaparticularinterpretationofadance,seesit,andimmediatelythinkstheparticularcoupleisgood.Anadjudicatorseeingacouplegiveaneat,correctandtechnicallygoodpresentationofaninterpretationthattheyfavourisapttooverlookthemeritsofacouplepresentingadancewithadifferentinterpretationbutwithattractivestyle,“shape”andpossiblymovement.

Nobodyshouldwanttoforceanopiniononanadjudicatorbutitisthedutyofadjudicatorstorememberthatanopinionthatvariesfromtheirownisnotnecessarilyabadone.

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NotesbyWalterLaird.

ThemainaspectsthatareusedbyadjudicatorstoassessLatinAmericancompetitiveperformancesare:-Technique:RhythmicInterpretation:Choreography:Characterisation:Presentation:“Efficacy”

TECHNIQUE:BecausetheLatinDancesdiffersomuchfundamentally,themostimportantfacetsofTechniqueapplicabletoeach(whichcontributetotheoverallQualityofPerformance)arelistedseparately.

RUMBA:ForwardandBackwardWalks,CheckedForwardWalk,ChangingDirection,DelayedWalks.

SAMBA:SambaPelvicaction,SambaBounceaction,Botofogos,Voltas,CruzadoactionandMusicalphrasing.

PASODOBLE:Appel,Chassesaction,Promenadeaction,TravellingSpins,SpanishLinesandShapes,MusicalPhrasing

CHACHACHA;TheChasseandLockaction,RondeandHipTwistChasses,ForwardandBackwardWalks,CheckedForwardWalk.ChangingDirectionandDelayedWalks.

JIVE:TheChasseandLockaction,BallChangeandChickenWalkaction

ALLDANCES:Poise,LegandAnkleaction,UseofArms,TheLatin(Cuban)Cross,Weightdistribution,PhysicalandShapingLeads,LegandBodyspeeds.

RHYTHMICINTERPRETATION.

SincetheLatinDances(withtheexceptionofPasoDoble)arerhythmdancesitisessentialforanycouplethataretosucceedcompetitivelytobeverystrongrhythmically.

RhythmicinterpretationisoneaspectofLatinDancingthatcannotbefakedorsuccessfullyhiddenandcomesfromanunderstandingoftherhythmicconstructionofeachdanceandhowtoadvantageouslyusetheaccentedbeatsofthemusic.

CHOREOGRAPHY

TheinclusionofoneortwotricksthatcatchtheeyecanbeusedforchoreographicinterestbutroutinesthatareoverloadedwithtricksandgimmicksdonotallowtheadjudicatoranopportunitytoassesstheQualityofPerformancewhenthereisalackorcompleteabsenceofmovementsthatshowthefundamentalactionandcharacterofthedance.

Theendproductshouldbeawell-balancedcombinationofpatterns/movementsthatsuitthecoupleandarewithintheircapabilities.Overuseof“poisedlinesandshapes’providelittleornoopportunityfortheassessmentofrhythmicquality.

CHARACTERISATION

Eachdanceofcoursehasitsowncharacterorstoryandwhilstitisprobablyoneofthemostdifficultoftaskstoachieveitisdesirable(andatthehigherlevelsofcompetition,essential)thatthisaspectbeportrayedandeasilyreadable

PRESENTATION

Thisreferstoappearance(includinggroomingandattire),walkingonandoffthefloor,standingbetweendances,attitudeonthefloor,facialexpressions,focuswhenlookingatpartnerortheaudience,positioningonthefloorforeachdance,allofwhichcaninfluencethefocusoftheadjudicators’attention.

“EFFICACITY”

Thatqualityvariouslydescribedas“Magic”,“Presence”.“Dominance”,“Impact”,“Flair”,“Wizardry”,“Genius”...Itistheabilitytocommandattentiononthecompetitionfloororthepowerforacoupletoproducetheirbestattherighttime.

Confidenceistheingredientof“efficacy”.

Fromamoreabstractperspective,inadditiontotheabove,whichclearlyidentifiestheelementsthatshouldbegivenconsiderationofvaryingdegrees,itshouldnotbeforgotten

thatDancesportisalanguageandtheLatinAmericangenreisaspecificdialectofDancesportthatneedstobeclearlyidentifiedandunderstoodasLatinAmerican.

Correctgrammaticaluseandsentencestructureisnecessarytomakeclearandprecisepointsinlanguage.IntermsofDancesport,thesamecouldbesaidforchoreography,useofsyllabusfiguresandvariations,characterisationandmusicalinterpretation.Theoverallpresentationmeansnothingifthestructuredefiningthatlanguage/dialectisnotthere.

Inotherwords,whenweadjudicateweshouldaskourselves,“CanIunderstandthisstory?Isitfluentlyexpressingtheovertandsubtleelementsofthedance?

Atthehighestlevelsweshouldbeopentothevariousinterpretationsofthisdialect,expectingatleastpartialretentionoftheidentifyingelements.Afterall,thedancers’integrityandfreedomofexpressionisalsovaluable.

Essentially,theadjudicators’capabilityofperception,bearinginmindtheirroleisultimatelythatofprovidingcomparativefeedbackonaspecificperformance,shouldbetheguidingprincipleinestablishinganappropriateoutcomeforeachroundoftheevent.

DANCESPORT ADJUDICATING PRINCIPLES · 2018. 2. 13. · NZBDC – Adjudicating Principles Version...

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