NZBDC – Adjudicating Principles Version 2017 Page 1 New Zealand Ballroom Dance Council DANCESPORT ADJUDICATING PRINCIPLES Adapted by NZBDC From, and with permission of the DSA Accreditation Commission Adjudicating Principles
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New Zealand Ballroom Dance Council
DANCESPORTADJUDICATINGPRINCIPLESAdaptedbyNZBDCFrom,andwithpermissionoftheDSAAccreditationCommission
AdjudicatingPrinciples
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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• 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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• 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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
NZBDC–AdjudicatingPrinciplesVersion2017 Page21
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.
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• 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.
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SampleAdjudicatorCards.Areshownonthefollowingpages.Sincethereisnosetformat/layout,thiswillvaryfromorganisertoorganiserhowevertheinformation/instructionsshownareprettymuchstandard.Whilstthesesamplesareformattedas“SingleDance”cards,itisbynomeansunusualtohavecardscoveringmultipledances.
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Round Number of Heats
Select
Out of Event No.
QR 3 16 23
ADULT STANDARD LEVEL 1 107 204 Dance
QSTEP
124 206
147 220
149 223 Select Couple
ü
154 229
156 232
159 234 Cancel Selection
X
165 235
179 239
189 245
Reinstate Selection
190 257
195 261
198 275 Scratch Pad
199
200
201
202
203
Signature: SYMBOL
NZBDC–AdjudicatingPrinciplesVersion2017 Page25
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
2nd
3rd
4th DANCE
Jive
5th
6th
7th SYMBOL
78th
Signed:
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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.
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• 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”.
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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-
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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”.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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thatDancesportisalanguageandtheLatinAmericangenreisaspecificdialectofDancesportthatneedstobeclearlyidentifiedandunderstoodasLatinAmerican.
Correctgrammaticaluseandsentencestructureisnecessarytomakeclearandprecisepointsinlanguage.IntermsofDancesport,thesamecouldbesaidforchoreography,useofsyllabusfiguresandvariations,characterisationandmusicalinterpretation.Theoverallpresentationmeansnothingifthestructuredefiningthatlanguage/dialectisnotthere.
Inotherwords,whenweadjudicateweshouldaskourselves,“CanIunderstandthisstory?Isitfluentlyexpressingtheovertandsubtleelementsofthedance?
Atthehighestlevelsweshouldbeopentothevariousinterpretationsofthisdialect,expectingatleastpartialretentionoftheidentifyingelements.Afterall,thedancers’integrityandfreedomofexpressionisalsovaluable.
Essentially,theadjudicators’capabilityofperception,bearinginmindtheirroleisultimatelythatofprovidingcomparativefeedbackonaspecificperformance,shouldbetheguidingprincipleinestablishinganappropriateoutcomeforeachroundoftheevent.