Impressing the Judges in Dancesport

Ballroom dancing has become immensely popular in recent times, and competition can be fierce as more and more talented ballroom dancers enter the fray. For many people, participating in the world of ballroom dance has become far more than just a hobby – it's an intense competition to become the best of the best. For these thousands of well-trained and skillful dance competitors, it is extremely important to know what it takes to impress the panel of judges who award the ribbons to the winning couples.

There is a lot of hard work and dedication that goes into competition ballroom dancing. One must first find the right dance instructor and enroll in ballroom dance lessons, committing to intensive physical and mental training that will build endurance, technical skill and confidence. Additionally, it is vital to understand and follow precisely all of the lengthy and detailed regulations sanctioned by the World Dance Sport Federation. These rules include strict guidelines such as the prohibition against any Lifts except for Show Dance titles, and dancers must always follow a strict tempo to music that is kept confidential until the competition. Competitive ballroom dancing most often includes two categories with ten specific dances. International Standard Ballroom dances include the Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot and Quickstep. International Latin Dances refer to the Samba, Cha-cha-cha, Rumba, Paso Doble, and Jive.

The term 'dancesport' was coined as part of the ongoing campaign to identify competitive ballroom dancing as a potential Olympic medal event. However, even without Olympic status, dancesport is an exciting and competitive phenomenon that engenders a great number of participants as well as viewers throughout the world. And the only way to win is to gain the approval of a panel of expert judges.

If you are a beginning ballroom dance competitor, there are a few tips that can help you improve your chances for success on the dance floor. One thing you can do is to be sure and arrive early for the competition. You can take advantage of the practice area to work out any kinks or nerves prior to the event. You should also be prepared to wait your turn. Competition schedules are tentative and delays can easily occur, so although a good deal of time will be spent waiting, you should always stay nearby so you don't miss your events or callbacks. And never forget that you are on stage from the instant you set foot on the dance floor, from walking onto the floor, to waiting for the music, throughout the dance and even as you walk off the floor. Maintain your poise at all times.

So what exactly are the judges looking for when they determine which partners are the best ballroom dancers? The new WDSF judging system provides specific scoring categories that are based on a number scale from 1-10. These categories judge dancers based upon the following five components:

• PB: Posture, Balance and Coordination
• QM: Quality of Movement
• MM: Movement to Music
• PS: Partnering Skills
• CP: Choreography and Presentation

But what exactly causes a judge to award a good score for these categories? A Registered World Class Adjudicator and former dance champion, Dan Radler, was questioned specifically on this topic, and gave dancers some excellent insight into what judges look for in the winners of a ballroom dance competition of any level.

Posture is one of the most important aspects. Good posture makes a dancer look elegant confident, and is necessary for correct hold and movement. A timeless adage states: "Persistent practice of postural principals promises perfection." Timing is essential as music is the boss and couples must remain in perfect time to the music throughout the dance. Attractive lines enhance the figures whether curved or straight, and refer to the length and stretch of the body from head to toe. The correct positioning of body parts in closed dancing position, or hold, and smooth balance and poise are also vital to a good score. Foot and leg action must be technically accurate at all times, with precise lifting and placing of the feet, the correct bend and angle of the knees, as well as the extension of the ankles and pointing of the toes that all combine to enhance the line.

Judges also pay attention to togetherness as the body weights of the two partners are melded into one for complete synchronization. Musicality and expression display the basic characterization of the dance to the particular music played, while presentation expresses the overall confidence that dance partners exude during their performance. Many of the decisions that judges make regarding scoring are based upon intangibles. This means that it is very important to the judging process how a couple looks together, whether they fit emotionally, and if their floorcraft demonstrates command and flow of their choreography. And because judges only have a short amount of time to choose which dancers will move on to compete in the next round, anything that draws positive attention is beneficial, so dress for success. Beautiful costumes and vibrant colors are part of your overall presentation, and can help you stand out from the crowd to gain the judges' attention.