From Dancesport Education Master Anthony Hurley

TO BE AN ADJUDICATOR

The experienced judge will access the first heat and select say six couples and on a separate card keep a further two or three numbers as reserves you may also consider the same format for the second heat. This allows you to keep space for a strong third heat in the event you recall 10 couples. Therefore at the conclusion of the third heat your recalls will be 6 + 8 +10=24.

Another important point to consider in first or second rounds is the situation where couples with a reputation of normally being semi-finalists or finalists in major events take part. Do not take a long look at these couples at this early stage, put their number down and give the lesser known couples more of your limited time. You may be surprised that in past events you have overlooked a couples standard and potential. You may also be instrumental in giving a couple a well-deserved break.

The time to start scrutinising in detail the top couples is perhaps around the last 48 for example. I then mentally dance the competition with them monitoring their strengths or weaknesses always comparing them to each other over the last four rounds. However there are many couples to evaluate and often I pick up couples who grew on me during the competition. This I find is my way of coming to a personal and satisfactory selection of the final six and ultimately the final placing’s.

MY DISLIKES;

• Bad floor craft. Couples who have little or no regard for their fellow competitors with a do or die approach to fitting in their choreography.
• Overloaded choreography usually used to camouflage the fact they cannot produce the elements of the dance.
• When I see the man lips moving to count he cannot not possibly have any musical or emotional feelings and for sure not listening to the music.

MY LIKES;

• When a couple earns a break into a semi or final irrespective of my marks or that of my fellow adjudicators.
• When a couples dancing embraces me musically.
• When the grace and sophistication are maintained within a performance that reaches out to both judges and the audience.

FINAL THOUGHTS,

To have been a competitor has advantages when judging, you know what is going through the minds of the majority you appreciate their years of practice in trying to reach their ultimate goal, knowing that at the stroke of your pen you can make or break someone’s dreams.

THAT IS WHY TO BE AN ADJUDICATOR IS A VERY RESPONSIBLE AND DEMANDING PART OF COMPETITION DANCING.

Anthony Hurley