The Judging Criteria In Ballroom Dancing

Judging ballroom dancing is difficult business and you need experience to be able to do it well. True, there are a few set parameters on which the couples are rated but in any competition, the relativity factor is very important. Every couple has to also be judged in comparison to the others and this is the tough part.

Let's look at the rateable factors. These are Timing, Posture, Hold, Line, Poise, Presentation, Togetherness and Power and each competition could just have a few more on the list.

Timing is so important. You blow that and you're out. This is why couples practice so much so they can be sure of getting the timing right in their sleep. You just have to be in perfect time to the music.

Posture is equally important. That grace, that elegance just will not be present without perfect posture. If you maintain perfect posture throughout you can also be sure of perfect balance and confidence, both so essential to dancing. Posture requires a lot of practice but what you have in the end is perfection. So you can see just how vital it is to ballroom dancing.

Hold is how your body parts are held, not just yours but both yours and your partner's, during any dance movement. So your arms, legs, feet and body need to be in the right position at the right time. It also has to be in perfect symmetry with your partner's. If you don't follow this, you are said to be breaking your hold and this could lose you quite a few points.

What is also important is Line which is the position of the body right from your head down to your toes. You have to make sure that your line is perfect. It does not matter if it is straight or curved, the lime should be graceful, elegant and right.

Poise of course is what sets you apart as you glide around the room. This certain something that needs to come from within is what makes for smooth dancing. It is the way the body moves upwards and outwards, the way a woman's body moves perfectly into the man's waiting arm, balancing, connecting and making it a graceful movement.

Of course, in today's world, presentation is so important. It is necessary to sell yourselves to those watching, especially the judges. You need to do more than just dance correctly and gracefully. You need to let the expressions show on your face as well. You need to smile, to involve the viewers. This is the packaging that sets today's dancing apart.

Togetherness in ballroom dancing is a given. You and your partner have to move as one. The leading and the following have to be done without any seeming effort and there has to be a total synchronizing of every move.

All judges have their own unique style of judging and different ideas on what is good and what isn't. Some may place a lot of emphasis on presentation while another on technique. These are individual preferences that one cannot really gauge. Of course, this could mean that two judges look very differently at the same couple dancing. However, when it comes to the rateable factors, one hopes that being more tangible, there will be a greater concurrence among the judges.

Get Your Salsa On Like Victor Cruz At One Of These 5 Studios

Salsa dancing is seeing a spike in popularity thanks to Giant's wide receiver Victor Cruz, whose touchdown celebration dance has spawned a large collection of YouTube videos (even the Times is ON IT ). To celebrate the Giants big win last night why not learn the moves yourself? Not only will you look cool when you hit da club , it's also a great form of exercise—gotta burn off those 35 chicken ...

Latest Altrient 'DNA' Online Video Spotlights Health

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Tango isn't for the faint of heart; it requires strength, agility, stamina and a perfect balance of passion and control. Only the bold and the healthy need apply. ...

Best Of Jackson 2012: Community

Best Arts Organization: Mississippi Museum of Art 380 S. Lamar St., 601-960-1515, http://www.msmuseumart.org As a child, I loved exploring the Mississippi Museum of Art at its former location on visits to Jackson with my mom.

Swedish House Mafia's Axwell Announced as Headliner for First Act of Cosmic Opera + Tickets On Sale Jan 17

AXWELL Headlining First Act of Cosmic OperaNew York, NY (PRWEB) January 11, 2012 Since Cosmic Opera’s mysterious teaser video and Twitter countdown were released last week, the internet has been buzzing about the “extrasensory dance event series” that promises to change the landscape of dance music forever.Today, the curtain has been dropped; the promise renewed.The official launch reveals ...

Calendar

"Dance at the Dixie": Pas de Vie Ballet dance troupe student performance. 4:30 p.m. $10. Dixie Theatre, downtown Apalachicola. 850-653-3200. Faculty Showcase: Featuring members of the Florida State College of Music faculty. 8 p.m. Free. Opperman Music Hall, FSU. 644-4774.