Judging

[elisedance]

Every champion I have talked to (and that are successful in my eyes) ALL have said they never once cared about the judges or the results. I believe it is this attitude that makes (partially anyway) great dancers!

Not a lot of honesty in champions is there (at least no this subject)...
tis called 'lip service'

[elisedance]

You really think they don't care?  Try talking to them a bit longer about judges, who is good and who is not and about events, countries etc etc.  In my experience what happens is that they don't care at first - but mysteriously they have an opinion on every factor as to who likes them and who doesnt/  And they are not talking about friends for a drink - they are talking about how they are judged.  Surely any professional cares deeply about their career and source of livlihood - and for dance pros (and ams) winning is what its all about.

I think what they are actually expressnig is honest in its own way - that you can not go onto the dance floor caring about what a judge is going to do - you have to put it out of your mind to dance your best - to achieve the savoir faire of the champion. 

[elisedance]

then you need to introduce me; I would love to meet them...

[Rugby]

Sadly the politics are everywhere no matter if you are Pro/am, Am/ Am or Pro/ Pro ( did I leave anyone out?).  Studios that put pressure on judges and judges that have studios that put pressure on the comp organizers and couples that put pressure on their teachers it they judge.  Greed and ego are the problem, or in some cases a desperate need to try to keep in the game even after the lights have started to dim.  Never should dancing get into the Olympics, too corrupt sad to say.

When I ask different top Pros about their competing days the answer I get depends on if they are still competing and how long and well they know me.  At first it's all happy happy but when they stop competing, or as time goes by and we get to know each other more the answer seems to change considerably.  I know one Pro that got second due to politics and when he went up to get his award he told the judges they could F off and then stuck both hands up with the appropriate fingers raised and walked around the floor.  The competition was televised and it had to be cut out.  Love to have seen that one.

As for myself I also don't let what the judges say or do throw me or turn me away.  I also give the answer that it is the dancing that counts, which is very true for me.  But... if you want my honest opinion, I hate what the politics from (judges, competitors, teachers, comp organizers etc.) do to dancing and how it effects people.  I can certainly get up on the soap box and preach a sermon (kind of like what I think I am doing now) because I hate people that take advantage of something I love to do and want to see grow.  They are tearing down the foundation of dancing when they get political and it effects everyone that dances, everywhere.  The system is marred like a beautiful piece of fruit that looks delicious but has been tainted with pesticides.

     

   

[elisedance]

But there IS a way round the politics - compete far and wide.  And yes, each time you step into the local mire but if the judges are sparing at each other through their local couples a stranger that dances well will be highly scored by them all.  no axe to grind.

where the politics is worst is where people know each other the best - which is, of course, at home

[elisedance]

Go accross the border   Besides, the roving judges are less likely to be biased, at least at the syllabus level.  The real problem (if it exists) is with judges who also have regular students in the same area.  Its a pressure they should not have to deal with.

[elisedance]

New question for any judge:

When you go to a competition - do the organizers give you and information on the couples to help you judge?  I mean previous rankings, etc etc

thanks
ee

[QPO]

New question for any judge:

When you go to a competition - do the organizers give you and information on the couples to help you judge?  I mean previous rankings, etc etc

thanks
ee

I will ask my coach who is a judge, but I think they would not get that information....unless perhaps for an IDSF event, but I cant see the relevance as they are judged on their current performance not their last...IMO

[elisedance]

New question for any judge:

When you go to a competition - do the organizers give you and information on the couples to help you judge?  I mean previous rankings, etc etc

thanks
ee

I will ask my coach who is a judge, but I think they would not get that information....unless perhaps for an IDSF event, but I cant see the relevance as they are judged on their current performance not their last...IMO

thats why I want to hear from a judge ...

[MusicChica]

Well, I'm not a judge, but I've done a fair bit of score-running, so I was around the judges a lot, and it never appeared to me that they had any knowledge of the couples except what they themselves had seen at previous competitions.

[elisedance]

Well, I'm not a judge, but I've done a fair bit of score-running, so I was around the judges a lot, and it never appeared to me that they had any knowledge of the couples except what they themselves had seen at previous competitions.

Still like to hear it from a judge - if it ever happens.

[TangoDancer]

New question for any judge:

When you go to a competition - do the organizers give you and information on the couples to help you judge?  I mean previous rankings, etc etc thanks ee

No. We often know certain things b/c we have judged these persons before, coach them, etc. Of course, there are times when things come up in general conversation, but specifically giving us criteria by which to judge someone... never happens.

[elisedance]

New question for any judge:

When you go to a competition - do the organizers give you and information on the couples to help you judge?  I mean previous rankings, etc etc thanks ee

No. We often know certain things b/c we have judged these persons before, coach them, etc. Of course, there are times when things come up in general conversation, but specifically giving us criteria by which to judge someone... never happens.

Never?  Interesting, I communicated with a judge off-forum and he had had a different experience - that couples numbers were mentioned in the judges meeting as well as other 'hints'.  I'm very glad to hear that you have not come accross this.  It was a bit depressing

[QPO]

that is terribly unprofessional by organizers (if that is who they were). But whether organizers or judges you must have to judge each event and couple on their last performance.

Otherwise it sounds like strictly ballroom  

[TangoDancer]

Never?  Interesting, I communicated with a judge off-forum and he had had a different experience - that couples numbers were mentioned in the judges meeting as well as other 'hints'.  It was a bit depressing

It is not depressing. It is disgusting. Whomever it was needs a severe talking with. How blatantly unprofessional, not to mention unfair to the competitors.