DanceSport

Judging System

Table of Contents

1. Executive Summary ............................................................................. 2

2. Competition and Judging System........................................................... 2
3. Criteria for Judging .............................................................................. 3
4. Code of Conduct and Standards of Ethics................................................ 6
5. Education and Examination System ....................................................... 7
6. Classification of Adjudicators................................................................. 9
7. Random Selection of Adjudicators........................................................ 11
8. Majority Based Computing System....................................................... 12
9. Review of the Performance of Adjudicators ........................................... 13
10. Sanctions against Contravention ........................................................ 14

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1. Executive Summary

Because DanceSport performances cannot be measured in metres or seconds

the IDSF has committed itself to upgrade the existing judging system to a
more modern, comprehensive and transparent system in order to ensure fair
results.

The corner stones of the new system are:

- A competition system based on comparison

• selection in the qualifying rounds and
• ranking in the final;
- objective criteria for judging;
- Code of Conduct and Standards of Ethics;
- national and international training programmes and examinations;
- classification of judges (licences);
- training programmes for renewing licences;
- computer based random selection of judges;
- majority based computing system;
- system to review the performance of judges;
- sanctions against contravention.

As DanceSport is constantly evolving, the Judging System will always be an

important focus area for the IDSF and its member federations. >> Graphic 1

2. Competition and Judging System

A DanceSport competition is based on the overall performance of each couple

in
- the five Standard dances (Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot
and Quickstep) or
- the five Latin dances (Samba, Cha Cha, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive) or
- ten dances (combination of Standard and Latin, called Ten Dance).

Judging a competition involves a mixture of assessment approaches. The first

instruction to the judge is to select a certain number of couples who will
progress to the next round. The basis for the selection is comparison. A judge
selects according to criteria comparing similarities and differences until he/she
has selected the required number of couples by marking their numbers. All the
marks in all dances are added for each of the couples, and the couples with the
highest sum of marks progress to the next round. (The criteria are given in
Section 3)

All couples dance in the first round. They are randomly divided into groups of
not more than eight couples. Groups vary from dance to dance. After the first
round a re-dance system is applied. This gives those couples not directly
qualified for the second round with another chance to be selected. The re-

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dance round also gives the judges one more possibility to assess the
performance of these couples.

As the competition progresses the number of couples selected diminishes and

the standard of the performance becomes more even. The selection becomes
based on evaluation and comparison.

In the final the best six couples take the floor. Each adjudicator has to rank the
couples from 1 to 6 based on evaluation and comparison. The same ranking
cannot be given twice. As the level of difference between the couples is not
measured on an equidistant scale the difference between 1 and 2 is not
necessarily the same as between 2 and 3. Ranking only tells us that 1 is better
than 2 and that 2 is better than 3, but it does not tell us how much better.

We could have a situation where all six couples are so close that there is barely
any difference in quality, but the judges still have to rank them. That is usually
the case when we see varying marks.

In the final the couples get a chance to perform two of the dances solo, i.e.
only couple on the dance floor). This allows them to perform uninterrupted. It
gives the adjudicators the possibility to see the whole choreography, and
better asses the qualities of the couple, in particular the artistic aspect of their
performance.

After all finalists have finished their solo dance they return to the floor together
and repeat the same dance as a group. That gives the adjudicators a chance to
reaffirm the judgement from the solo performances or amend it, as they have
a possibility of a direct comparison again.

The marks from all judges are compiled in a table for each dance. A
computerised system referred to as the Skating System is used to compile the
marks.

In major IDSF competitions there is a minimum requirement of 9 adjudicators.

A very important aspect of a DanceSport competition is that the adjudicators

are positioned around the floor, to observe the couples from different angles
and thus collectively cover the whole floor. They also observe a couple at
different times during their performance, which can result in different
evaluations and different assessments.

The IDSF encourages adjudicators to make an individual assessment based on

the criteria for judging and the performance they see on the day. Pressure on
the adjudicators to judge uniformly can result in judging determined by known
previous results. >> Graphic 2

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3. Criteria for Judging

An adjudicator (judge) is a person who is appointed to form and give an

opinion on the dancers and their dancing, through careful weighing of evidence
and testing of criteria. In addition the judge will give an authoritative opinion
on the merits of dancers and their dancing and determine the result. Judging
involves much more than just an individual taste or personal opinion. It is
making an informed decision based on a thorough knowledge of the subject
and experience.

If all the adjudicators have the same point of departure and share an
awareness of the conventions and traditions of DanceSport, it is more likely
that they will share the norms, standards and criteria for what constitutes a
dance performance of merit. Once these general standards are in place, the
reasons for decisions have more chance of being shared, agreed upon and
understood collectively.

It is clear that evaluation must be the primary process through which opinions
are made and the result arrived at. Evaluation is completely different from
attributing a personal value to something. It requires skilful judgement.

Judging consists of two main phases.

The first phase is founded on understanding and knowledge and involves

factual observation of what is there. The second phase estimates the value of
what the judge has observed. This forms a base upon which comparison is
made.

DanceSport judging is based on comparison and ranking. The dance

performance is not measured on an absolute scale. In order to make judging
as objective as possible, a clearly defined system of judging criteria and a
definition of their relative value to each other are needed.

Clearly defined criteria of judging are tools which an adjudicator uses to asses
the performance of a couple.

We can look at the criteria as pieces of a big puzzle. A well educated and
experienced adjudicator knows what the completed picture looks like, knows
what he is looking for, and can recognise when there are pieces of the puzzle
missing making the picture incomplete.

There are different areas needed to be considered when making an

assessment. For each of these areas specific Criteria for Judging are defined.

Most of the individual criteria are interrelated. These connections are clearly
explained and supported by practical examples.

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Under each heading there is a definition of what is unacceptable and has to be
taken into account when evaluating the competitive performance.

The adjudicator is not required to use all the criteria at all times. The criteria
used change according to the phase of the competition.

At the first phase of the competition criteria related to the basic requirements
are employed, e.g. correct dance hold, basic technical competence, movement
in time with the music, etc. The dancing is primarily judged for its correctness.

The further we progress in the competition, more sophisticated criteria are

applied relating to accuracy of execution, dynamic qualities, characterisation of
the dances, partnering skills, body rhythm, etc.

In the final the judges focus also on the artistic value of the performance.

The winning couple is therefore judged to have most successfully fulfilled most
or all of the criteria and receive the highest merit award within the group for
that success.

There is an abundance of available material on technique and other relevant

subjects, e.g. technique books, lecture notes, magazine articles, videos, etc.

This IDSF project accumulates and systematises all the available knowledge
and engages the top experts in the area of DanceSport and other related areas
with the sole purpose of creating comprehensive instruction material for IDSF
adjudicators.

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4. Code of Conduct and Standards of Ethics

The Code of Conduct and Standards of Ethics (“the Code”) is intended to

provide a framework of standards for conduct and ethics for adjudicators. It
has been developed as an Operating Policy of the IDSF Presidium in re-
cognition of the fundamental and overriding responsibility of all adjudicators to
maintain the integrity, competence and effectiveness of judging panels as a
whole.

The rules and standards set out in the Code are intended to assist adjudicators
to establish appropriate standards of conduct in order that they have the
confidence of their peers, the competitors they are judging, the IDSF and IDSF
member federations utilising their services, other sports administration bodies
including IOC, and the sports media and general public.

The Code was presented at the IDSF AGM 2002 in Singapore to the IDSF
member federations.

It became effective on September 1, 2002 for all IDSF Championships and on

January 1, 2003 for all IDSF Competitions, World Games, Asian Games and the
Olympic Games, if the IDSF becomes an Olympic sport.

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5. Education and Examination System

Education for IDSF licensed adjudicators is provided on two levels. On a

national level education shall be provided by the member federation according
to the minimum standards established by the IDSF. This initial education is one
of the requirements for those seeking to apply for the IDSF licence. On the
international level education is provided by the IDSF for all applicants for the
IDSF adjudicator’s licence and all existing IDSF adjudicators.

Minimum requirements on the national level

On the national level candidates must have successfully passed an education

programme followed by a written examination in the following subjects:
- basic technique of Standard and Latin dances
- rules and regulations (national and international)
- “skating system” of marking
- code of conduct (ethics) (national and international)
- judging criteria
- methods and techniques of judging (theory and practice)

IDSF Education Programme

The IDSF education programme includes:

- advanced technical aspects
- IDSF criteria for judging
- IDSF rules and regulations
- IDSF code of conduct
- psychology of judging

The IDSF education programme shall be delivered by means of

- documentation (all subjects are supported by written documentation)
- visual support (in particular technical aspects, criteria for judging)
- seminars, lectures, workshops (block events)

The official language shall be English language.

IDSF Education Director

Being aware of the importance of educating judges and chairmen, the IDSF
appointed an IDSF Education Director in 2003.

The Education Director is responsible to set up the IDSF education programme

and define the content. The Education Director shall have the responsibility to
define the requirements for IDSF lecturers.

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Position Description and Responsibilities

The IDSF Education Director is responsible for analysing, designing,

developing, communicating and supporting programmes for establishing a
structure which meets the requirements for the education, training and
examination of IDSF licensed adjudicators. He/she shall supervise all IDSF
examination, education and training programmes and establish refresher
programmes (courses, workshops, other requirements) for the renewal of IDSF
licences.

The Education Director shall also be responsible for analysing, designing,

developing, communicating and supporting education and training programmes
for IDSF Chairmen of Adjudicators, IDSF Scrutineers and IDSF Technical
Delegates.

The Education Director is appointed by the Presidium, reports directly to the

Presidium and works under the Presidiums guidelines.

Qualifications of the Education Director

- highly qualified subject matter expert in Standard and Latin

- experienced in coaching and judging
- experienced in lecturing
- fluent in English
- management capabilities (organisation, budgeting, leadership qualities)
- teamwork capabilities

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6. Classification of Adjudicators

Qualification requirements

An applicant for an IDSF adjudicator’s licence must have the following

qualifications:
- has successfully passed a national exam and can provide the relevant
documentation
- must hold the highest grade of national licence which includes the right
to judge international competitions;
- is over 21 years of age;
- must not be an active competitor;
- must be legally capable of managing all of his/her personal and business
affairs and has never been convicted of a felony;
- was nominated by his/her national member federation;
- has to provide a curriculum vitae including DanceSport experience on
national and international level.

If all these criteria are met then the IDSF has to accept this person as a
candidate for the IDSF education programme. If the IDSF programme is
passed successfully then IDSF has to grant an IDSF license to the applicant.

Licensing Structure

IDSF adjudicator’s licences shall be granted separately for Standard and Latin,
and Formation.

There are two levels of licences.

1.) IDSF A Licence

This is the licence level granted to new applicants who fulfil all requirements.

It entitles the holder to judge

- IDSF Open Competitions
- IDSF International Open Competitions

2) IDSF Championship Licence

A holder of an A licence can be awarded a Championship licence if he/she

- has held the A licence for a period of not less than three years and
- has judged a minimum of 12 international competitions within a period of
48 months prior to application. Of these at least six have to be IDSF
Open or IDSF International Open competitions.
It entitles the holder to judge
- all competitions under the A licence plus
- IDSF World Open

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 - IDSF Continental Championships
- IDSF World Championships
- World Games
- Continental Games
- Olympic Games, should DanceSport join the Olympic Programme

Renewing the licences

The IDSF Education Director shall establish mandatory refresher programmes

(courses, workshops, other requirements) for the renewal of IDSF licences.

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7. Random Selection of Adjudicators

Different models are used to establish adjudicator panels for different types of
competitions. All models must consider the “Guidelines for the Establishment
of Adjudicator Panels” as defined by the IDSF.

Model for IDSF International Open and IDSF Open Competitions

The organiser recommends to the IDSF Sports Director the panel of

adjudicators based on "Guidelines for the Establishment of Adjudicator Panels"
and the IDSF rules. On the request of the IDSF Sports Director the organiser is
obliged to explain the criteria on which the panel of adjudicators was chosen.
Acceptance by the IDSF Sports Director is required to authorise the panel.

Model for IDSF Championships and Cups, World Open Competitions,

World Games and eventually the Olympic Games

Every adjudicator with a valid IDSF licence required for the competition in
question should have an equal chance of being selected. In order to achieve
this goal a model of random selection is used.

It consists of two phases

• random selection of countries represented on the judging panel,
• random selection of judges representing each of the selected countries.

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8. Majority Based Computing System

Through elimination rounds, the number of couples taking part in a DanceSport

competition is reduced to a final round, usually comprising six couples.

Up to and including the semi-final, the judges select the required number of
couples to pass into the next round. Each selection in each dance is marked
(“X”) on the judging card, and at the end of the round, all the marks of all the
judges in all dances are added up for each couple. The couples with the
highest sum of marks proceed to the next round.

Couple Adjudicators Sum of

No. A B C D E F G H I Marks
Samba
4 x x 2
6 x x x x 4
14 x x x x x x x x x 9
18 x x x x x x x x x 9
30 x x x x x x x 7
35 x x x x x x x 7
54 x x x 3
56 x x x x x x x x x 9
59 x x x 3
60 x 1

In the final round of each dance, the judges individually rank each couple in
their considered order of merit, and mark their ranking on their judging cards.
For example, in a six couple final, the judges would be ranking from 1 to 6,
with number 1 meaning the first place. A judge may not give two couples the
same ranking.

Using a methodology known as the “Skating System” (based upon majority

opinions) a ranking order is established in each separate dance.

The rankings of all dances are added, and the lowest sum determines the
winner of the competition.

Adjudicators Calculation
Couple Place
No. 1- 1- 1- 1- 1- 1- in Dance
A B C D E F G H I 1
2 3 4 5 6 7
Samba 1.
6 6 6 4 5 6 6 6 5 4 9 6.0
14 3 2 1 2 1 1 2 2 1 8 2.0
18 1 1 2 1 3 2 1 1 3 5 1.0
30 4 5 6 4 4 3 5 4 5 5 4.0
35 5 4 5 6 5 5 4 6 6 6 5.0
56 2 3 3 3 2 4 3 3 2 8 3.0

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 Couple Places in all dances in final round Sum of Place
No. Places in
SA CC RU PD JI Competition
6 6 6 6 5 6 29.0 6.
14 2 1 1 2 1 7.0 1.
18 1 2 2 1 2 8.0 2.
30 4 4 4 4 4 20.0 4.
35 5 5 5 6 5 26.0 5.
56 3 3 3 3 3 15.0 3.

9. Review of the Performance of Adjudicators

The review of the performance of Adjudicators shall be done on two levels

- IDSF Chairman of Adjudicators

- Computer analysis

IDSF Chairperson of Adjudicators

During a competition it is the responsibility of the IDSF Chairperson of

Adjudicators to review the marks after each round. If he/she reasonably
believes that the assessment of the performance by an adjudicator was not
based on the criteria of judging he/she is obliged to warn the adjudicator, hear
him/her in reply, and then take appropriate action immediately. The IDSF
Chairman of Adjudicators shall have the power to reprimand or replace the
adjudicator by an appropriate substitute for the remainder of the competition.

Any complaint about the performance of adjudicators made during the

competition should be addressed to the IDSF Chairman of Adjudicators who
shall investigate immediately according to the procedure described above.

The IDSF Chairperson of Adjudicators shall document any such incident, and
any action taken, and include all in the competition report to the IDSF Sports
Director who shall decide whether there are grounds for initiating a further
investigation.

The IDSF Sports Director shall report each such case to the IDSF Presidium for
consideration.

Any complaint made after the competition is finished has to go through the
national member federation to the IDSF Sports Director.

Computer Analysis

After the competition, the marks will be reviewed by a computer programme

which will search for any irregularities in marking, e.g. national bias, tactical

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and/or political judging, etc. The computer programme will also search for
significant patterns appearing over a period of time.

The report goes to the IDSF Sports Director who shall decide whether there are
grounds for initiating a further investigation.

The IDSF Sports Director shall report each such case to the IDSF Presidium for
consideration.

10. Sanctions against Contravention of the Rules

IDSF has set up a Disciplinary Committee to deal with complaints regarding

any breach of IDSF rules, including Competition Rules, Code of Conduct, Anti-
Doping Code, etc.

The Disciplinary Committee shall have the authority and power to impose the
following penalties: warning, suspension of licence for a period of time,
revoking of licence.

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