The Rules

Competition Rules
The competition rules are designed to be as easy and as fair as possible providing consistent criteria for our judges and maximum fun for our teams.
  • Generally we advise the group to be no larger than 30 pupils
  • Your dance should be no longer than 3m30s.
  • If you exceed the time limit, 1 point for every second over
  • ​Any style of dance is permitted.
  • We will require an MP3 emailed to us at least 2 weeks before the performance.
Judging Criteria
Up to 100 marks to be awarded for each performance.   

Choreography

 Creativity (10 points)
​Be as creative as you want, think costume & set as well as choreography. Don’t be frightened to tell a story. Think about what you want the audience to feel.
Complexity (10 points)
​Make the dance visually exciting to watch, add lifts, holds & freezes. Know the style of dance you’re performing in & explore its catalogue of movement.
Formations/Transitions (10 points)
​Make sure you travel / transition with intent making full use of space.
Keep placement & formations neat & tight. Know where you should be.

Execution

Synchronisation/Timing (10 points)
​Know your music as well as the dance. Work on making sure your execution is in time & sync with each other as well as the music. Repetition is key to bringing timing together.
Spacing/Dynamics (10 points)
​Use all the space you have & use it with purpose. Change your levels by jumping, crawling, rolling & kneeling. Introduce moments of stillness to add depth.

Technique

Placing/Control (10 points)
​Think about posture, how you stand & hold yourself. What direction should you face, are your feet turned in or out? Where should your arms be? Avoid fidgeting or fixing hair.
Strength/Fluidity (10 points)
​Make sure each movement is smooth & runs seamlessly into the next. If your mixing styles this is an area to focus on. Showcase strength with lifts, holds & freezes.
Technique/Connectivity (10 points)
​Know the style or styles you are performing & deliver your choreography & movements correctly. Understand the music & entice the audience to connect & feel your dance.

Overall

Eye Contact/Enjoyability (10 points)
​Good eye contact can go a long way & will help the audience connect with you. Enjoy what you’re doing & be genuine. Remember, false smile stand out! If you enjoy what you do & feel it, chances are the audience will too.
Crowd Appeal (10 points)
​Whether it’s upbeat & crowd enticing or sombre & tells a story or strikes an emotion, the crowds response is important in letting judges know how well your dance was received.