JUDGE APPROACH: “THE WORD PROBLEM”
A Dose Of Danspiration- “Judge Approach: The Word Problem” Originally posted September 30,2024
To all my fellow judges if I could give one piece of advice it would be to GIVE DETAILED, CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK!
In my opinion, a judge is first and foremost, AN EDUCATOR!
Our job, when we sit at that judges’ table, is to educate coaches and dancers on how they can improve.
Yes, we are there to determine a rank order and hand out trophies, but those outcomes should be second to the immense opportunity to improve dancers, coaches, and programs.
The most effective way of doing this is through FEEDBACK! One way is through the score given and another is through verbal/written feedback.
If my team receives a 10/10, I can assume that there is NOTHING to improve upon. WE NAILED IT!
BBBUUUUTTTTT…
If we receive an 8/10, as a coach, I want to know WHY…
Take this outside of dance example:
Your child is in elementary school and the teacher hands out a math word problem worksheet. There are 10 questions, and each is worth 10 points. Things are going well, and then problem #3 looks like this…
Let’s even go one step further…
Sorry, but what?? I got the correct answer, and you said that I understand my math facts, but you still took two points off???
How many of you would just sit back and justify the grade with, “Well, it was the teacher’s opinion that day” or “Maybe this was a new teacher, and they are still learning their job” OR “Well, this teacher clearly does not know what they are doing. Their opinion doesn’t matter.” [Insert all excuses we make for judges].
NO, we would be telling our child to talk to the teacher and find out what went wrong OR we might send an email asking for an explanation ourselves. There will be confusion and a lack of understanding on how to gain the 2 points back in the future, especially if the feedback is positive, but points were removed.
NOW… what if that same math problem came back like this….
OK! Even if we don’t agree, at least we know where the teacher is coming from and can fix the errors and do it correctly in the future!
To avoid confusion or even the questioning of your competency as a judge, GIVE QUALITY FEEDBACK!
Pro Tip…Feedback should be constructive and detailed. The number one question to answer is always, “WHAT/WHY and HOW?”
WHAT/WHY is this area of the scoresheet being addressed and HOW to fix it!
General Feedback:
“Continue to work timing on flat back to stand ripple”
BECOMES…
“Continue to work timing on flat back to stand ripple. Dancers on the left side are starting from a higher position in their flatback. Give more plie in the legs versus rounding the back.”
No guessing! Clear explanation on why the score will be lower in execution/timing and how to fix it for the next competition!
This feedback style can also apply to COACHES!
General Feedback:
“Mya you’re late on this part.”
BECOMES…
“Mya when we extend our arm out to second, you are late because you are bending at the elbow. The rest of the group is slicing the arm up straight.”
BOOM! No guessing and Mya now understands what needs to be done next time to fix the issue.
Final tip for this post: Yes, instinctually, the items that need to be addressed are at top of mind, but also give shoutouts to components that are well done that deserve to be recognized and share WHY they stand out!
Example: “The use of the spiral ripple was very visually effective and enhanced the musicality at this point of the song!”
This praise lets the coach and dancers know they addressed the visual effectiveness and musicality part of the scoresheet and that these approaches and actions should be continued in the future.
In the end, competitive dance programs take the competition floor to not only try for a trophy, but to IMPROVE! Take your role as a judge and view it as an educator. Give the best quality feedback you can in the moment and know that you are making a difference for hundreds of dancers and coaches/teachers just by taking the extra time to share your expertise!
Do more than just give a score, make an IMPACT!
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