System 2.0 | In A Nutshell 25/02/2013

The WDSF Sports Department introduced an innovative system to evaluate performances in DanceSport in 2009. Commonly referred to as the “New Judging System,” it was used to adjudicate the finals of GrandSlam as well as multi-sport games (i.e. 2010 Asian Games) competitions ever since.

When the system was adopted by WDSF after a series of successful field tests, it was understood that some of its distinct features would be subject to periodic reviews and upgrades. Valuable feedback from athletes and adjudicators has led to this “new” system continuously evolving over a period of four years already. And a number of amendments will need to be made at this junction too – prior to the start of the GrandSlam Series 2013 and in the lead-up to The World Games as well as World DanceSport Games.

This time the amendments are of a more fundamental nature than in previous updates. The “Judging System 2.0” is the version that derives from the wealth of experience gained in the application of its predecessor, and that takes up on the extensive feedback and input provided by athletes, adjudicators and organisers over time.

The WDSF Sports Department – working collaboratively with the Education Department – is proud to roll out “2.0” as a significantly improved version of a system that is, first and foremost,

• Transparent
• Objective
• Understandable

in the evaluation of DanceSport performances. And one that is able to bring about greater accountability for the adjudicators as well as immediate and constructive feedback for the athletes.

2.0 – In A Nutshell

The Judging System 2.0 limits the Components that are to be graded by the adjudicators to four only. It acknowledges that two Components cover technical aspects of the performance and that the other two assess the latter’s artistic qualities.

• Technical Quality – TQ
• Movement to Music – MM
• Partnering Skill – PS
• Choreography and Presentation – CP

While the panel consisted of nine adjudicators grading all Components at all times previously, System 2.0 calls for twelve adjudicators on the panel to be divided into four groups – and for each group of three to assess only one Component. The Components will be randomly assigned to the three adjudicators immediately prior to each dance.

Grading continues to be on the established scale from 1 (Very Poor) to 10 (Outstanding) and 0.5 fractions can still be awarded for further differentiation. In computing the score (average) for each Component between the three grades given by the assigned group of adjudicators, the lowest and the highest grade count only 50% towards the average.

The actual “workload” of the adjudicators is reduced in terms of assessment as well as the mechanics of entering values on the touch-screen terminals. Only one Component needs to be considered at one time, only one value needs to be entered after the assessment is done. This, in turn, leads to the Judging System 2.0 being applicable for group dances as well. Even in a group dance with up to eight couples on the floor, and the duration of just over two minutes per dance, an adjudicator has the necessary time required to grade each couple individually.

That allows for the System 2.0 to be used from the quarterfinal stages in a competition – and for group dances to be performed in the final too. Two out of the five dances in the final are group dances now. And the three solo dances are selected in a random draw. The order in which the five dances are performed in the final is Solo-Solo-Group-Solo-Group.

The Premiere

The WDSF Sports Department has resolved that the Judging System 2.0 will be used – for the very first time – on 30 March 2013, from the quarterfinal of the GrandSlam Standard in Cambrils, ESP. Prior to that, on 29 March, the 12 WDSF Adjudicators on the panel will undergo extensive training on the hardware and the software that have been developed to support the system’s deployment.

The System 2.0 will be used at all competitions of the GrandSlam Series 2013, in Latin and Standard events of The World Games 2013 Cali and of the WDSF World DanceSport Games 2013 Kaohsiung.

Read the previous article on System 2.0 and watch another video here!