Competition Formats

[Jerry Wang]

I've noticed that various dance events have different formats for lining up and rotating competitors during JnJ and Strictly.

My questions:

1. Why is there such a disparity in formats?
2. From your experience, which format works best in getting comps moving smoothly and on time?

[coastswing]

I've noticed that various dance events have different formats for lining up and rotating competitors during JnJ and Strictly.

My questions:

1. Why is there such a disparity in formats?
2. From your experience, which format works best in getting comps moving smoothly and on time?

The disparity probably comes from the disparity in event directors. You have the choice to run your own event as you wish.

I like the format that MadJam used. Put the leaders in a circle and keep them there and the followers rotated around. Might have been easier for the judges for one thing, and less chaotic having people move all around the floor....although that also can be a bit of a negative as it's great to move around the floor and be near your support group to help you relax. But overall, I think I liked that format. I've seen it used at a few events along the way.

[SoundInMotionDJ]

The disparity probably comes from the disparity in event directors. You have the choice to run your own event as you wish.

Typically it's the MC and/or head judge to "creates" the system for running the contests. Sometimes there is more or less overlap between those jobs and the event director.

Almost any format can work...provided it is explained to the competitors ahead of time. You know, at some kind of "meeting" for the "competitors"...

--Stan Graves

[Dima]

Almost any format can work...provided it is explained to the competitors ahead of time. You know, at some kind of "meeting" for the "competitors"...

NOOOOOO!!!! No need to explain at a "meeting". If it's simple and logical enough, people will get the gist. Okay maybe not the first time competitors, but if you've competed for a while and still don't get it...

[SoundInMotionDJ]

NOOOOOO!!!! No need to explain at a "meeting". If it's simple and logical enough, people will get the gist.

Do you *really* believe that?

Meetings are nice. Meetings are good. Meetings are awesome! Need coffee and muffins at all meetings... :D

Okay maybe not the first time competitors, but if you've competed for a while and still don't get it...

Ironically, the worst "don't get it's" are the "Pro's" in a Pro-Am. :rolleyes:

--Stan Graves

[trina]

I do have enough of a stats background that I much prefer to see J&J rotations that actually do give each follower an equal probability of drawing any leader in a given heat. This is more convincing when I see that deck of cards come out (and sometimes the MC even points out to the audience that there are 17 cards and 17 couples, so that they have an equal chance of getting anyone in that line).

Obviously, it can take a looonng time to rotate 12 partners around instead of limiting it to the "Hey, you in the front row! Give me a number between 1 and 5!" method. Still, it seems more fair to my overly analytical engineer self. Tongue Out Especially if Hey You in the front row can see their best friend lined up two partners away from Mr. Needs One Point To Move Out Of This Division...

[Arjay]

Some main reasons comps are run differently....

Larger divisions require a bit of organization to spotting people so formulas like "the circle", "designated rows", "heats" are used to give people a sporting chance of at least being noticed.

And noticed not only by the judges, sometimes its about being noticed by the camera....

Also the shape of the floor as well will make a difference.

But yes all event directors have their preferences. Some of the older jack and jill formats were interesting. One jack and jill format I recall was that your prelim partner and yourself competed to get into finals as a couple. So in finals there was no redraw, you competed in finals with the partner you drew in prelims.

[SoundInMotionDJ]

One jack and jill format I recall was that your prelim partner and yourself competed to get into finals as a couple. So in finals there was no redraw, you competed in finals with the partner you drew in prelims.

I loved that. What made some really awesome was prelims were one night, and the finalists were announced. Then finals were held on another day. J&J prelims, strictly finals! Ahhhhh....the good old days.

--Stan Graves