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Ep 29: When Competition Judges Get It 'Wrong'
When competition results don’t match what you saw on stage, here’s why it happens and how to win anyway.
In this episode, Cara breaks down one of the most frustrating moments for dance teachers and studio owners: when competition results don’t align with what was performed. Instead of reacting emotionally or placing blame, Cara walks listeners through the real mechanics of judging, the human limitations behind the table, and the systems that influence scores. This conversation reframes competition results as data, not definitions, and gives educators a grounded way to support dancers while still pushing technical growth.
Cara talked about:
- How subjectivity and objectivity collide in dance competition judging.
- The reality that judges are human, making hundreds of decisions across long, exhausting days.
- How category size, performance order, and visual comparison affect scoring.
- Why two qualified judges can score the same routine very differently.
- How competition scoring systems and alignment methods impact final placements.
- Why scores are often the least accurate measure of dancer development.
Key Takeaways & Teaching Tips:
- Shift focus from placements to written critiques and audio feedback.
- Look for patterns across adjudications, not one-off comments.
- Choose specific technical priorities instead of reacting to every note.
- Reinforce strengths mentioned by judges, not just corrections.
- Keep competition conversations calm, factual, and growth-focused.
- Use technique class to address issues, not rehearsals.
- Help dancers understand that competition is information, not identity.
At the end of the day, competitions are a snapshot, not the full picture. Scores don’t define your dancers, your teaching, or your studio’s success. When judges get it wrong, the real work is helping dancers stay confident, curious, and committed to growth. Use competition as a tool, not a verdict, and keep your focus where it belongs: strong technique, healthy mindset, and long-term development.
—
Connect with us! 🎧
Relative Motion: https://www.instagram.com/relativemotiondance/
Youtube Relative Motion: https://www.youtube.com/@relative_motion
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By Relative Motion
5
55 ratings
When competition results don’t match what you saw on stage, here’s why it happens and how to win anyway.
In this episode, Cara breaks down one of the most frustrating moments for dance teachers and studio owners: when competition results don’t align with what was performed. Instead of reacting emotionally or placing blame, Cara walks listeners through the real mechanics of judging, the human limitations behind the table, and the systems that influence scores. This conversation reframes competition results as data, not definitions, and gives educators a grounded way to support dancers while still pushing technical growth.
Cara talked about:
- How subjectivity and objectivity collide in dance competition judging.
- The reality that judges are human, making hundreds of decisions across long, exhausting days.
- How category size, performance order, and visual comparison affect scoring.
- Why two qualified judges can score the same routine very differently.
- How competition scoring systems and alignment methods impact final placements.
- Why scores are often the least accurate measure of dancer development.
Key Takeaways & Teaching Tips:
- Shift focus from placements to written critiques and audio feedback.
- Look for patterns across adjudications, not one-off comments.
- Choose specific technical priorities instead of reacting to every note.
- Reinforce strengths mentioned by judges, not just corrections.
- Keep competition conversations calm, factual, and growth-focused.
- Use technique class to address issues, not rehearsals.
- Help dancers understand that competition is information, not identity.
At the end of the day, competitions are a snapshot, not the full picture. Scores don’t define your dancers, your teaching, or your studio’s success. When judges get it wrong, the real work is helping dancers stay confident, curious, and committed to growth. Use competition as a tool, not a verdict, and keep your focus where it belongs: strong technique, healthy mindset, and long-term development.
—
Connect with us! 🎧
Relative Motion: https://www.instagram.com/relativemotiondance/
Youtube Relative Motion: https://www.youtube.com/@relative_motion