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Site Created By	MAIN COMPETITION MARKING CRITERIA Download as a .PDF File Download as a Word Document SWORD HANDLING   DANCE TECHNIQUE / TEAMWORK 15 Swords kept high/hands together all of the time All swords move together Good shapes with smooth movement and transitions Skilful use of swords to create shape and excitement 15 All dancers working in complete harmony Set is controlled and tight Clear shapes and spacing throughout All set movements appear effortless 14 +/- 14 +/- 13 Swords kept high/hands together most of the time Movement and shapes good Display figures tidy 13 Dancers working together as team Smooth movement in figures Set has control 12 +/- 12 +/- 11 Good shapes at times but not maintained throughout Good height but still some low swords 11 Dancers working together as team Some lack of fluidity between figures 10 +/- 10 +/- 9 Majority showing knowledge and ability of handling Some lack of consistency 9 Individual figures apparent Some good team movement A little set wandering 8 +/- 8 +/- 7 A few hands kept together/held high Some dropped swords Some control and understanding of basic principles 7 Team mostly moving together Set figures have some shape Transitions not smooth Some set wandering 6 +/- 6 +/- 5 A few hands kept together/held high Some dropped swords Little shape or controlled movement 5 Showing some co-ordination as a team Some figures ragged lacking control Set moves around 4 +/- 4 +/- 3 Arms very tense Little familiarity with the swords Some dropped swords 3 A little co-ordination of movement Poor timing and control Set moves around 2 +/- 2 +/- 1 No understanding of basic principles of sword handling 1 No discernable Rapper figures No co-ordination of movement MUSIC   PRESENTATION 15 Music is an integral part of the dance Exceptionally well played and planned out Music fits, lifts and drives the entire dance through rhythm/key/tune changes 15 Very smart, tidy matching kit Kit harmonises the overall presentation Team appearance when entering/leaving stage Positive confident air among dancers throughout 14 +/- 14 +/- 13 Changes in tune or rhythm fit the dance and are well timed Music well played and compliments the figures 13 Smart, tidy, matching kit Dancers confident, enjoying the dance Team appearance when entering/leaving stage 12 +/- 12 +/- 11 Variation and changes in tunes Playing for/with the dancers Emphasis in the tune to bring out rhythm of dance 11 Smart, tidy matching kit Dancers confident, enjoying the dance 10 +/- 10 +/- 9 Variation and changes in tunes Steady rhythm Playing for/with the dancers 9 Smart matching kit Some untidiness during dance (shirts, sashes come adrift) Most dancers smiling/appear confident 8 +/- 8 +/- 7 Single tune with some variation or more than one tune Steady rhythm Some evidence of playing for/with the dancers 7 Kit appropriate for the dance Some inconsistency of neatness Untidiness at beginning (shirts hanging out, etc) Some dancers smile 6 +/- 6 +/- 5 Single tune played with no variation Provides rhythm but adds no drive or lift Little attention to the dancers 5 Kit appropriate for the dance Shows inconsistency of neatness/colours/style Some dancers smile but not confident 4 +/- 4 +/- 3 Single tune played with no variation Some slips in pace and rhythm No attention to the dancers 3 Kit not matching Little thought to look or colours Some dancers smile but not confident 2 +/- 2 +/- 1 Poorly played or poorly chosen tunes Little sense of rhythm or drive No attention to the dancers 1 Clothes barely described as kit Poorly thought-out/unmatching kit Dancers amble on/slouch etc CHARACTERS   STEPPING 10 Excellent routine which is skilfully tailored to the audience and venue Makes an invaluable contribution to the overall performance Lifts dancers and draws in the audience throughout the dance 15 Sharp walks, precise steps, together, excellent volume Same style Several changes of rhythm with interesting variations 14 +/- 9 Good, well thought-out routine without detracting from the dance Positive interaction with dancers Consideration given to venue and how it impacts on routine Successfully involves audience for most of the dance 13 Sharp walks, precise steps, together, excellent volume Same style Variation of rhythm, eg. 4s/8s plus train step 8 +/- 12 +/- 7 Well thought-out routine without detracting too much from the dance Positive interaction with dancers Consideration given to venue and how it impacts on routine Successfully involves audience for at least 75% of the dance 11 Good walks, precise steps, together, good volume Same style One rhythm only, eg. 4s or 8s - no variations 6 +/- 10 +/- 5 Engagement with audience for at least 50% of the dance Routine fair to good but can lack inspiration in part Can be some detraction from the dance 9 Good walks, steps clear & in time, together, good volume Same style by majority, ie. 1 or 2 differ One rhythm only, eg. 4s or 8s - no variations 4 +/- 8 +/- 3 Some involvement Acknowledgement of audience at start, but tails off Some consistency to routine Self conscious 7 Walking ok, all stepping, mostly together, average volume Same style by majority, ie. 1 or 2 differ Most managing rhythm with 4s or 8s clear 2 +/- 6 +/- 1 No effort to involve/acknowledge audience Lacking initiative No enthusiasm or energy 5 Walking ok - some out of time, most stepping - 1 or 2 scuffing/faking, not all together, poor volume 1 or 2 attempting at a style Most managing rhythm in 4s or 8s     4 +/-     3 Walking out of time, 1 or 2 stepping - most scuffing/faking, very poor volume No clear team style 1 or 2 in rhythm with an effort made at 4s or 8s     2 +/-     1 Walking out of time, no clear steps, no volume No team style No rhythm, eg. 4s or 8s BUZZ 25 Audience gripped by every figure, ooh's and ahh's during the dance Standing ovation at end of dance and on exit of dancers Cries of more etc! 24 +/- 23 Long applause and onlookers continue talking about dance when finished Crowd interacts with dancers after dance 22 +/- 21 Aspects of the dance genuinely impress and surprise crowd with good response during and after the dance with 'did you see that' type of comments 20 +/- 19 Spectators applaude through out dance and general babble during act Lasting atmosphere when finished 18 +/- 17 People watch dance with interest and react to / with Tommy (Whoosh in Beadnell) Build up to tumbles and good response etc 16 +/- 15 Audience attention grabbed by Tommy, and then keep watching and responding 14 +/- 13 Crowd showed interest and applause at the end Crowd responding out of "politeness" Straight back to pre-dance atmosphere 12 +/- 11 People talking about dance with nods of 'look over there' 10 +/- 9 People stop talking and pay attention but drift back to talking or drinking 8 +/- 7 Audience watch dance but do not 'engage' with the performance 6 +/- 5 People look up and check what's happening but generally exude disinterest 4 +/- 3 Audience ignore or avoid the dance. No noticeable response at the end of the performance 2 +/- 1 General feeling of inconvenience from onlookers and relief at end of dance