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Adjudication directives
§ 1 Adjudicators
  1. The appointment of adjudicators for competitions is the affair of the organiser.
  2. Contests should be evaluated by an odd number of adjudicators. For standard and group contests one adjudicator is sufficient. For trophy and championship contests the appointment of at least three adjudicators is recommended. Is a contest evaluated by more than one adjudicator, one of them is appointed as chief adjudicator.
  3. It is strongly recommended to appoint only adjudicators certified by IDN or other traditional Irish dance organisations.
  4. Standard contests are qualifying only if evaluated by a certified adjudicator.
  5. Championship contests must be evaluated by a certified adjudicator.
  6. It is strongly recommended to appoint no adjudicators for contests with immediate relations, relations once removed, own dancing pupils or members of their own dance group or class competing. Participants in workshops don't count as own dance pupils or group members. If such an appointment cannot be avoided, the participants must be informed before the beginning of the contest and must get the right to withdraw from the contest with full compensation of the related fees.
§ 2 Adjudication of solo dances
  1. The adjudication of solo dances splits into five categories adding up to 100 points maximum.
  2. The difficulty weighs 20% of the total score. It evaluates the technical difficulty of the contained motions, combinations and locomotions having regard to the average standard of the difficulty level.
  3. The timing weighs 20% of the total score. It evaluates the rhythmic accuracy of the motions and the observance of correct dance-specific rhythmics.
  4. The execution weighs 20% of the total score. It evaluates the technique of the execution of the motions (e.g. tightness of the position of the feet, shaping of the leg movements, height of the leg lifts, completeness of the movements in drums, rocks, butterflies etc.).
  5. The style weighs 20% of the total score. It evaluates the stylistic accuracy of the position of the feet (turn-out, cross-over, pull-up) and of the posture (arms, body, head).
  6. The presentation weighs 20% of the total score. It evaluates the effect of the choreography, the dancer's expression and the overall impression.
  7. The adjudicator notes down the total score for the contest protocol. The placing results from the height of the score.
  8. If more than one dancer got the same score, the adjudicator must amend the evaluation in such a way that no tie occurs. For this the adjudicator may recall the dancers concerned to show their dances again in order to reach a final decision.
§ 3 Non-traditional solo dances
  1. The evaluation of non-traditional solo dances is oriented towards the Belfast style. Usage of the Chicago style is tolerated, but not particularly rewarded.
  2. Usage of other styles, especially the Connemara style and the Munster styles, is regarded as mistake with the deduction of up to 20 points each for execution, style and presentation.
  3. Slight contraventions of the limitations for the choreography concerning dynamics, structure and rhythm in the respective performance level are tolerated.
  4. Up to three single technical elements from the next higher difficulty level per dance are tolerated. Compared with elements by the rules they will not be particularly rewarded if performed well, but will be explicitly punished if performed poorly.
  5. Severe contraventions at dynamics, structure, rhythm and contained technical elements from the next higher difficulty level and usage of technical elements from even higher difficulty levels are punished by a general deduction of 30% of the total score. The type of contravention must exactly be noted down in the contest protocol.
§ 4 Traditional solo dances
  1. The evaluation of traditional solo dances is oriented towards the Cork style. Usage of the other Munster styles and the Belfast style is tolerated, but not particularly rewarded.
  2. Usage of other styles, especially the Connemara style and the Chicago style, is regarded as mistake with the deduction of up to 20 points each for execution, style and presentation.
  3. Deviations of the contained combinations up to 10% and slight deviations of the locomotions from the given traditional choreographies are tolerated.
  4. More severe deviations from the given traditional choreographies are regarded as choreography mistakes with the deduction of 5 points per incident.
§ 5 Obstructions at solo dancing
  1. If an accident results in a slight obstruction for dancers through no fault of them, they may continue dancing without the deduction of points.
  2. If an accident results in a severe obstruction for dancers through no fault of them, the adjudicator stops the dance and lets them start again without the deduction of points. If a dancer causes an accident obviously deliberately, this dancer will be disqualified from the concerning contest.
  3. If a dancer falls, the adjudicator stops the dance and lets the dancer start again. If the fall was through no fault of the concerning dancer, there will be no deduction of points. Otherwise the fall is regarded as dance mistake. If a dancer causes a fall obviously deliberately, this dancer will be disqualified from the concerning contest.
  4. Because the use of hair pieces is against the recommendation of IDN and because the proper attachment of clothing, footwear and jewellery is the responsibility of the dancer, there is a deduction of up to 5 points if a hair piece, piece of clothing, footwear or jewellery becomes detached or falls down, up to 10 points if another dancer is obstructed thereby.
§ 6 Dance mistakes in solo dances
  1. Start and end position of a solo dance are point position with right foot in front. This end position goes as well for steps and sets which are danced only halfway through, insofar a traditional choreography doesn't say something else. Incorrect start and end positions result in the deduction of up to 5 points.
  2. Stumbling and fall result in the deduction of up to 5 points per incident.
  3. If a dancer stops the dance due to a mistake, but continues immediately, this results in the deduction of up to 10 points per incident.
  4. If a dancer stops the dance due to a mistake for a longer period or breaks off without completing the dance, the dancer may start again with the deduction of 10 points.
  5. If a dancer dances less than the specified number of bars, the dance will be evaluated in accordance with the directives as if complete. Afterwards the score is multiplied by the proportion of the number of bars actually danced. This corresponds to the evaluation of the proportion not danced with 0 points.
  6. If a dancer dances more than the specified number of bars, only the part from start to the end of the specified number of bars is evaluated. Failing to stop in time is regarded as severely incorrect end position with the deduction of 5 points.
§ 7 Adjudication of group dances
  1. The adjudication of group dances splits into three categories adding up to 100 points maximum.
  2. The precision weighs 30% of the total score. It evaluates the rhythmic and geometric accuracy of the motions and figures as well as the technical execution of the contained motions and combinations having regard to the technical difficulty of the element concerned.
  3. The style weighs 30% of the total score. It evaluates the stylistic accuracy of the position of the feet (turn-out, cross-over, pull-up) and of the posture (arms, body, head).
  4. The presentation weighs 40% of the total score. It evaluates the effect of the choreography, the dancers' expression and interaction and the overall impression.
  5. The adjudicator notes down the total score for the contest protocol. The placing results from the height of the score.
  6. If more than one group got the same score, the adjudicator must amend the evaluation in such a way that no tie occurs. For this the adjudicator may recall the groups concerned to show their dances again in order to reach a final decision.
§ 8 Non-traditional group dances
  1. The evaluation of non-traditional group dances is oriented towards the Belfast style for art dances, towards the Connemara style for set dances. Usage of the Chicago style for art dances and the Belfast style for set dances is tolerated, but not particularly rewarded.
  2. Usage of other styles in figure dances is regarded as mistake with the deduction of up to 20 points each for precision, style and presentation.
  3. Slight contraventions of the limitations for the choreography to traditional basic material in figure dances are tolerated. Usage of combinations from higher difficulty levels is not regarded as a contravention of these limitations.
  4. Severe contraventions of the limitations for the choreography to traditional basic material in figure dances are punished by a general deduction of 30% of the total score. The type of contravention must exactly be noted down in the contest protocol.
  5. In show dances any style is possible. The evaluation depends on whether the style corresponds to the show presentation.
§ 9 Traditional group dances
  1. The evaluation of traditional group dances is oriented towards the Belfast style for céilí dances, towards the Connemara style for set dances. Usage of the Chicago style for céilí dances and the Belfast style for set dances is tolerated, but not particularly rewarded.
  2. Traditional group dances must follow the given traditional choreographies. All given variations are permitted. Deviations beyond this are regarded as choreography mistakes with the deduction of 10 points per incident.
§ 10 Dances mistakes in group dances
  1. Start and end position of a figure dance are point position with right foot in front (left foot in front in traditional figure dances, if so specified). Incorrect start and end positions result in the deduction of up to 5 points. In set and show dances the start and end position is not particularly evaluated.
  2. Stumbling and fall result in the deduction of up to 5 points per incident.
  3. If a dancer stops the dance due to a mistake, but continues immediately, this results in the deduction of up to 5 points per incident.
  4. If a dancer breaks formation due to a mistake, this results in the deduction of 5 points.
  5. If a group dances less than the specified number of bars or misses a movement of a traditional group dance, the dance will be evaluated in accordance with the directives as if complete. Afterwards the score is multiplied by the proportion of the number of bars actually danced. This corresponds to the evaluation of the proportion not danced with 0 points.
  6. If a group dances more than the specified number of bars, only the part from start to the end of the specified number of bars is evaluated.
§ 11 Adjudication of trophy contests
  1. The adjudication directives for trophy contests are fixed by the organiser.
§ 12 Adjudication of combination contests
  1. In combination contests each single dance is evaluated according to the directives for solo and group dances. Ties are possible.
  2. For each dance a place number is determined on the basis of the total score. In case of a tie the place numbers that would be occupied by the participants concerned are averaged and the average is used as place number for them.
  3. The place numbers of all dances are added. The placing results from the value of the general place number.
  4. If more than one participant got the same general place number, the total scores of all single dances of the participants concerned are added. The placing results from the value of the general score.
  5. If more than one participant got the same general place number and general score, the adjudicator must amend the evaluation in such a way that no tie occurs. There will be no recalls to reach a final decision in combination contests.
§ 13 Adjudication by several adjudicators
  1. In contests evaluated by more than one adjudicator each of them determines the placing according to the directives for solo, group and combination contests. Ties are possible.
  2. For each of the adjudicators the adjudicator score is derived from the placing according to the following table:
    • 100 for 1st place
    • 75 for 2nd place
    • 65 for 3rd place
    • 60 for 4th place
    • 56 for 5th place
    • 53 for 6th place
    • 50 for 7th place
    • 47 for 8th place
    • 45 for 9th place
    • 43 for 10th place
    • 41 for 11th place
    • 39 for 12th place
    • -1 for each place further down to 50th place
    In case of a tie the adjudicator scores that would be awarded to the participants concerned are averaged and the average is used as adjudicator score for them.
  3. The adjudicator scores of all adjudicators are added to the final score. The placing results from the value of the final score.
  4. If more than one participant got the same final score, the adjudicator score of the chief adjudicator is deciding. If this still means a tie, the chief adjudicator must amend the final score in such a way that no tie occurs. There will be no recalls to reach a final decision in contests evaluated by several adjudicators.
§ 14 Objections
  1. The evaluation of dancers by an adjudicator is regarded as factual according to their perception and their expertise, apart from obvious fallacy and violation of rules outside the evaluation as such. Therefore objections against evaluations are not possible.
  2. During a competition objections against decisions of an adjudicator basing on obvious fallacy or violation of rules may be raised towards the adjudicator or the organiser, who may make according corrections. In case of conflict between adjudicator and organiser the organiser decides.
  3. If objectively provable facts concerning fallacy or violation of rules become known after a competition has ended, an objection may be raised subsequently towards the organiser or the secretariat of IDN, who may make according corrections. In case of conflict between organiser and secretariat the secretariat decides.
  4. If objective facts indicating manipulations of evaluations by adjudicators or organisers become known, these facts may be reported to the organiser or the secretariat of IDN. If necessary they will open an investigation and will decide about the measures to be taken.
  5. Adjudicators convicted of having manipulated results are excluded from IDN competitions for life. Additionally they loose all obtained IDN graduations and certificates.
Principles
De-Commercialisation
The centre of attention is the dance, not the business with it!
Freedom of access
IDN competitions are open to all, independent of school and organisation membership.
Freedom of choice
IDN group heads allow their dancers free choice of teacher and renounce transfer rules.
Freedom of usage
IDN choreographies are allowed to be used freely, in so far as the purpose is not predominantly financial gain. Dance is free!
Authenticity
The IDN view on dancing is based on the entire Irish dancing tradition. Modern mixing with other dance forms is regarded as legitimate; however it is strictly distinguished from traditional Irish dance.
Scientific rigour
The IDN standards for dance, examinations and competitions are based on historical facts and scientific analysis.
Adjudicators
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