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What Exactly is the Judge Looking For?

Courtesy of Carl Kensicki and Steve Torres:
Basic Judge's Evaluation Criteria

• Latin
1. Posture and frame
• Are we both on our own balance?
• Do I have good posture?
• Is our connection relaxed and tension free?
2. Timing
• Am I on the right counts?
• Rumba: Do I hold on count 1?
3. Footwork
• Am I using toe steps?
• Are my chasses clear? (Do my feet close completely in chasses?)
4. Legs
• Are my legs locking?
• Do I use good Latin crosses (check steps)?
• Do I push from my standing foot when moving?
• Do I shift my weight completely?
5. Arm Styling
• Do I have proper arm styling? (Am I aware of what I'm doing?)
6. Body rhythm
• Are my hips relaxed and moving?
• Do they move correctly?
7. Showmanship
• Are my eyes looking up/at my partner?
• Am I enjoying myself?
• Standard
1. Posture and frame
• Are we both on our own balance?
• Am I on my partner's right side?
• Is my head to the left?
• Is our spacing consistent? (no bumping?)
• Is our frame tension free with elbows out?
2. Timing
• Am I on time?
• Are we in sync?
3. Footwork
• Am I taking the right toes and heels?
• Do I rise and fall?
• Do my feet close all the way?
4. Legs
• Am I taking large steps?
• Do I push off of the standing leg?