What do the judges in Novice look for?

[Reels4life]

I've been stuck in Novice/Beginner 2 for at least a year. I'm going to start competing more this summer though! So I hope to move up! But anyways, what are they main things the judges look for? Thanks!

[SweetEdelweiss09]

I'm kinda in the same boat as well, and hope to be all novice this Summer.
Well if I had to pin point one thing the judges are looking for would be timing. Most of my comments have been about timing, unfortunately. There is a girl in my class who had her first novice comp ever ( she got novice across the board at her last feis) and she got first in every dance! And from observing her dancing, I notice she dances straight on time. So I would practice my timing.

[Reels4life]

Well lucky herr!(: Thanks I will deff. do that!!

[Heidegger]

From my experience, the judges watch for mostly the same things at every level : timing, turnout, crossing, high on your toes,straight knees, pointed toes, good posture and arms, good lift, and good style. Which ones the judge is watching for depends more on the judge than the level that you're in.

[irishdancer4life320]

They look for all the Basics (Turn-Out, Pointed Toes, Cross, Up On Your Toes, etc.)
And timing.
In Novice & Prizewinner they are looking for Dancers who can achieve harder material that they have leaned and IF they do it correctly.
Also Carriage & nice, tight, ARMS.
Best of Luck.

[OregonIrishDancer]

It also depends on which style of dance the judge prefers. you might be having bad luck with the judges that you get. (they also look for turnout, strait body and knees, and TIMING!!!)

[Green Feet]

Be very precise with your dancing, and of course timing is very important. I'm now Nov/PW/Beg 2 all at once, so I'm in a similar situation; I'm trying to move completely to prizewinner (that double jig!). Lift is also very important, I would say, and leaps and throws need to be high enough (Some of my difficulties). Good luck, I hope you accomplish your goals!

[Brooke K.]

Originally Posted by Reels4life

I've been stuck in Novice/Beginner 2 for at least a year. I'm going to start competing more this summer though! So I hope to move up! But anyways, what are they main things the judges look for? Thanks!

when i was in novice it was all the basics, but a girl from my dance school who is in open, told me to be confindent. sure enough it worked! but you have to remember confident is a different thing then cocky.

[emmacourtney]

im in preliminary championships now, with one first place already, and when i was in novice, i remembered the girls that always won first were always on time and were high on their toes in soft and hard shoe and had arms always right by their side. so i went home and practiced that and then the next feis i won first across the board so i would work on those and good luck!!!! that is how i got out of prizewinner too so my advice for everyone would be to WATCH YOUR COMPETITION!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[idgirl4ever]

Try to work on your basics. That's really what the judges are looking for in Novice and Prizewinner. (Turn out, cross over, pointing and up on toes, straight legs, tight arms, straight body.) Good luck and hope I helped!!!