Lost to Couple Dancing Out of Category

DanceMentor

DanceMentor

Administrator
We carefully reviewed the video from the Ohio Star Ball where we were competing in Closed Gold. The couple that beat us did a bunch of open work like scatter chasses in the quickstep.

Why did this happen?
 
WOW. I'm so sorry!

Was it pro-am? If so... well, you have to ask - is it the amateur's fault that their professional danced them out of category? To DQ an amateur because their pro screwed up can be harsh.

Also... when did they dance these moves? The pro may have saved these extra glitzy bits to a point where he knew the judges were no longer scoring, so he/she decided to hot dog it.
 
Yes, it was closed gold pro-am
These were individual heats.
It was a big investment for us to get there in the first place.
 
DanceMentor said:
Yes, it was closed gold pro-am
Click to expand...

Ah... well, that might have played a part in it. Also, I'd watch the video again to see when they started dancing out of category. If it was toward the end, chances are the judges weren't watching, or didn't care at that point - I hear it's pretty standard practice for Pros to bend the rules during the last few measures of a heat to have some fun.

And I'm so sorry about the investment. Comps can be... quite expensive, especially if your pro really stacks on extra hidden fees. :( (Varies from pro to pro) Also, a good investment in time as well on your part.

I think what you did (getting a video) was a GOOD THING! You can learn so much from watching it. You will be so prepared for your next comp because of that!
 
Dance Mentor - I am sorry to hear that... At competition it is typically the job of the invigilator / chairman of the judges to keep an eye on who is dancing what steps in the categories where there are boundaries set around what you can dance. Some events they watch more closely than others; sometimes they call those out who dance out of category, sometimes they don't. We've experienced both.

I would not necessarily link the two statements together though - that the other couple danced out of category and because of that they won - there usually are many other inputs that the couple is judged on.

But the fact remains that our competitor danced out of category, which should not have happened...
 
Yes, they looked cleaner than us for sure.
But it was my understanding that blatantly dancing out of category was an immediate disqualification.
 
That sounds really frustrating, DM.

I have a question...not sure who may know the answer. One of my previous teachers had told me (and I may have misunderstood) that once a pro/am student won a national title (like at USDSC), they could no longer compete in that category. Anyone know if this is true? I'm not sure if he just meant that he would bump up his *own* student if that happened....or if it's a comp "requirement."
 
DanceMentor said:
Yes, it was closed gold pro-am
These were individual heats.
It was a big investment for us to get there in the first place.
Click to expand...
It sucks. One thing you could do is write a letter to Sam telling him what happened, and asking if the event was invigilated. There's not really anything that can be done about this year, but perhaps it will keep the invigilator on their toes for next year (or perhaps it will make sure the event is invigilated next year).
 
mamboqueen said:
That sounds really frustrating, DM.

I have a question...not sure who may know the answer. One of my previous teachers had told me (and I may have misunderstood) that once a pro/am student won a national title (like at USDSC), they could no longer compete in that category. Anyone know if this is true? I'm not sure if he just meant that he would bump up his *own* student if that happened....or if it's a comp "requirement."
Click to expand...
I know that if you win a level at the USDSC you can't dance it at the USDSC in future years (as per the USDSC's own rules -- check their web site) but I don't recall anything in the NDCA rules saying that it applies to other competitions that Pro/Am student dancers enter in the future (check the NDCA rule book on their web site to be sure).
 
Laura said:
It sucks. One thing you could do is write a letter to Sam telling him what happened, and asking if the event was invigilated. There's not really anything that can be done about this year, but perhaps it will keep the invigilator on their toes for next year (or perhaps it will make sure the event is invigilated next year).
Click to expand...
the event WAS invigilated...at times you were even told (esp in the bronze)..."do not even walk out there and let go of your partner" (we had to change our routine on deck...and yes I told pro about this months ago and he poo -pooed it)...perhpas though they were more lenient in gold ...dunno, but I will say that I dance in closed bronze scholarships at a big comp against a woman who that evening went out and danced the open scholarship...I don't think what happened to you was that uncommon DM...pro points it out to me at every comp
 
fascination said:
the event WAS invigilated...
Click to expand...
The OSB was advertised as being invigilated, but do we know for sure that the invigilator was there on duty for DM's heats? If not, feh on the Chairman of Judges for not scheduling one or not finding a replacement if the scheduled one had to sleep or go to the bathroom or whatever. If so, then feh on the Invigilator for missing the out-of-category dancing.
 
Laura said:
The OSB was advertised as being invigilated, but do we know for sure that the invigilator was there on duty for DM's heats? If not, feh on the Chairman of Judges for not scheduling one or not finding a replacement if the scheduled one had to sleep or go to the bathroom or whatever. If so, then feh on the Invigilator for missing the out-of-category dancing.
Click to expand...
am not certain about DMs heats but again I can assure you I have never heard so many warnings and cautions in my life...and I danced on 4 different days
 
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