Doubles Judging Criteria

DIFFICULTY OF BASE/FLYER SKILLS: *TIE BREAKER (10 points)

● Variety of weight-bearing skills with and without the pole: base/flyer lifts, hangs and interlocking shapes, dynamic partner-based acro throughout the performance.

● Demonstrates a combination of strength, power, flexibility and dynamic moves, as well as a range of grip types and contact points. 

● Level of difficulty of base/flyer skills both on and off the pole. 

● Number of linked base/flyer skills with clean transitions.

● Longer length of time spent in the hold phase of a weight-bearing skill.

NOTE: Competitors with a high level of difficulty of tricks will score well only if they are performed well. 

QUALITY OF EXECUTION (10 points)

● Demonstrates quality of movement, strength, control, flow and fluidity throughout performance, including entries and exits on and off the pole. 

● Movements are performed with confidence, intention and precision; complex movements look easy and effortless.

● Seamless regrips between skills and movements.

● Good form: posture, clean lines & extensions, pointed ankles and toes or intentionally flexed or mobile feet as appropriate for the choreography. 

CHOREOGRAPHY (10 points)

● A variety of movements with and without the pole: spins, floorwork, dance, strength moves, flexibility moves, acrobatic and dynamic movements such as drops, catches, flips and leg or body switches. 

● Balanced proportion of pole and non-pole choreography.

● High level of continuity, flow, unison and synchronicity.

● Seamless choreography throughout: from floor to pole; pole to floor; transitions between pole skills; and appropriate use of the entire stage.  

CREATIVITY & ORIGINALITY (15 points)

● Uniqueness in presentation; topic/theme is presented in a powerful and fresh way.

● Level of creativity and originality in all elements including tricks, transitions, combinations and sequencing through the entire performance.

● Bold, unusual choices: effective use of surprising or unexpected movements, choreography, tricks, transitions. 

CLARITY OF CONCEPT (15 points)

● Cohesion of music, moves, movement, theme, costume, hair, make up, and overall presentation.

● Pole tricks are incorporated in a way to develop the concept.

● Overall movement quality and choreography effectively communicates the routine’s concept (emotion, storyline, and/or theme).

● Props, visuals and costume choices enhance the understanding of the concept and are not heavily relied upon to convey the theme/story/concept. NOTE: Use of props and visuals are optional. 

MUSICAL INTERPRETATION (10 points)

● Duo demonstrates strong musicality and movements highlight or contrast accents, sounds, vocals and/or beats in music. For pieces that do not use music, movement is appropriate and choreographed to complement the audio.

● Music/audio choice is appropriate for the concept.

● Duo displays light and shade in their movements: variations in movement speed, texture, weight. 

STAGE PRESENCE/PERFORMANCE QUALITY (10 points)

● Emotion is communicated effectively through facial expression and body language.

● Ability to connect with and captivate the audience.

● Ability to demonstrate and maintain the appropriate energy/characters through the entire performance. 

PENALTIES (MIN. 1 POINT, MAX. 3 POINT DEDUCTION) 

● Lewd gestures.

● Overtly sexual or erotic choreography.

● Nudity.

● Drying of hands on costume, body, pole or floor.

● Fidgeting with hair or costume.

● Human props intentionally touch the poles.

● Use of unapproved props.

● A fall (obvious break in form and unplanned movement out of a trick).

● A slip or loss of balance (slight break in form that disrupts flow of movement).

● Prop malfunction (obvious misuse or fumbling with prop).

● Any contact with truss, rigging, lights or cables. 

TOTAL SCORE & AWARDS

The final score of each competitor will be the average of scores from all judges. 

The judges will only award a first place winner in the Doubles division.
 

The following additional overall awards will also be announced on the night of the Championships: Best Musicality, Best Performer, Most Unique Concept.

TIE BREAKER

*In the event of a tied overall score (in the Doubles division), the following will be used to break the tie:

Ties will be broken by the higher average score given in the “Difficulty of base/flyer skills” criteria.

If at that point the competitors’ overall scores are still tied, the Australian Pole Art Championships will present competitors with a tied placement.