Adjudication
Judging Information
Our championship is scored by an experienced international panel against a clear, weighted set of criteria. Here is who judges and how it works.
2026 Panel
Meet the Judges
A world-class panel from across New Zealand and abroad — more to be announced soon. Tap any judge for details.
How Scores Are Awarded
Scoring Criteria
Each judge scores every criterion out of 10, multiplied by (weighting ÷ 10), giving a final score out of 100.
Choreography sections — Solos, Duets, Couples and Teams
Swipe the table sideways to see all entry types
| Scoring Criteria | Solos | Duets & Shine Teams | Couples & Partnered Teams |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timing | 25% | 20% | 20% |
| Musicality | 15% | 15% | 15% |
| Technique | 15% | 15% | 15% |
| Difficulty | 15% | 15% | 15% |
| Partnership/Connection & SynchronicityDuets & Shine Teams: Synchronicity only. Couples & Partnered Teams: combined. | – | 15% | 15% |
| Choreography | 15% | 10% | 10% |
| Overall Presentation | 15% | 10% | 10% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% |
What Each Criterion Means
These apply to the Choreography sections only.
- Timing
- Recognisable timing for the majority of the performance — correct, consistent rhythm and syncopation for the relevant Latin style. Deductions for interchanging 1/5 (On1) or 2/6 (On2) unless a temporary break is purposeful and intentional. For teams, synchronisation of timing across the group is also scrutinised.
- Musicality
- Ability to creatively interpret the timing and phrasing of the music through patterns, footwork, hits and tricks.
- Technique
- Balance, placement and line; grounded movement with clear weight changes; technique and styling specific to the dance style. Movement should look clear and effortless.
- Difficulty
- Difficulty of patterns, turns, intricacy of shines, tricks, dips, drops and flares — credit only given where successfully executed.
- Partnering/Connection
- The lead and follow quality of the partnership — genuine connection versus merely executing choreography while holding hands.
- Synchronicity
- Unison of a team in side-by-side movement, line placement, footwork, styling, and the use and transition of formations.
- Choreography
- Use of floor space, interpretation of music, pattern and shine combinations, formation changes, and use of height levels.
- Overall Presentation
- Aesthetic and professionalism of costuming and appearance, entrance, exit and sportsmanship.
Deductions (2026)
Taken off the score after the criteria above have been marked. They apply to the Choreography sections only.
| Infraction | Deduction |
|---|---|
| Costume malfunction — complete loss | 2 points |
| Costume malfunction — distracting mishap | 2 points |
| Costume malfunction — minor mishap | 1 point |
| Unauthorised prop use | 2 points |
| Afro/Rumba content exceeding 40% of a Salsa routine | 2 points |
| 100% recognisable Salsa dancing/music not met (new 2026) | 2 points |
| Under 70% traditional style for the music playing, Latin categories (new 2026) | 2 points |
| Under 50% recognisable partner dancing, Couples/Partnered Teams | 2 points |
| Excess continuous turns (Cabaret) | 2 points |
| Excess continuous turns (Classic) | 2 points |
| Lift in Classic | 2 points |
| Excess tricks in Classic (>6) | 2 points |
| Excess/overlong connected moves, Duets/Shines Teams | 2 points each |
| Salsa rhythm/break-step inconsistency | 2 points |
| Music over or under the time limit for the category | 5 points, plus 1 point per further 10 seconds |
Freestyle & Jack & Jill
Socials Sections
These categories are judged by ranking only — there is no numeric score.
Swipe the table sideways to see both category types