Ceilis are team dances that involve anywhere from three to sixteen dancers. The most common in the regional, national, or world championships are 8-hands and figures. Figures have either 12 or 16 dancers, and the teacher makes up the choreography. Ceilis are judged based on how the dancers work together. Each line must be exactly straight, every turn must be done together, and every arm must be held the same height.
Dancers learn the importance of teamwork, and how to depend on each other.
In figure competitions, the team is judges on lines and exactness like in ceilis, but also on the creativeness of the original choreography. The group must flow together as one unit, which takes a lot of practice. Dancers gain experience from ceilis and dancing with others that they would need to dance in a show like Riverdance . Without ceilis, dancers would only be used to solo steps. Teams teach them how to guide on other lines, keep them straight, and dance as a group.