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Competitions Rules

GENERAL RULES
  1. Dancers must have a Weekend Pass to compete in any division.
  2. "Swing" includes Push, Whip, West and East Coast Swing, Lindy, Carolina Shag, Jitterbug, Jamaica, Bop, and D.C. Hand Dancing. "Hustle" includes all forms of Hustle – including Three Count Hustle, New York Hustle, Latin Hustle, and Four Count Hustle
  3. Jack & Jill, Strictly Swing and Just Hustle will focus on West Coast Swing, and Hustle dances.
  4. All divisions are for male leaders and female followers (exceptions may apply in the Pro-Am Divisions, or if there is a shortage of leaders in the Strictly Swing division
  5. Dancers may compete in all dance divisions they qualify for; including Jack & Jill, Strictly Swing, Pro-am Swing, Pro-Am Hustle, Classic and Showcase, and Master’s Divisions. Dancers may enter only one level of each division. Dancers may enter each division only once per contest. Dancers may not compete with the same partner in any two of the following divisions: Showcase, Classic, Rising Star, and Master's routine division.
  6. Dancers must be at least 50 years of age by the end of the event to dance in the Master’s Division.
  7. Penalties for infractions will be determined by the chief judge. Penalties may be reduction in placement up to and including disqualification. No refunds will be given to competitors after their performance.
  8. We may cancel any division for which fewer than three entries are received. Contestants will receive a refund of their competitor fee for that division.
  9. Eligibility
    Competitors should choose levels appropriate to their skill and dance styles. We reserve the right to move competitors to more appropriate levels or to reject entries inappropriate for any of our divisions. For questions prior to the event, e-mail the Event Director, Glen Miller at miller3220@aol.com.
  10. Clothing and behavior
    • Clothing: NO JEANS DURING COMPETITION – unless it is a specific costume for a choreographed routine.
    • Competitors should conduct themselves maturely and display sportsmanship. Contestants displaying poor behavior may be disqualified from competition with no refund, or ejected from the event. 
COMPETITIVE DIVISIONS

Strictly Swing Division And Strictly Hustle (Just Hustle) Divisions
  • Levels larger than 18 entries may be danced in a preliminary round. The chief judge will determine the dance format in each round (all-skate, heat, or spotlight). The chief judge will determine the number of call-backs to finals, if a preliminary round is run.
  • Couples must demonstrate a minimum of 90 percent swing content in the Strictly Swing Divisions, and 90% Hustle content in the Hustle Divisions.
  • No lifts or aerials allowed in Novice through All Star divisions. Partner-supported moves are allowed (safely executed) in Advanced and Champions divisions only.
  • Costumes are not allowed, but matching dress/clothing are encouraged.

Jack & Jill Division

  • There are no limits to the number of entries. Levels that are unmatched in gender will be danced in a preliminary round to create a balanced final. Levels larger than 20 entries may be danced in a preliminary round. In the preliminary round(s), competitors will be judged individually by gender.
  • All leaders will be male and all followers will be female
  • Competitors will dance West Coast Swing/Push/Whip for the Swing Divisions, and competitors will dance Hustle for the Hustle Divisions.
  • The chief judge will determine the number of leaders and followers to be called back for the final round in each level, where they will draw for partners and be judged as a couple.
  • The chief judge will determine the dance format in each round (all-skate, heat, or spotlight).
  • Couples must demonstrate a minimum of 90 percent swing content in Jack & Jill.
  • No lifts or aerials. Partner-supported drops are allowed (safely executed) in Champions Divisions only.
  • Costumes are not allowed.

Jack & Jill Level Eligibility Guidelines

These Guidelines are meant to help you decide which Jack & Jill level is most appropriate for you. The Guidelines are based on the World Swing Dance Council's ("WSDC") point system and the recommendations on its website.

Newcomer

Beginner or new competitor that have earned no points to date, in the WSDC point system. 

Generally, you may compete in the Newcomer Division (if offered) until you have earned a point in the WSDC point system.

Novice

Generally, this level will be appropriate for you if:
  1. You are proficient in the basics of West Coast Swing/Push/Whip dancing, and
  2. You do not normally compete in Intermediate or higher level Jack & Jill divisions at events reporting points in the WSDC registry, and you have not earned Intermediate or higher level WSDC points.

Generally, you may compete in this Novice division until you have both won a WSDC Novice Jack & Jill division and earned 20 or more WSDC Novice points at events reporting points in the WSDC registry.

Intermediate

Generally, this level will be appropriate for you if:
  1. You have earned 20 or more Novice WSDC points including a win in Novice, and are ready to compete at this level or you have earned Intermediate level WSDC points and typically compete at the Intermediate Jack & Jill level at events reporting points in the WSDC registry, and
  2. You do not typically compete in Advanced or higher level Jack & Jill levels at events reporting points in the WSDC registry and have not earned Advanced or higher level WSDC points.
Generally, you may compete in this Intermediate level until you have both won an Intermediate Jack & Jill division at an event reporting points in the WSDC registry and earned 40 Intermediate level WSDC points.

Advanced

Generally, this level will be appropriate for you if you typically compete in Advanced or higher level Jack & Jill divisions at events reporting points in the WSDC registry, and you have earned Advanced or higher level WSDC points. You may compete in this level if you have accumulated 20 or more Intermediate level WSDC points and are ready to compete at this level.

All-Stars

All-Stars are Advanced dancers with a minimum of 40 advanced points, including a win.

Classic Division

Swing dancing that allows choreography with an "on the ground" approach to the dance. Drops, leans, circular movements and other partner weight support moves are allowed as long as both partners keep at least one foot on the floor.

Open Classic Division: This division is for Advanced or higher dancers, or any couple who have significant West Coast Swing routine experience.

  1. Performance time is a minimum of 2 minutes and maximum of 3 minutes.
  2. Costumes are required. The chief judge will determine if a costume is appropriate
  3. Time and judging starts at first movement of performance with or without music.
  4. Separate entrances are permitted but the couple must physically join together within 32 beats of music.
  5. Couples must maintain physical contact except for spins, turns, short breakaways, and recoveries.
  6. Break-away in Classic Division to be no more than 8 beats effective January 1, 2009.
  7. Dancers must maintain their own physical contact with the floor during partner weight-support moves.
  8. At most, five partner weight-support moves are permitted.
  9. Couples must demonstrate a minimum of 80 percent swing content.
  10. All contestants must provide a CD with their name, track number, pitch/speed, and starting position clearly labeled.

Recommendation:
BRING AT LEAST TWO (2) CD’S WITH YOUR MUSIC TO THE EVENT – JUST IN CASE ONE HAS A SKIP, OR ONE GETS BROKEN, ETC.

Rising Star Division

This single division includes various styles of Swing including West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, Hustle, and Shag and or any other style of popular swing dance.

  1. It is for couples that have limited experience with choreography and do not want to compete against professionals in the Open Classic Divisions.
  2. Routines are danced in a solo format. Dance order is chosen at random and posted prior to the division start time.
  3. Music provided by each couple must be a single track on a clearly labeled CD at least 2 minutes and no longer than 3½ minutes.
  4. If either partner has previously placed 5th or higher at a N.A.S.D.E. Classic or Showcase event they are no longer eligible to compete in Rising Star. If a couple has a total of 3 wins together in Rising Star division at Swing Dance America or elsewhere, they must move up to the open classic or showcase division.
  5. Routines must include at least 75% recognizable swing, Shag, Hustle, or Lindy content.
  6. Costumes are allowed and encouraged. No props are allowed.
  7. Choreographed entrances will be counted towards time limits.
  8. Lifts, drops, tricks and stunts are allowed but not required.

Showcase Division

Swing dancing that allows choreography with flair toward lifts and other partner weight support moves are included in the Showcase Division.

General
  1. Contestants must have a valid Weekend Pass to compete.
  2. Competitors will be one Male Leader and one Female Follower.
  3. The maximum number of entries in each division is at the Event’s discretion. There is no minimum number of entries.
  4. Guidelines for expected swing content are: at 60% in Showcase. It is at the judges’ discretion to determine that the swing content requirement has been met.
  5. An individual is not permitted to dance twice within the same division.

Specific
  1. Performance time is a minimum of 2 minutes and maximum of 3 minutes. The clock begins when the performance starts as determined by the Chief Judge.
  2. Competitors select their own music.
  3. Costumes are allowed and encouraged.
  4. Time and judging starts at first movement of performance with or without music.
  5. Separate entrances are permitted.
  6. Break-a-ways and side-by-side patterns are permitted.
  7. At least three partner weight support moves are required with the partner at knee level or above.
  8. At least one partner weight support move is required with the partner above the waist.
  9. There are no lift maximums.

Pro/Am Spotlight Division

This division is offered for all styles of Swing: West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, Hustle, Shag or any other style of popular swing dance. Students enter with their teacher and perform a choreographed routine to music they choose. Couples dance in a solo format. Both the teacher and the student performance are judged. Dance order will be chosen at random and posted prior to the division start time. Music provided by the competitors must be a single track on a clearly labeled CD at least 2 minutes long and no longer than 3½ minutes.
  1. Costumes are encouraged.
  2. Lifts, drops, tricks and stunts are allowed but not required.
  3. Choreographed entrances will count towards time limits.
  4. Routines must include at least 75% recognizable swing, hustle or shag content.

Masters: (Routine Division) (Masters Tour)

This division is offered in West Coast Swing. Couples compete using a choreographed routine, to music of their choosing. Couples dance in a solo format. Dance order chosen at random. Music provided by the competitors must be a single track on a clearly marked CD; at least 2 minutes long, and no more than 3 minutes.
  1. Both partners must be at least 50 years young at the time of the contest.
  2. This is a Swing category and dance content must be 60% that style.
  3. Lifts, drops and aerials are allowed but not required.
  4. Music Time Limitations: No less than 2 minutes and no more than 3 minutes.
  5. Costumes required.
  6. There are no other restrictions.

Team Division:

  1. Each team must have a minimum of two couples.
  2. There is a limit of 10 team entries.
  3. Each Team must dance at least 2-1/2 minutes of Swing.
  4. Each team must dance a minimum of 3 minutes.
  5. Each team is allotted a maximum of 5 minutes from the time it is introduced until it must be totally off the dance floor.
  6. Costumes are required.

Hustle Routine Division

This single division includes all recognizable forms of Hustle – including Three Count Hustle, Latin Hustle, New York Hustle, and Four Count Hustle.
  1. It is for couples that have a choreographed hustle routine danced in any Hustle style.
  2. Routines are danced in a solo format. Dance order is chosen at random and posted prior to the division start time.
  3. Music provided by each couple must be a single track on a clearly labeled CD at least 3 minutes and no longer than 4½ minutes.
  4. Routines must include at least 75% recognizable Hustle content.
  5. Costumes are allowed and encouraged.
  6. Choreographed entrances will be counted towards time limits.
  7. Lifts, drops, tricks and stunts are allowed but not required.

Hustle Team Challenge Division

This is a Team Division that requires Eight (8) members per team, as follows:

  1. Four (4) leaders (Men), and Four (4) followers (women).
  2. Of the 4 leaders; 2 will be Hustle Professionals (Pros), and 2 will be Amateurs (Ams).
  3. Of the 4 followers; 2 will be Hustle Professionals (Pros), and 2 will be Amateurs (Ams).
  4. One couple from each team will dance in competition with couples of the same construct from the other teams, in a "lead – follow" or Strictly Hustle (Just Hustle) contest for about 2 minutes per couple. The dance order of the couples from al Teams is as follows:
  • Amateur – Amateur
  • Pro-Am (Female Pro)
  • Pro-Am (Male Pro)
  • Pro-Pro
5.  Each of the above couple will dance and compete. The judges will rank each couple after each round. The        
     Team with the lowest cumulative score after all pairing above have danced in competition with couples of the  
     same  construct from the other team, wins the tournament.