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Competition Rules

Please read the following rules carefully, change in placement may occur if the chief judge determines a violation.

* A minimum of 5 entries for Jack n Jill and Strictly Swing divisions in order to be held. Time slots set aside for cancelled divisions will become social dance time. (This includes the elimination of any preliminary or semi-final round)

General Eligibility

In order to compete in any/all division(s) offered at 5280 Westival, a competitor must:

  • Hold a competitor’s weekend pass (full).
  • Complete and sign the waiver form.
  • Pay the required entry fee(s).

Multiple Registrations

An eligible competitor may register in any/all divisions that they are qualified for, with a few exceptions.

  • Masters competitors may enter more than one Jack and Jill Division as well as more than one Strictly Swing Division. These competitors will be eligible to dance in the level in which they are qualified for as well as the Masters division.

Waiver Forms

All competitors must sign a contest waiver form to be eligible to dance in any/all competitions. In the event that the contestant is under the age of 18, a parent or guardian will be required to sign the form on the minor's behalf.

Responsibilities of Competitors

Competitors are responsible for adhering to these rules whether they have read them or not. Questions about the rules should be addressed in advance to the Chief Judge.

Competitors should be present in the ballroom at least 10 minutes prior to the start of their competition. Competitors are responsible for their bib numbers. Any cancellation by a competitor or couple after the registration deadline will result in the loss of the entry fee.

Petitions

In the event that competitors feel uncomfortable with their assigned classification, they may petition for reclassification for either one level above or below their WSDC classification by providing a brief, written explanation of the reason(s) for their request.

Competitors must submit such petitions at the contest registration desk prior to the earliest registration deadline for the competition(s) in question. The Chief Judge will review petitions for reclassification, and contestants will be notified as quickly as possible of the outcome. The Chief Judge reserves the right to reclassify any contestant for any reason.

Changes to These Rules

The Chief Judge will make every effort to conduct all competitions in accordance with these rules. However, the Organizer or Chief Judge reserves the right to make any changes in schedule or format deemed necessary for any competition.

Definitions

"Points" - means points listed in the World Swing Dance Council Competitors Registry.

"Swing Content" - Swing is an American Rhythm Dance based on a foundation of 6-beat and 8-beat patterns that incorporate a wide variety of rhythms built on 2-beat single, delayed, double, triple, and blank rhythm units. The 6-beat patterns include, but are not limited to, passes, underarm turns, push- breaks, open-to-closed, and closed-to-open position patterns. The 8-beat patterns include, but are not limited to, whips, swing- outs, Lindy circles, and Shag pivots. Although they are not part of the foundation of the dance as stated above, 2- beat and 4-beat extension rhythm breaks may\be incorporated to extend a pattern, to phrase the music, and/or to accent breaks.

Division Rules

    Jack and Jill Division

    The Jack & Jill competitions are designed to highlight social dance skills in spontaneous swing dancing and the ability to dance well with a variety of partners. A bit of "luck of the draw" comes into play as well.

    Format

    Competitors enter as individuals, are randomly assigned partners, and dance to music selected in advance by the Competition DJ. Depending on the number of entries, preliminary and semi-final rounds may be held and will be danced in a heated format. Finals may or may not be danced in spotlight format. Each division must have at least 5 leaders and 5 followers. There is no maximum number of competitors.

    General

    Each competitor may enter only one skill level Jack & Jill competition (Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, & All -Star). No change in division will be permitted without a petition process. Couples must maintain physical contact except for spins, turns, short break-a- ways, and recoveries. Dancers must maintain their own physical contact with the floor during partner weight supported moves.

    THE COMPETITOR

    • Is responsible for following the WSDC Points Registry Rules.
    • Is responsible for using their WSDC Competitor ID number when registering for Jack and Jill competitions at WSDC Registry Events.
    • Is responsible for registering for only one WSDC skill level Jack and Jill competition (see WSDC Jack and Jill Advancement Chart).
    • May enter either as a Leader or Follower, and maintain that role throughout the contest
    • Competitors may compete as a Leader / Follower in a skill level Jack and Jill contest and as a Follower / Leader (in the opposite role) in an age-based level Jack and Jill and/or other contest(s).
    • Is responsible for submitting a formal petition to dance “up” or “down” (see Petition section).
    • Competitors who do not meet the Registry Event’s qualifications for Champions or All Stars, even if they have Champion points, must submit a petition and receive approval to dance in the appropriate division.
    • Is responsible for correcting their WSDC Competitor ID number errors, either at the event or with the WSDC directly (contact points@worldsdc.com).
    • Will not receive WSDC points for placement if they fail to follow the WSDC Points Registry Rules.

    NON TRADITIONAL ROLES

    • Leader and Follower points will be tracked separately in Points Registry.
    • Competitors qualify for their dance level based on either their Leader or Follower points, whichever is higher.
    • Competitors are allowed to compete in their non-dominant role one level down, as long as they don’t qualify in both for the same division. No petitions will be approved for dancing more than one level down.
    • Competitors will not be permitted to dance both roles in the same division.
    • Visit https://www.worldsdc.com/wsdc-points-registry-rules/ for more details and examples

    Division Qualifications

    Our qualifications for entries promote fairness and competitor enjoyment by grouping dancers of similar ability in the same division. Our rules are based on the World Swing Dance Council (WSDC) recommendations. The Organizers will verify that all competitors are dancing in the division that they are qualified for according to the WSDC. If you are not comfortable dancing in the division where these qualifications place you and would like to dance in a different division, please petition for a division change (see "Petitions").

    Newcomer
    • Competitors with no competition experience should dance in this division.
    • Competitors with any amount of novice points cannot dance in this division.
    • Competitors with less than 5 newcomer points should dance in this division. 
    Novice
    • Competitors with fewer than 15 novice points must dance in this division.
    • Competitors between 15 and 30 Novice points have the option to dance in the Novice division.
    • Competitors with 30 or more novice points must dance in a higher division.
    Intermediate
    • Competitors with 30 or more novice points, but fewer than 30 intermediate points must dance in this division.
    • Competitors between 15 and 30 Intermediate points have the option to dance in the Intermediate division.
    • Competitors with 45 or more intermediate points must dance in a higher division.
    Masters

    Competitors who are at least 50 years old by the end of the event.

    Advanced
    • Competitors with 45 or more intermediate points must dance in this division.
    • Competitors with 45 or more advanced points within the last three years MadJam 2020 (March) may continue to dance in this division but are not required to do so.
    • Competitors with 60 or more advanced points within the last three years MadJam 2020 (March) must dance in a higher division.
    All-Star
    • Competitors with 45 or more advanced points within the last three years MadJam 2020 (March) may dance in this division.
    • Competitors with 60 or more advanced points within the last three years of MadJam (March) 2020 must dance this division.
    • Competitors must have accumulated at least 3 points in All-Star within the last three years MadJam 2020 (March) to remain eligible to dance in this division.
    • Competitors with 150 All-Star Points (no time limit) as allowed to dance Champions.
    Champions

    Competitors may, but are not required to, dance in this division if they have any earned Professional (PRO), Champions (CHMP), Invitational (INV) or Teachers (TCH) points. Competitors who have placed 1st-5th in a Champions or Invitational J&J held at a qualifying major event should dance in this division.

    Competitors with 150 All-Star Points (no time limit) as allowed to dance Champions.

    All American

    This division is open to anyone; pros could draw someone from novice and or any other combinations. The music will be from a specific era of soulful music. You may enter this division in addition to a WSDC division. The partnership will advance to finals NOT the individual.

    Pro-Am Jack n Jill

    This division is open to anyone in the novice, intermediate or advanced division for their opportunity to dance with a randomly selected professional. A professional for this division will be anyone that is an All-Star or part of the teaching staff.

     

    Strictly Swing Division

    Swing dancing that encourages lead and follow partner dancing at its best. Although swing includes amalgamations and patterns that are familiar to many dancers, the essence of lead and follow must be maintained in and out of these patterns. The Strictly Swing division is not meant for long and extended pre-choreographed phrases. Choreography "on the fly" is the objective.

    Drops, leans, circular movements and other partner weight supported moves are allowed as long as both partners keep at least one foot on the floor.

    General

    • There are 5 levels of Strictly Swing available to the dancers (Newcomer/Novice, Intermediate, Masters, Advanced and All Star/Champions).
    • Guidelines for expected swing content are 90% in Strictly Swing. It is at the judge’s discretion to determine that the swing content requirement has been met.
    • Competitors that qualify for Master, may dance Masters and the skill level in which they qualify for provided it is with a different partner.

    Specific

    • Length of performance is at the Event Organizer’s and/or Chief Judge's discretion.
    • Costumes are not allowed. However, matching or complementary outfits suitable for social dancing are acceptable.
    • This division will be danced in heats for preliminaries, semi-finals (if needed) and finals.
    • Couples must maintain physical contact except for spins, turns, short break-a-ways, and recoveries.
    • Pre-choreographed routines are not allowed.
    • Dancers must maintain their own physical contact with the floor during partner weight supported moves.
    • At most five partner weight support moves are permitted.

    Division Qualifications

    The level to dance in a Strictly Swing couple should be per J&J qualifications to determine the appropriate division. If one partner is a higher division than the other the level will be danced to the highest division of the couple. (i.e. If one person is advanced and the other is novice the couple must dance in advanced.)