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Competition Rules

Please read the following rules carefully. Placement changes may occur if the Chief Judge determines a violation.​

General Competition Requirements

  • Minimum Entries: A minimum of 5 entries is required for Jack and Jill and Strictly Swing divisions to be held. If a division is canceled due to insufficient entries, the allocated time slot will become social dance time. This includes the elimination of any preliminary or semi-final rounds.​

General Eligibility

To compete in any division at 5280 Westival, a competitor must:

  • Hold a full weekend pass.​​

  • Pay the required entry fees.​

  • Adhere to the WSDC Code of Conduct. ​

Multiple Registrations

Competitors may register for multiple divisions they qualify for, with the following considerations:

  • Masters competitors may enter more than one Jack and Jill and Strictly Swing division. They are eligible to dance in their qualified skill level as well as the Masters division.​

  • Competitors may compete as a Leader in one division and as a Follower in another, provided they meet the eligibility criteria for each role. ​

Waiver Forms

By paying the required contest entry fees, all competitors agree to a contest waiver form to be eligible to dance in any competition. For contestants under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must represent 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

Please refer to the petition process stated in the WSDC Rules https://www.worldsdc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/wsdcrules.pdf Section 3.1.6​

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": 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 and 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:

    • Entries for J&J will be determined by the World Swing Dance Council points registry as it defines the dancers primary and secondary roles.​

    • Couples must maintain physical contact except for spins, turns, short breakaways, 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.

Strictly Swing Division

Swing dancing that encourages lead and follow partner dancing at its best. Although swing includes amalgamations and patterns familiar to many dancers, the essence of lead and follow must be maintained throughout these patterns. The Strictly Swing division is not intended for long and extended pre-choreographed sequences; spontaneous choreography is the objective.

  • General:

    • Levels Offered: Two levels are available:​

      • Newcomer/Novice: Designed for competitors classified as Newcomer or Novice in WSDC Jack and Jill competitions.

      • Open: Open to all competitors, regardless of WSDC classification.

    • Swing Content: Guidelines recommend 90% swing content in Strictly Swing performances. Judges will determine if this requirement has been met.

    • You can not dance in a Strictly Swing Division lower than what your WSDC points level.​

  • Specific:

    1. Performance Length: Determined by the Event Organizer and/or Chief Judge.​

    2. Attire: Costumes are not allowed; however, matching or complementary outfits suitable for social dancing are acceptable.​

    3. Competition Format: This division will be danced in heats for preliminaries, semi-finals (if needed), and finals.​

    4. Physical Contact: Couples must maintain physical contact except for spins, turns, short breakaways, and recoveries.​

    5. Choreography: Pre-choreographed routines are not allowed.​

    6. Weight-Supported Moves: Dancers must maintain their own physical contact with the floor during partner weight-supported moves. A maximum of five partner weight-supported moves are permitted, provided both partners keep at least one foot on the floor.​

Pro-Am Routines

  1. Each professional shall have no more than 5 total entries.

  2. Students are to be intermediate or lower.

  3. Students enter with their teacher and perform a choreographed routine to music they choose.

  4. Expected swing content of any style is 70%. It is at the judges’ discretion to determine that the swing content has been met.

  5. For this contest, amateurs are defined as anyone who does not teach dancing on a regular, ongoing basis or earn a significant amount of income teaching or performing. A professional is defined as someone who earns a significant amount of income teaching or performing dance. Anyone who has previously competed in open or professional level competition must be considered a Pro for this purpose.

  6. Routine must be at least 2 minutes long and no longer than 3 minutes.

  7. Lifts, drops, tricks, and stunts are allowed but not required.

  8. No props are allowed.

  9. Couples dance in a solo format.

  10. Dance order will be chosen at random and posted prior to the division start time.

 

All-American J&J

  1. This is an open contest for all levels.

  2. Dancers will get a partner for all songs of a heat and will be scored as a couple

  3. If the contest is not balanced, and dancers dance twice, they can advance to the next round with both partners.

  4. Couples must maintain physical contact except for spins, turns, short breakaways, and recoveries.

  5. Dancers must maintain their own physical contact with the floor during partner weight-supported moves.