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DO NOT MESS WITH THE
JUDGES!
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MADjam in
a member of the following competition tours.
If you enter a division that is part of a
tour you must also know and follow the tour rules and requirements.
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General
Rules
* Competitors are responsible for reading, knowing and observing all contest rules.
* Competitors must have a weekend pass(except teams & Cabaret), register and pay entry
fees before the deadlines.
* No competitors meetings! - You must check in
and be ready to dance 15 minutes before a division begins.
* Good sportsmanship must be exhibited at all times.
* Offensive or vulgar gestures, costumes or song lyrics are strictly prohibited.
* Competitors must be at least 16 years old (18 for NASDE divisions)
except in Juniors, Youth ProAm, Team and Cabaret.
* Specific times are available for competitor floor trials. See
the
schedule
* Relative placement method will be used to
determine the winners.
* The chief judge will resolve any scoring or judging disputes. Those decisions are final.
* All contestants and attendees must sign a liability release and consent to unrestricted use of their photos,
video and names which may appear in the event videos, websites and
future promotions.
* If there are fewer than 5 entries in any contest, it may be cancelled or
prize money revised.
Strictly Swing & Hustle Contests – Enter with your
partner. The contest DJ picks the music. Different skill levels
are offered. Generally a couple should enter the highest skill level
they are qualified for. Each skill level is a separate contest. You may only enter
one skill level for each type of dance. Couples dance in heats for
several short
songs.
If more than 15 couples enter a division there will be a preliminary
contest followed by a final round. Judges will evaluate couples based on their
demonstration of good social dancing skills, timing, technique,
connection, lead and follow, presentation, showmanship and skill level.
* Costumes and props are not allowed but coordinating attire is acceptable.
* Couples must remain in contact unless executing a spin.
* Dancers must maintain their own physical contact with the floor during partner weight support moves.
* The same partners may not dance together in a strictly contest and a
solo contest of the same dance. Ex: The same couple may not enter both Classic hustle and
Strictly hustle together.
However those individuals may dance in both contests with different partners.
Strictly Swing Contests
5 Levels of Strictly West Coast Swing competitions are offered.
Novice:
For couples with limited or no competition experience that have
never placed 1st in a Strictly Swing division at a large national competition before.
Intermediate: For couples with some previous competition experience
and success. If either partner has previously won or placed well in a
Strictly Swing contest at a national event you should move up to this
division.
Advanced: For couples with significant competition experience who are
not yet ready to compete in an open division against professionals for the
big money.
Open (NASDE): For experienced competitors and professionals with previous
competition success at advanced or higher levels. Competitors who
have placed previously in an open professional division at a national
competition must dance in this division. Cash prizes are offered in
the Open level only. NASDE rules require male leader/ female follower for
this division.
Sophisticated: Both partners must be 40 years of age or older. Because this
is an age requirement and not a skill level requirement you may also enter
another strictly swing contest at the appropriate skill level if you wish.
Strictly Hustle Contests
4 Levels of Strictly Hustle competition are offered.
Novice (IHDA Level 1): For couples who have limited or no competition experience who have
never placed 1st in a Strictly Hustle division at a national competition before.
Intermediate (IHDA Level 2): For couples with some previous competition experience
and success. If either partner has previously won or placed well in a
Strictly Hustle contest at a national event you should move up to this
division.
Advanced: For couples with some previous competition experience
and success at the intermediate level. Professionals must dance in the
open division.
Open: For experienced competitors and professionals with previous
competition success at advanced or higher levels. Competitors who
have placed previously in an open professional division at a national
competition must dance in this division. Cash prizes are offered.
Sophisticated: Both partners must be 40 years of age or older. Because this
is an age requirement and not a skill level requirement you may also enter
another strictly swing contest at the appropriate skill level if you wish.
Classic
Swing (NASDE)
Bring your partner, music, costumes and choreographed routine. Dance
order will be chosen at random and posted prior to the division start
time. Your music must be a single track on a clearly
labeled CD at least 2 minutes and no longer than 3 minutes.
Routines must include at least 80% swing content. 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. Large
cash prizes are offered.
* NASDE rules require a male leader with a female follower & contestants
must be 18 or older
* Costumes are allowed and encouraged.
* No props allowed
* Choreographed entrances will be counted towards time limits.
* Breakaways are limited to 8 beats of music.
* Couples must maintain physical contact except
during spins, turns or short break-a-ways, and recoveries.
*
Dancers must maintain their own physical contact with the floor during partner weight support moves.
* A maximum of 5 partner weight support moves are permitted.
Showcase
(NASDE)
Bring your partner, music, costumes and choreographed routine. Dance
order will be chosen at random and posted prior to the division start
time. Costumes, lifts,
drops, tricks and stunts are encouraged and a minimum number are required
(see below). Your music must be a single track on a clearly labeled CD
at least 2 minutes and no longer than 3 minutes.
* NASDE rules require a male leader with a female follower & contestants
must be 18 or older
* Routines must include at least 60% recognizable swing content.
* Costumes are allowed and encouraged.
* No props allowed.
* Choreographed entrances will be counted towards time limits.
* At least 3 partner weight support moves required at knee level or above.
* At least 1 partner weight support move required with the partner above
the waist.
* There is no limit on partner-supported moves.
Juniors (13-17)
-
This single division
is
offered for couples where both partners are at least 13 years old and no
older than 17 on the day they compete.
Routines are danced in a solo format. Dance order is chosen at
random and posted prior to the division start time. Music must be a single
track on a clearly labeled CD at least 2 minutes and no longer than 3
minutes.
* Routines must include at least 75% recognizable
swing content.
* Costumes are allowed and encouraged. No props are allowed.
* Choreographed entrances will be counted towards time limits.
* Lifts, drops, tricks and stunts are allowed but not required.
*
If a juniors couple has competed previously but one partner reaches 18 years
of age, the couple may petition the organizer in advance for an exception to
the age restriction. The intent of this option is to allow youngsters
who have formed a partnership and advanced their dancing together to
continue to compete together in this division.
YASDA Points
allotment - The Juniors (13-17)
division is part of the Young Adult Swing Dance Association Tour. Points are
awarded as follows. An individual 18 or older, while eligible to dance with
appropriate petition is ineligible to receive points.
Tier 1 1-5 couples 5,4,3,2,1,0
Tier 2 6-10 couples 7,6,5,4,3 (6-10=1 pt)
Tier 3 11-15 couples 9,8,7,6,5(6-15=2 pt)
Tier 4 16-20 couples 11,10,9,8,7 (6-20=3
pt)
Rising
Star
-
This single division
includes all styles of Swing: West Coast Swing, Lindy
Hop, Hustle, Shag
and Hand Dance or any other style of popular swing dance. It is
for couples that have limited experience with choreography and do not want to
compete against professionals
in the open classic divisions. Routines are danced in a solo format. Dance order is chosen at
random and posted prior to the division start time. Music provided by each
couple must be a single track on a clearly labeled CD at least 2 minutes and no longer
than 3˝ minutes.
If either partner has previously placed 5th or higher in a NASDE Classic or Showcase event
they are no longer eligible to compete in Rising Star. If a couple has a
total of 3 first place wins together in any Rising Star division at MADjam or elsewhere they must move up
to classic or showcase division.
* Routines must include at least 75% recognizable
swing, hustle or hand dance content.
* Costumes are allowed and encouraged. No props are allowed.
* Choreographed entrances will be counted towards time limits.
* Lifts, drops, tricks and stunts are allowed but not required.
Team
Contest - At
least 4 couples performing a choreographed routine together. This single
contest combines Swing, Hustle and Hand Dance. Music must be a
single track on a clearly labeled CD at least 2 minutes and no longer
than 3 minutes.
*Routines must be at least 3 minutes and no longer than 5 minutes.
*Costumes are allowed and encouraged
*No props are allowed
*Routine must contain at least 60% of recognizable Swing, Hustle or Hand
Dance content.
*Entrances and exits count towards the time limits
ProAm WCS -
Students enter with their teacher. For this contest, amateurs are
defined as someone who does not teach dancing on a regular, ongoing
basis or make a significant amount of income from teaching. A
professional is defined as someone who makes a significant amount of
income teaching or performing dance. Anyone who has previously competed
in open or professional level competition will be considered a Pro for
this purpose. Couples entering the ProAm divisions must have a prior
student/teacher relationship. In ProAm divisions only the amateur is
evaluated. Different skill levels are offered. Each skill level is a
separate contest. You may enter only 1 skill level. All students will
receive a customized plaque. Additionally placements 1st through 5th in each division will be recognized. Each teacher is limited
to a maximum of 5 students per division. Competitors under age 16 must enter
Youth Division. Couples dance in heats with multiple couples on the
floor at once for about 1˝ minutes of a song the DJ has chosen for their
division.
* Costumes and props are not allowed. Coordinating attire is acceptable
* Couples must remain in contact unless executing a spin.
* No lifts, drops or partner supported moves allowed.
* No choreographed entrances or exits
ProAm
Music tempo range:
West Coast Swing (100-120bpm), Hustle (100-115bpm)
The following West Coast Swing ProAm divisions
will be offered:
ProAm, West Coast Swing, Youth (15 and under)
ProAm,
West Coast Swing, Silver (50+)
ProAm, West Coast Swing, Newcomer
ProAm, West Coast Swing,
Novice
ProAm, West Coast Swing,
Intermediate
ProAm, West Coast Swing,
Advanced
Youth
- For students age 15 and under regardless of previous dance or
competition experience.
Newcomer
- This is an entry level division for students with very little or no previous
competition experience. It is limited to students competing less than 1
year in that dance. Students who have previously won a contest against 3
or more entries should move up to novice or intermediate. Newcomer
competitors should exhibit traditional basic figures only. Judges will be
looking for good basic technique, connection, timing and confidence.
Complex variations and elaborate patterns are not acceptable in newcomer
divisions.
Novice
- This division is for
students with less than 3 years total dance experience and limited
previous competition experience. Students are expected to perform solid
basics. Limited variations are allowed but not required. No leans, drops,
or breakaways are allowed. All material should be recognizable as
familiar, common “leadable” social patterns.
Intermediate
- This division is for
students with significant prior competition and or dance experience.
Students are expected to perform clean basics with variations and
musicality. Judges will consider musical interpretation, showmanship and
creativity. If you want to show off, you should enter this division.
Advanced
– This division is for
seasoned competitors who want to get in front of the audience and judges
with their teacher. The just dance division rules apply and judges will
consider everything including but not limited to:
variations, musicality, teamwork, showmanship and creativity.
ProAm Hustle-
Students enter with their teacher. For this contest, amateurs are
defined as someone who does not teach dancing on a regular, ongoing
basis or make a significant amount of income from teaching. A
professional is defined as someone who makes a significant amount of
income teaching or performing dance. Anyone who has previously competed
in open or professional level competition will be considered a Pro for
this purpose. Couples entering the ProAm divisions must have a prior
student/teacher relationship. In ProAm divisions only the amateur is
evaluated. Different skill levels are offered. Each skill level is a
separate contest. You may enter as many skill levels as you wish (Hustle Only)
based on the guidelines below.. All students will
receive a customized plaque. Additionally placements 1st through 5th in each division will be recognized. Each teacher is limited
to a maximum of 5 students per division. Competitors under age 16 must enter
Youth Division. Couples dance in heats with multiple couples on the
floor at once for about 1˝ minutes of a song the DJ has chosen for their
division.
The following Hustle ProAm divisions will be offered:
Hustle ProAm contests use
IHDA structure and guidelines.
It is your responsibility to know and
understand these guidelines.
ProAm, Hustle, Youth (15 and under)
ProAm, Hustle, Silver (50+)
ProAm, Hustle, Pre-Novice (IHDA level 1)
ProAm, Hustle, Novice (IHDA level 2)
ProAm, Hustle, Pre-Intermediate (IHDA level 3)
ProAm, Hustle, Intermediate (IHDA level 4)
ProAm, Hustle, Advanced (IHDA level 5)
Level One =
Pre-Novice This Level would be simple happy dancing, back and forth,
stay in place, maintaining connection, much like you might find
beginners doing at a wedding. Good for fast music. For beginners only,
people would have to move on after 6 months or a year. Many students
would skip this level.
Guide:3 count rhythm (1 measure patterns only)
Quarter and Half Turns (not exceeding 1/2 turn elements)
Stationary dance
Maintain connection at all times (either right to right hand hold / left
to right hand hold / double hand hold)
Rules: Any pattern can be used as long as the criteria from Level
1 is implemented. There will be no syncopations allowed. Maintain
connection at all times. No traveling. One year Cut-off for competing in
this division.
Suggested patterns: Cross-Body Lead, Wheel, Hesitations, Underarm Turn
Combination (You Go, I Go, You Go), Double Hand Hold Bridges. (Please
note: This list are example patterns, you may use any pattern you like
as long as the rules are maintained.)
Music tempo for L1 will range from 104-109 bpm.
Level Two = Novice This level adds one-and-a-half left
turns and a little more room with NY Walks and a Grapevine, but still
stays in place, with continuous connection
Guide: Any pattern from Level 1
up to 1-1/2 turns with connection (not exceeding 1-1/2 turns)
3 and 6 count patterns (2 measure patterns)
Maintain Connection with Slight disconnect during transitions (either
right to right hand hold / left to right hand hold / double hand hold)
Rules: Any pattern can be used as long as the criteria from Level
2 is implemented. There will be no syncopations allowed. Maintain
connection at all times unless during transitions (ex: sliding door). No
traveling beyond a 6 count pattern. No consecutive 1-1/2 turns.
Suggested patterns: Leader's Behind the Back Pass, Cross-Body Lead,
Cross-Body Lead with Open Break to Return, Grapevine, Sliding Door,
Cross Body Lead with Inside Turn, Shadow with Comb, Las Vegas, NY walks.
(Please note: these are example patterns, you may use any pattern you
like as long as the rules are maintained.)
Music tempo for L2 will range from 104 - 112 bpm.
Level Three = Pre-Intermediate This Level adds rhythmic diversity
with swivels. Also double right turns, consecutive one-and-a-half turns,
and syncopations used for example in Las Vegas.
Guide: Any pattern from Level 1 and 2
3 and 6 count patterns (2 measure patterns with the ability to release
hold)
Syncopated basic
Extended rhythm (extra 2 beat increments only)
Rules: Any pattern can be used as long as the criteria from Level
3 is implemented. There will be no syncopated turns with (+12+3+4) (Ex:
no 4-count turn, no continuous turns). Connection is not mandatory. No
traveling beyond a 6 count pattern. No blind leads. No free spins. Both
feet on floor (Ex: no rondes). No poses and/or holding a beat.
Suggested patterns: Swivels and Variations of Such, Diva Walks, Wrap
Turn Variations, Free New York Walk. (Please note: these are example
patterns, you may use any pattern you like as long as the rules are
maintained.)
Music tempo for L3 will range from 104 - 115 bpm.
Level Four =
Intermediate This level adds free spins, posing, traveling in a
straight line and everything that most dancers at a party are doing.
This level is normal, good, social hustle.
Guide: Any pattern from Level 1, 2 and 3
Extended rhythm
Syncopations
Pivots
free 1-1/2 turns
Continuous spins
Traveling
Rondes (leg action)
blind moves
poses/ holding a beat
Rules: Two (2) songs slow and fast will be implemented. Any
pattern can be used as long as the criteria from Level 4 is implemented.
Connection is not mandatory. There is no limit for traveling. Both feet
primarily on the floor except for flicks and rondes. No one-legged
spins.
Suggested patterns: Progressive Circular Basics (ex. T-Turns, Back to
Back Turns), Double Outside Turn and All Variations (5 or 6 beats,
including Double Illusion Turns, etc.), Free Spins to the Left (start on
2), Free Spins to the Right (start on 3), Diamonds, Wrap Turn
Variations, 4 Count Right Turns, Double Syncopated Elements. (Please
note: these are example patterns, you may use any pattern you like as
long as the rules are maintained.)
Music tempo for L4 will range from 104 - 118 bpm.
Level Five = Advance This level is for the seriously competitive,
where an Am would need to place in level 4 a certain number of times
before entering level 5. Entry in all other levels would be based on the
material an Am is working on. This would contain whatever moves are
beyond good dancers, and would also contain a musical component- dancing
to very fast, and very slow music, both of which develop very different
skills.
Guide: Any pattern
Rules: This division is to better showcase technique, timing, and
styling. NO routines, entrances or exits, lifts, aerials, drops, dips or
acrobatic moves permitted. All patterns MUST be lead and follow.
Suggested patterns: Fred and Ginger/Pivots, Rondes, Capes, Samba Turns,
Timing Variations, Pop, Snap, Syncopated Timing Variations, Waltz and
any pattern from levels 1-4. All patterns MUST be lead and follow.
(Please note: these are example patterns, you may use any pattern you
like as long as the rules are maintained.)
Patterns that will be penalized: One Leg Turns, Horse and Cart
Variations, Side by Side Combinations, Any TRICK Pattern,
Music tempo for L5 will range from 104 - 121 bpm.
For the IHDA Hustle contests the following definitions of a Professional and Amateur will be used:
A Professional Dancer is one who is any or all of the following:
a. Registered as a Professional with the IHDA.
b. A Staff Member employed by a Dance Studio to teach.
c. Any person who receives financial gain from teaching and demonstrating.
d. One who partners an Amateur Student or Registered Amateur in Pro/Am Competitions.
e. Any person who declares himself or herself a Professional by word or deed (Examples:
Demonstrating, Exhibitions, Teaching, assisting a Teacher of Dancing,
serving as a hired Partner, or participating in Professional
Competitions).
Amateur: An Amateur is one for whom dancing is strictly an
avocation, a recreational activity, or a competitive sport, and who
participates in dancing without seeking or receiving financial gain as
a living nor work for income at any salary level. Contest
prize money can be accepted in a dance competition only.
a. Pre-Teen, Junior, Youth and Adult Amateur dancers registered with IHDA as an Amateur
b. Amateur competitor is one who competes in any Contemporary Dance Contest, but who is not classified as a Professional Dancer.
ProAm
Spotlight Division -
This single division is offered for all styles of Swing: West Coast Swing, Lindy
Hop, Hustle, Shag
and Hand Dance 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 amateur's performance is considered by the
judges. 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 3˝ minutes.
Limited to the first 10 entries received.
* Costumes are encouraged, but not required.
* Lifts, drops, tricks and stunts are allowed but not required.
* Choreographed entrances will count towards time limits.
* No props are allowed
* Routines must include at least 75% recognizable swing, hustle or hand
dance content.
Jack
& Jill Divisions
- There are Jack & Jill contests for many levels of dancers in West
Coast Swing & Hustle. Onsite registration for all Jack & Jill
divisions is limited. The strict entry deadline will be published in
advance. You must enter before the deadline. Jack & Jill
contests allow individuals to enter without a partner and demonstrate
skills in spontaneous dancing with a variety of partners. There is an
inherent “luck of the draw” factor involved. Leaders and followers are
randomly paired. There will be several partner changes during the preliminary
and semi-final rounds. Competitors are scored individually on timing, technique and
teamwork in the preliminary heats. Those scoring the highest will be
called back later to dance in a final round. In the final, individuals are
randomly paired, then scored as a couple. The DJ picks the music. Tempo
and style will vary. All songs will be appropriate for the dance division
entered. There are significant cash prizes awarded to the winners. The
amounts are based on the number of entries in each division.
* You may only enter 1 level of Jack & Jill per dance (sophisticated
is an exception).
* You may enter different levels for different dances.
* Male competitors must enter as a leader, female competitors must enter
as a follower
*
You must be at least 16 years old
West Coast Swing Jack & Jill Levels
The World Swing Dance Council Points Registry is used to determine
eligibility for the West Coast Swing Jack & Jill divisions. Current WSDC points information
is available online
and will be available onsite for competitors to look up which division
they qualify for. Competitors are expected to honor this system. The only way
you may enter a division other than by meeting the points qualifications
below is by petitioning the chief judge or or event director no
less than 48 hours in advance. WSDC registry documents have been recently updated.
Please read more about the registry.
Newcomer - This where you start! First time competitors
and those who have never made finals or placed in a Jack & Jill
contest must dance in Newcomer even if you have entered a Novice contest
elsewhere!
To
enter newcomer you must be competent with the basics of social
dancing.
• If you have earned
fewer than 10 newcomer points must dance in this division.
• You may continue to dance in newcomer until you have 20 newcomer points.
Novice - For competitors with some prior competition success. If you
are not qualified by the criteria below you must enter newcomer
regardless of your skill and experience level.
• You must have at least 10 newcomer
points, a 1st place newcomer win or existing Novice points.
• Competitors with fewer than 20 Novice points may continue to dance in
Novice.
• Competitors with 20 or more novice points must move up to intermediate.
Intermediate - Requires previous competition success in
the Novice division.
• You must have at least 15 Novice points
• Competitors with fewer than
30 Intermediate points may continue to dance in Intermediate
• Competitors with 30 or more Intermediate points must move up to
Advanced.
Advanced
- Requires previous competition success in the
Intermediate division.
• You must have at least 30 Intermediate points
• Competitors with fewer than 45 Advanced points may continue to dance in
Advanced
• Competitors with 45 or more Advanced points must move up to AllStar.
AllStar
(NASDE) - This contest typically features future champions
and seriously talented dancers.
• You must have at least 45 Advanced
or higher level points or existing AllStar points earned in the previous 3 years
• Competitors who have placed 1st - 3rd in a Champions, Invitational or
professional level contest at a NASDE
competition within the
previous 3 years must dance in
the Champions division.
Champions Level Jack & Jill - This contest features the best of the
best. 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 Jack & Jill contest at a NASDE or other major
competition must dance
in this division. There is a prelim and a final just like every other Jack &
Jill level.
Sophisticated Jack & Jill –
This division is for competitors over the age of 40. There are no points
criteria for entry and the World swing dance
council no longer tracks registry points in this division. You may enter
Sophisticated and another swing Jack & Jill contest at the skill level you are
qualified for.
Hustle
Jack & Jill Levels
Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Open
Competitor
Responsibilities
1. Plan ahead. Know the event schedule in advance and arrive in time
to meet our contest registration deadlines. Bring appropriate competition
attire. Be sure to check when you arrive for any last-minute changes to
our schedule.
2. Know the rules. Read the competition rules carefully prior to
the contest. You are responsible for following our rules whether you have
read them or not. If you have questions, you should contact our
Competition Coordinator ahead of time.
3. Turn in your music to the DJ during your scheduled floor trial or at least 1 hour prior to your division.
Music for routines must be a single track on a CD and clearly labeled. If
you need your music’s tempo altered, started in the middle of the track
or an early fade out, please have someone edit your music in advance.
4. Be prepared to compete. Check in with the competitor coordinators in
the staging area 15 minutes prior
to the start of your competition. Remember to bring your bib number
(we will charge you a replacement fee of $10 if you lose it). If you do
not check in or withdraw after the registration deadline you forfeit
your entry fee. Check the competition rosters posted outside the ballrooms
to verify you have been correctly entered in the appropriate division.
5. Be a good sport. You must demonstrate good sporting conduct both
on and off the competition floor. This includes treating partners, other
competitors, competition officials, spectators, and the event itself with
respect. Demonstrating a poor attitude by behaving in ways that the judges
deem inappropriate will result in your disqualification. Use only
appropriate channels to communicate your concerns. If you have questions
or concerns about our competitions, use appropriate channels to share your
concerns such as a private discussion with our competition coordinator,
chief judge, or contestant representative. You are not allowed to
pressure, challenge, or argue with the judges. If you harass or verbally
abuse a judge or other competition official, we will disqualify you and
may also ban you from competing at this event in the future.
Definitions
Acrobatic Movement - Any move where either partner independently or in
partnership passes his/her foot, leg or torso above and across the
vertical plane of either partner's head, or passes their head through the
legs of the standing partner even if contact with the floor is maintained.
Aerial - A
movement where one partner is lifted by an assisting partner and the waist of
the lifted partner is above the shoulders of the other partner.
Breakaway - A set of symmetric or complementary movements or footwork
executed by a couple who intentionally break contact (except for spins and
turns), which is not a clearly leadable derivative of a recognizable swing
pattern.
Costumes - Attire which, in the opinion of the judges, is
specifically designed or selected for couples competition and would not
generally be worn for social dancing.
Drop – Movement in which either partner’s head and torso
go below knee level of the other partner.
Entrance - Pre-choreographed segment of a performance, where
competitors formally enter the floor and prepare to dance. Acknowledging
your partner, the judges, or the audience is not considered an entrance.
Exit - Pre-choreographed segment of a performance,
where competitors leave the floor. Acknowledging your partner, the judges,
or the audience is not considered an exit.
Lifts - Any movement lasting longer than a full beat of music
where the feet of one partner are clearly off the floor and the other
partner supports the lifted partner's weight.
Props - Throw away skirts, shirts, scarfs, etc are
considered props in this context and are not allowed. Anything other than
what would be considered acceptable clothing.
Routine - Any segment, which, in the opinion of the
judges, consists of prearranged choreography including symmetric or
complementary movements or footwork.
Swing
Content
- includes West Coast, Hustle, Hand Dance. Lindy hop and Shag.
Relative Placement Scoring
This is the system used to determine
winners.
It was adapted from the
figure skating system and is now widely used by many dance competitions.
It minimizes the impact of a rouge judge's mark and recognizes the most
consistently scored entry. An equal numerical value is assigned to each
Judge's raw scores, so that each Judge has an equal vote in the final
outcome.
A. Number of Judges Needed
- A minimum of 5 Judges is required for Relative Placement, but the
use of 7 Judges is recommended.
- An even or odd number of Judges may be used for call-backs in the
preliminary and semi-final rounds. In Jack & Jill’s, half of the
Judges may judge leaders and half may judge followers.
- An odd number of Judges are used in the finals to minimize the
possibility of ties.
B. Preliminary and Semi-final Rounds
- In the preliminary and semi-final rounds, a call‑back system
is used. In this system, each Judge selects individuals (in Jack &
Jill’s) or couples (in Strictly Swing, Classic, Showcase) for
call‑back to the next round, but does not rank them in any
particular order.
- The Scorer converts each Judge's selections into ordinals: 1 for all
those selected, 2 for any alternates, and 3 for all those not
selected. Contestants are then ranked according to the total number of
1s, 2s, and 3s received from the judges.
- The Chief Judge then determines how many individuals or couples will
be promoted to the next round. The decision is based on returning
close to a predetermined percent of the contestants and/or where the
natural break in the rank occurs.
- The Chief Judge's scores are used only to break any ties.
C. Tallying the Final Placements
- In the finals, each Judge must place every couple in rank order (1st
place, 2nd place, 3rd place, etc.). In finals, with a large field of
couples, the Judges will concentrate on placing the top twelve
couples.
- Raw scores (9.5, 8.9, 7.6, etc.) are used only to determine a
Judge's order of placements. If a Judge submits only raw scores, the
Scorer will convert them into ordinals, (1, 2, 3, etc.) for Relative
Placement.
- Duplicate placements are not permitted. If a Judge mistakenly
provides duplicate placements, the Scorer will alert the Chief Judge,
who will request that the Judge in question provide unique placements
for each couple.
- A couple must have a majority of Judges' votes to be awarded a final
placement.
- If no couple has a majority of votes, then the next placement is
added to the previous placements (1st through 2nd, 1st through 3rd,
etc.) until a majority is reached.
- If two or more couples have an equal majority, then the numerical
value of the ordinals for each couple is added. The couple with the
lowest sum gets the higher position. If the sums for two or more
couples are identical, then the next placement is added to the
previous placements for those tied couples only.
- The Chief Judge's scores are used only to break any remaining ties.
D. Example of Relative Placement
- In the example above, there are 6 couples competing. Because 5
judges are providing placements, a majority of at least 3 Judges is
needed to award any couple a final placement
- Here, no couple has a majority of 1st place votes from the Judging
panel. Adding the next placement and counting 1st through 2nd place
votes, only couple #1 has a majority of at least 3 votes. Therefore,
couple #1 is awarded 1st place.
- Counting 1st through 3rd place votes, only couple #6 has a majority
of at least 3 votes. Therefore, couple #6 is awarded 2nd place.
- Counting 1st through 4th place votes, three couples have an equal
majority of 3 votes. When the numerical value of the ordinals making
up those votes is added, couples #2 and #3 both have the lower sum of
7, whereas couple #5 has the higher sum of 9. Couple #5 is therefore
awarded the lowest final placement of the three couples, in this case
5th place.
- To break the tie between couples #2 and #3, it is necessary to count
1st through 5th place votes, Couple #3 has 5 votes, one more than
couple #2. Couple #3 therefore is awarded 3rd place, and couple #2 is
awarded 4th place.
- Couple #4, the only remaining couple, is awarded 6th place.
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