UK & European WCS Championships WSDC Registry Event 2021

Knowing the Rules:  All competitors should read these rules carefully prior to participating in the competition. The Information for Competitors published in the Event Programme is an integral part of the Rules. Competitors are responsible for adhering to these rules whether they have read them or not. The Event Director’s decision on all matters is final.

Eligibility

Each competition is open to all competitors who:

1. hold a full event pass;
2. register by the official entry deadline[s] as detailed in the event programme;
3. pay the required entry fee[s] and complete the required entry forms;
4. meet all other specific entry requirements as outlined in these rules.

Multiple Registrations

Each eligible competitor may choose to enter one Jack & Jill level. Competitors may compete in both Classic and Showcase, so long as they have different partners per division. Any Classic or Showcase contestant who also enters Strictly Swing must compete with a different partner in each division.

Swing Content Definition

To identify the presence of swing the judges will use the following USA NASDE
‘Statement of Swing’.

'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.'

Judging Criteria

The Relative Placement System is used to judge all Championship competitions.

Competitors will be judged using the following criteria:-

1. Timing – How your body connects to the music. Swing is a dance beginning on the downbeat. Timing extends to much more finer distinctions than a single beat. It includes fractionally ahead or behind, as well as matching the syncopated ‘swing’ of the music.
2. Technique – How well you do what you do. How well competitors execute the movements comprising their dance, constitutes technique. Judges are looking for good footwork, balance, control, frame, how well turns and spins are executed, and control of arms and hands.
3. Teamwork – How well you work together. Swing is a connected, partner dance. The demonstration of this connection and the appearance of lead/follow or action/reaction between the partners is an expected part of any competition. It is the ability to work together as a team. One partner ignoring or out-dancing the other, or jeopardising the safety of the other (or other competitors), indicates poor teamwork.
4. Content/Choreography – What you do. The selection and order of movements and transitions executed during a dance comprises choreography. Good choreography demonstrates an intimate connection with the music and its phrasing, as well as variety and contrast of movements.
5. Presentation/Showmanship – How well you sell what you do. To create an atmosphere of excitement by inviting and generating interest in a performance is the desired effect of good presentation. While providing a good show is one aspect of presentation, a good show is not a substitute for good dancing.

Division Qualifications

Our aim is to encourage all competitors to assign themselves to a fair and appropriate classification using the honour system. If you have any doubt please contact the Event Director who will give guidance. The Event Director’s decision is final.

Jack & Jill Divisions

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. Some ‘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. The number of entries in each division will determine the number of rounds that may be held and will be danced in a heated format. In preliminary rounds competitors are judged as individuals and in Finals as a couple. Each competition must have a minimum of 5 leaders and 5 followers. The maximum number of entries will be determined by the Event Director.

General

This Event allows role-neutral, each Competitor must choose if they want to compete as a Leader or a Follower, they cannot do both. Dancers cannot enter two "level" Jack & Jills at any one Event. Dancers must maintain physical contact except for spins, turns, short breakaways, and recoveries. They must maintain their own physical contact with the floor during partner weight support moves.
 

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 World Swing Dance Council recommendations. It is the Organiser’s goal to encourage all competitors to assign themselves to the appropriate classification using the honour system. If you are not comfortable dancing in the division where these qualifications place you and would like to dance up or down, please petition the organiser. Most reasonable petitions will be approved.

Sophisticated

• For Amateur competitors only who are aged 35+ years
• Competitors in this Division may also dance in a skill level Jack & Jill (Newcomer, Novice, Intermediate, Advanced or All Star).

Masters

• For Amateur competitors only who are aged 50+ years
• Competitors in this Division may also dance in a skill level Jack & Jill (Newcomer, Novice, Intermediate, Advanced or All Star).

Novice

• Competitors with fewer than 16 WSDC Novice points should dance in this Division.
• Competitors with 16+ Novice points are allowed to move up to Intermediate Division.
• Competitors with 30+ novice points are required to move up to Intermediate Division.

Intermediate

• Competitors with 16+ Novice points are allowed to dance in this Division.
• Competitors with 30+ Intermediate points are allowed to move up to Advanced Division.
• Competitors with 45+ Intermediate points are required to move up to Advanced Division.

Advanced

• Competitors with 30+ Intermediate points are allowed to dance in this Division.
• Competitors with 45+ Advanced points accumulated within 36 months are allowed to move up to All Star Division.
• Competitors with 60 Advanced points accumulated within 36 months are required to move up to All Star Division.

All Star

• Competitors with 45+ Advanced points accumulated within 36 months are allowed to dance in this Division.
• Competitors must accumulate 3 All Star points in the previous 36 months to stay in All Star Division.
• Competitors with 45+ All Star points are allowed to move up to Champions Division.
• Competitors with 60+ All Star points are required to move up to Champions Division.
   

Champions

• Competitors with 45+ All Star points are allowed to dance in this Division.
• Competitors with Champions points are required to dance in this Division.
• Professional staff at this event are eligible to compete in this Division.

Strictly Swing Divisions

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. Strictly Swing Division is not meant for long and extended pre-choreographed phrases. Improvised choreography is the objective. 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.

General

1. The ‘Lead’ and ‘Follow’ roles are not gender specific. All dancers, regardless of the role they are dancing, must dance in the level they would dance in a JnJ.
2. Minimum number of entries will be determined by the organisers.
3. Guidelines for expected swing content are 90% in Strictly Swing. It is at the judge’s discretion to determine that the required swing content has been met.
4. An individual is not permitted to dance twice within the same division level.
5. Amateur competitors only who are aged 40+ years may compete in the Sophisticated Division as well as an appropriate division to their dance level.

Specific

1. Length of performance is at the organiser’s discretion.
2. Costumes are not allowed. However, matching or complementary outfits suitable for social dancing are acceptable.
3. This division will be danced in heats, semi-finals and final as deemed appropriate by the organiser.
4. Dancers must maintain physical contact except for spins, turns, short breakaways, and recoveries.
5. Pre-choreographed routines are not allowed.
6. Dancers must maintain their own physical contact with the floor during partner weight support moves.
7. At most, 5 partner weight support moves are permitted.

Division Qualifications

Our aim is to encourage all competitors to assign themselves to a fair and appropriate classification using the honour system. If you have any doubt please contact the Event Director who will give guidance. The Event Director’s decision is final.

Sophisticated Division

• For Amateur competitors only who are aged 35+ years

Masters

For Amateur competitors only who are aged 50+ years

Open Division

• Open to all Novice and Intermediate level dancers.
  Novice can dance with Novice and Intermediate with Intermediate, or
  mix it up, Novice dancing with an Intermediate. Your choice.

Premier Division

• Open to all Advanced and All Star dancers.
  Advanced can dance with Advanced and All Star with All Star, or
  mix it up, Advanced dancing with an All Star. Your choice.

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.

General

1. Contestants must be 18 years or older by the end of the event to participate.
2. Competitors will be one Male Leader and one Female Follower.
3. Minimum number of entries will be determined by the organisers. Cash prize may be adjusted accordingly or not awarded at all and is dependent upon number of entries.
4. Guidelines for expected swing content are 80% in Classic. It is at the judge’s 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 a maximum of 3 minutes.
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 but the couple must physically join together within 32 beats of music.
6. Couples must maintain physical contact except for spins, turns, short breakaways, and recoveries.
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