Rules

GENERAL

All competitors must:
1. Hold a full weekend package ticket to the World Swing Dance Championship/The ConneXXion.
2. Pay the required entry fees when the application is submitted.
3. Sign the waiver at the event. No Competitor will be allowed to compete without a signed Waiver, and every member of a Team or Cabaret Act must sign the Competition Waiver. Competitors under 18-years of age must have a parent or guardian sign their Waiver and any other required forms

Jack & Jill and Strictly Swing Levels:
     In divisions labeled Lindy, competitors must dance in the same level in all Lindy competitions.  In divisions labeled West Coast Swing, competitors must dance in the same level in all West Coast Swing competitions. For example, a Lindy competitor cannot enter Lindy Amateur Jack & Jill and Lindy Advanced Strictly Swing.  However, a competitor may dance in different levels if crossing over.  For example, a competitor can enter Lindy Amateur Jack & Jill and Advance/All Star West Coast Strictly Swing if they qualify under the rules.

General Age Rules:

Junior - Competitors age 6 through 13-years of age.
Young Adult - Competitors age 14 through 17-years of age.
Master - Competitor must be 50-years of age or older on or before Friday, September 12, 2008.

 

Statement of Swing
 "Swing is an American Rhythm Dance that is identified primarily by 6-beat and 8-beat patterns that incorporate a wide variety of rhythms. 6-beat patterns include, but are not limited to, passes, underarm turns, push-breaks, and open-to-closed/closed-to-open position patterns. 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 rhythm breaks may be incorporated to phrase the music, to extend a pattern, and/or to accent breaks."
     This statement will be used only to identify the presence of Swing content in a performance. It is not intended to be a full definition of Swing, nor to be used to evaluate the quality of the performance. Each Judge will evaluate the presence of Swing content, which will be one of the criteria that determine a final score.

Phrase Battle:
The top winners of the following categories will compete in the Lindy & West Coast Swing Phrase battle for additional cash and prizes:

Showcase  ~  Classic ~ Mixed Level Strictly Lindy ~ Mixed Level Strictly West Coast Swing

The judges will select alternate couples if there are duplicate partnerships that place in multiple categories, to make a maximum of 12 couples.  The phrase battle format consists of each couple entering the circle for 8 eight counts (or more depending on the song chosen by the Organizers) to show off their stuff - couples enter at least twice and then allskate if the song permits.

THE FOLLOWING DIVISIONS ARE OPEN TO ALL LINDY AND WEST COAST SWING COMPETITORS: CLASSIC, SHOWCASE, JUNIORS, YOUNG ADULT, MASTERS, TEAM, CABARET

Classic
This division is traditional Swing dancing and is characterized by the dancers having consistent contact with the dance floor and with each other.
•    Recognizable Swing content, as described in the Statement of Swing, must be present in at least 80% of the performance.
•    "In the air" partner weight support moves, such as lifts, aerials, and acrobatic moves are not allowed.
•    "On the ground" partner weight support moves (such as drops, slides, and splits) are allowed (but not required).
•    At most, five "On the ground" partner weight support moves are permitted.
•    Competitors may make separate entrances, but must join together within 32-beats of the music.
•    Once contact is made, the couple must maintain physical contact, except for spins, turns, and short break-aways. A break of contact followed by side-by-side choreography will result in a penalty and drop in placement. Break-aways must be immediately followed by an effort to re-establish physical contact (8 beat maximum separation).
•    Routines must be a minimum of two-minutes and a maximum of three-minutes in length.
•    Competitors select their own music.
•    Costumes are required.
•    Minimum number of entries is 5 couples.

Showcase
This division is characterized by Swing dancing with the addition of lifts, aerials, acrobatics, side-by-sides and break-aways.

  • Recognizable Swing content as described in the Statement of Swing must be present in at least 60% of the performance.
  • A minimum of three "In the air", partner weight support moves such as, lifts, aerials, or acrobatics is required.
    • Moves must be at knee level or above.
    • At least one move must place the partner above the waist.
    • A maximum of 5 such moves are allowed.
  • "On the ground" support moves (such as drops, slides, and spreads) are allowed (but not required).
  • Side-by-side patterns, and breaks in contact are allowed.
  • Choreographed Routines are required
  • Routines must be a minimum of two-minutes and a maximum of three-minutes in length.
  • Competitors select their own music.
  • Costumes are required.
  • Minimum number of entries is 5 couples.

Juniors
This division is designed to feature young dancers age 6 through 13-years of age.

  • The rules governing this division are the same as the rules that govern the Showcase Division with the following exceptions:
    • Lifts & aerials that have 1 partner's torso rise above the other partner's shoulders are not allowed.
    • All other partner weight support moves are optional.
  • Competitors must have reached the age of 6-years old in order to compete. If one partner is 14-years of age or older, and the other partner is under the age of 14, this couple must compete in the Young Adult Division.
  • Routines, choice of music, and costumes must be in good taste and appropriate for this age group.
  • Routines must be a minimum of two-minutes and a maximum of three-minutes in length.
  • Competitors select their own music.
  • Tasteful, age appropriate Costumes are required.
  • Minimum number of entries is 5 couples.

Young Adult
This division is for Competitors age 14 through 17-years of age.

  • The rules governing this division are the same rules that govern the Showcase Division with the following exceptions:
    • Lifts & aerials that have 1 partner's torso rise above the other partner's shoulders are not allowed.
    • All other partner weight support moves are optional.
  • Age requirements:
    • If partners have competed previously but one partner is older than 17-years of age, that couple may petition the Organizer for an exception to the age restrictions rule. The intent of this rule is to allow youngsters who have formed a partnership and advanced their dancing together to continue to compete together in the Young Adult Division.
    • If one partner has reached the age of 14, and the other partner is under the age of 14, this couple must compete in the Young Adult Division.
  • Routines, choice of music, and costumes must be in good taste and appropriate for this age group.
  • Routines will be a minimum of two-minutes and a maximum of three-minutes in length.
  • Competitors select their own music.
  • Tasteful, age appropriate Costumes are required.
  • Minimum number of entries is 5 couples.

 

Masters:
This division is characterized by social Swing dancing at a performance level.

  • The rules governing the Masters Division are the same rules that govern the Showcase Division with the following exceptions:
    • Both Competitors must be 50-years of age or older on or before Friday, September 12, 2008.
    • "In the air" partner weight support moves, such as Lifts, aerials, and acrobatic moves are allowed (but not required).
  • Choreographed routines are required.
  • Routines must be a minimum of two-minutes and a maximum of three-minutes in length.
  • Competitors select their own music.
  • Costumes are required.

        

Team
This division consists of teams of six or more dancers comprised of any combination of gender, age, and skill-level. They will be judged as a group.

  • This division requires Formation Routines to be based on "Couples Dance(s)."
    • Examples of "Couples Dances" include, but are not limited to, Swing, Shag, Hustle, Salsa, and Waltz.
    • Examples of dances recognized as "Non-Couples Dances" include, but are not limited to, Jazz Dancing, Line Dancing, Hip-Hop, and Break Dancing.  Such “Non-Couples Dances” would be in the Cabaret division (See Cabaret rules below).
  • Lifts, aerials, acrobatic moves, drops, slides, break-aways, switching of partners, and reverse lead/follow are all allowed.
  • Routines must be a minimum of three-minutes and a maximum of four-minutes in length.
  • Formation Teams select their own music.
  • Costumes are required.
  • Minimum number of entries is 4 Formation Teams or as determined by the Organizer

Cabaret:
This Division is open to any style of Dance. The Performance must display a Cabaret element.
•    This division is not an "Anything But Swing" division.
•    Dance performances must be enhanced by a Cabaret element.

  • The Cabaret element is an additional ingredient added to the performance that is not present in the other dance divisions.
  • "Cabaret Element" includes, but is not limited to, a theme, playing a character, additional props, etc…
  • A dance performance, such as Jazz Dancing, Salsa, Hustle, Hip-Hop, Foxtrot, etc…, without a Cabaret element, is not appropriate for this division.

•    This is not a Swing Division. However, including a slight amount of swing content is permitted. A maximum Swing content will be estimated at 10% of the overall dance time. If in doubt, leave it out.
•    Lifts, aerials, acrobatic moves, drops, slides, break-aways, switching of partners, and reverse lead/follow are all allowed.
•    Theater Arts Routines are appropriate for the Cabaret Division.
•    Competitors who are 14 years of age or under must perform with an Adult (18 years or older) throughout the performance.
•    An entry may consist of a solo performer or multiple performers.
•    Routines must be a minimum of 2-minutes and a maximum of 4-minutes in length.
•    Choreographed Entrances and Exits do count towards the length of the routine. Exceeding the 4-minute maximum will result in a reduction in placement.
•    Competitors select their own music.
•    Costumes are required.
•    Minimum number of entries is 5 entries.
        

THE FOLLOWING DIVISIONS ARE SEPARATED BY LINDY AND WEST COAST SWING AS WELL AS BY DIVISION: STRICTLY SWINGS AND JACK & JILLS

General:

Strictly Swing

  • For Mixed Level Strictly Swing Divisions Only: You may not dance with a partner at your same competition level. Intermediate and Advanced dancers and above must dance with Novice or Amateur partners.  See below for descriptions of the levels.
  • For Masters Strictly Swing Division Only:  Both Competitors must be 50-years of age or older on or before Friday, September 12, 2008
  • Recognizable Swing content must be present throughout the performance.
  • This is a "lead/follow" dance.
  • "In the air" and "on the ground" partner weight support moves are allowed (but not required) to the degree that they would be considered safe and appropriate on a social dance floor.
  • Side-by-side patterns, and breaks in contact are allowed.
  • Music will be randomly selected by the Organizer and will not be previewed in advance by the Competitors.
  • Costumes are not allowed, but dramatic, tasteful swing dance clothing is encouraged.
  • Minimum number of entries is 5 couples.

        
Jack & Jill
Dancers to rotate to partners randomly drawn - partners will rotate three (or more if the judges require it), song length about 1 minute. Aerials not permitted but minor drops, lifts, slides etc OK.  Finals will be spotlight format.
Execptions to level requirements - Balboa, Salsa – these is open to all levels of competitors

Lindy Levels:

Novice:
Those who do not regularly teach dance and have not placed 1st in any major three day swing dance weekend contest where the contest is the main focus (ie, US Open, American Lindy Hop Championships, Virginia State Open, Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown, National Jitterbug Championships, etc). If you have won such an Amateur or Novice Lindy division contest, you must move up to the Intermediate division. 

Intermediate:
Those who have done well in previous Amateur or Novice Lindy divisions or just feel ready to move up.  If you have won an Amateur or Novice Lindy division contest, you must move up to the Intermediate level.  Instructors are not allowed in the Intermediate division

Advanced:
Those who have placed in the top three in any of the above 3 day swing weekends, in any Intermediate, Advanced or Pro Lindy divisions, and/or is a regular dance instructor (who is not teaching during the World Swing Dance Championship/The ConneXXion weekend)

 

West Coast Swing Levels:

Novice:
This division is open to Novice Level Jack & Jill Competitors as recognized by the World Swing Dance Council.  A competitor should stay in Novice until they have earned at least 20 points
in Novice. In addition, a competitor may stay in the Novice division until they have both 20 points and a first place win in Novice

Intermediate:
This division is open Intermediate Level Jack & Jill Competitors as recognized by the World Swing Dance Council.  A competitor should stay in Intermediate until they have earned at least 25 points in Intermediate. In addition, a competitor may stay in the Intermediate division until they have both 25 points and a first place win in Intermediate.

Advanced & All-Star
This division is open to All-Star and Advanced Level Jack & Jill Competitors as recognized by the World Swing Dance Council.