- Swing Fling 2008 Contest Rules
- Judging Guidelines - Scoring
Format
THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS OF PASSES OR COMPETITION FEES.
N.A.S.D.E.
RULES - click here Sanctioned by the National Association of Swing Dance Events (NASDE)
Rules Coordinator Annie Hirsch; Phone: 949-673-8893; E-mail:
WSDCAnnie@aol.com
WSDC - Jack & Jill Swing - Points
will be awarded
General Guidelines: Who Can Compete? Swing fling is open to all dancers who want to have fun with competition.
Special care has been taken to include many different types of dance at all different
skill levels. For this reason Swing Fling offers divisions from novice to professional as
well as Pro-Am divisions and even a junior division for the future of our dance sport.
Multiple Division Entry:If you
dance in Professional Showcase, Classic, or Strictly Swing you can not dance
in one of the other 2 categories just named with the same partner. You
CAN however dance in another category such as Hustle, Hand Dance, Shag,
Lindy with the same partner.
Judges
decisions are final. If there are less than 5 competitors in any division -
that division may be canceled or prizes altered at the event directors
discretion.
DANCE DIVISIONS
Rising Star ("B"), Novice, Intermediate,
Advanced These divisions are comprised of both social dancers that want to
get their feet wet trying competition, and advanced dancers that would like to compete in
the professional divisions but haven’t yet polished up their competition skills
enough to enter that level. The Novice Division is for newer dancers that
want to try some competition. If you have danced over 2 years a lot, we
suggest you enter Intermediate. This is, of course, up to you. At
Swing Fling there are two different types of dance competition. One is
a "strictly dance"
division and the other is a "routine" division. The emphasis for
"strictly dance" is on improvement of basic dance
skills especially lead and follow. In a strictly dance environment "routine"
dancing is not rewarded. There are "strictly dance" divisions in the
Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced divisions.
We also offer a "not quite so pro" division called the Rising Star Classic
"B" & Showcase "B" Divisions, plus Rising Star Shag, Lindy, Hustle, and
Hand Dance. Rising Star Classic "B" and Showcase "B" are Routine divisions
following the guidelines of the professional divisions with an
allowance in Showcase Swing for only a one lift minimum at knee level.
In the "just dance" divisions we only offer Swing, Hustle, and Lindy,
but all Shag and Hand Dancers are encouraged to compete in
"Strictly Swing". Judges will be
instructed accordingly to be open to all swing.
"Strictly Dance" follows "Classic" rules - generally speaking no lifts and tricks
that are considered excessive- just good solid lead and follow dancing.
Some drops, leans, and dips are allowed. The competition will usually run in a heated
format to music that is chosen by the Swing Fling music director. The music will not be
released in advance and will be medium tempo in relation to the dance. Duration will be
approximately 2- 2 1/2 minutes. For a complete description of what is allowed please read the
Classic Division definition.
Pro-Am This consists of several divisions. Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and
Solo. All divisions must
consist of one professional dancing with one amateur. Professional being determined as a
dancer that makes a sizeable portion of their income from performing or teaching dance.
Sizeable is a relative term and over a percentage of 25% is suggested to be a professional
status. Any one can place themselves in the professional level, but you will only be mandatorily moved up to professional level for competition if you reach that 25% level.
Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced are "strictly" in format and are the same definition as
classic division below - no acrobatic moves, or lifts - but drops, slides,
leverages are ok. It is heated format, and music that
we choose. In a "strictly" pro-am only the Amateur is judged - and also judged in his
(lead) or her (follow) categories. Medals are awarded - Gold Honors, Gold, Silver, Bronze - in relation
to how well a student performs. A ranking of these medals will also determine a placement
value in the competition. Although there is only Swing, Hustle, and Lindy, all Shag
and Hand Dancers are encouraged to compete in Swing. Judges will be instructed
accordingly to be open to all dance styles.
Solo pro-am is a solo division. You
can use music of your choice from 2 - 2.5 minutes in length. Solo Pro-Am is
judged as a couple and all couples compete against each other for a ranking
rather than a medal. This category is governed by "Showcase" rules which
means lifts and drops are allowed - but the exception is that they are not
mandatory. This gives an amateur a place to work on whatever style they
would like at the level they can achieve. Teachers are suggested to keep the
amateur at the corresponding level to the student’s ability. We
anticipate having 2 levels and 2 divisions. Male and Female and Nov
and Int/adv. Register early so we can determine the divisions.
Pros can dance with a maximum of 5 students in any one dance level unless there are enough
other competitors to spread out the heats. Event director’s discretion - please
contact us before the event.
Jack & JillThis fun division is for any one at all skill levels. There will be many skill levels
and dances offered. To qualify for this division there must be one male as leader and one
female as follower. Partners are drawn at random either by the contestants or by the
computer. If by chance normal partners are put together - we will not switch partners.
Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced divisions will be offered. All
levels will be determined by the World Swing
Dance Council recommendation list. In general the skill levels are as follows.
Newcomer: Dancing Swing less than 1 year and
new to competition.
Novice:Just like it sounds. Dancing less than 1-2 years and a beginning to intermediate
skill level.
Intermediate: Dancing more than 2 years and intermediate to advanced skill level.
Advanced: Not quite a professional but skilled advanced dancer. Jack & Jill may dance to a variety of tempos. This category is judged on lead and
follow skill level. Preliminaries will be judged individually and you will have more than
one partner. Finals will be judged as a couple.
Professional / Advanced
Showcase Swing
This is an open style swing division. Time and judging starts at first movement of performance with or without music.
Lifts, Drops and breakaways permitted. Performance minimum of 2 minutes and maximum of 3 minutes…50% Swing.
(See definition section for
details)
Classic Swing
This is a solo division in a finals format. You perform to music of your choice from 2 - 3
minutes in length. Lifts , Acrobatic moves, and Aerials are not allowed,
drops, leans, leverages are allowed. (See definition section for details)
There is a minimum requirement of 80% recognizable Swing. Any form of swing
dance is allowed. Contestants may make separate entrances but they must join
together within 32 beats of music. Judging starts at first movement of
performance with or without music. Disconnection is only allowed
in spins and turns and short leadable breakaways.
Strictly Swing
This category is for lead and follow dancing. There are no planned entrances or exits. No
routines, lifts, or aerials. Leadable breakaway patterns are allowed for short duration but should be good
examples of lead and follow. Costumes are not suggested in this division. Any form of
Swing dancing is allowed. There is a minimum requirement of 90% recognizable swing. We
pick the music which will be approximately 90 - 140 beats per minute. This may require a
preliminary round in heats and a final round solo. We may play a slow and fast song or
part thereof.
All Other
Strictly Divisions
Same as strictly swing but with your
style of dance.
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