Hustle Solo
Hustle will have Showcase rules. There is no requirement for lifts and tricks , however, they are allowed. You will perform 2 - 3 minutes in a solo fashion to music of your choice. There is a minimum requirement of 60% recognizable Hustle.

Shag Strictly
This division represents the essence of smooth style swing with an emphasis on footwork. You will perform in heats to music of our choice from 2 - 3 minutes in duration. Shag can be considered a form of swing yet has it’s own individualistic style. It is suggested that your focus be shag not west coast swing although an occasional swing move will be allowed.

Hand Dance Solo
Hand Dance is a derivative of the jitterbug . It features almost constant hand holding and execution of simple to complex turns and moves, while maintaining a basic step. It was the premier style of dancing in the Washington D.C. , Baltimore and the surrounding area in the fifties and Sixties, resurfaced in the late Eighties.  Judges will be instructed to allow for variations but general appearance of Hand Dance is suggested. Dips and Drops are allowed, lifts and aerials are not allowed. You will be dancing solo to music of your choice from 2-3 minutes.

Lindy Solo
 Just as at the Savoy Ballroom competitions anything goes. All forms of lifts, drops and air steps are allowed, but note that timing, teamwork, footwork and lead/follow steps as done by the dancers from the Swing Era are the benchmark. 

Cabaret
Any thing goes. This division is for any form of dance except swing (about 10% swing is allowed) . Can be a single, couple, or team. Time duration minimum 2 minutes, maximum 4 minutes performed solo.

Rising Star Solo

Showcase "B" Swing - rising star
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…60% Swing.  (See definition section for details)

Classic "B" Swing - rising star
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. 

 Junior Division Solo
This is for couples of one male and one female over the age of 6 and no older than 18 as of the first day of the contest. It will be broken down into 2 divisions if there are enough competitors. These divisions are called Youth ( ages 6 - 12) and Teen (ages 13-18). Youth Definition - where the average age of the contestants is less than 13 years of age and the older partner may not be more than 15 years of age. Teen Definition - where the average age of the contestants is at least 13 years of age and the older partner may not be more than 18 years of age. There must be a minimum of 3 couples in each age group or there will be just one Junior category. This division runs solo to music of your choice from 2 - 3 minutes. Generally Showcase rules with the exception that no lifts may go above the shoulder level. Shoulder sits and shoulder level lifts are acceptable.

Minimum number of members is 6. Time limit from 2 - 5 minutes. Any form of Swing is possible and Show case rules generally apply. Teams will be judged on entrance, exit, timing, teamwork, formations, music interpretation, and variety as well as execution. Have fun! For a Team entry form please call 301-468-5544 or go to the Team Form and print it out.

Lift: A lift is described as any move where both feet of one partner are off the floor and weight is supported by the other partner.

Drop: A drop is described as any move where the entire head and torso of one partner is entirely below the waist level of the other partner and weight is supported by the other partner.

Aerial: an aerial is a move where one dancer is lifted with the assistance of his or her partner and the entire body is in a position higher than the waist of the remaining partner.

Acrobatic: an acrobatic movement shall be described as any move where one person independently passes his/her foot, leg, or body over and across the plane of either partner’s head or independently brings both feet off the floor and one foot is above either partner’s shoulder level or both feet are above either partner’s waist level.

Allowed movements: Splits may be performed in Classic or Strictly by one partner if they independently initiate the move and help themselves out of the move.

For a minor violation, a penalty drop of one placement will occur. Blatant violations will be cause for disqualification. If a violation occurs by accident and not purposefully attempted for the couples gain, the judges are instructed to treat this as a mistake rather than a mandatory penalty. If you have any questions regarding a move - it needs to be brought up at the competitor’s meeting. All decisions of the judges are final.