GPSDC July 4th Competition Rules
PLEASE READ AND ABIDE BY THESE RULES
Phoenix 4th of July Dance Competitions are run by Greater Phoenix Swing Dance Club. Final decisions on any matters pertaining to competitions rests solely with the organizer.
OVERVIEW:
Juniors Jack & Jill (Must be 18 years of age or younger)
Masters Jack & Jill (Must be 50 years of age or older)
Novice Jack & Jill (Less than 15 Novice points necessary)
Intermediate Jack & Jill (More than 15 Novice points necessary)
Advanced Jack & Jill (More than 30 Intermediate points necessary)
*All Stars/Champions Jack & Jill (More than 45 Advanced points necessary)
WSDC Points: Click here to access the WSDC Points Registry Rules page for more details.
General participant contest requirements:
• All participants must know and abide by Phoenix 4th of July’s code of conduct to participate in competitions.
• Must have purchased a full weekend pass and have paid all associated registration fees for each competition.
• Your wristband must be worn at all times. It may only be removed for routines and then replaced after the contest.
• Each contestant must sign the appropriate waiver form prior to competing. No contestant will be allowed to compete without a signed waiver form.
• Any contestant under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian sign any required forms. All dancers under the age of 18 must always have a parent or guardian with them in the ballroom.
• Must register by the official entry deadline(s) outlined in the weekend schedule.
• Meet the other specific requirements as pertaining to each contest.
• Entering a contest indicates consent to unrestricted use of your name and likeness in photos and videos to appear in future promotions.
• Complete scores from all contest rounds will be available after the last day of the competition.
Contest requirements:
• Entries: Each contest much have a minimum of five entries to be a valid contest. Contest with fewer than five entries may be cancelled or may have the prize money reduced at the Organizer’s discretion. Entry fees for cancelled contests will be refunded.
• Judges: There will be a minimum of five judges for all competitions. Additionally, there will be a Chief/Head Judge and Alternate Judges available.
• Scoring System: Contests are scored by computer and relative placement. Contestants will be judged in the preliminaries and/or semi-finals as individual and as a couple in any finals for Jack and Jill competitions. They will be judged as a couple in all rounds for all strictly and routine divisions.
Appropriate Behavior and Dress Code
Dancing is an expressive and exciting sport and we want to encourage space for creative exploration, while maintaining space for safety and comfort for all dancers. To that end, any actions or clothing that judges view as disrespectful or unsafe towards one’s partner, other dancers or the event is prohibited. Competitors should check with the Chief/Head Judge in advance if they have questions regarding acceptable actions/clothing/movements.
Competitor Responsibilities
• Planning Ahead: Competitors should know when they are competing, be aware of registration deadlines, check in on time for competitions, and stay aware of emcee announcements for competitions. They should bring appropriate competition attire. Competitors are responsible for checking for any changes to previously announced schedules which are subject to change.
• Knowing the Rules: All competitors should read these rules carefully prior to competing. They are responsible for adhering to these rules, whether or not they have read them. Questions for these rules should be asked prior to contestants competing and should be addressed to the Chief/Head Judge or the event Organizer.
• Being Prepared to Compete: Competitors should be present in the ballroom at least 15 minutes prior to the start of their competition. Competitors are responsible for their bib numbers and may be subject to a replacement fee if lost. Any cancellation by a competitor or couple after the registration deadline will result in the loss of the entry fee.
• Demonstrating Good Sporting Conduct: Competitors must always demonstrate good sporting conduct, both on and off the competition floor. Competitors must be respectful to their fellow competitors, dancers, event staff, and hotel staff. Competitors may not speak to judges regarding their placements or scores until after the awards have been given. It’s bad sportsmanship to argue with the judges about placements or scores. Competitors must also refrain from behavior that judges deem inappropriate. Failure to adhere to this code of behavior may result in disqualification.
Strictly Swing Contests
Sign up with a partner of your choice. Lead/follow contest. Depending on the number of couples, there may be a preliminary round and/or semi-final round, followed by a final.
• Matching costumes and props are not allowed but coordinating attire is acceptable.
• Strictly Swing partners may not dance together in more than one strictly contest OR in any choreography contest.
• Role switching is not allowed.
• You may enter more than one strictly swing contest by dancing at your WSDC level in your dominant role, and one level ‘down’ in your non dominant role.
• Skill divisions: Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, All Star, Champion: A couple’s strictly swing division is determined by their WSDC Jack and Jill levels. If partner’s qualify for different WSDC levels, they must enter at the higher skill level if dancing their dominant role.
• Champion/All-Stars: To reduce the number of rematches from All-Star and Champion Jack & Jill contests, Champion competitors will be required to partner with a non-champion partner. While All-Star competitors may still partner with other All-Stars, we strongly encourage them to partner with dancers from a lower skill level.
Jack and Jill Contests
Sign up as an individual. Lead/follow contest. Depending on the number of couples, there may be a preliminary round and/or semi-final round, followed by a final.
• You can compete up to two skill divisions in WSDC Jack and Jill competitions
• We follow the WSDC rules. See here for more info and to find out what is the current eligible level for you: https://www.worldsdc.com/wsdc-points-registry-rules/
• If you have an exceptional circumstance to petition, you will need to contact the Chief/Head Judge prior to the event and have it approved before the registration for the division closes. Dancing in the wrong level without approval will incur disqualification. You can submit a petition for one level up or down only.
• We have one age division for Masters competitors. We require you to be 50 years or older.
For information on how relative placement works, please visit: https://www.worldsdc.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Relative-Placement-12-20-20-Rev-5-1-10-1.pdf
General Rules:
1) All competitions will be swing dancing. 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-beats, 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, swingouts, 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.
2) All competitions must have a minimum of 80% of recognizable swing contest (as determined by each individual judge’s discretion).
3) Competitions will be judged with the following criteria: Timing, Technique, Teamwork/Partnership, Content/Choreography, Level of Difficulty, Showmanship/Presentation, Musical Interpretation; at the discretion of each individual judge.
4) All contests at this Event are Jack & Jill or Couples Strictly Swing formats, which highlight social dancing skill and instantaneous choreography and musical interpretation. Lifts, aerial and acrobatic moves are not allowed. Support moves, such as drops, slides and splits are allowed, as deemed to be ‘safe’ on a social dance floor (with each dancer maintaining their own physical contact with the floor. Couple must maintain physical contact except for spins, turns, short break-a-ways and recoveries.
5) All Competitors must hold a full weekend Event Ticket to be eligible to compete, and sign a Waiver form (minors’ Waivers must be signed by a parent or guardian) and pay any required entry fees. Competitors may enter any and all contests/divisions for which they are eligible.
6) Competitors for all contests / divisions must register for the competitions; and must register prior to the established deadlines. Competitors who cancel their entry after the registration is closed for the contest, will forfeit their competition entry fee.
7) Competitors are responsible for reading and understanding the rules. Any questions regarding the rules may be directed to the Chief Judge.
8) Contestants are responsible for monitoring the schedule. While changes to the final published schedule are not anticipated, changes can occur (and will be announced).
9) Contestants will report to the assigned ‘check-in’ area, or are subject to being considered ‘scratched’. Competitors should be prepared for competition and be present in the ballroom a minimum of 15 minutes before the start of any contest. Competitors will be considered ‘scratched’ if they have not entered the competition floor , after their name is called, at the start of that heat or performance. ‘Scratched’ competitors will not be issued a competition entry fee refund.
10) Competitors will be issued competitor bib numbers, to be worn during all competitions (including both partners in Couples contests).
11) Preliminary and Semi-finals heats in all contests, the number of ‘callbacks’ to the next round, the number and length of songs in all rounds shall be at the discretion of the Chief Judge.
12) Preliminary and Semi-final rounds shall be judged and scored with the Callback System. Finals contests shall be judged and scored with the Relative Placement system.
13) All contest results / awards will be announced at the end of the event.
14) All results are final. Any errors in results will be corrected. Competitors may not challenge or appeal contest results. Any judging/scoring/results question may be directed to the Chief Judge.
15) All competitors must demonstrate good sportsmanship and conduct, on and off the floor, towards their partners, other competitors, Event organizers, judging/scoring staff, and Event volunteers and general staff. Unsportsmanlike behavior / poor conduct / harassment / disrespect, etc. may be means for disqualification from competition and possible removal from the Event.
16) All competitors should wear appropriate / modest and age-appropriate attire. Please verify that all dress is ‘dance-able”!
17) Skill level competitions are open to Competitors of all ages.
a. Masters competition Competitors must be 50 years of age as of the start of the Event.
b. Juniors competition Competitors must less than 18 years of age as of the start of the Event.
18) All Competitors who dance in both roles (and are of different skill levels in the roles):
a. May enter one (1) skill level Jack & Jill as a Leader and one (1) skill level Jack & Jill as a Follower (and must maintain that respective role through the contest rounds).
b. Competitors who are of different skill levels in the roles, shall have their highest qualifying skill level be their Primary Role and the other role will be their Secondary role; and the Secondary role may only be one (1) level below their Primary Role (and the Secondary Role skill level eligibility rise to the next higher level when the Primary Role advances to the next higher skill level).
c. Competitors who are of the same skill level in both roles, must choose which role to compete in, in any skill level competitions.
Jack & Jill Contests:
‘Jack & Jill’ contests consist of a Leader and Follower (of the same skill level or age division), randomly paired (and rotating partners in preliminary and semi-final rounds), dancing to music selected by the DJ. Competitors’ skill levels shall be determined by the WSDC Points Registry. Competitors area judged individually in the preliminary and semi-final rounds, and as a couple with the person they are randomly paired with in the finals. The preliminary and semi-final rounds will be heated, and the finals (of WSDC divisions) will be in a spotlight format.
1) Novice Jack & Jill Competitors eligibility:
a. Competitors shall have 0-16 Novice points (and have no Intermediate points).
b. Competitors with 16 to less than 30 Novice points, and no Intermediate points, may remain in the Novice division, if they desire.
2) Intermediate Jack & Jill Competitors eligibility:
a. Competitors shall have earned a minimum of 16 Novice points; and have 0-30 Intermediate points (and no Advanced points).
b. Competitors with 31 to less than 45 Intermediate points, and no Advanced points, may remain in the Intermediate division, if they desire.
3) Advanced Jack & Jill Competitors eligibility:
a. Competitors shall have earned a minimum of 30 Intermediate points, and have 0 to 45 Advanced points.
b. Competitors with 46 to less than 60 Advanced points, and no All-Star points, may remain in the Advanced division if they desire.
4) All-Star Jack & Jill Competitors eligibility:
a. Competitors shall have earned a minimum of 45 Advanced points within the last 36 months
b. Competitors, to remain current in All-Stars, must have earned 3 All-Star points within the last 36 months.
c. Competitors may remain in All-Stars as long as they desire.
5) Champions Jack & Jill Competitors eligibility:
a. Competitors shall have earned a minimum of 150 All-Star points.
b. Competitors may have other dance accomplishments / placements or a minimum of other Champions points, as may be determined by the GPSDC.
6) Masters Jack & Jill Competitors eligibility:
a. Competitors shall be 50 years of age as of the start of the Event.
b. Competitors may enter as either a Leader or a Follower.
7) Juniors Jack & Jill Competitors eligibility:
a. Competitors shall be less than 18 years of age as of the start of the Event.
b. Competitors may enter as either a Leader or a Follower.
8) Competitors who wish to compete in a different skill level that as determined by the WSDC Points Registry may complete a Petition, which will be submitted to the Chief Judge (who will review the petition and make a decision at their sole discretion).
Strictly Swing Contests:
‘Strictly Swing’ contests consist of a Leader and Follower who are partners of their own choosing, dancing to music selected by the DJ. Contestants are judged as a couple and advance through the rounds as a couple. The preliminary and final rounds will be heated (with the exception of Champion/All-star Strictly Swing’s finals, which will be a spotlight format). Pre-choreographed routines are not allowed. Costumers are not allowed; but ‘coordinating’ dress is allowed and encouraged. Competitors’ skill levels shall be determined by the WSDC Points Registry.
1) Skill level Strictly Swing divisions (Novice, Intermediate, Advanced) Competitors eligibility:
a. Competitors skill level shall be determined by the WSDC Points Registry as outlined in the Jack & Jill skill level definitions above).
b. Couples that consist of a Leader and Follower of different skill levels must compete in the higher of the partner’s skill level division.
2) Age level Strictly Swing divisions (Juniors, Masters) Competitors eligibility:
a. All competitors (both partners in the couple) must meet the age qualifications as outlined in the Jack & Jill age level definitions above.
3) Champions/All-Star division Competitors eligibility:
a. A minimum of one of the partners of the couple must meet the All-Star or Champions Jack & Jill skill level definitions as outlined above.
b. Competitors who are competing in the Champions Jack and Jill contest must have a non-Champion partner for the Champions/All-Star Strictly Swing.
Hi-Lo All-American Jack & Jill:
The ‘Hi-Lo All-American Jack & Jill’ contest is open to all Competitors, who may enter the contest as a leader or a follower (but not both), as per their respective WSDC Points Registry skill level. The couples are randomly paired, and maintain their pairing (and are judged as a couple) throughout the rounds of the contest; dancing to music selected by the DJ. The preliminary, semi-final and final rounds will be heated.
1) There are two subcontests: High skill level Leaders (Advanced – Champion) paired with lower skill level Followers (Novice – Intermediate) , and vice versa.
2) The finals of the division consist of the top 5-6 couples from each subcontest’s preliminary and semi-final rounds.
3) Any contestant that dances more than once (due to uneven numbers of competitors) may participate in the finals more than once.
Switchly Jack & Jill:
Contestants who are skilled in both Leader and Follower roles may compete in the ‘Switchly Jack & Jill’. level. Contestants are randomly paired (and rotating partners in preliminary and semi-final rounds), dancing to music selected by the DJ. Competitors area judged individually in the preliminary and semi-final rounds, and as a couple with the person they are randomly paired with in the finals. The preliminary, semi-final and final rounds will be heated. Pre-choreographed routines are not allowed.
1) Couples are required to ‘switch roles’ and dance as both a leader and a follower multiple times throughout their dances.
2) Contestants are not judged as a Leader or a Follower, but advance to the next round as an overall Dancer skilled in both roles.
Generational Strictly Swing:
The ‘Generational Strictly Swing’ contest consists of a Leader and Follower who are partners of their own choosing, of different ages, dancing to music selected by the DJ. Contestants are judged as a couple and advance through the rounds as a couple. The preliminary, semi-final and final rounds will be heated. Pre-choreographed routines are not allowed.
1) The partners of the couple must have 20 years minimum difference in their ages (as of the start of the event).
2) The partners of the couple may be of any skill level.
WSDC RULES
For official WSDC rules, tiers, etc, visit their website at www.worldsdc.com