Rules + Guidelines

  • No pre-choreographed routines

  • Open syllabus used throughout

  • Partners are assigned randomly — no requests or changes

  • Good sportsmanship is expected at all times

  • Judges’ decisions are final 

  • Leader numbers placed on upper back + Followers numbers placed on lower back

Costumes

Costumes are prohibited at all levels. These are defined as or include the following:

  • rhinestones, sequins, and/or feathers

  • floats

  • tailsuit or suit jacket

  • Slitted shirts

Eligibility

  • Open to all levels and ages

  • Dancers may compete in one role only (Lead or Follow)

Grading Rounds

Dancers will be evaluated individually and placed into the division that best reflects their current skill level.

To ensure fair and balanced divisions, all competitors will participate in a placement (grading) round at the start of the event.

  • All competitors dance in an initial grading round

  • Judges evaluate individuals using standard Jack + Jill criteria

  • Final divisions will be announced before the main competition begins

How It Works

Why We Use Placement Rounds

  • Promotes fair and competitive divisions

  • Helps place dancers at the appropriate level

  • Creates a more fun and supportive experience for all participants

Note: Placement is not a test — it’s a way to help you have the best possible competition experience.

Smooth‍ ‍- Foxtrot

Standard - Waltz

Rhythm - Swing

Latin - Rumba

Grading Round Dances

Competition Format

  • All competitors begin in a placement round, which is one dance in each style.

  • During this round, dancers will rotate and dance with multiple partners while judges evaluate individual skills including lead/follow ability, musicality, connection, and adaptability.

  • Based on the grading round, dancers will be placed into the best level for their current dancing.

Grading Round

  • Once levels are set, competitors continue through the event dancing with a variety of randomly assigned partners.

  • Partners will change throughout the rounds, and they will dance all four dances within that style.

Preliminary Round

  • Judges score each dancer individually — not as a couple.

  • Dancers with the strongest overall performance advance to the next round.

Callback

  • Finalists continue dancing with multiple partners through the final round.

  • Final placements are based on each individual dancer’s performance. 

Final Round

Judging Criteria

  • Lead/Follow Technique

  • Timing + Musicality

  • Partnership + Connection

  • Floorcraft + Awareness

  • Presentation

  • Performance Quality

Judges will evaluate competitors on: