2010/2011 SSDC Competition Rules
Note: Points earned in SSDC contests do not count towards WSDC (World Swing Dance Council) points. Although SSDC’s points system is comparable to the WSDC points system there are some important differences. The most significant difference is that WSDC’s system tracks points of competitors worldwide. Only points earned at 2 or 3 day local, regional or national events whose advertising contains the WSDC logo will accrue under the WSDC system. The SSDC points system tracks points earned only in SSDC contests. Your SSDC competition level does not determine the level in which you will compete at a weekend WSDC sanctioned event, or vice-versa. For further clarification, please contact SSDC Chief Judge: Lynn Gross at swingstreet@comcast.net or 206-313-5678.
General Contest Rules
1. The contest year runs from April 2010 through March 2011. See Attachment “B” – Schedule of Contests.
2. Membership in SSDC or any other swing club is not required to enter and compete in monthly club contests prior
to the year end finals (see Jack & Jill Year End Finals on page 2.)
3. Entry fees are: $6 Members – $8 Non-Members. Contestants must present their membership card at the time of
registration to receive the member rate. Members of other WCS dance clubs will receive the member rate.
4. Competitors must sign up to dance in all contests by 6:30 p.m. Contests will begin at approximately 7:00 p.m. When two contests are scheduled for one evening, the second contest will begin at approximately 7:30 p.m.
5. At the discretion of the Chief Judge, a [mandatory] competitor’s meeting may be held at approximately 6:45 p.m.
6. Competitors must dance 90% West Coast Swing in all contests except the Night Club Two Step Jack & Jill’s.
See Attachment “A” – Definitions.
7. Competitors will be judged with a focus on the 3 T’s: Timing, Technique & Teamwork. See Attachment “A”.
8. Competitors must dance lead and follow movements; choreographed routines are not allowed.
9. Separation is permitted on spins, turns and recognized breakaways.
10. Lifts, aerials, and acrobatics are not permitted. See Attachment “A”.
11. Drops (with specific parameters) are allowed only in Advanced. See Attachment “A”.
12. Prohibited movements may result in a lowered placement with an equivalent reduction of points.
13. Conduct exhibiting poor sportsmanship may result in a lowered placement, equivalent reduction of points, and a warning from the Competitions Committee. After a warning, any further such conduct will result in being suspended from participation in club contests for a period to be determined by the Judging Committee.
14. Contest music will be selected by the method explained in these Rules.
Criteria for Participation in Jack & Jill Points Contests
1. If not already qualified under the Club’s point system, contestants must pre-qualify with the Chief Judge prior to entering a contest.
2. Contestants must be proficient in dancing the following basic patterns: 4 Count Starter Step, Left Side Pass, Underarm Turn, Underarm w/ Hand Change, Right Side Pass, Push Break/Sugar Push, Turning Basic, Closed Tuck, Two Hand Tuck, Release Whip/Basic Whip, Closed Whip, Lock Whip/Basket Whip, Whip w/ Inside Roll, Whip w/ Outside Roll.
3. A dancer who has never competed will usually begin in the Novice Division. However, a dancer may be placed into the Intermediate or Advanced Division at the discretion of the Chief Judge.
4. Dancers who teach any style of partner dancing in group or private dance lessons, whether compensated or not, must check in with the Chief Judge, and alert him/her to the fact that they are teaching. The Chief Judge will then place him/her in the appropriate contest level.
5. Contestants may petition to move up by submitting a written request stating their reason(s) to the Chief Judge, who will then present the petition to the judging committee for a vote. A simple majority of the judges will determine if the petition is granted.
6. Any unusual circumstances will be handled at the discretion of the Chief Judge.
Sign-up Procedures
1. The entry deadline for all contests is 6:30 p.m. on the day of the contest.
2. If unable to make the deadline, a contestant may sign-up by alerting either a Contest Coordinator or Chief Judge prior to the 6:30 deadline. If voicemail, e-mail or text message is used to pre-enter, contestants should not rely on being entered until they have received a reply to their request. Contestants must be present in time to attend the mandatory competitor’s meeting (6:45 pm, if held) or request to be excused by the Chief Judge.
3. Any unusual circumstances will be handled at the discretion of the Chief Judge.
4. The attached schedule of contests is subject to change. Please refer to the club website or newsletter for current contest dates and times, or contact one of the following: Contest Coordinators: Kevin Wright (206) 713-4934, nuomnicron@hotmail.com or Bonnie Bradley, (360) 510-1313, twocatlap@hotmail.com; Chief Judge, Lynn Gross (206) 313-5678, swingstreet@comcast.net.
Music
The contest music will be chosen by the DJ with the following conditions. The Chief Judge or the Judging Committee may help in the selection of the music, or give guidelines regarding tempo and style selections. The contest music must be deemed acceptable by the Chief Judge as being appropriate for West Coast Swing and the level of the contest. Following the contest, the DJ will supply the Chief Judge with a list of the songs he/she played in the contest. The list should include each song title, artist name and beats per minute, and should be given to the Chief Judge by the end of the dance during which the contest is held.
Contest Formats
Each Novice & Intermediate qualifying contest throughout the year will be run as a final with no preliminary round. More than one heat may be required due to an unbalanced number of leads and follows. Partners will dance to a minimum of 2 songs. The Intermediate Year End Final will be by spotlight (one couple on the floor at a time). All Advanced qualifying contests and the Year End Final will be by spotlight.
Judges
1. Judges will be selected by the Chief Judge.
2. Judges will report to the Chief Judge 15 minutes prior to the contest start time.
3. Judges who are also competitors may only judge contests other than their own division.
Jack & Jill Year End Finals
1. Finals will be held in March of each year.
2. Points will be accumulated in the Novice, Intermediate & Advanced Jack & Jills during the contest year.
3. The top male and female point scorers in the Novice, Intermediate and Advanced Divisions will be selected for the Year End Finals. Only points earned in 2010-2011 contests will be used to determine finalists; however, points accumulated from year to year will count towards moving to the next division. In order to qualify for year end finals, contestants must have entered and danced in a minimum of two Jack & Jill points contests during the 2010-2011 contest year. In order to dance in the year-end finals, a contestant must be a member in good standing of SSDC.
4. In group heats, couples will dance to between 2 and 4 songs. At the end of a competition in which couples dance
Spotlight or in small heats, all couples may be asked to dance as a group for approximately 2 additional minutes.
5. All other rules of the Jack & Jill club contests will apply.
6. Any unusual circumstances will be handled at the discretion of the Chief Judge.
Points
1. A minimum of 3 leaders and 3 followers are required to hold a contest.
2. Points are awarded in each Novice, Intermediate, & Advanced contest, including year end finals (see Tier
designations below.)
3. A competitor who places twice in a contest will receive points for his/her highest placement only.
4. Points will accumulate from year to year within the Novice, Intermediate & Advanced divisions as follows:
Tier 1 (3 or 4 couples) Tier 2 (5 or more couples)
1st Place 5 points 1st Place 7 points
2nd Place 3 points 2nd Place 5 points
3rd Place 2 points 3rd Place 3 points
4th Place 1 point 4th Place 2 points
5th Place 1 point
Contest Divisions
1. Novice Jack & Jill (See also “Criteria for Participation in Jack & Jill Points Contest)
a. A competitor must accumulate 21 points in the Novice Division before progressing to the Intermediate Division, and place either 1st, 2nd or 3rd during the most recent two years in the Novice Division.
b. A Novice competitor reaching 21 points during the contest year has the option of progressing to the Intermediate Division or staying in the Novice Division for the remainder of the year.
c. A Novice competitor who has accumulated enough points at the conclusion of a contest year to progress to the next division may petition the Chief Judge for permission to remain in the Novice Division for another year. If the petition is granted, during the new contest year the competitor may move to the Intermediate
Division at any time he/she chooses. Once the contestant has competed in the Intermediate Division,
he/she may not return to the Novice Division.
d. A Novice competitor who progresses to the Intermediate Division after the contest year begins, starts at zero points in the Intermediate Division and is ineligible to compete in the Novice Year End Finals.
2. Intermediate Jack & Jill (See also “Criteria for Participation in Jack & Jill Points Contest)
a. An Intermediate Competitor is one who has accumulated 21 points while in the Novice Division and placed either 1st, 2nd or 3rd during the most recent two years in the Novice Division, or who has been approved for the Intermediate Division by a simple majority vote of the Contest Committee Judges.
b. An Intermediate competitor reaching 28 points during the contest year has the option of progressing to the Advanced Division or staying in the Intermediate Division for the remainder of the year
c. An Intermediate Competitor who has accumulated enough points at the conclusion of a contest year to progress to the next division may petition the Chief Judge for permission to remain in the Intermediate Division for another year. If the petition is granted, during the new contest year the competitor may move
to the Advanced Division at any time he/she chooses. Once the contestant has competed in the Advanced Division, he/she may not return to the Intermediate Division.
d. An Intermediate Competitor who progresses to the Advanced Division after the contest year has begun, begins at zero points in the Advanced Division and is ineligible to compete in the Intermediate Year End Finals.
3. Advanced Jack & Jill: An Advanced competitor is one who has accumulated 28 points while in the
Intermediate Division and has placed either 1st, 2nd or 3rd during the most recent two years in the Intermediate
Division, or who has been approved for the Advanced Division by a simple majority vote of the Judging
Committee.
- Masters Jack & Jill: A Masters competitor is any competitor age 50 or above. All levels may enter. General Contest Rules apply. No points are earned in this division.
- Open Role Jack & Jill: This division is open to all levels of competitors. Contestants, regardless of gender, may choose whether they lead or follow. No points are earned in this division.
- Open Jackpot Jack & Jill: All levels may enter. Contestants, regardless of gender, may choose whether they lead or follow. All entry fees for this contest will be split equally by the first place winners. No points are earned in this division.
- Strictly Swing: Contestants sign up as a couple to compete in this division. All levels may enter. Contestants, regardless of gender, may choose whether they lead or follow. No choreography is allowed. No points are earned in this division.
- Open Night Club Two Step Jack & Jill: All levels may enter. Contestants will dance Night Club Two Step. Instructors are not permitted to enter this division. Couples are strongly encouraged to dance the original form of Night Club Two Step, i.e., using triple rhythm as the base, with check steps occurring on the downbeats of the music (as opposed to the form which usually uses the verbal call “slow, quick, quick” which places the check steps on the upbeat of the music.) In addition to being judged on the 3 T’s, couples will be judged on their use of courteous, considerate and safe floor craft, and their consistent use of one of the two forms of Night Club Two Step.
Attachment “A” – Definitions
A. West Coast Swing Content
The definition that Judges will use to identify the presence of West Coast Swing content is as follows:
West Coast Swing is an American Rhythm Dance in which patterns are executed within a slot. It is identified primarily by 6-beat and 8-beat patterns that incorporate a wide variety of rhythms, including triples. Six-beat patterns include, but are not limited to, passes, underarm turns, push breaks, and open-to-closed/closed-to-open position moves. Eight-beat patterns include, but are not limited to, whips. In addition, 2-beat and 4-beat extensions and 4-beat rhythm breaks may be incorporated to phrase the dance to the music, to extend a pattern, and/or to accent breaks.
B. Judging Criteria
- Timing. Swing is danced beginning on the downbeat. Timing extends to much finer distinctions than a single beat. It includes the spaces between the beats (the “&a” counts) and whether a competitor is fractionally ahead of or behind the beat and “&a” counts. Timing also extends to footwork such as points, kicks, taps, etc., to body isolations, as well as hand/arm actions.
- Teamwork. Swing is a connected partner dance. The demonstration of this connection and performance of “lead/follow” or “action/reaction” between partners is the goal of teamwork, i.e. a balanced performance with give-and-take between partners. One partner ignoring, “out-dancing,” disrespecting, or jeopardizing the safety of the other partner (or of other competitors) indicates poor teamwork. Compensating and adjusting for one’s partner are components of good teamwork.
- Technique. How well the competitors execute the movements comprising their dance constitutes technique. This includes elements such as control of balance and weight, foot placement, bodylines, and turns and spins.
- Choreography. The selection and order of movements and transitions executed during a dance comprise choreography. Good choreography demonstrates an intimate connection with the music, and the ability to match patterns and syncopations to the phrasing of the music. It must also include identifiable West Coast Swing patterns that provide variety and contrast and meet the required percentage of swing.
- Music Interpretation. Adjusting the flow of the dance to fit the style, tempo, mood, and rhythm variations in the music comprises good musical interpretation. Couples should strive to demonstrate the ability to hear and interpret nuances in the music throughout their dance.
- Presentation. Creating an atmosphere of excitement by inviting interest in a performance is the desired effect of good presentation. Good presentation begins with the selection of appropriate attire. While providing a good show is one aspect of presentation, it cannot substitute for good dancing. Competitors should aim primarily for demonstrating a positive chemistry as a couple. Gratuitous mugging to the audience or the judges may result in a lower score. Good sporting conduct before, during, and after the dance is also an element of good presentation.
C. Lifts, Drops, Aerials & Acrobatics
Lift. A lift is any intentional maneuver lasting longer than a full beat of music where the feet of one dancer are clearly off the floor and the partner supports the weight. This definition shall not include any of the following common syncopations or moves: “flea hops”; “bunny hops”; “heel clicks”; “Flying Lindy” (and its obvious adaptations to other swing styles); “jumps” by competitors over the leg of the partners and leveraged slides. Lifts are prohibited in all SSDC club contests.
Drop. A drop is a move in which the follower’s head and/or shoulders are lowered below the leader’s waist.
Drops are prohibited in SSDC club contests, with the following exception: Drops are permitted only in the Advanced
division, provided: 1) the follower’s head and/or shoulders are not lowered below the leader’s highest knee;
2) follower maintains floor contact with at least one foot; 3) drop stays in place (no dragging partner across floor in a
dropped position); and 4) the drop – including the entrance into and exit from – do not endanger the safety of either
partner. Each partner should stay aware of and respectful of the other’s skill and ability. If a drop is performed in a
way that endangers the safety of either partner, it will be considered a rules violation, and the couple’s placement
maybe dropped “out of the points”.
Aerial. An aerial is a move in which one dancer is lifted with the assistance of his/her partner and the head and torso is in a position higher than the waist of the supporting partner. Aerials are prohibited in all SSDC club contests.
Acrobatic Moves. A dancer independently passes his or her leg or body over and across the plane of either partner’s head, i.e. walkovers, hand springs, cartwheels, deep backbends and full splits. Acrobatic moves are prohibited in SSDC club contests.
Attachment “B” – Schedule of Contests
* = Open Role Allowed
Novice Jack & Jill
April 18, 2010
July 18, 2010 (rescheduled)
August 1, 2010
November 7, 2010
Finals: March 6, 2011
Intermediate Jack & Jill
April 18, 2010
June 6, 2010 (rescheduled)
August 1, 2010
November 7, 2011
Finals: March 6, 2011
Advanced Jack & Jill
May 16, 2010
July 18, 2010
October 3, 2010
January 16, 2011
Finals: March 20, 2011
Open Jackpot Jack & Jill
Picnic Dance – August 15, 2010 *
Open Role Jack & Jill
June 20, 2010 *
Christmas Dance – December 5, 2010 *
Masters Jack & Jill
Christmas Dance – December 5, 2009
Open Strictly Swing
June 20, 2010 *
January 16, 2011 *
Open Night Club Two Step Jack & Jill
May 16, 2010
October 3, 2010
Seattle Swing Dance Club Competitions
Join the fun! Each year SSDC holds many competitions for all levels of dancers including the J&J Competition Series as well as Night Club 2-Step, Strictly Swings, and Open Role contests.
2011 / 2012 Jack & Jill Competition Series
The Jack & Jill competition series for Newcomer/Novice and Intermediate/Advanced level dancers starts in April each year and concludes in March the (just before Easter Swing) the following year.
Newcomer/Novice Jack and Jill: If you have never competed before the Newcomer/Novice Jack and Jill is a great opportunity to try something new!
Intermediate/Advanced Jack and Jill: This competition can be a great way to increase your level of dance and prepare to compete at conventions for WSDC points like Seattle’s Easter Swing. Contestants in this division will dance in mini-heats of 2 to 4 couples on the floor at one time. Drops are allowed and add to the excitement! (Drops are optional and only allowed with safe parameters as listed in the rules.)
Both levels will have four competitions during the year. The top point-earners will be invited to the year end finals in March 2012 to compete for cash and prizes.
Here’s what competitor’s are saying:
“When you know you’ve got to do your best, your best comes forward. I love the way a competition helps me push myself to see what I’m capable of. Regardless if I win or lose, I’m addicted to the way it makes me feel when I come off the competition floor knowing that I did my best.” ~ Competition Junkie, Christine Traicoff
“I compete at the SSDC competitions because it’s fun and most importantly it’s in a relaxed atmosphere where you’re surrounded by your closest friends cheering you on!” ~ Honey VanEecke“
I enjoy the challenge of a Jack and Jill competition and the rewarding feeling of accomplishment it brings.”~ Roberto Villamarin, a proud member of the SSDC.
“I was extremely nervous my first time competing and never expected to even place. I didn’t think I was any good. So, imagine my surprise and elation when I took FIRST PLACE in my first novice competition. Now, just over a year later, I am in intermediate at SSDC and competing at national conventions.” ~ Travis Pittman
“A friend told me to go ahead and sign up for the Jack and Jill competition. I couldn’t believe it when I took 5th place. It was very exciting and I’ve been competing ever since. It is a great way to learn and grow in your dancing.” ~Kelly Ham
Qualifying Rounds Contest Dates:
Newcomer/Novice: April 3, June 19, October 2, and December 4
Intermediate/Advanced: April 17, July 17, October 2 and January 15
All FINALS will be held on March 18th, 2012
Other competitions
SSDC also holds other competitions that are not included in the J&J series.
- Open Strictly Swing: Open to all dancers at all levels. Partners choose a partner and sign up together. Plus the choice of who leads and who follows is up to the partnership. Competition dates are: April 3, June 19, November 6 and March 4
- Open Jackpot J&J: Held annually at our summer picnic dance this competition is open to all levels and a cash jackpot is the big prize! Competition date: Aug 21, 2011 at the picnic dance at Oly’s in Everett.
- Open Role J&J: Open to all dancers at all levels. Your choice to lead or follow! Partners are randomly selected. These are among the most entertaining competitions of the season. Competition dates are: August 7 and March 4
- Open Night Club 2-Step J&J: Open to all levels. Competition dates are: May 1, August 7 and December 4.
Entry Fees: For those that have never competed before we offer a first time novice competitor fee $3.00 to encourage you to join in! Competition fees for SSDC club members are $6.00 and non-members are $8.00. Sign up at the competition table by 6:30. Competitions are held at 7:00
Schedules are subject to change to so please double check dates.
No matter what contest you pick please read the rules carefully!! Copies of the rules are also available at the competition registration table.
Thanks to Ken Shintaku for the photography and videography at all our competitions! Check out Ken’s youtube page to see competition videos.
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