Texas Classic Swing Rules

THE TEXAS CLASSIC

COMPETITION RULES (ASDC official rules used with permission)

GENERAL

1. The Texas Classic is open to all eligible contestants in every division.

2. This is a Swing Dance Competition and all recognized swing styles are allowed, including West Coast Swing, Whip, Push, Shag, Lindy Hop, Imperial, Swingout, Jitterbug, Steppers and others. 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-beat 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, swing-outs, 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.

3. All contests at The Texas Classic are gender neutral. However, contestants may only dance in one role per division.

4. Dancers may not dance with the same partner in more than one Swing division with the exception of amateurs dancing in both pro/am strictly and pro/am routine divisions. An individual is not permitted to dance twice within the same division with the exception of the professional in ProAm divisions.

5. There will be no dancers meeting. All competitors must attend the mandatory roll call 15 minutes before their division. No proxies allowed, though one member of a couple or team may check in for routine or team divisions. Dance Order for routine divisions will be determined by last registered/first to dance format or computer randomizer in pro-am routine if needed to not have the pro dance back to back to routines.

6. A minimum number of 5 entries are required to run a division for full prize money to be awarded. If 3-4 entries are registered, the division may run, but the prize money may be adjusted. Two or less the division will be cancelled and entry fees refunded. An opportunity to perform an exhibition may be offered at the discretion of the event directors.

7. Qualification for Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and All-Star Dancers: Qualifications for these levels use WSDC points as their guideline. Any conflicts or requests to petition to dance in a division different than your WSDC level should be directed to the Chief Judge before registering for that contest.

8. Qualification as an AMATEUR Dancer: To qualify as an amateur dancer, you must: 1 - have never competed as a Pro in a pro-am, 2 - have never received any payment for teaching any style of partner dance.

9. Definition of a LIFT: That point when both feet are off the ground, and weight is not self supported.

10. Definition of a DROP: The point at which the head goes below your partner’s waist and weight is not self-supported.

11. Definition of an AERIAL: The point at which one partner is off the ground due to the other partner and not maintaining contact with their partner.

12. All rules will be STRICTLY enforced. The decision of the CHIEF JUDGE will be final.

ENTRIES:

1. There is no maximum limit to entries to any division with the exception of pro-am strictly swing. Deadlines for all divisions are as listed in the schedule. In place of a Dancers Meeting there will be a MANDATORY roll call 15 minutes prior to each contest. ANY COMPETITOR ABSENT FROM ROLL CALL WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO DANCE. Please check schedule. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS. The location of roll-call will be given at check-in. If there are fewer than three (3) entries in any division, The Texas Classic reserves the right to combine or cancel that division. The Texas Classic also reserves the right to have any and all lead/follow categories run in a heat format in lieu of prelims or spotlight format for time restraints.

2. All competitors are required to purchase a weekend ticket and must have verification of purchase. All competitors must attend the mandatory roll call 15 minutes before their division. Waiver Forms Each contestant must sign the appropriate waiver form. No contestant will be permitted to compete without a signed waiver form. All contestants under the age of eighteen (18) must have a parent or guardian sign any required forms. Appropriate Behavior and Dress Code It is the desire of the Organizers to encourage expressive and exciting dance performances without sacrificing quality of dancing and good taste. To encourage this balance, any action the judges believe would make them uncomfortable in a social dance setting (such as wearing inappropriate attire or showing disrespect toward one’s partner, other dancers, or the event) is prohibited. Dress to impress when you compete…jeans, tennis shoes, t-shirts, skimpy clothing, and sloppy clothing are NOT appropriate items to wear. Comedy routines and props are not allowed. Competitors should check with the Chief Judge in advance if they have questions regarding the acceptability of their routine or competition attire. The Texas Classic will not tolerate behavior that infringes on the rights and comfort of other attendees. Any infraction should be reported to one of the event directors.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF COMPETITORS

1. Planning Ahead.

Competitors should check the weekend schedule in advance in order to arrive in time to meet registration deadlines. They should bring appropriate competition attire. They should also plan ahead so as to be on time for all roll calls and competitions. Competitors are responsible for checking at the event for any changes to previously announced schedules, which are always subject to change.

2. Knowing the Rules.

All competitors should read these rules carefully prior to attending the roll call for their competition. Competitors are responsible for adhering to these rules whether they have read them or not. Questions about the rules should be addressed in advance to the Event Directors or the Chief Judge, or at roll call at the event.

3. Being Prepared to Compete.

Competitors should be present at roll call 15 minutes prior to the start of their competition. Competitors are responsible for their bib numbers. Any change in partnership for the couple’s competitions may require an additional entry fee as well as a new entry form and waiver. Any cancellation by a competitor or couple will result in the loss of the entry fee.

4. Demonstrating Good Sportsman-like Conduct.

Competitors must demonstrate good sportsman-like conduct at all times, both on and off the competition floor. Competitors must also refrain from any behavior the judges deem inappropriate. Failure to adhere to this code of behavior may result in disqualification.

SPECIFIC DIVISION RULES

All-American Jack and Jill

All American Jack and Jill is a Jack and Jill contest that is open to ALL LEVELS from Professional to Novice. Contestants will be randomly paired in couples for prelims and will keep that partnership should they advance to the finals.

Novice and Intermediate Strictly Swing

1. Eligibility for Novice and Intermediate Strictly Swing is determined primarily by rule #8 in General Rules. WSDC points are used as a guideline but are not the sole determining factor for contestant eligibility in strictly swing.

2. Dancers may dance 1 level higher than determined by their WSDC points in Strictly Swing, provided that 1 partner of the dance couple has points in the higher division. Dancers may not dance lower than their WSDC points in Strictly Swing.

3. This is a Swing category and dance content must be 100% that style. It is a lead/follow category and no choreographed routines are allowed.

4. No lifts, or aerials and no planned entrances or exits allowed.

5. No apart dancing other than free spins.

6. Couples will dance approximately two (2) minutes to music provided by the event. The music will be selected at random and the couples will be given no prior music information.

7. No costumes allowed. However, matching or complimentary outfits suitable for social dancing are acceptable.

8. Questions about eligibility should be directed to the chief judge at the time of registration.

Advanced/ All Star Strictly Swing

1. Advanced/ All Star level dancers may enter this category (see General Rules).

2. This is a Swing category and dance content must be 100% that style.

3. This is a lead/follow category and no choreographed routines are allowed.

4. No lifts, or aerials and no planned entrances or exits allowed.

5. Couples will dance approximately two (2) minutes to music provided by the event. The music will be selected at random and the couples will be given no prior music information.

6. No costumes allowed. However, matching or complimentary outfits suitable for social dancing are acceptable.

Masters Strictly Swing

1. Both partners must be at least 50 years young at the time of the contest.

2. This is a Swing category and dance content must be 100% that style.

3. This is a lead/follow category and no choreographed routines are allowed.

4. No lifts, or aerials and no planned entrances or exits allowed.

5. Couples will dance approximately two (2) minutes to music provided by the event. The music will be selected at random and the couples will be given no prior music information.

6. No costumes allowed. However, matching or complimentary outfits suitable for social dancing are acceptable.

Pro-Am Strictly Swing—Pro-Am Leader Novice, Pro-Am Follower Novice, Pro-Am Leader Intermediate, Pro-Am Follower Intermediate

1. The Pro may dance with up to five (5) different amateur partners per division. The amateur can either lead or follow but may only dance once in the Pro-Am Strictly Swing Category. For example, a Female Pro may have 3 amateur male leaders and 2 amateur female leaders to complete her 5 for ProAm Leader Novice. Any combination to make the 5 is acceptable.

2. The Am may only dance once in this category except if the amateur is 50 years young at the time of the contest, they can also dance in the Masters Category.

3. Only Novice and Intermediate AMATEURS qualify to dance as the ams in pro am strictly swing. See general rules for eligibility. Masters is a mixed level category (novice and intermediate) separated by Leader/ Follower.

4. Any Am who has previously won any Pro-Am competition at ASDC will not be allowed to dance as an Am again in the same division.

5. This is a Swing category and dance content must be 100% that style.

6. It is a lead/follow category and no choreographed routines are allowed.

7. No lifts, or aerials and no planned entrances or exits allowed.

8. No apart dancing other than free spins.

9. Couples will dance to music provided by ASDC. The music will be selected at random. The couples will be given no prior music information.

10. Costumes are not allowed. However, matching or complimentary outfits suitable for social dancing are acceptable.

Mixed Pro-Am Routine Divisions

1. The Am must be eligible to qualify as a Novice, Intermediate, or Advanced AMATEUR dancer. (See General Rules). An AMATEUR is defined as someone who has never danced as a Pro in a Pro/Am in any style of dance and who has never received payment for teaching any style of dance.

2. Any Am who has previously won any Pro-Am Swing Routine competition at The Texas Classic will not be allowed to dance as an Am again with the same professional partner in the same division.

3. The Pro in this division may dance with unlimited Ams. The pros need to be prepared to dance consecutive routines if there are not enough entries to stagger the professionals.

4. This is a Swing category and dance content must be 70% that style.

5. Costumes are required.

6. Lifts or aerials are allowed but not required.

7. Partnership contact must be established within the first 32 beats of music and maintained for the duration of the routine with the exception of short breakaways (8 beats or less) and free spins.

8. Dance Order will be determined by randomizing the list of competitors to maximize the time between routines danced by the Pros who have multiple Ams.

9. Amateurs may only compete in this category once.

10. Routines must be a minimum of 2-minutes and a maximum of 3-minutes in length.

11. There is no minimum or maximum bpm (music speed) limitation.

12. A one-track thumb drive or an emailed copy of your music must be submitted to the Head DJ a minimum of 3 hours before the competition start time. No other media (iPhone, iPod, etc.) will be accepted.

13. Timing and judging will begin from the first movement of the performance, with or without music or sound. If a choreographed entrance and/or exit are used, it will be included in the judging and timing requirements.

14. A restart will be allowed only if the music system falters or an unforeseen catastrophe occurs. Events such as a broken dress strap, untied shoelace, unhappy with the dancing, etc. does not warrant a restart.

Masters Routine Division

1. Both partners must be at least 50 years young at the time of the contest.

2. This is a Swing category and dance content must be 60% that style.

3. Lifts, drops and aerials are allowed but not required.

4. Routines must be a minimum of 2-minutes and a maximum of 3-minutes in length.

5. Costumes required.

6. Dance Order will be determined by competitor draw 30 minutes before the division is scheduled to begin.

7. A one-track thumb drive or an emailed copy of your music must be submitted to the Head DJ a minimum of 3 hours before the competition start time. No other media (iPhone, iPod, etc.) will be accepted.

8. Timing and judging will begin from the first movement of the performance, with or without music or sound. If a choreographed entrance and/or exit are used, it will be included in the judging and timing requirements.

9. A restart will be allowed only if the music system falters or an unforeseen catastrophe occurs. Events such as a broken dress strap, untied shoelace, unhappy with the dancing, etc. does not warrant a restart.

Rising Star (Routine Division)

1. This competition is open to Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Rising Star competitors. You must have not placed in the top 5 at a national competition in NASDE Showcase, or Classic routine division in the last 5 years. This division is not open to all levels.

2. This is a Swing category and dance content must be 60% that style.

3. Lifts, drops and aerials are allowed but not required.

4. Routines must be a minimum of 2-minutes and a maximum of 3-minutes in length.

5. Costumes required.

6. Dance Order will be determined by last registered/first to dance format.

Jack and Jill Divisions

CHECK YOUR WSDC POINTS FOR CORRECT LEVEL PLACEMENT BEFORE SIGNING UP FOR THE JACK & JILL COMPETITION. POINTS WILL BE DOUBLE CHECKED BY THE REGISTRATION STAFF. PETITIONS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE HEAD JUDGE BEFORE OR AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION. ALL DECISIONS BY THE HEAD JUDGE WILL BE FINAL. All entrants must be at least 15 years of age at the time of the contest.

Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, All Star Jack & Jill:

1. Anyone that qualifies may enter this contest.

2. You must sign up in person. No proxies.

3. You must be present at roll call 15 minutes before your division is scheduled to begin.

Masters Jack & Jill:

1. You must be at least 50 years young at the time of the contest

2. Masters competitors may also dance in a skill level specific Jack & Jill (Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, All Star).

3. You must sign up in person. No proxies.

4. You must be present at roll call 15 minutes before your division is scheduled to begin.

Pro-Am Jack & Jill:

1. Any dancer whose WSDC level is Intermediate or lower may enter this contest.

2. You must sign up in person. No proxies.

3. The event director reserves the right to limit entries; first-come, first-served.

4. You must be present at roll call 15 minutes before your division is scheduled to begin. Swing Slam Tournament