It is the competitors’ responsibility to read and understand the competition rules.
All competitors need to read and understand the information section relating to the category/categories they are entering.
Unless clearly stated both dancers are judged as a couple.
Any competitor who is not in the marshalling area and ready to enter the floor when called will not be able to compete.
Competitors who final are asked to remain in competition outfits for the prizegiving presentation.
General Rules & Information
Teachers
Teachers, ex teachers and trainee teachers can only compete in Advanced A, Advanced Open, Advanced Dance with a Stranger (DWAS) and Pro-Am in the freestyle events.
Teachers can compete in any of the Performance Events.
Moving Up
If you (being as an individual or a couple) have placed (1st, 2nd or 3rd) in any regional Ceroc competition here or abroad, you may stay in that level for up to 12 months from winning that place, unless otherwise specified.
If you win a National title then you must elevate to the next grade for your next competition regardless of the time spent in that grade.
Ceroc Style
Competitors must do Ceroc Modern Jive dancing only or moves that look like Ceroc moves according to these guidelines:
- 90% of any freestyle competition dancing must be partner dancing in the “Ceroc Style”.
- 70% of Showcase and Teams Triples competition must be partner dancing in the “Ceroc Style”.
Ceroc is defined as a Modern Jive dance style characterised by a relaxed hold, with unpatterned L-R footwork and movement around each other and past each other.
As Ceroc is a very relaxed style of dance, definitions of what is “Ceroc Style” are always going to involve personal opinions.
The dance must be recognisable as Ceroc Modern Jive (eg. Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing, Swing, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Ballroom Jive, Salsa, Hip-Hop etc are not Modern Jives).
The main content of all categories should be dance floor moves in partner contact.
Baby Aerial
A Baby Aerial is any lift where one of the lady or mans’s feet remains below the lady or man’s waist (belt line) at all times.
Aerial
An Aerial is any lift where both of the lady or man’s feet are above the lady or man’s waist (belt line).
Aerials and lifts, where appropriate, will only receive credit if they are performed cleanly and are seamlessly worked into freestyle or your routine, including entries and exits.
“Acrobatic throws” are aerials that do not maintain physical contact throughout the manoeuvre and are only permitted for Advanced and Champions dancers in the Advanced Open, Showcase and Teams sections.
Non-Contact Dancing
Non-contact dancing is any dancing where there is no contact between dancers. It is also called breakaway dancing.
Non-contact dancing that lasts for less than or equal to 4 beats will not be counted in the Non-Ceroc total danced as long as it is followed by at least 16 beats of normal Ceroc partner dancing and footwork/style.
Non-contact dancing that lasts longer than 4 beats is allowed as long as all the following occur:
- It does not last longer than 16 beats, and
- It is followed by at least 16 beats of partner dancing in the Ceroc Style, and
- The total time spent in non-contact dancing / Non-Ceroc Style is not more than 10% (freestyle) or 30% (other events) of the total dance time.
Judges’ Decisions
Judges’ decisions on the day are final and no correspondence will be entered into.
Judges are required to maintain confidentiality regarding results so please do not approach them with queries about the results.
Judges are not permitted to be involved in the choreography of competitor routines for events they will be judging. However this does not preclude judges from assisting in technique or move improvement before the day of the competition.
Showcases & Teams
The organiser reserves the right to prejudge entries.
There will be one performance per heat in all of these events.
The routine must consist of at least 70% Ceroc Style content (please read the General Information section for a definition of Ceroc Style)
Opening Sequence Information
You are allowed a MAXIMUM of 30 seconds for the opening sequence to set the scene. The stopwatch will start as soon as any of the following events occur:
- Any Audio starts, whether it be music, narration or sound effects including vocalised or physical (stomping/ clapping etc).
- The start of any choreography other than a simple, direct walk to a starting position.
Once the opening sequence is complete dancers must dance Ceroc for at least 16 musical beats before any further non-contact dancing is allowed (see the General Information section for a definition of Ceroc Style).
Clarification Of Category
A dancer’s part in any Showcase or Team performance must be consistent with the level they would qualify for in any other event/s.
Should a “Beginner” competitor perform Intermediate or Advanced moves in a Team routine the whole performance will be penalised.
Should an “Intermediate” competitor perform Advanced moves in a Showcase, Team or Doubles routine the whole performance will be penalised.
Aerials are permitted for Advanced competitors only.
It is the responsibility of the Choreographer to ensure that all moves performed are at the correct level for which dancers would qualify to compete.
Disqualifications and Penalties
Any disqualifications are final and will not be discussed.
Competitors will not be informed of disqualifications on the night.
Any competitor leaving their allocated area for the competition and interfering with another couple will be disqualified.
Dancers will be penalised for using aerials where they have been expressly not allowed and this could result in disqualification.
Excessive amounts of choreography in freestyle events will be penalised.
Any dancer proven to be competing at a level below what they should be (see category information for competition level definition) will be penalised.
Repechage System
Competitors in freestyle events which have large entry numbers will dance a repechage. This means that all dancers in these events will dance at least twice.
Those not selected from the first round will re-dance in the repechage round for the final positions to advance to round two.
The organisers reserve the right to use less than 2 minutes of music if necessary.
Use of Cameras
Personal recording at these champs is allowed and still photography is permitted. All photographs and videos must be for your personal use only.
Videoing any demonstrations is strictly prohibited.
Shoes and floor damage
The Management of The Trusts Arena requires all women dancers and competitors’ shoes to be fitted with plastic heel caps/protectors. Competitors are warned that footwear will be checked by the Marshalls prior to the dancing to ensure that heel protectors are worn at all times. Regrettably, competitors without plastic heel protectors will not be permitted to take the floor. Plastic heel protectors will be available for sale at the venue.
Health and Safety
All persons attending this event whether spectators, competitors, officials or guests of the organisers shall be bound by the rules of the event and by attending, automatically become obliged to abide by them.
The organisers reserve the right of admission and may ask persons displaying unacceptable behaviour to leave the premises. Refunds will not be given. The organisers do NOT accept responsibility for the loss, damage or theft of articles left in any area of the Trust Arena staduim. Neither can they be held liable for injury sustained by persons attending this event. Everyone attending does so at his or her own risk.
Smoking & Alcohol are strictly prohibited by law within The Trusts Arena stadium & grounds. Interfering with fire exit doors is an offense. All persons, including smokers must exit and re enter via the main foyer doors.
Bags and items of clothing must not be left anywhere in the aisles or passage ways in the Stadium.