REGISTRATION DEADLINE: MARCH 3, 2017

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1 Hotel Irvine Jamboree Center UC Irvine, Bren Events Center Jamboree Rd. Irvine, CA Mesa Rd. Irvine, CA Miss Dance Drill Team USA The 50th annual Miss Dance Drill Team USA Nationals & International Competition continues the legacy of Dr. Kay Teer Crawford, who founded the first drill team in Edinburg, TX (1929), and created MDDTUSA as the first national and international championship competition for dance teams & drill teams in As the original & most prestigious dance competition in the United States, having resulted in numerous genres of competitive dance styles, MDDTUSA is open to all national & international school teams, dance studios, and independent dance/drill programs catering to dancers age 19 and under. The highlights of the event consist of team competition, national & world championship awards, and the crowning of our national/international solo title winners! Miss Dance Drill Team USA is the original grandmother dance competition of them all... Join us! Hope to see you there! U.S. Nationals & World Championships Prepare to compete against the best teams in the U.S. & the world! Events begin at Hotel Irvine on Thursday, March 23, 2017, with a welcome orientation luncheon for solo title contestants (solo title competition begins that afternoon with adjudicated preliminary interviews, modeling, and some routines). This is followed by a master class workshop with some of the dance industry's most renowned instructors & choreographers! On Friday, March 24th, competition resumes with soloists, duet/trios, officer routines in all Best of USA divisions, some small team divisions & some solo title finalists. This is followed by rehearsal of the pageant finals opening number. Saturday, March 25th consists of team competition, national & world championship awards, trophies, banners, special guests, and the coronation of the 50th Miss Dance Drill Team USA national/international champion solo title winners. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: MARCH 3, 2017 Location Information & Team Travel Packages The bustling, upscale community of Irvine is located in beautiful Orange County, mid-way between Los Angeles & San Diego. Visiting teams enjoy proximity to fine dining, shopping, entertainment, spectacular Southern California beaches, and local attractions such as Disneyland & Knott s Berry Farm. Hotel Irvine Jamboree Center is easily accessible via major highways just minutes from Orange County Airport. Hotel amenities include complimentary airport shuttle to/from Orange County Airport, business center, outdoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, fitness center, dining, concierge, and high-speed wireless internet access. Save time by contacting the hotel directly to book your rooms early to take advantage of the Miss Dance Drill Team USA hotel discount ($139 special rate; normally $199). Make your hotel reservations right away before our room block fills up! Hotel Irvine Jamboree Center - Tel: (866) /(888) For team travel package information including airfare group discounts, please contact Kathy Biava at Universal Odyssey, our official travel agency. Tel: (949) / Office: (949) / Fax: (949) / kathy@uoiweb.com

2 General Information PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION FEES Performer Wristband Fee (REQUIRED - PER DANCER) $ 20 Master Class Workshop (OPTIONAL - PER DANCER) $ 40 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS All participants must be under 19 years of age and active registered students/members of the school, dance studio,or recreation program they represent. Each team Director must complete the official Miss Dance Drill Team USA online registration process on our website. MEDICAL LIABILITY/MEDIA RELEASE FORMS On the day of the event, the team Director must turn in one signed liability release form per competitor or routines will be scratched! (see attachment on last page). ONLINE REGISTRATION We are excited to now offer 100% complete online registration. We are now using DanceComp Genie - the industry standard in dance competition software. To get started please follow these 3 easy steps: #1: Visit our website "REGISTRATION" page #2: Login with your existing account or follow the link to "CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT" #3: Fill out your team profile, select your events, choose your competition divisions, add your team roster: It's that easy! Once you've submitted your profile information, you'll never have to do it again (unless you need to make changes with new dancers, additional entries, wristband orders, etc). Directors must also submit their team photo & solo title photos during online registration so we can feature all performers in our keepsake program book. Any questions or technical issues? Contact: registration@mddtusa.com MOBILE APP Download the "DANCECOMP GENIE EVENTS" app for ios and Android. Once you login, just search for MISS DANCE DRILL TEAM USA. Your dancers and their families can view the performance schedule before the event AND in real-time during the competition! Share photos! Receive important announcements before, during & after the event! They can even participate in our social media contests & win cool prizes (i.e. workshops, apparel, etc). PERFORMANCE LINE-UP & SCHEDULING Contestants will compete in a randomly assigned order at a designated time. Teams may enter as many categories as they wish. Pageant staff reserves the right to make division/size changes. Performance lineup & final instructions will be ed to the team Director by March 13, 2017 (Note: Teams will not be scheduled in the line-up if entry fees are not received by this deadline). All schedule conflicts must be resolved before March 15, 2017: No exceptions! Note: Competition divisions with less than (3) team entries shall be combined with another size division in the same category or shall compete as OPEN. MDDTUSA reserves the right to adjust division sizes. Teams cannot compete against themselves. VIP PREFERRED SEATING (Saturday Only) Teams can upgrade their performers wristband access to include reserved VIP seating at the Saturday competition & awards pageant. Upgrade cost is $15 per seat for performers. VIP seats for parents & spectators can be added for $35/each (on last page of online registration form). VIP seats are located near the front-center audience area: the best seats in the house! VIP seats can be added to your team s registration order up until March 20, Order your VIP seats as soon as possible: Supply is limited! ENTRY DEADLINE: MARCH 3, 2017 COMPETITION ENTRY FEES (with team size limits) Solo Title: Miss Dance Drill Team USA/International $200 Solo Title: Miss Dance Drill Team USA $150 Solo Title: Mr. Dance USA/International $150 Solo Title: Miss Teen Dance Drill Team USA $125 Solo Title: Junior Miss Dance Drill Team USA $100 Solo Title: Little Miss Dance Drill Team USA $100 Solo Title: Mini Miss Dance Drill Team USA $100 Solo: Best of USA $ 90 Solo: Improv (Contemporary) $ 35 Duet/Trio: Best of USA (2-3) $ 90 Mini Open/Officer (4-5) $100 Jazz: Small (6-10) $100 Jazz: Medium (11-17) $125 Jazz: Intermediate (18-23) $135 Jazz: Large (24+) $150 Lyrical: Small (6-10) $100 Lyrical: Medium (11-17) $125 Lyrical: Intermediate (18-23) $135 Lyrical: Large (24+) $150 Military: Small (6-10) $100 Military: Medium (11-17) $125 Military: Large (18+) $150 Female Hip Hop: Small (6-10) $100 Female Hip Hop: Medium (11-17) $125 Female Hip Hop: Large (18+) $150 Male Hip Hop: Small (6-10) $100 Male Hip Hop: Medium (11-17) $125 Male Hip Hop: Large (18+) $150 Co-Ed Hip Hop: Small (6-14) $125 Co-Ed Hip Hop: Large (15+) $150 Co-Ed Dance: Small (6-14) $125 Co-Ed Dance: Large (15+) $150 Contemporary: Small (6-14) *NEW IN 2017* $125 Contemporary: Large (15+) *NEW IN 2017* $150 Dance-Drill: Small (6-14) $125 Dance-Drill: Large (15+) $150 Kick: Small (6-14) $125 Kick: Large (15+) $150 Novelty/Character: Small (6-14) $125 Novelty/Character: Large (15+) $150 Pom/Song: Small (6-14) $125 Pom/Song: Large (15+) $150 Prop: Small (6-14) $125 Prop: Large (15+) $150 Short Flags - Single (3+) $100 Short Flags - Double (3+) $100 Show Production (25+) $150 Stand Battle (6-17) $125 Open (6+) $150 Please make all checks payable to: Miss Dance Drill Team USA School/Booster check or certified funds only - No personal checks or credit cards! Late registration fee after the entry deadline is $35 per division. All entry fees are non-refundable. GENERAL ADMISSION & SEATING PRICES Thursday $ 7 Friday $ 10 Saturday $ 25 Saturday (VIP Seating: General Admission) $ 35 Saturday (VIP Seating: "Competitors-Only" Upgrade) $ 15 2-Day Wristband (Save $5) $ 30 2-Day Wristband w/vip Seating (Save $5) $ 40 3-Day Wristband (Save $7) $ 35 3 Day Wristband w/vip Seating (Save $7) $ 45

3 Rules & Regulations ENTRY DEADLINE: MARCH 3, 2017 JUDGING CRITERIA Routines must demonstrate formation changes & technique of category entered. Performances are judged on routine construction, technical execution & showmanship. A panel of highly-qualified judges scores each performance in the above (3) areas. All decisions of the judges are FINAL. U.S. NATIONALS: CATEGORY GUIDELINES *NEW IN 2017* Jazz: Routine emphasis must be on jazz dance technique. Props permitted but must not be the focal point of the routine. Lyrical: *NEW* Routine must be of a poetic style with soft, flowing choreography that focuses on lyrical interpretation. Music selection must contain audible song lyrics. Much more technical & controlled in nature than any other division. Contemporary: *NEW* Must contain creative and dramatic movements that display emerging contemporary/modern dance styles, musical interpretation, and/or concert dance techniques. Hip Hop: Routine must demonstrate street dance styles: hip hop, funk, freestyle, house, grooves, isolations, popping, locking, breakdancing, etc (may include up to 3 gymnastic feats). Military: Choreography must demonstrate precision movements, sharp angular arm sequences, contagion/level dynamics & a variety of marching styles (kickline sequence is allowed). Traditional military includes leading with the left foot. Kick: Majority of routine must emphasize defined and precise kicks, with focus on technique, height, timing and unison. Pom/Song: Routine must focus on the use of poms, featuring innovative dance and precision movements. Novelty/Character: Routine emphasis must be on characterization or be of a unique, thematic nature. Entrants must use clever costumes and unusual or innovative moves to convey the thematic character-driven choreography. Small sets are allowed. Prop: Routine emphasis must be on the use and manipulation of a prop or variety of props as the major focal point. Co-Ed: Emphasis must be on male/female interaction. Co-Ed Dance routines can draw from any style of dance. Co-Ed Hip Hop routines must follow Hip Hop division requirements. Dance/Drill: Routine must consist of 50% jazz or lyrical choreography and 50% military choreography. Short Flags: Routine must focus on use of short pep flags. Open/Officer: May be of any genre, style, or combination of styles. Show Production: Routine consists of a halftime-type presentation using a variety of dance styles. Must incorporate elaborate sets. Emphasis should be on overall production entertainment value. Stand Battle: Any style of street dance/hip hop. Teams perform (3) times per round. Winners advance to the next round in bracket tournament style. See Stand Battle Information page for rules. Duet/Trio - Best of USA : Limited to U.S. high school age performers in any style: jazz, lyrical, or hip hop (See below for contact improv duet/trio division guidelines) Solo - Best of USA : For soloists who wish to compete within their age/school grade level & preferred style: jazz, lyrical, or hiphop (See below for improv solo division guidelines) Improv Solo Dancers perform a contemporary freestyle to a randomly selected piece of music (90 seconds). The Top (8) improv solos advance to the finals where they must re-perform & interact "on-the-fly" within the group of all other improv finalists. ROUTINE TIME LIMIT REQUIREMENTS Teams have 30 seconds to enter/exit the floor. Timing and judging begins with the first beat of the music and ends with the last beat of the music. Team routines must be 2-3 minutes in duration (Show Production division: 2 minute setup/breakdown & 3-5 minute routine). Solo & duet/trio routines must not be less than 90 seconds and not more than 2 minutes in duration. MUSIC SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS All music must be recorded on a new, high quality CD with only ONE SONG on each CD (Directors should bring a back-up CD/ ipod for emergencies). CD must be labeled & marked as follows: School/Name Division Category Note: When burning music onto a CD, you MUST use blank CD-R discs (NOT CD-RW). Please remember to close the disc. COSTUMES & FOOTWEAR Performance costumes must enhance the theme and/or style of the routine. Costumes must be in good taste, appropriate for a family audience, and approved by the team s Director. With regard to footwear, our preference is performers wear any style of soft/rubber sole shoes; but half-soles/bare feet are permitted. GUIDELINES FOR USE OF PROPS AND/OR SETS Props and sets may be used in a routine. All props/sets must be rubber-tipped to prevent floor damage. If protective tips are not used, the routine will be disqualified. Any damage to facilities or performance floor caused by use of props and/or sets will result in disqualification. Damages will be charged to the team s school. PENALTIES & DISQUALIFICATION RULE INFRACTION PENALTY Routine entered in wrong dance style - 5pts. *** Not performing at scheduled time Performing with more/less dancers than allowed Non-compliance with music submission rules (CD only! No cell phones unless used as backup) Music with bad sound quality Entrance/Exit Music (Using music other than actual routine music & not within time limit) Under/Over routine time limit (up to 30 secs.) Under/Over routine time limit (beyond 30 secs.) Same routine/choreography competing in multiple categories at same event Use of pyramids/tricks more than (2) full bodylengths in vertical height Videorecording with cameras or cell phones Inappropriate Content (i.e. profane music lyrics, suggestive choreography, risqué costuming). Coaches/Non-team members caught competing Bad sportsmanship by performer, team, or coach - 5pts. - 2pts./each - 2pts. - 2pts. - 2pts. - 2pts.

4 Additional Information CUSTOMIZED U.S. NATIONALS TEAM T-SHIRTS Pre-order this year's commemorative U.S. Nationals & Pageant T-shirt during online registration, and your team/studio name will be custom printed on the back! Shirts are available in short-sleeve ($25) or long-sleeve ($30) designs during this special pre-order promotion. Order before the registration deadline for custom printing (shirts available for pick-up during team check-in). COACHES/DIRECTORS PERFORMANCE *NEW IN 2017* As part of our 50th golden anniversary pageant program on the evening of Saturday, March 25, 2017, we invite all coaches & directors from competing teams to learn choreography and perform in a routine together! Choreography and instructions will be ed to registered team directors with a YouTube video on or before March 6, This gives all directors, coaches, and assistant coaches plenty of time to learn choreography in advance of U.S. Nationals. There will be a rehearsal on Friday during MDDTUSA weekend to prepare formations and block transitions. This performance is optional, but all directors and coaches are encouraged to perform. The kids are going to love it... More details coming soon! VIDEO RECORDING POLICY For members of the audience, still-shot photography is allowed. But video recording of any kind is forbidden from the contest area (even if filming your own team or soloist). This strictlyenforced policy is intended to protect the choreographic originality and integrity of each routine. Please advise team members, spectators, and family members regarding this rule. Your team or soloist may lose points or be disqualified if caught filming (even with cell phone cameras). This year, volunteer MDDTUSA staff ushers will politely enforce this policy throughout the event. See below information if interested in purchasing HD video packages from our official videographer. HIGH-DEFINITION VIDEO PACKAGES All performances will be recorded in high-resolution HD/1080p by our official event videographer. Video packages can be purchased during online registration, as well as on-site during the event (cash, credit card accepted). USB & downloadable formats available! Orders shipped 2-4 weeks following the event. ALL-STATE DIVISION *NEW IN 2017* Due to time constraints associated with our 50th golden anniversary pageant program celebration on Saturday, March 25, 2017, the "All-State" division is being omitted this year. However, we will be bringing it back for 2018 U.S. Nationals & Pageant. ENTRY DEADLINE: MARCH 3, 2017 PRIVATE TEAM WARM-UP ROOMS Private warm-up/dressing room areas are available to rent at both the Hotel Irvine and the Bren Events Center on a first come first served basis. But there is a very limited supply (rates vary). All rehearsal room space at both Hotel Irvine & Bren must be arranged through MDDTUSA headquarters to take advantage of our special group rate (do not contact the hotel directly or you will not receive the group rate). Call us to reserve space: (562) AWARDS PRESENTATION Trophies/Plaques are presented to approximately half the total number of entries in each division. All first place national champion teams receive a special high-quality trophy and banner. Producer s Awards are also presented: Innovative Choreography, Creative Costume, Team Spirit. Solo title pageant contestants win a variety of prestigious awards and scholarships. Routines competing in divisions against teams from foreign countries are awarded international trophies. The winning team in any international division wins a world championship trophy and banner (The highest scoring U.S. team in an international division also receives a U.S. national championship banner). Pageant program performances are limited to solo title finalists, special guests, high-point/producer's Award international teams & U.S. teams competing in the Grand Championship finals only. GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP - ROUTINE FINALS During the Pageant awards program, the Top (10) scoring first place teams from the entire MDDTUSA weekend will be revealed. These Top (10) teams will perform/re-compete in the Grand National Championship final round throughout the evening (prior to the crowning of the MDDTUSA solo title winner). Teams competing in the final round are scored by our pageant judges, and the Top (5) will receive special trophy awards. The winning team routine will be crowned U.S. Grand National Champions and will receive a cash prize & other special goodies! Note: In the event that multiple routines from the same team qualify for the final round, only that team s Top (2) scoring routines shall compete for the Grand National Championship. OVERALL SWEEPSTAKES TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP The Overall Sweepstakes Team Championship trophy and cash prize will be awarded to the school entering (5) or more TEAM routines and totaling the highest number of place points (awarded by trophy placement: 1st=6, 2nd=5, 3rd=4, 4th=3, 5th=2, Participation=1). In the event of a points tie, the team with the highest number of 1st place routines will be named the winner. SCORESHEETS & AUDIO ADJUDICATION Directors will receive all scoresheets for their team routines and soloist performers at the conclusion of the awards ceremony when they sign out with competition staff. Audio critique from (1) judge will be ed as a downloadable file to the team director for all their performances by Monday, March 27, 2017.

5 ENTRY DEADLINE: MARCH 3, 2017 Solo Title Information - Miss Dance Drill Team USA & Mr. Dance USA The highlight of MDDTUSA Nationals & Pageant is the crowning of the Miss Dance Drill Team USA national & international Solo Title champions. Winners are selected following a vigorous competition over the course of the MDDTUSA competition weekend. National and international contestants are evaluated by qualified judges in the areas of dance performance, modeling, and impromptu question. All contestants compete in preliminary round competition, with some advancing to the final round. SOLO TITLE ELIGIBILITY & PRE-QUALIFICATION Contestants for the Miss and Mr. solo title must be: a registered student at the school/studio they are representing and an active member of their dance/drill program. Contestants must be of good character, poise, personality, and be an outstanding citizen in their school & community. Contestant's age on March 23, 2017 shall not be younger than 16-yrs old or older than 19-yrs old. The Top (10) solo title winners from each MDDTUSA-sanctioned regional competition qualify to compete in the Miss Dance Drill Team USA/International Pageant. In states where there are no official MDDTUSA-sanctioned regional events, contestants wishing to compete for the solo title at U.S. Nationals/International may submit entry forms and fees along with a video of their qualifying dance routine and modeling sequence. Videos will be reviewed & return notice of pre-qualification will be prompt. JUDGED ELEMENTS Dance Routine (70% of the total score) Contestant must display talent in a dance routine (90 secs - 2 min) using any or all disciplines of dance and/or drill team performance styles (limited to 3 gymnastic feats). Contestants are judged on routine construction, execution & showmanship. Modeling (15% of the total score) **CLICK FOR EXAMPLE** Contestant must perform a compulsory format demonstrating (5) positions for starting/ending a dance routine. Scored on appearance, content presentation & execution of the following: Position #1: POSE (pause), then WALK 8 Steps to... Position #2: POSE (pause), then WALK 8 Steps to... Position #3: POSE (pause), and so on... After the 5th Position - POSE (pause), and then Exit. Walking only is permitted from position-to-position (no strutting, jazz walks, runs, marching, dancing). Total timing must not exceed 45 seconds. All Miss & Teen contestants must wear plain, black, ¾ sleeve or long-sleeved leotard (no sheer, low cut, trim), black tights (no net or lace) & black jazz/ballet shoes. ( Mr. contestants must wear all black & walk naturally from position-to-position - NO walking on toes). Interview/Impromptu Question (15% of the total score) Contestant is judged on their response to an impromptu question from the judges (response must not exceed 45 seconds). Scoring is based on confidence, projection, poise, diction and enthusiasm. No notes or props! Must wear their modeling outfit (with a plain black dance skirt during prelims - ladies only). Pageant Finals = Formal Wear! SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (TENTATIVE) (3/23) Orientation Luncheon & Prelims Miss, Mr & Teen contestants attend a mandatory orientation luncheon at Hotel Irvine, followed by preliminary round modeling & interviews for all contestants (dance routine prelims for Mr. & Teen contestants as well). Master class. (3/24) Prelims, Best of USA & More Preliminary dance routines for Miss solo title contestants. Competition begins at Hotel Irvine for Best of USA solos, duet/ trio, officers, & some small teams. Junior Miss, Little Miss & Mini Miss compete. Miss Teen & Mr. evening finals. Best of USA awards. Opening number rehearsal for all solo title contestants. (3/25) Teams & Solo Title Pageant Finals Remaining team competition & solo title pageant finals are held at the Bren Events Center. All Miss, Mr. & Teen contestants are introduced. Miss solo title finalists recompete. Grand National Championship team finals. Awards & solo title crowning! SOLO TITLE CROWNING & AWARDS The Top (5-10) "Mr." finalists re-compete on Friday in all adjudicated areas (Winners are crowned during the first awards ceremony of the pageant program on Saturday). During the Saturday pageant awards program, the Top (10-12) Miss finalists are announced and then re-compete in the routine category (prelim scores dropped). The Top (8-10) contestants after this round then present their modeling routine. The Top (5) finalists after modeling are then asked an impromptu question. Scores are tabulated, and the Miss Dance Drill Team USA national championship/international solo title winners are crowned! Miss Teen Dance Drill Team USA Miss Teen contestants shall not be younger than 13 years old or older than 15 years old on March 23, Contestants are evaluated in the areas of dance performance, modeling & impromptu question. Prelims occur Thursday, March 31st at the Marriott Hotel. The Top (10) finalists re-compete Friday in routine category only (modeling/interview scores are carried over). The Miss Teen winner & her court are crowned during the first awards ceremony of the pageant program on Saturday. Junior, Little Miss & Mini Miss USA Junior Miss contestants shall not be younger than 10-yrs old or older than 12-yrs old on March 24, Little Miss contestants shall not be younger than 7-yrs old or older than 9-yrs old on March 24, Mini Miss contestants shall not be older than 6- yrs old on March 24, Please note: These youth contestants perform Friday, March 24th and compete in the routine category only (no interview or modeling requirements). There is no final round. Winners are crowned later that same evening. Important Information For All Solo Title Contestants All Solo Title contestants may be asked to present a copy of their birth certificate at check-in for age verification ( Best of USA solos are EXEMPT). Furthermore, the regional pre-qualification guidelines listed above apply only to Miss, Mr. & Miss Teen solo title contestants. All solo title contestants may additionally compete in the Best of USA solo divisions separately, if desired. For more information, please contact MDDTUSA at our office headquarters: (562) , registration@mddtusa.com

6 ENTRY DEADLINE: MARCH 3, 2017 Stand Battle: Rules & Regulations The Stand Battle dance competition category has exploded into mainstream culture after recently being featured on Lifetime s hit TV show Bring It!. MDDTUSA has recognized the significance of this development, and we are very excited to help pioneer the continued growth of this new division by featuring it at U.S. Nationals & International World Championships. Please use the information below to prepare your dance team, drill team, dance crew, dance company, or majorette hip hop team for this thrilling new category! In the past 2 year, this division was one of our most popular categories: Does your team have what it takes to make it to the stand battle finals?! STAND BATTLE STAND BATTLE INFORMATION, RULES & GUIDELINES Who can enter the Stand Battle category? The stand battle category is open to teams in the high school division and junior high/elementary division (each age division will have its own separate tournament bracket). Battle squads may be of any composition (all female, all male, co-ed). Teams are limited to 6-16 dancers on the floor at any given time during the battle performance. What is a Stand Battle tournament? Teams face each other from opposite ends of the gym floor and compete in a tournament bracket format. The winning team from each grouping advances to the next round, and the process repeats. How many teams are allowed to compete in the stand battle tournament? The stand battle division is typically limited to 8 teams: the first 8 teams to submit their registration entry form and fees... So turn them in early! In the event that a high number of entries are received, we may allow up to 16 teams in the bracket. For an 8-team tournament there will be no more than 3 rounds and for a 16-team tournament there will be no more than 4 rounds (scheduled at different times throughout the MDDTUSA weekend to allow for other traditional team routine performances). For teams who turn in their forms and fees too late and DO NOT make it into the tournament bracket, their stand battle entry fees will be refunded to the team director only on the day of the event. Teams may not compete against themselves (only one Stand Battle team entry allowed per age division). What are stands & how are they used? A stand is a mini-routine or choreographed series of 8-counts, in the style of hip hop or other street dance/hip hop majorette genres. Each stand must be counts of music (4-8 eight counts). When the stand battle begins, the captain or team leader should be positioned front-center of their team. When the music begins to play, the captain should quickly listen to the rhythm of the song and then signal to the rest of their team so that the team members know which of their pre-choreographed stands to perform (the captain s signal should be thrown during the 8-count of music prior to the rest of their team joining in). One team throws a stand, followed by the opposing team. This process repeats 2 more times (meaning each team performs 3 times total). The team that is scheduled to throw the first stand will always perform first during that round (The order might change if the team advances to the next round). How are teams judged? In addition to satisfying traditional judging criteria, stand battle teams must emphasize call & response by outperforming the opposing team. The team leader should throw a new stand as soon as the opposing team is finished performing their own stand choreography (2 point penalty for any delay that exceeds 2 eight counts). Teams are NOT allowed to begin a stand when the opposing team is still performing (2 point penalty). Teams are now allowed to cross the center line, but there is to be NO physical contact with any member of the opposing team whatsoever, or there will be a 5-point deduction (and possible disqualification). How are winners announced? Winners from each round will be announced immediately following their performance so they can prepare to compete again (with the final two teams competing against each other immediately before their age division's last awards ceremony of the day).

7 Tentative Event Schedule Thursday - March 23, 2017 (Hotel Irvine - Pavilion) Orientation Luncheon for Solo Title Contestants (Miss, Mr. & Miss Teen) Prelims: Modeling & Interview (All Solo Title Contestants) Prelims: Dance Routine (Mr. & Miss Teen Contestant Only) Opening Number Rehearsal (All Solo Title Contestants) Master Class Dance Workshop (Open To All Event Participants) Friday - March 24, 2017 (Hotel Irvine - Grand Ballroom) Prelims: Dance Routine (Miss Contestants Only) Best of USA: All Solos, Duet/Trios, Officer Solo Title: Junior Miss, Little Miss & Mini Miss Finals: Dance Routine, Modeling & Interview (Mr. Dance USA/International) Finals: Dance Routine (Miss Teen) High School: Some Small Teams & Stand Battle Prelims Coaches & Directors Routine Rehearsal (Tentative) Awards: Best of USA Divisions, Junior Miss, Little Miss & Mini Miss Saturday - March 25, 2017 (Bren Events Center) Junior High & Elementary: All Team Divisions High School: All Remaining Team Divisions & Stand Battle Semi-Finals Awards: Junior High & Elementary Solo Title Pageant Finals: Miss Dance Drill Team USA/International Contestants Crowning: Miss Teen Dance Drill Team USA & Mr. Dance USA/International High School Finals: U.S. Grand National Championship, Stand Battle & New Divisions Awards: High School Teams, U.S. Grand National Championship & Solo Title Awards Crowning: Miss Dance Drill Team USA/International

8 MASTER CLASS DANCE WORKSHOP Register Online OR At The Door! Guest Teachers To Be Announced! $40/EACH Don't Miss This FUN Opportunity! THURSDAY MARCH 23, PM-10PM Hotel Irvine Jamboree Rd. Irvine, CA JULY 21-23, 2017

9 MEDICAL RELEASE, LIABILITY RELEASE & MEDIA RELEASE FORM Performer s Name: Date of Birth: Team Name: Age: 1. I understand that by taking part in this or any contest, there is a possibility of injury or sickness to participant(s); therefore, with this knowledge I give permission for the above named performer to participate in this MDDTUSA-affiliated competition, and do hereby grant permission to hospital staff members to administer immediate treatment to the above named participant should he/she become injured or ill. 2. I agree to hold harmless Miss Dance Drill Team USA and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, contractors, charters, subsidiaries, affiliates, sponsors, and parent companies for any injury incurred as a result of the above-named performer s participation in the contest even if shown that they are negligent. 3. I also grant permission for Miss Dance Drill Team USA to use the above-named participant s image or likeness in any and all promotional materials for event marketing purposes (such as brochures, website media, social media, film, video publication services, etc), and do so with no right to monetary compensation for the above stated usage terms. I understand the above-named participant may be photographed for such purposes, and release all rights to media acquired for MDDTUSA affiliated promotional purposes. Signature: Parent s Name: (must be parent s signature if participant is under 18) (leave blank if participant is over 18) Address: State: Zip: Home Phone: Work Phone: Cell: Insurance Company: Policy Number: Medication Allergies: Family Physician: Phone: MEDICAL RELEASE, LIABILITY RELEASE & MEDIA RELEASE FORM Performer s Name: Date of Birth: Team Name: Age: 1. I understand that by taking part in this or any contest, there is a possibility of injury or sickness to participant(s); therefore, with this knowledge I give permission for the above named performer to participate in this MDDTUSA affiliated competition, and do hereby grant permission to hospital staff members to administer immediate treatment to the above named participant should he/she become injured or ill. 2. I agree to hold harmless Miss Dance Drill Team USA and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, contractors, charters, subsidiaries, affiliates, sponsors, and parent companies for any injury incurred as a result of the above-named performer s participation in the contest even if shown that they are negligent. 3. I also grant permission for Miss Dance Drill Team USA to use the above-named participant s image or likeness in any and all promotional materials for unlimited event marketing purposes (such as brochures, website media, social media, film, video publication services, etc), and do so with no demands or rights to monetary compensation for the above stated usage terms. I understand the above-named participant may be photographed during the event for such purposes, and release all rights to media acquired for MDDTUSA affiliated promotional purposes. Signature: Parent s Name: (must be parent s signature if participant is under 18) (leave blank if participant is over 18) Address: State: Zip: Home Phone: Work Phone: Cell: Insurance Company: Policy Number: Medication Allergies: Family Physician: Phone: