FUNDAMENTAL INFORMATION: General Rules RULES AND REGULATIONS 1. All teams (4 or more members) must be supervised during all official functions by a qualified coach/instructor. 2. Coaches must consider the dancer and team skill level with regard to skills incorporated and proper progression. 3. All participants agree to conduct themselves in a manner displaying good sportsmanship throughout the event. The director/coach of each team is responsible for seeing that team members, coaches, parents, and any other person affiliated with the team conduct themselves accordingly. 4. All programs should have, and review, an emergency action plan in the event of an injury. 5. Each team will have a minimum of 1 minute and 45 seconds (1:45) to a maximum of 2 minutes and 30 seconds (2:30) to demonstrate their style and expertise. (Exception: Solo/Duet/Trio/Prop/Production Please see Routine Guidelines for more information.) 6. Substitutions may be made in the event of any injury or other serious circumstance. Substitutes must also abide by the age, gender and grade restrictions in all division in which they compete. 7. Use of fire, noxious gases, live animals and other potentially hazardous elements are strictly prohibited. Violation of this rule may result in disqualification. 8. Teams may not compromise the integrity of the performance surface (Examples: residues from sprays, powders, oils, etc.). Teams are responsible for clearing the performance surface from debris (Examples: poms, props, petals, etc.) For more information, visit StudioLiveDance.com or call 1.800.940.4322. 1
9. Routine choreography, music, costuming (including make up) should be appropriate and acceptable for family viewing. Vulgar or suggestive material is not permitted. This may include music, movement and/or choreography that is profane, inflammatory, offensive, sexual in content, and/or relays lewd gestures. Inappropriate choreography, costuming and/or music may also affect the panel judges overall impression and/or score of the routine. 10. Footwear is recommended but not required. Wearing socks and/or footed tights only is prohibited. (Exception: socks are allowed on a carpeted performance surface) 11. Jewelry as a part of a costume is allowed. 12. Questions or concerns in regards to your scores must be in a written format and emailed to tsmith@americheer.com or sara@ecaeda.com within the Monday following the competition. Your questions or concerns will be addressed by the Wednesday after. 13. Wearable and/or handheld items are allowed in all categories and may be removed and discarded from the body. Routine Guidelines 1. SOLOIST total routine time Max. 2:30 performance time/ Min. 1:30 performance time DUET/TRIO total routine time - Max. 2:30 performance time/ Min. 1:30 performance time TEAM total routine time- Max. 2:30 performance time/ Min. 1:45 performance time Each Dance Team must have a minimum of four (4) participants to compete in the Dance Team division, or they will be moved to the Duet or Trio division. PROP/PRODUCTION category Max. 5:00 performance time/ Min. 1:45 performance time 2. Timing of each routine will begin with the first choreographed movement or beat of music, whichever comes first and end with the last choreographed movement or beat of music, whichever comes last. 3. Backdrops are permitted in all categories. The backdrop may not be manipulated during the routine. The backdrop is not permitted to be taller than 8 high. It must fit through a gymnasium door without the center pole being removed. For more information, visit StudioLiveDance.com or call 1.800.940.4322. 2
Dance Deductions Time of Routine: A 1-5 point deduction will be assessed for not meeting the over/under music guidelines. Music times are final and cannot be disputed after the competition. Please refer to Dance Penalty Scoresheet for specific deductions. Other Rule Infractions: Up to a 2.5 deduction will be assessed for violating any other rule, requirement and/or restriction set forth prior to the event. Judges Our judges are some of the most encouraging, friendly and knowledgeable teachers/adjudicators in the business who have served as a judge for several Regional and National Dance Competitions. Judges will take into consideration choreography, technique, precision and showmanship. The average total score of the allotted judges will determine the ranking of the routine. In the case of a tie, the judges will look to the technical score to determine the placement. Music One representative may run the music and must remain at the sound table throughout the entire performance. Please bring two high quality CDs. You should always bring several backups! All CDs must be marked with the individual/group name and division. IPod connection may not be available at all events. Review the content of the music for any inappropriate language or sounds. Music of poor quality may detract from your performance and could affect scoring. It is suggested that music time be recorded three to four seconds under the maximum time allotted due to variations in music system speed. Interruption of Performance If interruption occurs during routine performance due to competition equipment, facilities, etc. participants will be permitted to restart the routine from the beginning or at the point of interruption. If an interruption occurs during a routine performance due to your equipment (CD, etc.), participants may either continue the routine or withdraw from the competition. If an injury occurs during a routine performance, a team may either continue or withdraw from the competition. The competition official will determine where the routine continuation will take place in the performance order in either scenario. Competition officials reserve the right to stop a performance due to injury. In For more information, visit StudioLiveDance.com or call 1.800.940.4322. 3
any case of the routine being restarted, new scores will be assessed and previous scores will be eliminated. GROUP ROUTINE COMPETITION DIVISIONS: DIVISION AGE TEAM SIZE Tiny 6 Years & Younger 4 or More Dancers Mini 9 Years & Younger 4 or More Dancers Youth 12 Years & Younger 4 or More Dancers Junior 15 Years & Younger 4 or More Dancers Senior 18 Years & Younger 4 or More Dancers Open 14 Years & Older 4 or More Dancers SOLOIST AND DUET/TRIO COMPETITION DIVISIONS: DIVISION Tiny Mini Youth Junior Senior Open AGE 6 Years & Younger 9 Years & Younger 12 Years & Younger 15 Years & Younger 18 Years & Younger 14 Years & Older Ages as of August 31, 2017 will be the determining factor for divisions determined by age. Duets must have 2 participants and trios must have 3 participants. CATEGORIES: JAZZ - A Jazz routine encompasses traditional or stylized hard-hitting, crisp and/or aggressive approach to movement and can include moments of softness while complementing musicality. Emphasis is placed on body alignment, extension, control, uniformity, communication and technical skills. POM - A Pom routine contains important characteristics such as strong pom technique (clean, precise and sharp motions), synchronization, visual effects and may incorporate Pom Elements (i.e. pom passes, jump sequences, leaps/turns, kick lines, etc). Poms must be used 80% of the routine. HIP HOP - A Hip Hop routine can incorporate any street style movement with an emphasis on execution, style, creativity, body isolations and control, rhythm, uniformity and musical interpretation. KICK - A Kick routine emphasizes control, height uniformity, extension, toe points, timing and creativity of a variety of kick series and patterns. A kick is For more information, visit StudioLiveDance.com or call 1.800.940.4322. 4
defined as one foot remaining on the floor while the other foot lifts with force. Kicks and kick series must comprise 80% of the routine. CONTEMPORARY/LYRICAL - A Contemporary or Lyrical routine uses organic, pedestrian and/or traditional modern or ballet vocabulary as it complements the lyric and/or rhythmic value of the music. Emphasis is placed on control, sustained, expressive movement, body placement, contraction/release, use of breath, uniformity, communication and technical skills. VARIETY - A Variety routine must incorporate a blend of at least two or more dance styles. (Jazz, Pom, Hip Hop, Contemporary/Lyrical and/or Kick) All styles will compete together in this category. PROP/PRODUCTION Prop/Production team routines must emphasize a theme or a storyline and include props. Routines may be any style of dance that is outlined in this category listing. Production routines will have a maximum of 5 minutes to complete their routine. DANCE - A routine in this category may incorporate any one style or combination of styles. All styles will be judged against each other in this category. For more information, visit StudioLiveDance.com or call 1.800.940.4322. 5