AAA 2017 State Dance Championships November 11, 2017 Bentonville West High School The Arkansas Activities Association State Dance Championships are conducted to showcase the overall technical, athletic, and competitive readiness of Arkansas high school dance teams while instilling the value of training, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Our goal is to ensure that this is a positive and equitable experience for all regardless of the point outcome. CATEGORIES Teams must enter at least three (3) categories to qualify for the championship. Two-thirds of team must perform each routine. Jazz A jazz routine incorporates stylized dance movements and combinations, formation changes, group work, leaps, and turns. Emphasis is placed on proper technical execution, extension, control, body placement, and team uniformity. Creative choreography will capture the attention of the audience and judges. Having your own style will distinguish your team from the rest. High Kick The emphasis will be on synchronization, choreography, and technique. Each routine must have at least 50 kicks. We suggest that your routine have more than 50 to ensure meeting the minimum requirements. A kick is defined as one foot remaining on the floor while the other foot lifts with force at least one inch from the floor. At least half the team must execute a kick in order for it to be counted. A contagion/ripple will count as one kick (not a kick counted for each dancer performing it). A 10-point deduction will be given for routines that do not have a minimum of 50 defined kicks. EXCEPTION: Any time the leg extends at or above 90 degrees, contracts and extends again at or above 90 degrees, it will be defined as separate kicks. Passe, flicks, turn sequences, toe taps, etc. will not be counted. Hip-Hop Routines should include street style movements with an emphasis on execution, style, creativity, body isolations, and control. The uniformity of all movement throughout the performance should complement the beats and rhythm of the music. Teams may also put an additional focus on incorporations such as jumps, jump variations, combo jumps, stalls, and floor work. Pom Poms must be used for at least 80% of the routine. Important characteristics of a pom routine include synchronization and visual effects, along with proper pom placement and dance technique. Motions should be very sharp, clean, and precise. Your team should be synchronized and appear as one. A routine that is visually effective is extremely important, including level changes, group work, formation changes, etc. Keep in mind that pom routines carry a more traditional theme, whereas, jazz routines are more stylized. COMPETITION ROUTINE GUIDELINES 1. Formal excessive and choreographed entrances which involve dance, technical skills, and all traditions/chants are not permitted. Dancers should enter the performance area in a timely fashion. 2. All staging, backdrops, special effects, or any items that may damage or otherwise alter the performance floor or environment are prohibited (water, powder, feathers, glitter, fire, sliding oil, etc.) 3. Teams will have a maximum of two (2) minutes to demonstrate their style and expertise. 4. Teams may dance off of the performance floor; however, all routine choreography for the entire team must begin and end on the performance surface. Jumping on or off the performance surface is prohibited. 5. Timing will begin with the first choreographed movement or note of the music. 6. Timing will end with the last choreographed movement or note of music, whichever is last.
7. If a team exceeds the time limit, a penalty will be assessed. If a team does not adhere to the performance time, over or under, by more than three (3) seconds, they will be penalized. 8. Each team must have a coach/representative to play their music. This person is responsible for bringing the music to the music table and pushing play and stop for the team 9. All music must be on a flash drive or phone. AAA recommends that you bring two copies in case sound systems have trouble reading your phone or flash drive. 10. In order to keep the competition on time, all team rituals and traditions need to take place prior to entering the performance floor. Teams should enter the floor and immediately start their routine. MUSIC GUIDELINES 1. You must read and understand the USA Cheer Music Copyrights Educational Initiative and all sound recordings used in your team s music shall only be used with written license from the owner(s) of the sound recordings. 2. These guidelines are as of June 16, 2016. For the most up to date music information, visit http://varsity.com/music. Please check Preferred provider list for updates and changes periodically. 3. Teams must be able to provide proof of licensing, in the form of a printed copy, during registration at the state championship. 4. If a team does not have the required paperwork, they will be given the option to count the routine verbally. 5. If a teams does not have the required paperwork and chooses not to count the routine, the team will be disqualified from the competition and not allowed to perform or compete. 6. If there are concerns regarding a certain team s use of music, a Challenge Form must be completed immediately following the team s performance. 7. A challenge can only be made by the official coach of a team competing at the state championship at which the challenge is being made. What happens if you bring incorrect music to competition? If a team brings music to competition that does not follow these guidelines, the following options are available for you: 1. You may perform using counts only, but no music. 2. You may elect to not perform your routine at all MASCOTS Mascots are not allowed to perform. They may show their support by standing outside of the designated area and cheer on their squad. WARM UPS A warm up area will be available before your competition. ONLY PERFORMING TEAMS AND COACHES WITH FLOOR PASSES WILL BE PERMITTED TO ENTER THE WARM UP AREA. COMPETITION AREA Only AAA-authorized personnel will be allowed on the floor. HEAD COACHES ARE ALOWED ON THE FLOOR WHILE THEIR SQUAD IS COMPETING AND MUST BE WEARING A FLOOR PASS. ONE ADDITIONAL CREDENTIALED ASSISTANT COACH WITH A FLOOR PASS WILL ALSO BE ALLOWED ON THE FLOOR. ANY ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL WILL NOT BE ALLOWED ON THE COMPETITION FLOOR. INJURED SQUAD MEMBERS IN UNIFORM WILL BE ALLOWED ON FLOOR SITTING WITH COACH. AWARDS Championship and runner-up trophies will be awarded in each classification. JUDGING The AAA will select a panel of qualified judges who will score the teams according to the judging criteria on a 100-point system. Judging diversity is encouraged at the state level. It is not uncommon
to receive a high score from one judge and an average score from another. Judges are encouraged to critique with professional diversity and equity. The judges scores will be AVERAGED together to determine the overall team score. All decisions as rendered by the judges concerning scores and rule interpretations will be accepted as final. To be eligible for the state championship and runner-up, a team must have entered a minimum of three dance routines out of the four dance categories. If a team entered all four dance categories, the highest three scores will be considered for the championship awards. The team must perform with a minimum of two-thirds (2/3) of the team that has been entered on the AAA web site team roster/eligibility listing. ALL JUDGES DECISIONS ARE FINAL. SCORES Individual score sheets are for the exclusive use of each particular judge. Each judge has the responsibility and authority to review and submit his or her final scores and rankings prior to the final tally of the scores for all teams. Scores and rankings will be available only to coaches at the conclusion of the competition. PROCEDURAL QUESTIONS 1. Rules & Procedures Any questions concerning the rules or procedures of the competition will be handled exclusively by the coach of the team and will be directed to the competition director. Such questions should be made prior to the team s competition performance. 2. Performance Any questions concerning the team s performance should be made to the competition director immediately after the team s performance and/or following the outcome of the competition. SPORTSMANSHIP All athletes and spectators must abide by the AAA sportsmanship rules published in the AAA Handbook. INTERRUPTION OF PERFORMANCE UNFORSEEN CIRCUMSTANCES If, in the opinion of the competition officials, a team s routine is interrupted because of failure of the competition equipment, facilities, or other factors attributable to the competition rather than the team, the team affected should STOP the routine. The team will perform the routine again in its entirety, but will be evaluated ONLY from the point where the interruption occurred. The degree and effect of the interruption will be determined by the competition officials. FAULT of TEAM In the event a team s routine is interrupted because of failure of the team s own equipment, the team must either continue the routine or withdraw from the competition. The competition officials will determine if the team will be allowed to perform at a later time. If decided by officials, the team will perform the routine again in its entirety, but will be evaluated ONLY from the point where the interruption occurred. INJURY The only persons that may stop a routine for injury are: o competition officials o coach from the team performing o injured individual. The competition officials will determine if the team will be allowed to perform at a later time. If the competition officials allow a routine to be performed at a later time, the spot in the schedule where the re-performance is to take place is at the sole discretion of
competition officials. The team may perform the routine again in its entirety, but will be evaluated ONLY from the point where the interruption occurred. The injured participant that wishes to perform may not return to the competition floor unless: o The competition officials receive clearance from, first, the medical personnel attending to that participant, the parent (if present) AND THEN the head coach of the competing team. o If the medical personnel do not clear the participant, the participant can only return to the competition if a parent or legal guardian in attendance signs a return to participation waiver. o In the event of a suspected concussion/head injury, the participant cannot return to perform without clearance from a licensed medical professional that has training related to head injuries, even with a waiver from a parent or legal guardian. All AAA concussion guidelines must be followed. TUMBLING AND TRICKS (Executed by individuals) ALLOWED Aerial cartwheels Forward/Backward Rolls Shoulder Rolls Cartwheels Headstands Handstands Backbends Front/Back Walkovers Stalls/Freezes Head spins Windmills Kip up Round Off Headsprings (with hand support) NOT ALLOWED Front Aerials Front/Back Handsprings Front/Back Tucks Side Somi Layouts Shushunova Headsprings (without hand support) Dive Rolls (in any position) Continuous double (partner) cartwheels Toe Pitch Back Tucks 1. Airborne skills without hand support are not allowed. (Exception: Headsprings with hand support and aerial cartwheels not connected to any tumbling skill are allowed.) 2. Aerial cartwheels are not allowed while holding poms. They must be placed in one hand or be executed with hands-free poms. There are no exceptions to this rule. 3. Tumbling skills with hip over head rotation is limited to three (3) connected skills. Example: Three (3) consecutive headsprings are allowed; four (4) are not allowed. 4. Simultaneous tumbling over or under another dancer that includes hip over head rotation by both dancers is not allowed. 5. Drops to the knee, thigh, back, front, head, shoulder, or seat onto the performing surface are not allowed unless the dancer first bears weight on the hand(s) or foot/feet. 6. Landing in a push-up position onto the performance surface from a jump in which the legs are in front of the body and swing behind are not allowed. All variations of a shushunova are not allowed. 7. Airborne skills without hip-over-head rotation may not jump from a standing or squatting position backwards onto the neck, back, shoulders, and/or hands. Any kip up motion must initiate from the back/shoulder area touching the ground. (NOTE: This rule refers specifically and only to the rubber band / bronco kip up skill, as well as any skill jumping backwards into a headstand/handstand stall.)
DANCE LIFTS & PARTNERING Dance lifts and partnering are executed by partners or groups. 1. The executing dancer must receive support from a supporting dancer who is in direct contact with the performance surface through the entire skill. (Exception: Kick Line Leaps) 2. Elevators, thigh stands, shoulder sits, and chair sits are allowed. Extension and all other cheer based stunts are not allowed. 3. Swinging lifts and tricks are allowed provided the executing dancer s body does not make a complete circular rotation and is in a supine position at all times. Swinging in a prone position is not allowed (backward and forward or a complete circular rotation). 4. Hip-over-head rotation of the executing dancer may occur as long as a supporting dancer maintains contact until the executing dancer returns to the performance surface or is returning to the upright position. 5. Vertical inversions are allowed as long as: A. The supporting dancer maintains contact until the executing dancer returns to the performance surface or returns to the upright position B. When the height of the executing dancer s shoulders exceeds shoulder level of the supporting dancer, there is at least one additional dancer to spot who does not bear weight. RELEASE MOVES Unassisted dismounts to the performance surface) 1. An executing dancer may jump, leap, step, or push off a supporting dancer if: A. The highest point of the released skill does not elevate the executing dancer s feet above head level B. The executing dancer may not pass through the prone or inverted position after the release. C. Toe pitch back tucks are not allowed. 2. A supporting dancer may release/toss an executing dancer if: A. The highest point of the release/toss does not elevate the executing dancer s hips above head level B. The executing dancer is not supine or inverted when released. C. The executing dancer does not pass through a prone or inverted position after release. D. Toe pitch back tucks are not allowed. CHOREOGRAPHY AND COSTUMING 1. Suggestive, offensive, or vulgar choreography, and/or music is inappropriate. 2. Routine choreography should be appropriate and entertaining for all audience members. Vulgar or suggestive material is defined as any movement or choreography implying something improper or indecent, appearing offensive or sexual in content, and/or relaying lewd or profane gestures or implications. 3. Inappropriate choreography, costuming, and/or music may affect the judges overall impression and/or score of the routine. 4. Please make sure that all choreography and costuming is age appropriate. 5. Shoes, on both feet, must be worn during the competition. Dance paws are acceptable. Shoes with wheels are not allowed (Example: roller skates, roller blades, heelys, etc). Wearing socks and/or footed tights only is not allowed. 6. When dancers are standing at attention, all costumes/uniforms must cover the midriff area completely. The midriff includes the entire midriff section from the bra line down, front of the body only. Nude body liners are acceptable. 7. All male dancers costumes must include a shirt that is fastened, however it can be sleeveless. 8. Wearing hard jewelry is not permitted except when securely affixed to a costume or the hair. 9. All routine choreography must begin and end on the performance floor. 10. The use of powder, glitter, or any other airborne substance that lingers in the competition area shall be strictly prohibited.
11. All costume malfunctions resulting in team members being exposed are grounds for disqualification. Please make sure that you have several dress rehearsals prior to competition to work out any costume problems. PROPS Props are not allowed. A prop is defined as anything that you dance with that is not attached to your costume. Articles of clothing may be taken off; however you may not dance with them. If taken off and danced with, it becomes a prop. Poms being used for a pom routine do not count as props. APPAREL All teams must follow the apparel/accessories rules of the NFHS Spirit Rules Book. ENTRY FEE There is no entry fee for the AAA State Dance Championship. SOUVENIRS State championship T-shirts and hooded sweat shirts will be available at the spirit championships. CONCESSIONS Concessions will be available. No coolers or outside food items may be brought into the seating area of the arena. PHOTOGRAPHS Photographs of your team in ALL costumes must be taken before each competition. Taking photos in all costumes will give each dancer a chance to purchase a photo in her favorite costume. Photos may be ordered on-line from LifeTouch. No preorders are required. The on-line site to order photos is password protected, so you will be given a password to view and order the photos. VIDEOTAPING The competition will be videotaped, and DVD s may be purchased by going on line to nfhsnetwork.com. Cameras will be allowed in the stands if the photographers have AAA camera tags. Photographers must provide their own power source. Videotaping in the arena aisles is strictly prohibited. Videotaping must not obstruct any person s view of the competition and no one will be allowed within the competition area to videotape. No videotaping will be used for review. SPORTSMANSHIP All athletes and spectators must abide by the rules of the AAA Sportsmanship Manual. ALL SPIRIT ATHLETES MUST ABIDE BY THE RULES OF THE NFHS SPIRIT RULES BOOK. ADMISSION PRICES Adults and students... $6.00 Pre-school... No charge AAA Passes will be honored with photo ID.
Arkansas Activities Association 2017 STATE DANCE COMPETITION November 11, 2017 Bentonville West High School Entry Form Deadline for Entries: October 10, 2017 School School Mailing Address School Colors Mascot Performance Category: Jazz High Kick Hip-Hop Pom Number of girls on performance team Coach Home Phone Cell Phone E-Mail Asst. Coach Home Phone Cell Phone E-Mail Competitive Class (Check one) 7A 6A 5A 4A 3A- 2A-1A Return this form to AAA by October 10, 2017