General Rules - All Categories
» All couples in couples categories must be same-sex. This does not include showdance.
» Showdance routines may include other variations including male/female, more than two dancers, or fewer than two dancers, but such variations may mean that competitors do not qualify for the NASSPDA title.
» Men will be judged against men and women against women.
» A dance heat will last between ninety seconds (one and one-half minutes) and two minutes.
» In graded divisions (Standard and Latin), judges will determine the appropriate division a couple should compete in. In other competitions, the level entered is at the couple’s discretion. Please see the guidelines for levels CLICK HERE.
» Lifts, defined as figures where both of one partner’s feet are off the floor while his or her weight is being supported by the other, are permitted only in Show Dance.
» Certain elements present a greater level of difficulty to the partnership, and while they are not required, they may be rewarded. These include the switching of leads during a dance and for Country, the wearing of a cowboy hat.
» All competitions will follow the skating system. In grading rounds, judges will assign couples a grade. Couples will be placed in levels based on the total grades received in the grading rounds. In the final round the judge shall mark his or her first couple 1, second 2, third 3 and so on in each of the dances. A judge must not tie couples for any place of any dance.
» The winner of a particular dance is the couple who is placed 1st by an absolute majority of the judges; the runner-up is the couple who is placed 2nd or higher by an absolute majority of judges. The remaining places are allocated in a similar way.
» In the event that challenges arise,which have not been addressed in this document, a consensus will be reached among the judges, chief judge, and competition coordinators; this consensus will serve as a rule for the duration of the 2008 event.
Top
|
Standard and Latin
Our Standard (a.k.a. Modern Ballroom or Ballroom) and Latin competitions will be patterned after the ESSDA form at www.ESSDA.eu and will consist of a grading round and a final. If more than six couples are placed into a level, a semi-final will occur. If more than twelve couples are placed into a level, a quarter final will occur. Choreography may not include lifts. Each level has prescribed dances listed here:
|
Standard (Modern Ballroom)
|
Level
|
Dances
|
|
A |
|
W, T, VW, F, QS
|
B |
|
W, T, F, QS
|
C |
|
W, T, F, QS
|
D |
|
W, T, QS
|
|
Latin
|
Level
|
Dances
|
|
A |
|
CC, S, R, PD, J
|
B |
|
CC, S, R, J
|
C |
|
CC, S, R, J
|
D |
|
CC, R, J
|
|
Tempi (in measures per minute)
| Waltz | Tango | V. Waltz | Foxtrot | Quickstep |
| 28-30 | 31-33 | 58-60 | 28-30 | 50-52 |
|
| Cha Cha | Samba | Rumba | Paso Doble | Jive |
| 30-32 | 50-52 | 25-27 | 60-62 | 42-44 |
|
Contestants in this event may qualify for a North American Same-Sex Championship title and the NASSPDA Sanctioned NY State Championship Title. Information on NASSPDA sanctioned events and titles can be found here: http://nasspda.org/policies_sanctioning.html.
Top |
This event compares the theatrical value of each routine, musical interpretation, and technique in chosen dance(s). It includes all theatrical formats: Theater Arts, Cabaret, Formation Team, and Exhibition. Competitors must bring their own music in CD format. Entries may include mixed-gender couples. Lifts and other theatrical elements are allowed. Time limit for any entry is five minutes. Contestants in this event may qualify for a North American Same-Sex Championship title and the NASSPDA Sanctioned NY State Championship Title. Information on NASSPDA sanctioned events and titles can be found here: http://nasspda.org/policies_sanctioning.html.
Top |
Couples in our Country competition will dance Two-Step, Nightclub Two-Step, and Waltz. A couple may elect not to dance all the dances, but will then be ineligible for an overall title. The tempo range for Two-Step will be between 182-194 beats per minute; for Nightclub, 56-68 beats per minute; and for Waltz, 84-92 beats per minute. Contestants must wear cowboy boots or ropers: hats, while optional, will be considered an additional level of difficulty.
Medals in this competition will be awarded for overall placements. If a couple chooses to sit out one or more of the dances, this will count as a last place towards that couple's overall score. A couple may still win overall if they have the majority in first place based on two of the three dances but have opted to sit out the third.
Top |
Couples in our Triple Threat competition will dance Salsa, Hustle, and West Coast Swing. A couple may elect not to dance all the dances, but will then be ineligible for an overall title. Salsa dancers may break on any accepted timing, but must remain consistent to that timing for the full song. The tempo range for Salsa will be between 188-200 beats per minute; for Hustle, 112-120 beats per minute; and for West Coast Swing, 102-114 beats per minute.
Medals in this competition will be awarded for overall placements. If a couple chooses to sit out one or more of the dances, this will count as a last place towards that couple's overall score. A couple may still win overall if they have the majority in first place based on two of the three dances but have opted to sit out the third.
Top |
This event is open to same-gender partnerships only. Couples in our Mixed Level Match must be composed of partners each of whom is in a different skill division. Each member of the couple will be judged individually in his or her division. Couples must not compete together in any other division to be eligible for the Mixed Level Match. Here is an opportunity to dance with your teacher, student, friend, idol, etc. The Mixed Level Match will be offered in 10 individual dances, see registration page for these.
Top
|
|