Provo High Dancesport Festival Rules

General Rules

The Provo High Dancesport Festival will abide by rules and regulations governing competitions and championships recognized by the National Dance Council of America, Inc. Some of the NDCA rules that directly apply to amateur competitors, along with additional rules are as follows:

  1. ALL COMPETITORS AND SPECTATORS must have an admission ticket for the day. Entry fees (registration fees) are additional.
  2. No entry may be accepted that does not include any required entry fee. Requests for refunds will only be honored up to the closing date.
  3. All competitors need to check heat lists as soon as they are posted and email the registrar (phsballroom@gmail.com) regarding any mistakes by the Monday of the week of the competition.
  4. All competitors must check in with the registrar at least 1 hour in advance of their scheduled time to dance.
  5. All competitors are required to be in the on-deck area at least 30 minutes in advance of their scheduled time to dance.
  6. No person may compete in an age classification lower than their own. A couple’s age classification eligibility is defined as the age of the older partner. However, this definition does not allow the younger member of the partnership to dance up two age levels. Specifics are listed below:

Age Category Classifications


OPEN CATEGORIES

Age classifications will become effective on the individual’s actual birthday. On a year where a competitor is going to move from one classification to the next they may make this change anytime during a 60-day period that begins 30 days prior to their birthday and ends 30 days following their birthday.

  • Pre-Teen: 11th birthday or less
  • Junior: 12th through 15th birthday
    • Junior 1: 12th through 13th birthday
    • Junior 2: 14th through 15th birthday
  • Youth: 16th, 17th or 18th birthday
  • Adult: 19th birthday or greater


SYLLABUS CATEGORIES

The following designations will be used for the syllabus categories. The following categories will be used for competitors who are in the following grades this school year:

  • Elementary School: Grades K – 6
  • Junior High School: Grades 7 – 9
  • High School: Grades 10 – 12
  • Adult: Graduated high school
Youth competitors turning 19 years of age during the school year may still dance in the Youth or High School age categories until they have graduated from high school.

Elementary school competitors may not dance in the High School category even if partnered by a Junior High or High School competitor.

Junior High competitors may dance up one designation to the High School category, but only as defined in entry restrictions below.

Entry Restrictions

  1. Competitors who dance in a syllabus event may not dance in any open event of the same style, and vice versa.
  2. Competitors dancing in a Newcomer event may not dance in any open event in any style, and vice versa.
  3. Competitors may dance up one age classification only in each competition style.
  4. A couple is defined in the traditional Ballroom Genre and in all dance genres included in championships, competitions, and events sanctioned by the National Dance Council of America, Inc. as a leader and follower without regard to the sex or gender of the dancer. This rule applies to all classifications of dancers, professional, amateur, pro/am student competitors, student/student, and mixed amateur.
  5. No couple is exempt from competing in any round. Any couple who fails to appear at the scheduled time for the first round of any event will be disqualified from the event.
  6. All competitors may dance in a maximum of TWO proficiency or age categories in a particular dance style. For example, a Youth competitor may only compete in two of the following for the Open Ballroom style: Youth Pre-Championship, Youth Championship, Adult Novice, Adult Pre-Championship, or Adult Championship.
  7. A competitor is eligible to dance in the “Syllabus”, “Novice” or “Pre-Championship” classifications until they accumulate three proficiency points. Please refer to the NDCA rulebook for point accumulation information.
  8. For the UBEA State Title Match events, couples may enter only if both dancers are either:
    • currently enrolled in a public school ballroom program, or
    • were enrolled in a public school ballroom program for at least 2 terms during the current school year.
  9. All international style syllabus competitions are restricted to the ISTD Bronze, Silver & Gold syllabus. Newcomer and American style syllabus events may use any syllabus from member organizations of the NDCA as well as the BYU or UBEA syllabus. Couples must dance within the framework of the accepted syllabi, including precedes and follows, and without embellishment. For ISTD syllabus events, all figures must be danced as defined in the ISTD technique book. Partial figures may not be utilized unless so specified in the “precedes and follows” sections. Couples dancing out of syllabus will be penalized per the specifications in NDCA rule III. D3a.8. All international style syllabus competitions are restricted to the ISTD Bronze, Silver & Gold syllabus. Newcomer and American style syllabus events may use any syllabus from member organizations of the NDCA as well as the BYU or UBEA syllabus. Couples must dance within the framework of the accepted syllabi, including precedes and follows, and without embellishment. For ISTD syllabus events, all figures must be danced as defined in the ISTD technique book. Partial figures may not be utilized unless so specified in the “precedes and follows” sections. Couples dancing out of syllabus will be penalized per the specifications in NDCA rule III. D3a.
  10. A competitor is eligible to dance in the “Newcomer” event (Elementary, Junior High, High School) until they have placed in a final of any event at an NDCA recognized competition, provided a semi-final was danced.
  11. Any competitor who wears a costume deemed by the organizers to be unsuitable will be requested to change. If such request is not followed, the competitor will not be allowed to dance and their entry will be cancelled without a refund of fees. See below for specific costume rules.
  12. Competitors in the Latin American divisions must not be overly suggestive in their movements at all times while on the floor. Couples who are viewed as inappropriate will be warned once, and then will be subject to disqualification.
  13. Competitors must wear costuming that corresponds with their gender. Girls may NOT dress up as boys or vice versa.
INFRINGEMENTS OF THE RULES WILL BE GIVEN A WARNING AND ASKED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. IF THE INFRINGEMENT IS NOT RESOLVED BY THE NEXT ROUND, ORGANIZERS RESERVE THE RIGHT TO DISQUALIFY A COMPETITOR.

Costume and Competition Attire


SYLLABUS EVENTS - ELEMENTARY, JUNIOR HIGH, & HIGH SCHOOL

Ladies
Skirt and top must be worn
Skirts:

  • Skirt must be black and at least knee length.
  • Plain or pleated with minimum 1 to maximum 3 half circles. One simple underskirt allowed which is no larger or longer than top layer.
  • No uneven hem lines, no use of boning, frills, splits, openings, fishing line or edging (including lettuce edging). Edging or trim of any kind, including ribbon, satin, lace, sequins, etc., is not allowed.
  • A simple hem is required.
Top
  • Must be black.
  • Necklines - Boat/scoop, high neck, v-neck, sweetheart, ‘peter pan’ collar, and regular collar are allowed.
  • Edging or trim of any kind including ribbon, satin, lace, sequins etc. is not allowed.
  • Sleeves (required) - Long, short, elbow length, cap, or puff are allowed. Cannot be replaced by trimmings, frills, or edging on the shoulder line. No “finger loops” allowed.
Materials
  • No glitter, metallic thread, or fabric creating ‘light or pattern effects’.
  • No use of feathers, fringes, bows, belts, frills or sequins.
Socks - White ankle socks or flesh colored pantyhose or fishnets must be worn.
Other
  • No use of arm bands, chokers or headbands.
  • No decoration is allowed on skirt, top or in hair.
  • Small earrings allowed.
  • Basic makeup allowed.
  • Gathering or sheering on the bodice is not allowed.
Gentlemen
Trousers
  • Black or dark blue color only.
  • High waist optional.
  • Underfoot strap optional.
  • Satin stripes allowed.
Shirts
  • Plain white long sleeved collared shirt only.
  • No pleats or ribbing.
  • Sleeves to be worn at wrist length.
Materials
  • Fabrics must be plain, i.e.: cotton, polyester, cotton/polyester blend, wool blend.
  • No satin or shiny fabrics.
  • No rhinestones, glitter, metallic thread, patterns or sequins allowed.
Decorations – not allowed.
Tie - Black color only, may be either straight or bow.
Socks - Black or dark blue color only.
Shoes - No restrictions.
Makeup - Not allowed.
Hairstyle - Long hair must be worn in a ponytail.
Other
  • Sweaters and vest not allowed.
  • No earrings allowed.

OPEN EVENTS - PRE-TEEN 1 & 2

Gentlemen: Same as Syllabus costume restrictions above, however, gentlemen may substitute a black shirt or dark blue pants or dark blue socks.

Ladies: Same as Syllabus costume restrictions above, plus the NDCA restrictions apply. Click on these links for the full NDCA Costume Restrictions (pages 38-40) and helpful examples. Must have block heel style not to exceed 1.5 inches in height. NO FISHNETS! NO MAKE UP!

*Pre-Teen 2 competitors who dance up to Junior categories must remain in the approved Pre-Teen costumes.*


OPEN EVENTS - JUNIOR, YOUTH, & ADULT

Gentlemen: Costumes appropriate to the style.

  • Latin shirts may be open to the bottom of the sternum.
  • Front of the shirt must be a non-transparent fabric
  • No earrings.
Ladies: Costumes appropriate to the style.
Shoulders
  1. Each shoulder must use one of the following options
    1. cover the shoulder with fabric or decoration
    2. a minimum of one 1/2 inch strap over the shoulder
  2. Flesh-tone fabrics require heavy use of rhinestones or similar decoration
Bodice
  1. Bust must be fully covered with no plunging necklines. (no cleavage showing)
  2. Front and sides of the bodice must be covered with a fabric or decoration that does not reveal the skin or create a similar effect.
  3. Open backs must taper "inward" from the back of the shoulder line to no lower than three inches above the waistline.
Skirts
  1. No shorter than mid-thigh
  2. No transparent fabric above mid-thigh for the Latin or Rhythm styles
  3. May be broken or slitted from the trunk line down, but must cover the legs when not in motion
Trunk/Legs
  1. Regular cut dance trunks (no flesh tone fabric)
  2. Fishnets must be worn for the Latin, Rhythm and Smooth divisions
Shoes
  1. Except for block-style heels, heel guards or protectors MUST be worn by all ladies at all times.
  2. Men's shoes should be in good repair with no nails showing.

Rules for Formation Team Events


RULES FOR MEDLEY EVENTS

The complete list of rules for Formation Team Medley events can be found here: NDCA Rule Book, Nov 2021 starting on page 42.


RULES FOR SHOW DANCE EVENTS

  1. All routines must be ONE style or song only. This can consist of one song that has multiple style characteristics in it (maximum 3 dances) OR it can be a mix of songs in the same style. For example, a song that is mostly Foxtrot but has a section of the same song that could be Swing. Or 2 songs mixed together that are both Cha Cha.
  2. At least 50% of each routine must consist of a recognizable competitive NDCA style.
  3. Props that do not require additional set up time are allowed.
  4. Routines must not exceed 3:00 minutes.
  5. Routines may only have 3 lifts of any kind. On the fourth lift, the routine will be considered in the cabaret category. Tricks, drops, and stunts that are within 2 beats of music are NOT considered lifts. A lift is any movement when a dancer assists another and both feet leave the floor for more than 2 beats.
  6. Teams of three, four, five, six, seven, or eight couples may compete in each formation style. As per NDCA Formation Team rule XII.D- A couple is one boy and one girl. Girls may NOT dress up as boys or vice versa. Dancers that identify as a certain gender must dance that role for the entirety of the competition. (As there is only 1 round for team dances, any infringement of this rule is immediate disqualification.)
  7. Show dances will be divided into the following categories/genres for competition:
    • Smooth/Ballroom: Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz, Quickstep
    • Latin/Rhythm: Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble, Bolero, Mambo
    • Swing: East Coast/Triple Swing, Lindy, West Coast Swing, Jive
  8. A team may only compete once in each category. Teams cannot compete against themselves. Any team violations will result in disqualification in that team event. (As there is only 1 round for team dances, any infringement of this rule is immediate disqualification.)
  9. Costumes must follow UBEA guidelines and rules. Please clear costumes with the competition organizer before the competition. Any costume violations will result in disqualification in that team event. (As there is only 1 round for team dances, any infringement of this rule is immediate disqualification.)
  10. All categories are available in each age group: Pre-Teen (up to 11 yr. old/K-6 grades), Junior (12-15 yr. old/7-9 grades), and Youth (16-18 yr. old/10-12 grades). As per NDCA Formation Team age rules, students can compete up ONE age bracket, but cannot compete down an age bracket, with the following exceptions: A pre-teen team may have 1 Junior couple, A Junior team may have 1 Youth couple, but a Youth team may NOT have any adult age dancers or any pre-teen age dancers on their team. Any age group violations will result in disqualification in that team event. (As there is only 1 round for team dances, any infringement of this rule is immediate disqualification.)
  11. For State Titles, the only teams eligible to compete in these categories are programs that are member organizations of the UBEA. These programs must have filled out and turned in the Eligibility Checklist to the UBEA Membership Registrar at the beginning of the school year. Any infringement of the Eligibility Checklist will result in disqualification from the team event, loss of state title ranking, and possible 1 year probation from UBEA State competition.
Here is the link to the Coaches Checklist: Coaches Checklist

Here is the link to all rules: UBEA Formation Team Rules