30 January - 02 February 2025 WCS weekend in Saint-Petersburg, Russia

Competition

Divisions and Participants

 

Competition Rules and Regulations

General rules and guidelines

Recognizable WCS content must be present throughout the performance.

Jack’n’Jill, JackPot’n’Jill and Strictly competition highlights social dance skills with an emphasis on lead and follow and teamwork.  Choreographed routines are not allowed in Jack’n’Jill, JackPot’n’Jill and Strictly divisions.

Once the partners make contact, they must maintain physical contact except for spins, turns and short breakaways and recoveries. Break-aways must be immediately followed by and effort to reestablish physical contact (8 beat maximum separation).

“In the air” weight supported moved, such as lifts, aerials and acrobatic moves are not allowed. “On the ground” support moves (e.g., drops, slides, and spreads) are allowed to the degree that they would be considered safe and appropriate on the social dance floor.

Мusic is chosen by organisers.

Costumes are not alowed but tasteful dance clothes is encouraged. Dance shoes are obligatory.

Acrobatics in prelims, undressing, changing partners during a dance, using other people, furniture or accessories which are not the part of the costumes, will be considered as a violation.

The Chief judge has the authority to disqualify any competitor for  the rules violation or inappropriate behaviour on the dancefloor.

Judging criteria

Judging system

Prelims are judged on call-back system. The number of competitors who pass into the next round is set by the chief judge. Leaders and followers in Jack’n’jill are judged separately, as individuals. In Strictly и JackPot’n’Jill competitors are judged as a couple.

All the cases when there are more or less candidates for the next round than the set number, are settled by the chief judge vote. Every round results are posted by organisers in proper time.

In the finals judges place every couple in a rank order, with unique placement. Skating system is used to determine the final results.

Final results are not to be divulged until the awards ceremony.

Technical results are posted after the competition.

Feedback and complaints

Competitors may not discuss their performance with the judges before the end of competition. Contestants may not argue with judges.

Chief judge has the authority to resolve all the controversy issues in judging.

All the complaints and grievances concerning judging at competition, may be filed to the Chief judge after the competition ends and final results are announced.

Jack n’ Jill

Competitors may only enter one level of Jack’n’Jill (Newcomer, Novice, Intermediate, Advanced or All Stars). Leaders and followers enter competition as individuals (and register separately).

Depending on the number of entries in each division, there will be a Preliminary and/or Semi-final round prior to the Finals. Prelims and Semis will be danced in a heated format.

Competitors are invited to the dancefloor and will be randomly assigned partners.  Partners change after each melody according to the number named by  person leading the ceremony.  If there are more followers than leaders, the leaders may be called to dance several times during one round.

Leaders and followers are judged separately as individuals.

In JnJ finals competitors are randomly assigned partners, and judged as a couple. The Final Round format will be determined by the Competition Director and Chief Judge. It can be All Skate, Jam (64 counts spotlight) or Spotlight. In Finals leaders are invited to the dancefloor in a certain order, set prior to the final, and draw followers numbers.

Strictly

Competitors enter as couples. Strictly competition highlights social dance skills with an emphasis on lead and follow. If a contestant dances in another couples division at this event, they may not dance with any of their competitive partners in Strictly.

Depending on the number of entries in the division, there will be a Preliminary and/or Semi-final round prior to the Finals. Prelims and Semis will be danced in a heated format.   The Final Round format will be determined by the Competition Director and Head Judge.

JackPot’n’Jill

The division is open for dancers of all levels. Competitors enter as individuals. Organisers are going to keep the number of leaders and followers equal and put extra leaders or followers on a waiting list. Competitors will be randomly assigned a partner right before the Prelims. Partners will not change.  Depending on the number of entries in the division, there will be a Preliminary and/or Semi-final round prior to the Finals. Prelims and Semis will be danced in a heated format.

The Final Round format will be determined by the Competition Director and Head Judge.

Entrance competition fee for the division makes a fund which is going to be divided between the top 3 couples.

Rising Star Routines, Pro-Am Routines (Classic & Show Case)

Competitors select their own music which must be supplied to organisers before the competition. Choreographed routines are required. Routines must be a minimum of 2 minutes and a maximum of 3 minutes in length, including any formal entrance and exit, for Rising Star, and minimum 1 minute 30 seconds for Pro-Am. Costumes are required.

At least 70% of recognizable Swing content must be present in a performance.

Partners may make separate entrances but must join together within the first 32 beats of music. Break-a-ways and side-by-side patterns are permitted, no longer than eight (8) beats.

“On the ground”  (e.g., drops, slides and splits) and “In the air” (i.e., lifts, aerials) support moves and acrobatic maneuvers are  allowed, but not required. Maximum five (5) partner weight support moves with at least one foot on the ground.

Judging criteria:


Rules are subject to change. We  reserve our right to make any kind of adjustments and alterations, assuring to keep you informed of important ones.