COMPETITION RULES & CATEGORIES
AGE CATEGORIES
Age is determined strictly by year of birth, not exact date.
All non-adult competitors must present proof of birth year.
Example:
A child born on 19 September 2016 competing in May 2026 must register in Under 12, not Under 10.
Failure to provide documentation in case of objection results in automatic last place.
AGE DIVISIONS
2019 – Today
Mini Kids Under 8
2017 – 2018
Juvenile 1 Under 10
2015 – 2016
Juvenile 2 Under 12
2013 – 2014
Junior 1 Under 14
2011 – 2012
Junior 2 Under 16
2008 – 2010
Youth Under 19
2006 – 2010
Under 21
2007 & Older
Amateur Over 16
COUPLES
Age category is determined by the older dancer.
- In Pro/Am, age is determined by the student.
In Senior categories, age is determined by the younger dancer.
Seniors may compete in a younger category.
GROUPS
Allowed age deviations:
< 9 members → 2 dancers allowed one category above
9+ members → 3 dancers allowed one category above
15+ members (Mega Crew) → 5 dancers allowed one category above
Younger dancers may compete up to 3 age categories above.
SOLO
Solo competitors may compete up to one age division higher.
Example: Juvenile 2 may compete in Junior 1 solo.
PROFESSIONAL
A dancer is considered Professional only if:
Over 21 years old
LEVELS
Beginners
No competitive experience / first-time competitors.
Rising Stars
Intermediate level with basic competitive experience.
Regular Categories
Advanced competitors.
CLOSED CATEGORIES (Latin / Ballroom)
Based on the Walter Laird Technique Book.
Bronze
Associate figures only.
Silver
Licentiate figures allowed.
Gold
Fellow-level figures allowed.
LEVEL PROMOTION
Athletes must move up if:
They remain 2 years in the same level
ORThey place Top 3 in 70% of competitions within one year
Changing age category does NOT change level category.
TIME LIMITS
Solo: max 1:30
Solo Oriental Show: max 2:00
Duo: max 1:30
Duo Oriental Pro: max 2:00
Group: max 2:00
Mega Crew: max 3:00
Entry/Exit time: 15 seconds
Exceeding time results in automatic last place.
GENERAL RULES
Participation in 5D categories forbids participation in 1D categories (except Pro/Am).
In Oriental categories, accessories are allowed only in Show Dance.
Songs for Oriental Classic Solo, Hip Hop Solo, Contemporary Solo, Jazz Funk Solo, Commercial Solo, Dancehall Solo, Reggaeton Solo and K-Pop Solo are provided by the organizers.
Adult teams must consist of 3 or more persons and only one may be a teacher.
Participation in SILVER and GOLD categories forbids participation in lower levels.
In children’s teams, participation of adults is forbidden.
In Duo Latin categories, dancers must perform without hold; otherwise they are placed in Am/Am.
In Am/Am categories, dancers must perform closed syllabus choreography.
All Latin & Ballroom choreographies including lifts longer than 3 seconds, acrobatics or accessories must be registered as Show Dance, otherwise automatic last place.
In All Ladies choreographies, lifts must not exceed 3 seconds.
Participants must arrive one hour before their category to avoid delays.
DRESS CODE
Costumes must be modest.
Restrictions apply only to Juvenile 1 & 2 categories.
Makeup for minors must be natural.
CODE OF ETHICS
Athletes must:
Show respectful behavior
Avoid discrimination
Arrive 1 hour early
Attend parade and awards ceremony
Not smoke, vape or consume alcohol in competition area
MEDIA RIGHTS
By registering, competitors grant permission for:
Photography
Video recording
Broadcast
Promotional use
No compensation required.