Competition & Event Rules

General Contest Rules

• Register and pay fees by the published deadlines.
• Check in at least 15 minutes before contests. Late arrivals may be disqualified.
• Compete in divisions appropriate to your WSDC skill level (see WSDC rules).
• Treat partners, staff, and fellow competitors with respect.
• Offensive (political, religious, violent, referring to sex...) attire or gestures are prohibited.
• Divisions with fewer than 5 entries may be cancelled or combined (refunds apply for cancellations).
• By competing, you consent to photography/video for event promotion.

Jack & Jill Competitions

Competitors enter as an individual and dance with a randomly chosen partner. The DJ picks the music. Leaders and followers are randomly paired and there will be several partner changes during the preliminary, quarter-final, or semi-final rounds. Competitors are scored individually on timing, technique and teamwork in the preliminary heats. Those scoring the highest will be called back later to dance in a final round. In the final, individuals are randomly paired, then scored as a couple. The DJ picks the music. Music tempo and style will vary. All songs will be appropriate for the dance division entered.​

• Music will be selected by our DJ staff; length of music and number of songs per heat is at the promoter’s discretion.
• This division will be danced in heats for preliminaries, quarter-finals, and semi-finals (if needed).
• Lifts, aerials, and acrobatic moves are NOT allowed. Support moves, such as drops, slides, and splits are allowed (but not required) to the degree that they would be considered safe and appropriate on a social dance floor.
• You may not enter 2 levels dancing the same role.
• You may not enter the same level dancing both roles.
• You may not change roles during the Jack & Jill contest for more than eight (8) beats of music.

Strictly Swing Competitions

• Dancers choose partners; improvisation is required.
• 100% West Coast Swing. No lifts/acrobatic moves. Drops allowed. Breakaways ≤ 8 beats.
• Music chosen by DJ.
• Strictly Newcomer/Novice: No Intermediate WSDC points or higher.
• Strictly Intermediate/Advanced: No All Star points.
• Open Strictly: No restrictions.

Organizer Responsibilities

We will select qualified staff (judges, MCs, DJs, scorers), ensure fair scoring (callbacks for prelims, relative placement in finals), and publish results transparently. Competitions may be adjusted or cancelled if necessary.

Requesting a Restart

For spotlight rounds only, restarts may be granted if music or technical issues occur, with head judge approval before leaving the floor.

Attire & Behavior

Offensive, political, or sexually explicit attire is prohibited. Judges may penalize or disqualify inappropriate behavior. Remember: our audience includes dancers of all ages, and performances may be live-streamed.

Last Edit: 02.09.25