Rules – Derby City Swing

WEST COAST SWING CONTEST RULES

GENERAL RULES

All participants must follow host hotel rules and all applicable state and federal laws.
Event staff reserves the right to remove from the event or disqualify any person whose behavior presents potential harm, danger, or disruption.

Wristbands must be worn at all times and may not be removed.

Seating: Assigned table seating must be used if purchased. All other seating is open. Please do not hold seats beyond the session in which you are dancing.

Video & Photography: Allowed throughout the weekend. Be respectful of others. Tripods and extension cords are not permitted in the ballroom except for the official event photographer/videographer.

Outside food, beverages, pets, and unauthorized sales or solicitation are not permitted in event spaces.

GENERAL CONTEST RULES

Competitors are responsible for reading and understanding all rules. Questions must be asked in advance and will be answered by the Head Judge or Contest Coordinator.

All entries must be registered and paid before published deadlines. Competitor numbers must be picked up prior to the entry deadline for your first contest.

Competitors must check in with staging staff 15 minutes before each round. Failure to check in will result in being scratched and forfeiture of entry fees.

An individual may not enter the same contest twice.
Entry constitutes consent for unrestricted use of name and likeness in photos and videos for promotional purposes.

Final scores will be available on the event website after the competition concludes. Not all divisions listed are offered at every event.

JACK & JILL CONTESTS

Jack & Jill contests allow individuals to enter without a partner and demonstrate spontaneous dancing with a variety of partners. Due to random partner selection, a “luck of the draw” factor exists.

Leaders and followers are randomly paired, with multiple partner changes during preliminary and semi-final rounds. Competitors are scored individually on timing, technique, and partnership. Final rounds are danced as randomly paired couples and scored together.

Music is selected by the DJ. Tempo and style will vary and will be appropriate for the division entered.

Skill Level Divisions

Newcomer • Novice • Intermediate • Advanced • All-Star

Additional Divisions

Sophisticated WSDC (35+) – Newcomer through All-Star (WSDC Points Eligible)
Masters Newcomer – Novice (50+) – Newcomer or Novice
Masters Open (50+) – Newcomer through All-Star (WSDC Points Eligible)
Pro-Am Jack & Jill (if offered)
Two levels (Newcomer/Novice or Intermediate & Above). Enter as an individual and dance with at least three randomly selected Professional or All-Star partners. Competitors may enter a second Pro-Am in the opposite role at the same level or one level down and are judged within the entered role.

CHOOSING THE CORRECT LEVEL

Competitors are responsible for entering divisions they qualify for under WSDC rules.

Skill levels are determined by prior WSDC Jack & Jill results. Competitors may enter one level as a leader and an adjacent level as a follower.

First-time competitors or those without prior WSDC Jack & Jill experience should enter Newcomer. Exceptional circumstances may be submitted via formal petition no later than 48 hours prior to competition.

Competing in an incorrect division without an approved petition may result in disqualification. Questions should be directed to the contact email listed on the event website.

STRICTLY SWING CONTESTS

Competitors enter with a partner. Music is selected by the event. Each skill level is a separate contest.

Couples dance multiple short songs in heats. If more than 15 couples enter a division, a preliminary round will precede finals.

Judges evaluate social dancing skills, timing, technique, connection, lead and follow, presentation, and showmanship.

Skill Divisions

Newcomer/Novice • Intermediate • Advanced • All-Star

Costumes & Entry Rules

Matching costumes and props are not permitted; coordinated attire is acceptable.

Partners may not dance together in more than one Strictly Swing contest or in any choreography contest. Competitors may enter multiple Strictly Swing contests with different partners by entering age-based divisions, dancing up with higher-level partners, or dancing down in a secondary role as allowed by WSDC rules.

CHOREOGRAPHY CONTESTS

Competitors choose their partner, costumes, music, and choreography. Dance order is random and posted prior to the contest.

Divisions

Rising Star • Pro-Am Routines

Performance Requirements

Routines must be between 2 and 3 minutes, with timing beginning at the first dance movement.

Music must be a single audio file clearly labeled with competitor names and provided to the DJ no later than floor trials, or emailed at least 24 hours in advance.

Props are not allowed. A prop is any item intentionally brought in, removed, discarded, or picked up during a routine.

Pro-Am Routines: Student performs with their teacher. Limit of 6 routines with one teacher in each level.
Rising Star Routines: For couples not competing in Classic or Showcase divisions at other events.

CONTEST SCORING

Final placements are determined using the relative placement system, adapted from figure skating. Each judge has equal voting weight, minimizing the impact of outlier scores and rewarding consistent rankings.

For additional information, please contact us through the event website.

For Review: Complete WSDC Rules