SHOW ME SHOWDOWN 2025 CONTEST RULES
AVAILABLE CONTESTS
- WSDC Jack & Jill contests: Newcomer, Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, All-Star, Masters, and Invitational
- (Non-WSDC) Pro Am Jack & Jill: Novice and Intermediate
- Strictly Swing contests: Newcomer, Open (Novice/Intermediate),Advanced/All-Star
- Pro Am Strictly Swing contests: Newcomer/Novice and Intermediate
- Pro Am Routines: Novice and Intermediate/Advanced
- Steal Team Challenge
ENTRY DEADLINES
- 6 PM Friday: Registration closes for all Friday Contests
- 10 AM Saturday: Registration closes for all Jack & Jill Contests
- 5 PM Saturday: Registration closes for all Routines
- 11 AM Sunday: Registration closes for all Strictly Swing Contests
Entry deadlines are FIRM. There will be no exceptions. All competitors must purchase a weekend pass. The weekend pass gives you access to all competitions, open dancing, shows, and most workshops. Official policies governing all Show Me Showdown's competitions are below. All competitors are responsible for reading and following the rules.
COMPETITION RULES
ALL CONTESTS ARE DEGENDERED- Waivers: Each competitor must sign an entry waiver form and pay in full BEFORE competing.
- Weekend Pass: All Entrants are required to purchase a weekend ticket and may be asked to verify event pass purchase.
- Age:
- Jack and Jill contests are open to ages 18 and above.
- Competitors between the ages of 11 and 17 must petition to compete in Jack and Jill contests.
- Strictly Swing and Pro-Am are open to all ages.
- Masters is 50 and above.
- You will have line ups prior to each division. The area for lining up will be announced prior to the division start. You must line up and check in with the contest coordinators in the designated locations. IMPORTANT NOTE: IF YOU ARE NOT IN LINE WHEN YOUR HEAT IS WALKING IN TO THE COMPETITION AREA, YOU WILL BE SCRATCHED AND NOT ALLOWED TO DANCE. PLEASE BE AWARE OF SCHEDULED COMPETITION TIMES AND BE PREPARED (WITH YOUR BIB NUMBER) TO DANCE.
- Photos/Videos: Entering a contest indicates consent to unrestricted use of your name and likeness in photos and videos to appear in future promotions on the internet
- Costumes: Costumes are not permitted in any category except Pro-Am Routines. Strictly swing partners are encouraged to wear coordinated or matching outfits.
- Swing Definition: This is a 'Swing Dance' competition and all recognized swing styles are allowed, including Whip, Push, West Coast, Swing, Shag, Lindy Hop, Imperial, Swingout, Jitterbug, Stepping and others.
- Entry Limits and Requirements:
- Dancers may compete in multiple swing contest categories during the weekend. You may compete or enter a particular contest more than once, but each entry must be at a different level. If you are unable to compete in a different level, you may only compete in the contest once.
- There is no limit to entries to any division. If there are fewer than five entries in any division, Show Me Showdown reserves the right to combine or cancel that division. Show Me Showdown also reserves the right to have all lead/follow categories run in a heated format in lieu of prelims or spotlight format to facilitate event schedule constraints.
- WSDC Jack and Jill Rules:
- WSDC points will be used to determine the level for all Jack & Jill competitors. Masters may compete in the appropriate WSDC level and in Masters. You may compete as a leader and follower per WSDC guidelines.
- Leader and Follower points will be tracked separately in Points Registry.
- Competitors qualify for their dance level based on either their Leader or Follower points, whichever is higher.
- Competitors are allowed to compete in their non-dominant role one level down if they do not qualify in both for the same division. HOWEVER - Competitors with no/limited competition success in their secondary role may submit a petition to dance one additional level down in that role.
- Competitors will not be permitted to dance both roles in the same division.
- Competitors with points in both their primary and secondary roles at the same skill level must select only one (1) role to compete in (either their primary or secondary role) for that event's skill level contest.
- Competitors – please contact points@worldsdc.com if any points are/were incorrectly allocated to the wrong role in the system.
- Qualification for Newcomer Dancers: Designed for the dancer that is BRAND NEW to competition. This division is not open to all levels.
- Lifts, Drops, and Aerials:
- Lifts, drops and aerials are allowed in Show Me Showdown's routine divisions (ProAm routines). Drops that are considered 'safe' and that work within the realm of 'lead/follow' are allowed in the Advanced, All- Star, Masters, and Invitational divisions of Jack and Jill and Strictly Swing ONLY.
- Definition of a LIFT: That point when both feet are off the ground, and weight is not self-supported.
- Definition of an AERIAL: The point at which one partner is off the ground due to the other partner and not maintaining contact with their partner.
- Definition of a DROP: The point at which the head goes below your partner's waist and weight is not self-supported.
- All rules will be strictly enforced: Scoring and penalties will be at the discretion of each individual judge.
Appropriate Behavior and Dress Code
It is the desire of the Organizer to encourage expressive and exciting dance performances without sacrificing the quality of dancing and good taste. To encourage this balance, any action that the judges believe would make them uncomfortable in a social dance setting (such as wearing inappropriate attire or showing disrespect toward one's partner, other dancers, or the event) is prohibited. Competitors should check with the Chief Judge in advance if they have questions regarding the acceptability of their routine/competition attire.Responsibilities of Competitors
- Planning: Competitors should check the weekend schedule in advance to arrive in time to meet registration deadlines. They should bring appropriate competition attire. They should also plan to be on time for competitions. Competitors are responsible for checking at the event for any changes to previously announced schedules, which are always subject to change.
- Knowing the Rules: All competitors should read these rules carefully prior to competing. Competitors are responsible for adhering to these rules whether they have read them or not. Questions about the rules should be addressed in advance to the Organizer and/or the Chief Judge.
- Being Prepared to Compete: Competitors should be present in the ballroom at least 15 minutes prior to the start of their competition. Any change in partnership for the couple's Competitions may require an additional entry fee as well as a new entry form and waiver.
- Demonstrating Good Sporting Conduct: Competitors must always demonstrate good sporting conduct, both on and off the competition floor. Competitors may not speak to judges regarding their placements or scores until after the awards have been given. It is bad sportsmanship to badger or argue with judges about placements and scores. Competitors must also refrain from any behavior that the judges deem inappropriate. Failure to adhere to this code of behavior may result in disqualification.
Petitions for Reclassification
It is the Organizer's goal to encourage all competitors to assign themselves to a fair and appropriate classification using the honor system. If competitors feel uncomfortable with their assigned classification, they may petition for reclassification on their entry form by providing a brief, written explanation of the reason(s) for their request. Competitors must submit such petitions at the contest registration desk prior to the earliest registration deadline for the competition(s) in question. Petitions for reclassification will be reviewed by the Chief Judge, in consultation with the Organizer, and contestants will be notified as quickly as possible of the outcome.Changes to These Rules
The Organizer will make every effort to conduct all competitions in accordance with these rules. However, the Organizer reserves the right to make any changes in schedule/format deemed necessary for any competition.Jack and Jill Divisions
Our qualifications for entries promote fairness and competitor enjoyment by grouping dancers of similar ability in the same division. Our rules are based on the World Swing Dance Council recommendations. It is the Organizer's goal to encourage all competitors to assign themselves to the appropriate classification using the honor system. If you are not comfortable dancing in the division where these qualifications place you and would like to dance up or down, please petition.- Newcomer: Designed for the dancer that is BRAND NEW to competition. Any Newcomer who makes finals and gets 1 point recorded in the WSDC registry now moves up to Novice in that role. You are NOT required to dance in Newcomer if you'd like to go straight to Novice.
- Novice: Competitors must stay in Novice until they have earned at least 16 points in Novice. Required to move up with 30+ novice points or 1 Intermediate point.
- Intermediate: Competitors must have earned at least 16 points in Novice; and less than 30 points in Intermediate. Required to move up with 45+ Intermediate points or 1 Advanced point.
- Advanced: Competitors must have earned at least 30 points or more in Intermediate. Required to move up with 90 Advanced points (no time limit) or 1 All Star Point.
- All Star: Competitors must have earned at least 60 points in Advanced (no time limit).
- Masters: For competitors who are at least 50 years old by the end of the event. Competitors may also dance in a skill level Jack & Jill (Novice, Intermediate, Advanced or All Star).
Division Qualifications
Our qualifications for entries promote fairness and competitor enjoyment by grouping dancers of similar ability in the same division. Please see the World Swing Dance Council webpage for more details for the jack and jill division. It is the Organizer's goal to encourage all competitors to assign themselves to a fair and appropriate classification using the honor system. If you do not feel comfortable dancing within these qualifications, please petition accordingly
Newcomer, Open (Novice/Intermediate) and Advanced/All Star: For these divisions, a couple must enter the highest level either partner qualifies for based on the WSDC points they have earned and the WSDC level criteria for Jack & Jill.
Strictly Swing Divisions
Swing dancing that encourages lead and follow partner dancing at its best. Although swing includes amalgamations and patterns that are familiar to many dancers, the essence of lead and follow must be maintained in and out of these patterns. Strictly Swing division is not meant for long and extended pre-choreographed phrases. Choreography “on the fly” is the objective. Drops, leans, circular movements and other partner weight support moves are allowed (in the allowed divisions) as long as both partners keep at least one foot on the floor. Strictly swing partners are encouraged to wear may choose to wear coordinated outfits.Newcomer
This division is for students with little to no competition experience. Students are expected to perform solid basics. Limited variations are allowed but not required. No leans, drops, or breakaways are allowed. All material should be recognizable as familiar, common “leadable” social patterns.
Novice
This level is based on WSDC skill level. Students are expected to perform solid basics. Limited variations are allowed but not required. No leans, drops, or breakaways are allowed. All material should be recognizable as familiar, common “leadable” social patterns.
Intermediate
This division is for students with significant prior competition and or dance experience. Students are expected to perform clean basics with variations and musicality. Judges will consider musical interpretation, showmanship, and creativity.
Pro-Am Strictly Swing Division
- Students enter with their teacher. This division is designed to highlight social dancing skills at a performance level with an emphasis on lead/follow technique.
- For this contest, amateurs are defined as anyone who does not teach dancing on a regular, ongoing basis or earn a significant amount of income teaching or performing. A professional is defined as someone who earns a significant amount of income teaching or performing dance. Anyone who has previously competed in open or professional level competition must be considered a Pro for this purpose.
- Only the student is evaluated. Different skill levels are offered for both Leader and Follower roles. Each skill level and role are a separate contest.
- Each professional shall have no more than 5 entries in each Division offered.
- It is the Organizer's goal to encourage Pro/Am competitions as a learning tool for the students.
- Length of performance is at the promoter's discretion. Music will be chosen by the Organizer.
- Costumes are not allowed. Matching or complementary outfits, however, are acceptable.
- This division will be danced in heats.
Pro-Am Spotlight Routine
This single division is offered for all styles of Swing: West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, Hustle, Shag and Hand Dance or any other style of popular swing dance.- Students enter with their teacher and perform a choreographed routine to
music they choose.- Expected swing content of any style is 70%. It is at the judges' discretion to
determine that the swing content has been met.- For this contest, amateurs are defined as anyone who does not teach dancing on a regular, ongoing basis or earn a significant amount of income teaching or performing. A professional is defined as someone who earns a significant amount of income teaching or performing dance. Anyone who has previously competed in open or professional level competition must be considered a Pro for this purpose.
- Routine must be at least 2 minutes long and no longer than 3 minutes.
- Competitors select their own music.
- Costumes are required.
Steal Team Challenge Coming soon!
