competition rules

NEVERLAND  SWING - COMPETITION RULES (Updated; 06/24/2025)

 

Competition Organizer

Final decision on any matter pertaining to these competitions rests solely with the organizer(s) of Neverland Swing.

 

General Competition Requirements:

 Each competition is open to all competitors in good standing who:

1. Hold an Event Pass (Workshop Pass, Party Pass, All Star Pass) and pay all associated registrations fees;

2. Register by the official entry deadlines(s) as outlined in the weekend schedule;

3. Pay the required entry fee(s) and complete any required entry forms.

4. Meet all other specific entry requirements as outlined in these rules.

 

Contest Requirements:

1. Entries: All contests must have a minimum of five (5) entries to be a valid contest.

2. Judges: There will be a minimum of four (4) Judges per role for all prelims competitions and a minimum of five (5) Judges for all finals competitions; seven (7) for tier 5-6 contests. 

3.  Scoring System: Contests are scored using computerized software and relative placement. Scoring.dance is the scoring system used at Neverland Swing.

4.  Contestants will be judged in the preliminaries, quarter-finals and/or semi-finals as an individual in Jack & Jill competitions and as a couple in any finals.

 

Role/Gender Requirements:

Persons of any gender can choose to dance either lead or follow, as they prefer. We encourage you to register in whichever role you would like when dancing.

 

Appropriate Behavior and Dress Code:

Any action that the judges believe would make them uncomfortable in a social dance setting (such as wearing inappropriate attire, showing disrespect toward one’s partner, other dancers, or the event) is prohibited. Competitors should check with the Organizer or Chief Judge in advance if they have any questions.

 

Competitors are encouraged not to wear jeans or “too casual” attire for competitions. Please dress in appropriate attire; if you have a clothing issue, please contact the chief judge for prior approval. 

 

Changes to These Rules

The Organizer reserves the right to make any changes in schedule/format deemed necessary for any competition.

 

Responsibilities of Competitors

1. Competitors should check the weekend schedule in advance in order to arrive in time to meet registration deadlines. They should bring appropriate competition attire. They should also plan ahead so as to be on-time for all marshaling and competitions. Competitors are responsible for checking at the event for any changes to previously announced schedules, which are always subject to change.

2. All competitors should read these rules carefully prior to attending the contestant meeting for their competition. Competitors are responsible for adhering to these rules whether they have read them or not. Questions about the rules should be addressed to the Organizer or the Chief Judge.

3. Competitors should be present in the ballroom or in the marshaling area at least 10 minutes prior to the start of their competition marshalling. Failure to arrive at your scheduled marshalling times may lead to disqualification.

4.  Any cancellation or disqualification by a competitor or couple after the registration deadline will result in the loss of the entry fee.

5. Competitors must demonstrate good sporting conduct at all times, both on and off the dance 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.

 

Competitors: Skill Levels and Points Registry

1. Competitors are responsible for following the WSDC Registry Rules. Competitors will not receive WSDC points for placement if they fail to follow the WSDC Points Registry Rules.

2. Competitors have one (1) unique WSDC Competitor ID number for the Points Registry.

   1. Competitors are responsible for using their WSDC Competitor ID number when registering for Jack and Jill competitions at WSDC Registry Events.

   2. Competitors are responsible for correcting their WSDC Competitor ID number errors, either at the event or with the WSDC directly (email points@worldsdc.com).

   3. Competitors will be assigned a WSDC Competitor ID number only after they receive a point.

3. Competitors may compete in a maximum of two (2) skill level WSDC Jack and Jill competitions, once in their primary role and once in their secondary role. Competitors may compete in multiple age-based WSDC Jack and Jill competitions.

   1. Competitors must maintain their role, either as a Leader or Follower, throughout the contest.

4. Competitors may compete in either their primary or secondary role in other contests.

5. Competitors must use the Points Registry, this rules document, and the WSDC Skill Level Jack and Jill Advancement Chart (www.worldsdc.com) to determine the skill level for their primary role.

   1. Competitors may submit petitions to dance one level “up” or “down” for their primary role only. Competitors may not submit petitions for their secondary role. Petitions must be approved or the competitor will not receive points for placement.

6. Competitors will be awarded points as either a Leader or Follower. Those points are tracked separately in the Points Registry.

7. Competitors may dance one (1) or two (2) levels down in their secondary role as indicated on the Points Registry, with the following clarifications:

   1. 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 Jack and Jill contest (e.g., competitor with 5 Advanced points as a Leader and 10 Advanced points as a Follower must decide whether to compete as either Leader or Follower in Advanced).

   2. NEW! The division a competitor selects for their primary role at the Event determines what level they may compete at for their secondary role. WSDC recommends competitors dance one (1) level down, but based on their skills, competitors may dance two (2) levels down from their primary role unless they are required to move up based on the WSDC Skill Level Jack and Jill Advancement Chart for their secondary role (i.e., based on their points in their secondary role). Petitions are not allowed for secondary roles. (E.g., a competitor with 63 Advanced points as a Leader is allowed to dance in Advanced or All-Star as a Leader in their primary role. If they choose to dance in Advanced as a Leader, they may dance in Novice or Intermediate as a Follower; if they choose to dance in All Star as a Leader, they may dance in Intermediate or Advanced as a Follower. However, if they have 1+ Intermediate points, they must dance in Intermediate as a Follower, even if they choose to dance in Advanced as a Leader.)

      1. Exception: To maintain the intent of the Newcomer division, competitors competing in Intermediate in their primary role may NOT compete in Newcomer (i.e., Intermediate competitors may only dance one level down in their secondary role).

8. Competitors who are Novice in their primary role may choose to compete in their secondary role in the Newcomer division, if they have no points in their secondary role (see Chart 3: WSDC Skill Level Jack and Jill Advancement Chart), or the Novice division. They may not compete twice in the same skill level Jack and Jill contest.

9. Points are recorded only for those who place in WSDC Jack and Jill finals (see Chart 4: Points Awarded per Tier). a. WSDC Jack and Jill competitions must have a minimum of five (5) unique Leaders and five (5) unique Followers in finals for points to be awarded and the results to be included in the Points Registry.

10. If a competitor places twice in a division, the competitor is only awarded points for the higher placement (e.g., contest goes straight to finals with uneven numbers; competitor places 2nd and 5th; competitor is awarded points
    for 2nd place).

​

Petitions for Division Reclassification

The (WSDC) World Swing Dance Council Points Registry is used to determine eligibility for the West Coast Swing Jack & Jill skill levels. Current WSDC points information is available online at www.worldsdc.com for anyone to look up which division they have qualified for.

 

1. Registry Events must offer a petition process for competitors who wish to dance in a different skill division:

   1. Petitions can be submitted for one skill level up or one skill level down only. Competitors may submit petitions for their primary role only. Competitors may not submit petitions for their secondary role.

   2. Petitions shall not be approved at the Event for the purpose of making a Tier (i.e., to meet the minimum number of required competitors for a Tier).

   3. All petitions must be submitted to the WSDC with the WSDC Event Reporting form.

   4. For petitions down only (primary role only): 

      1. The Chief Judge, or qualified individual(s)/committee designated by the Chief Judge, may approve or deny the petition after reviewing the competitor's Points Registry record.

      2. Petitions are event-specific and not transferable. Competitors must submit a petition at their next event.

   5.   For petitions up only: 

      1. Petitions must be submitted to the WSDC Chief Judges Committee (“CJC”) at least fifteen (15) days in advance of the event, along with two (2) videos of the competitor’s dancing. Petitions and videos must be submitted via this link: worldsdc.com/level-up-petition. The CJC may approve or deny the petition after reviewing the competitor’s Points Registry record and videos.

      2. Petitions will be approved for six (6) months and are transferable to other events. Competitors who obtain a point in the higher division will remain in the higher division.

 

DIVISION RULES

 

JACK & JILL DIVISIONS

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.

Eligibility

Our Jack & Jill competitions are open to anyone who knows the basic West Coast Swing (WCS) patterns, such as:
• Starter step

• Sugar push
• Underarm turn

• Left side pass
• Right side pass 

• Tuck
• Whip

 

WSDC Jack & Jill contests offered (WSDC):

1. Newcomers

2. Novice

3. Intermediate

4. Sophisticated

5. Masters

6. Advanced

7. All-Stars (Only if Enough Registrations)

 

Division Qualifications:

The World Swing Dance Council (WSDC) Points Registry determines eligibility for these leveled West Coast Swing Jack & Jill contests. Look up your level here: www.worldsdc.com.
 

Competitors are responsible for entering only contests they qualify for. If you haven’t earned any WSDC points you can choose to start in Newcomer or Novice.

 

Notes: 

The points required for moving up (or down) is based on the points in either the dancer’s primary or secondary role, not their combined points.

 

SPECIFIC RULES FOR JACK & JILLS DIVISIONS:

1. Contestants must be at least sixteen (16) years or older by the end of the event to participate.

2. Music will be selected by our DJ staff; length of music and number of songs per heat is at the promoter’s discretion.

3. This division will be danced in heats for preliminaries, quarter-finals, and semi-finals (if needed).

4. 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. 

5. You may not enter 2 levels dancing the same role.

6. You may not enter the same level dancing both roles.

7. You may not change roles during the Jack & Jill contest for more than eight (8) beats of music.

SPECIFIC RULES FOR STRICTLY SWING DIVISIONS:

1. Contestants must be at least sixteen (16) years or older by the end of the event to participate.

2. Music will be selected by our DJ staff; length of music and number of songs per heat is at the promoter’s discretion.

3. Costumes are not allowed. However, matching or complementary outfits are acceptable and encouraged.

4. This division will be danced in heats for preliminaries and semi-finals (if needed).

5. Couples must maintain physical contact except for spins, turns, short break-aways, and recoveries.

6. Pre-choreographed routines are not allowed.

7. 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.

8. You may lead at one level and follow at the next higher or lower level. However, if you have earned points in both roles at a higher level (Advanced or All-Star), you cannot move down to Intermediate. In this case, you must select only one role for the Open SS division.

9. You must compete at the same level in your primary role for all divisions. For example, if you enter Intermediate J&J in your primary role, you cannot compete in Novice SS in the same role.

10. If you plan to compete in both Novice or Intermediate SS and Open SS, you must choose different partners for each division. You cannot compete with the same partner in both.

11. You may not enter 2 different levels dancing your primary role; except, if you dance in either Novice or Intermediate SS, you may dance in your primary role in the OPEN SS with a different partner.  

12. You may not enter the same level dancing both roles.

Strictly Swing contests offered:

1. Novice

2. Masters

3. Open

SPECIFIC RULES FOR RISING STAR DIVISION:

The objective of the Rising Star Tour (RST) is to provide a platform for amateur dancers to grow and improve their swing dancing skills in the context of choreographed routines. Rule changes effective May 1, 2025 are highlighted in yellow.

Dancer Eligibility To participate in the 2025 Rising Star Tour, each dancer must: 

1. Be fifteen (15) years or older by the end of any qualifying event at which they are competing. 2. Never have placed or made a qualifying final of a NASDE Classic or Showcase division.
3. Not have Champion points within the last ten (10) years.
4. Never have won the RST top point award in previous seasons.
5. Never have placed top three (3) in the Open Rising Star division twice.
6. Retain eligibility separately for each role, leader/follower.
7. Event directors may participate as competitors in the tour; however, they may not compete at an event they run.

RST Sportsmanship Expectations
Sportsmanship is a fundamental aspect of our competition. Competing for the RST prize fund is a privilege, not a right. The event director may flag a competitor’s behavior as unsportsmanlike. Said behavior will be reviewed by the NASDE board at the next scheduled NASDE Board meeting. Consequences for violations may include, but are not limited to: 

• Deduction of points. 

• Dropping in level in the overall standings. 

• Removal from the RST list.

RST Prop Rules
To ensure the safety of competitors and the audience, no props are allowed in Rising Star routines. A prop is defined as any article or object intentionally discarded, removed, taken away, or brought into a dance by a competitor. This includes, but not limited to, a hat that is thrown to the floor, a cane that is tossed away, or picking up an object from the floor. The referee will be designated as ensuring this rule is enforced. If the referee determines a violation occurred, the NASDE Referee system will be used for verification and applying penalties. If flagged, a review panel will make the final decision on any violation or drop in placement. 

 

RST Restart Rules
Restarts are allowed in the Rising Star division if something occurs during the performance that impacts the safety of the competitors. This includes:
1. Technical problems: Factors outside the dancers’ control (e.g., ballroom lights go out, faulty flooring, music stops suddenly).
2. Costume malfunctions: Shoes break or become unfastened, costumes tear or break, and loose items could endanger dancers or expose inappropriate areas.

Procedure: 

• The Chief Judge may stop the performance until the issue is addressed. 

• Competitors may stop and request a restart before leaving the competition floor. 

• Requests must be communicated to the Chief Judge when the problem occurs. 

• If approved, the Chief Judge will arrange for the competitors to restart promptly.

Judging: Only the restart performance will be scored. The initial performance will not be considered. 

 

General Rules 

1. RST rules apply. 

2. If any event rule conflicts with RST rules, the RST rules take precedence. 

3. A competitive couple must consist of one leader and one follower, maintaining roles throughout the routine, with one allowable role switch not exceeding eight beats. 

4. If fewer than three couples enter at an event, the division may be cancelled or the cash prize money may be reduced at the Event Director’s discretion. 

5. For events with over 18 couples, a prelim is recommended, with 10-12 couples advancing to the final. 

6. Couples must use the same music submission for both prelim and final rounds. 7. Individuals cannot compete twice within the same division.

Specific Rules
1. Swing Content: 70% swing content is required, subject to judges’ discretion.
2. Performance Time: Minimum 2 minutes, maximum 3 minutes. Judging begins with the first dance movement.
3. Competitors select their own music.
4. Costumes are allowed and encouraged.
5. Separate entrances are permitted; couples must join within 32 beats of music.
6. Physical contact must be maintained except during spins, turns, short breakaways, and recoveries, with separations not exceeding 8 beats.
7. A maximum of seven (7) partner weight-support moves are allowed.
8. Both partners must keep at least one foot on the floor during weight-support moves; otherwise, it is considered a lift. 

 

RISING STAR RULES

WSDC OFFICIAL RULES