Rules and Regulations

Wasatch Dancesport is an AAU recognized event. As such it will abide by all rules and regulations required by Dance Division of the Amateur Athletic Union. Some of the rules that apply directly to all competitors are as follows:

  1. All competitors are required to have an AAU membership
  2. All competitors and spectators must purchase an admission ticket for each day they are attending.
  3. No entry may be accepted that does not include the required entry fee.
  4. No couple is exempt from competing in any round. Any couple who fails to appear at the scheduled time for the first round of any event will be disqualified from the event.
  5. No person may compete in an age classification lower than their own. A Syllabus couple’s age classification eligibility is defined below.

 

Age Category Classification—Syllabus Competitors

  • Elementary School = K-6th grade
  • Junior High School = 7th-9th grade
  • High School = 10th-12th grade

 

Age Category Classifications—Open Competitors

These are defined by the age the competitor was on September, 1, 2017.

  • Pre-Teen 1. Competitors who are 9 years old and younger
  • Pre-Teen 2. Competitors who are 10-11 years old.
  • Junior 1. Competitors who are 12-13 years old.
  • Junior 2. Competitors who are 14-15 years old.
  • Competitors who are 16-18 years old. 19 year olds may also dance youth until they have graduated from high school.
  • Under 21. Competitors who are 19-20 years old.

 

Open Dress and/or Costuming Restrictions

Pre-teen 1 and 2 Championship Couples (Ballroom, Latin & American Style):

Men: Same as Syllabus costume restrictions above, however, men may substitute a black shirt, or dark blue pants or dark blue socks.

Ladies: Same as Syllabus costume restrictions above, however, ladie’s dresses must be made of fabric only one color throughout. Must have block heel style not to exceed 1.5 inches in height. NO FISHNETS! NO MAKE UP!

*** Pre-teen 2 competitors who dance up to Junior categories must remain in the approve Pre-teen costumes***

 

Junior & Youth Championship Couples (Ballroom, Latin & American Style):

Junior and Youth Championship Couples may wear the attire specified for Junior & Youth Newcomer/Syllabus Couples or attire specified below:

Men: Costumes appropriate to style.

  • Adult and Youth Latin shirts may be open to a point 8 inches down from the Supra Sternal Notch (Jugular Notch). Junior and Pre-teen Latin shirts may be open down to the sternum
  • Sheer fabric may only be worn on the arm. No sleeveless shirts.
  • No earrings.

Women: Costumes appropriate to they style.

  • Regular cut dance trunks and fishnet hose must be worn.
  • Straps over both shoulders of at least one inch in width are required. If multiple straps go over a shoulder at least one strap must be the required one-inch wide from front to back. Halter-tops or designs that resemble them are not permitted.
  • Lower backs must be covered from a point 5 inches above the waistline.
  • Sheer fabric on the bodice may be used from the top of the bust line up, in front, and in the back, from 5 inches above the waist up, in this case straps are not required.
  • Skirts may be broked or slitted from the trunk line down, but must cover the legs to mid-thigh when not in motion.
  • Skin from the front to a point several inches behind the sides (axilla-line) must be covered.
  • Cutouts or nude fabrics are not allowed.
  • Unitards are not allowed
  • Heel guards are mandatory and must be worn at all times, no exceptions.

Syllabus Dress Restrictions

Boys:

  • Trousers: A) Black only. B) High waist optional. C) underfoot strap optional. D) Satin stripes are allowed
  • Shirts: A) Plain white long sleeved collared shirt only. B) No pleats or ribbing. C) Sleeves to be worn at wrist length
  • Materials: A) Fabrics must be plain, e.g.: cotton, polyester, cotton/polyester blend, wool blend. B) No shiny fabrics. C) No glitter, metallic thread, patterns or sequins allowed. D) Decorations not allowed
  • Vests: A) Sweaters and vest NOT allowed
  • Tie: A) Black color only, may be either straight or bow.
  • Socks: A) Black only
  • Shoes: No restrictions
  • Makeup: Not allowed
  • Hairstyle: Long hair must be worn in a ponytail.

Girls:

  • Skirt with a top or simple dress with attached under garment or leotard top with full skirt
  • Skirts: A) Plain or pleated with minimum 1 to maximum 3 half circles. One simple underskirt allowed which is no larger or longer than top layer. B) No use of boning, frills, splits, openings, fishing line, etc. C) Length of skirt must be at least knee length.
  • Necklines: A) Boat, high neck, v-neck, sweetheart, ‘peter pan’ collar, scoop and regular collar are allowed.
  • Sleeves: are required A) Long, short, elbow length, cap, or puff are allowed. B) cannot be replaced by trimmings, frills, or edging on the shoulder line. C) No “finger loops” allowed
  • Materials: A) Fabrics MUST be only one color throughout. B) No glitter, metallic thread, or fabric creating ‘light or pattern effects’. C) No use of feathers, fringes, bows, belts, frills or sequins. D) No flesh color fabric. E) Any use of color coordinated ‘see through’ fabric must be lined from waist to shoulder; for use on arms no lining is needed.
  • Shoes: No restrictions, MUST HAVE HEEL GUARDS!
  • Socks: A) White ankles socks or hose or fishnet tights
  • Other: No use of arm bands, chokers or headbands. B) No decoration is allowed on dress or in hair. C) No jewelry is allowed other than one small earring in each ear. D) Basic makeup allowed for elementary girls. E) Competition makeup is allowed for Junior High and High School girls.

 

Entry Restrictions

  1. All competitors dancing an open or championship event may not dance in the Syllabus event of the same style regardless of age division.
  2. Elementary, Junior high, Pre-Teen 1 & 2, Junior 1 & 2 and youth competitors may dance up ONE age division only in each competition category.
  3. All Open competitors may dance a maximum of two events in each competition category or style.
  4. Pre-Teen 1 & 2 and all syllabus events are restricted to approved figures. Couples dancing out of syllabus will be warned once and then disqualified.
  5. A competitor is eligible to dance in the “Newcomer” event if a dancer has been dancing for less than 18 months AND/OR until they have placed in a final of ANY syllabus event. Open competitors are NOT allowed to compete Newcomer.
  6. Any competitor who wears a costume deemed by the organizers to be unsuitable will be requested changed. If such request is not followed, the competitor will not be allowed to dance and their entry will be canceled.

7. Competitors in the Latin-American divisions must not be overly suggestive in their movements at all times while on the floor. Couples who have movements viewed as inappropriate will be warned once, and then will be subject to disqualification.

Costumes and heel guards will be checked throughout the competition. Infringements of the rules will be given a warning and asked to correct the problem. If it is not resolved by the next round organizers reserve the right to disqualify a competitor.