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Competition Rules 1998

SANCTIONED CATEGORIES:

Exhibition Show

1. AGE DIVISIONS

Pee Wee 9 Years & Younger - Team Average Age

Elementary 12 Years & Younger - Team Average Age

Junior 15 Years & Younger - Team Average Age

Senior 18 Years & Younger - Team Average Age

Young Adult 29 Years & Younger - Team Average Age

Adult 30 Years & Older - Team Average Age

To determine team’s average age — total the ages of all dancers performing in that particular routine, then divide that number by the total number of dancers. If average age ends in a decimal (15.8 for example) then you drop the decimal,( the age is 15). The age division you would then dance in would be Junior.

2. A dancer can dance up to 2 times per dance category but only once per age division.

3. Callers of Figures MUST DANCE ON STAGE WITH THE TEAM. Southern Appalachian Traditional, Running Set Hoedown, Running Set Precision, Smooth Mountain Square Dance, Country Hoedown, Open Freestyle, Open Smooth Mountain Square Dance, and 4 or More Couple Hoedown, all of these dances MUST be called and heard.

4. 5 Judges are required. Highest and lowest scores will be dropped and the 3 middle scores averaged. A judge will not be allowed to disqualify themselves from the dance. If a judge gives a team a 0, then this will be considered as a judge disqualifying themselves. If this occurs, then the entire dance category will be considered NON-Sanction and no N.C.H.C. points will be awarded for this category. If there is a tie, a dance-off will be at the discretion of the festival.

5. The same 5 judges must judge the dance category, you may not use different judges for different age divisions for the same dance category. Different judges may be used for different dance categories. Example, A judge must judge all of line with all the age divisions. A different judge could judge all of show.

6. Scores must be made available to the team directors upon request.

7. The 4 highest scoring teams in each sanctioned category without regard to age division at each Festival will receive points as follows:

1st Highest Score 100 Points - (3 Points*)

2nd Highest Score 75 Points - (4 Points*)

3rd Highest Score 55 Points - (5 Points*)

4th Highest Score 25 Points - (6 Points*)

*If a team receives a deduction greater than or equal to point value indicated from the NCHC Rules Official, then the team can only receive the points relating to the amount deducted.

8. Each Festival will receive 100 Host Points. The host(s) team can receive Host Points ONLY ONCE in each competition year. The festival director may split the points among the host team(s) as they see necessary. If the host team dances at the festival, the host team is not eligible for Host Points.

9. NCHC Rules Official MUST receive detailed tally sheets with scores from all teams who danced in any sanction category within two weeks or the Host Team(s) WILL NOT RECEIVE Host Points.

10. The top four point teams (if teams are tied for places they will be considered one place) in each category receiving the highest accumulated points in a festival year will be eligible for Grand Champion dance off in that category. This NCHC dance-off competition will be held at the conclusion of the sanctioned year. It is the option of the NCHC to continue to invite teams until there are at least 4 teams in the dance-off.

11. An NCHC Rules Official will be in attendance at each sanctioned festival and will have the final say on all rulings concerning adherence to sanction category guidelines.

12. Future competition locations falling within 100 miles of competitions already sanctioned must be at least 4 weeks apart. Decision on sanctioning future competitions not meeting the above guidelines will be at the discretion of the Executive Committee of the NCHC.

13. Exceptions to these rules can only be made by the Executive Committee of the NCHC.

TIME LIMITS & PENALTIES

1. Time Limits:

Maximum of 8 Minutes for all categories, except Line Dance, Show, 4 or More Couple Precision and 4 or More Couple Hoedown, and Formations Line Dance.

Maximum of 5 Minutes for Show, 4 or More Couple Precision and 4 or More Couple Hoedown

Maximum of 4 Minutes for Line Dance, Formations Line Dance and Exhibition

No Minimum time requirement.

Penalty: 1 Point deducted from the overall score for every 15 seconds or portion thereof exceeding the time limit.

Freestyle Categories: Timing of routine will begin with the Last Dancer Dancing on stage, and end when the First Dancer stops dancing.

Precision Categories: Timing of routine will begin with the First Dancer dancing on stage and end when the Last Dancer stops dancing.

2. Points Deductions: Teams will be assessed points off for rule infractions for flagrant abuse of competition rules. These points are deducted from the overall score.

A. Entering Teams or dancers in the wrong age division.

B. A dancer dancing on more than one team per age division and more than 2 times per dance category.

C. Performing a routine which does not conform to the guidelines of the category entered.

(Example: Don't confuse Running Set Hoedown with So. Appalachian Traditional. Also, Not performing any figures when required.)

D. Improper conduct.

3. Points off of a team will apply only to the category of dance in which the infraction occurs; the team may dance in other categories and receive points.

4. NCHC Rules Official is responsible for determining point deductions only in Sanctioned Categories.

5. Any team having points deducted will be notified immediately following the dance and prior to the awarding of trophies. If the team is not notified of the infraction then no points will be deducted.

6. A 5 point deduction will result if improper number of dancers are used.

CATEGORY GUIDELINES

Dancers: 6 or 8 Couples - (Even Number of males and females - even number of couples only.

See Penalties #6 regarding improper number of dancers.

Figures: Minimum of 2 different big circle figures and a minimum of 4 different circle-4 figures. (Small) with progression between each. Corner-partner swing required after each circle-4 figure. Counter clockwise movement in progression. NO dance lifts, pull throughs, splits, tosses, leaps, cartwheels or flips. With the exception of Basket of Flowers.

Steps: Dancers in step with each other at all times. A progressive step change is allowed.

Movement: Couples CANNOT progress across the center of the set. However, the center of the set may be used in a big circle figure. No Couple may progress outside the set.

Music: Music break allowed. Instrumental traditional style of music, no vocals allowed. If live band is provided, team may choose whether or not to dance to the band.

Callers: Figures may be called from the set, but are not required. If they are called, they must be from within the set.

Time Limit: 8 minutes

Dancers: 4-Couples - 4 males, 4 females. See Penalties #6 regarding improper number of dancers.

Figures: Minimum of 2 big circle figures. Minimum of 4 different circle-4 figures (small) with progression between each. Corner-partner swing required after each circle-4 figure. Other figures may be used in this category along with the required. NO dance lifts, pull throughs, splits, tosses, leaps, cartwheels or flips. With the exception of Basket of Flowers.

Steps:. Dancers in step with each other at all times. A progressive step change allowed.

Movement: Counter-clockwise movement in dance progression. No Couple may progress outside the set.

Music: Music break allowed. Instrumental traditional style of music, no vocals allowed. If live band is provided, team may choose whether or not to dance to the band.

Callers: Figures may be called from the set, but are not required. If they are called, they must be from within the set

Time Limit: 8 minutes

Dancers: 6 or 8 Couples - Even number of males and females - even number of couples only. See Penalties #6 regarding improper number of dancers.

Figures: Minimum of 2 big circle figures. Minimum of 4 different circle-4 figures (small) with progression between each. Corner-partner swing required after each circle-4 figure. NO dance lifts, pull throughs, splits, tosses, leaps, cartwheels or flips. With the exception of Basket of Flowers.

Steps: Southern Appalachian steps while performing traditional mountain figures. Team should strive for Rhythmic Southern Appalachian Sound. Dancers must not start simultaneously. No dancer intentionally in step with any other dancer. Speed should complement the grace and beauty of the dance.

Movement: Progression must be on the inside of the set in a counter-clockwise direction. Couples may not progress across the center of the set. Center of the set may used in big circle figures.

Music: Instrumental traditional style of music, no vocals allowed. If live band is provided, team must dance to it.

Callers: Figures MUST be called and heard from within the set.

Time Limit: 8 minutes

 

Dancers: 4-Couples - 4 males, 4 females. See Penalties #6 regarding improper number of dancers.

Figures: English quadrille formation with 1 active couple (traveling). 4 different visiting couple figures, each led by 1 active couple. 1 opening figure, 1 closing figure, with all couples active (ie, weave the basket) 3 connecting figures with all couples active (also called break figures). A break figure occurs at the end of the progression by the active couple when they return to their home position in the circle. NO dance lifts, pull throughs, splits, tosses, leaps, cartwheels or flips. With the exception of Basket of Flowers.

Steps: Southern Appalachian steps while performing traditional mountain figures No dancer intentionally in step with any other dancer.

Movement: Progression must be inside of the set in a counter-clockwise direction. Dancers must not start simultaneously.

Music: Instrumental traditional style of music, no vocals allowed. If live band is provided, team must dance to it.

Callers: Figures MUST be called and heard from within the set.

Time Limit: 8 minutes

Dancers: 4-Couples - 4 males, 4 females. See Penalties #6 regarding improper number of dancers.

Figures: English quadrille formation with 1 active couple (traveling). 4 different visiting couple figures, each led by 1 active couple. 1 opening figure, 1 closing figure, with all couples active (ie, weave the basket) 3 connecting figures with all couples active (also called break figures). A break figure occurs at the end of the progression by the active couple when they return to their home position in the circle. NO dance lifts, pull throughs, splits, tosses, leaps, cartwheels or flips. With the exception of Basket of Flowers.

Steps: Running Step (performed using a soaring, graceful run with the ball of the foot bearing the dancer's weight). This is a precision dance. All active dancers in step with each other at all times. Some type of rhythmic movement by the inactive couples is required and must be done together in time with the music and should not detract from the active couples. They may pat their foot and clap hands to enforce the rhythm of the music ("patting") or they may continue a less aggressive running step.

Movement: Progression must be inside of the set in a counter-clockwise direction. Dancers must start together. At no time should active dancers stop dancing.

Music: Instrumental traditional style of music, no vocals allowed. If live band is provided, team must dance to it.

Callers: Figures MUST be called and heard from within the set.

Time Limit: 8 minutes

Dancers: 6 or 8 Couples - Even number of males and females - even number of couples only. See Penalties #6 regarding improper number of dancers.

Figures: Minimum of 2 big circle figures. Minimum of 4 different circle-4 figures (small) with progression between each. Corner-partner swing required after each circle-4 figure. NO dance lifts, pull throughs, splits, tosses, leaps, cartwheels or flips. With the exception of Basket of Flowers.

Steps: Gliding step on ball of the foot, (weight on ball of foot, with no heavy heal sound). This is a precision dance. All dancers in step with each other at all times.

Movement: Counter-clockwise movement in dance progression. Couples may not progress across the center of the set. Center of the set may used in big circle figures.

Music: Instrumental traditional style of music, no vocals allowed. If live band is provided, team must dance to it.

Callers: Figures MUST be called and heard from within the set.

Time Limit: 8 minutes

Dancers: 4 Couples - 4 males, 4 females. See Penalties #6 regarding improper number of dancers.

Figures: Minimum of 2 big circle figures. Minimum of 4 different circle-4 figures (small) with progression between each. Corner-partner swing required after each circle-4 figure. NO dance lifts, pull throughs, splits, tosses, leaps, cartwheels or flips. With the exception of Basket of Flowers.

Steps: Southern Appalachian steps while performing traditional mountain figures. Team should strive for Rhythmic Southern Appalachian Sound. No dancer intentionally in step with any other dancer. Speed should complement the grace and beauty of the dance.

Movement: Quadrille - (4 Couple square) formation with 1 or 2 active couples traveling. All couples must become the active couple sometime during the dance. Inactive couples MUST HOLD HOME position. Progression must be on the inside of the set in a counter-clockwise direction. Couples must square set prior to doing first figure (Identify "HOME" position prior to doing any figure or formation by swinging your partner). Dancers must not start simultaneously.

Music: Instrumental traditional style of music, no vocals allowed. If live band is provided, team must dance to it.

Callers: Figures MUST be called and heard from within the set.

Time Limit: 8 minutes

 

OPEN COUPLE CATEGORIES

Dancers: 6 or 8 Couples - Uneven number of males and/or females - even number of couples only. See Penalties #6 regarding improper number of dancers.

Figures: Minimum of 2 big circle figures. Minimum of 4 different circle-4 figures (small) with progression between each. Corner-partner swing required after each circle-4 figure. NO dance lifts, pull throughs, splits, tosses, leaps, cartwheels or flips. With the exception of Basket of Flowers.

Steps: Southern Appalachian steps while performing traditional mountain figures. Team should strive for Rhythmic Southern Appalachian Sound. Dancers must not start simultaneously. No dancer intentionally in step with any other dancer. Speed should complement the grace and beauty of the dance.

Movement: Progression must be on the inside of the set in a counter-clockwise direction. Couples may not progress across the center of the set. Center of the set may used in big circle figures.

Music: Instrumental traditional style of music, no vocals allowed. If live band is provided, team must dance to it.

Callers: Figures MUST be called and heard from within the set.

Time Limit: 8 minutes

Open 6 or 8 Couple Smooth Mountain Square Dance

Dancers: 6 or 8 Couples - Uneven number of males and/or females - even number of couples only. See Penalties #6 regarding improper number of dancers.

Figures: Minimum of 2 big circle figures. Minimum of 4 different circle-4 figures (small) with progression between each. Corner-partner swing required after each circle-4 figure. NO dance lifts, pull throughs, splits, tosses, leaps, cartwheels or flips. With the exception of Basket of Flowers.

Steps: Gliding step on ball of the foot, (weight on ball of foot, with no heavy heal sound). This is a precision dance. All dancers in step with each other at all times.

Movement: Counter-clockwise movement in dance progression. Couples may not progress across the center of the set. Center of the set may used in big circle figures.

Music: Instrumental traditional style of music, no vocals allowed. If live band is provided, team must dance to it.

Callers: Figures MUST be called and heard from within the set.

Time Limit: 8 minutes

Dancers: Minimum of 4 Couples - Any combination of males and/or females. Even number of dancers. See Penalties #6 regarding improper number of dancers.

Figures: Couple orientated dance. Other figures and formations may be used in this category. NO dance lifts, pull throughs, splits, tosses, leaps, cartwheels or flips. With the exception of Basket of Flowers.

Steps: Dancers must not start simultaneously. No dancer intentionally in step with any other dancer. Speed should complement the grace and beauty of the dance.

Movement: This dance is intended to be performed as couples while doing figures and formations.

Music: Instrumental traditional style of music, no vocals allowed. If live band is provided, team may choose whether or not to dance to the band.

Callers: Figures MUST be called and heard from within the set.

Time Limit: 5 minutes

4 or More Couple Precision

Dancers: Minimum of 8 Dancers - Any combination of males and/or females. Even number of dancers. See Penalties #6 regarding improper number of dancers.

Figures: Couple orientated dance. Other figures and formations may be used in this category. NO dance lifts, pull throughs, splits, tosses, leaps, cartwheels or flips. With the exception of Basket of Flowers.

Steps: Dancers in step with each other at all times. A progressive step change allowed.

Movement: This dance is intended to be performed as couples while doing figures and formations.

Music: Music break allowed. Instrumental traditional style of music. If live band is provided, team may choose whether or not to dance to the band.

Callers: Figures may be called from the set, but are not required. If they are called, they must be from within the set

Time Limit: 5 minutes

Dancers: Minimum of 8 Dancers - Any combination of males and/or females. Even number of dancers. See Penalties #6 regarding improper number of dancers.

Figures: Minimum of 2 big circle figures. Minimum of 4 different circle-4 figures (small) with progression between each. Corner-partner swing required after each circle-4 figure. Other figures may be used in this category along with the required. NO dance lifts, pull throughs, splits, tosses, leaps, cartwheels or flips. With the exception of Basket of Flowers.

Steps:. Dancers in step with each other at all times. A progressive step change allowed.

Movement: Counter-clockwise movement in dance progression. No Couple may progress outside the set.

Music: Music break allowed. Instrumental traditional style of music, no vocals allowed. If live band is provided, team may choose whether or not to dance to the band.

Callers: Figures may be called from the set, but are not required. If they are called, they must be from within the set

Time Limit: 8 minutes

OTHER DANCE CATEGORIES

Dancers: Minimum of 6 dancers - any combination of male and/or female. See Penalties #6 regarding improper number of dancers.

Figures: Figures are not allowed.

Steps: Line dance is a dance whose choreography is for one person, but danced by many, no progressive step changes and/or hand changes are allowed.

Movement: All dancers must face same direction at same time. Dancers are not allowed to face each other in the same line. All lines must move in the same direction at the same time. Dance must start from, and end in, a set line(s); no clogging on or off stage. No dancing as couples; no Rise & Shine or individual freestyle dancing. No trading of lines, twisting of lines, or passing through lines, no bending of lines, no rotation, no V’s or column formations, no interaction of lines. No moves that appear to be a show or stage production. No body contact. NO dance lifts, pull throughs, splits, tosses, leaps, cartwheels, flips or body drops. Definition of Body Drops - Only feet will be allowed to touch the floor.) Two people constitute a line horizontally.

Music: Any type of music.

Callers: Dance must NOT be called, cued or heard.

Time Limit: 4 minutes

Dancers: Minimum of 5 dancers - any combination of male and/or female. See Penalties #6 regarding improper number of dancers.

Figures: See Movement. You may not re-dance this routine in another dance category. This dance maybe a line, show, formations, circles, etc.

Steps: This is a precision dance. Progressive step changes and/or hand changes are allowed.

Movement: Movements may bend, rotate, pass through, split, trade breakup, reform, make V's, figures, circles or columns. Dance lifts, pull throughs, splits, tosses and leaps will be allowed. Cartwheels or flips will not be allowed.

Music: Any type of music that would be appropriate to the type of exhibition dance being performed.

Callers: Dance must NOT be called, cued or heard.

Time Limit: 4 minutes

Dancers: Minimum of three (3) dancers - any number of males and females. See Penalties #6 regarding improper number of dancers.

Figures: Definition of acrobatics or gymnastics for Show Category ONLY: Dance lifts, pull throughs, splits, tosses and leaps will be allowed. Cartwheels or flips will not be allowed.

Steps: Stage choreography will be expected. No restrictions on figures or use of hand contact.

Movement: Dancers must still use clogging steps - 20% allowed for Show steps.

Heavy emphasis here on "Showmanship" and creativity. Should use creative opening and closing. This is a CLOGGING category. This is not meant to be a place for "novelty" amateur acts. Nor is this the place for Line Dances done in show costumes. Use of hand and simple stage props are allowed. However, no points will be earned or deducted for their use. Be careful not to let the "production" of your number overshadow the DANCING. Should have creative open and closing.

Music: Music, choreography and costumes should all blend to carry out the theme of the number. Any kind of music allowed.

Callers: Not required.

Time Limit: 5 minutes

Dancers: Minimum of 5 dancers - any combination of male and/or female. See Penalties #6 regarding improper number of dancers.

Figures: Figures are not allowed.

Steps: Any type of steps maybe done.

Movement: Dance must start from, and end in, a set line(s); no clogging on or off stage. No dancing as couples; no Rise & Shine or individual freestyle dancing. Trading of lines, twisting of lines, passing through lines, bending of lines, rotation, V’s or column formations, interaction of lines may be done. No body contact. NO dance lifts, pull throughs, splits, tosses, leaps, cartwheels, or flips.

Music: Any type of music.

Callers: Dance must NOT be called, cued or heard.

Time Limit: 4 minutes