WSDC Points and Event Registry Rules

WSDC Registry Event Rules

Overview

WSDC

The World Swing Dance Council (WSDC) is a non-profit organization focused on promoting and growing swing dance at a national and global level. Its mission is, “Guided by the belief that every life is enriched by dance, we aspire to foster swing dancing around the world.”

The WSDC respects the interests of both new and existing members of the entire swing dance community. As a governing body of WSDC Registry Events (“Registry Events”), the WSDC Board of Directors (“Board”) has developed these Registry Event rules to ensure integrity, consistency and fairness at Registry Events.

Registry Events

Registry Events are swing dance events organized and hosted by Professional Members (“Members”) of the WSDC and approved by its Board. Registry Events must meet standards set by the WSDC Board, demonstrating integrity and the highest ethical standards; sufficient event size, scope, and structure; and financial viability and stability. Registry Events offer a mix of social dancing, instruction and competition, bringing together local, regional, national and global dancers.

WSDC Registry Event Rules govern the entire Registry Event, not just WSDC Jack and Jill contests. All Registry Events must hold WSDC Jack and Jill contests. The WSDC tracks the contest results for WSDC Jack and Jill competitions at Registry Events; points awarded for placements are included in the WSDC Points Registry.

Points Registry

The WSDC Points Registry was developed and is maintained by the WSDC. The Points Registry is the official record used to track individual competitors’ results in WSDC Jack and Jill competitions at Registry Events. The Points Registry is used to determine a competitor’s appropriate skill level for WSDC Jack and Jill competitions. The Points Registry also tracks age- based levels: Juniors, Sophisticated, and Masters.

Competitors who have earned at least one WSDC Jack and Jill competition point are assigned a unique WSDC Competitor ID number in the Points Registry. The Points Registry is available at worldsdc.com/registry-points.

Section 1: Registry Events Structure and Ownership

The following section outlines the minimum standards and requirements for Registry Events.

Membership and Registry Event approval / denial, rule changes, and penalties shall be at the discretion of the Board.

1.1. Professional Membership

All Registry Events must be owned by Professional Members of the WSDC. Members may be individuals, groups, clubs (e.g., swing dance clubs), or organizations. Members must remain in good standing by completing the following:

1. Follow WSDC Registry Event Rules.
2. Be current with WSDC annual membership dues.
3. Conduct their Registry Event(s), contests and business functions in an ethical manner.
4. Submit their Registry Event updates for inclusion on the WSDC Events calendar (worldsdc.com/submit-event-updates).
5. Meet their financial obligations and stated rules & policies.
6. Provide fair, unbiased and untampered competitions, judging and scoring.
7. Submit competition results and Competitor Surcharge in a timely manner.

If an event loses its Registry Event status, the Member must reapply for Registry Event approval (see Section 1.3. New Registry Event), starting with Trial Event approval.

1.2. Registry Event Structure

Registry Events must comply with the following event structure, unless otherwise approved by the Board:

1. Registry Events must have a minimum of three (3) days of swing dance activities / functions (e.g., social dancing, lessons, workshops, competitions).
2. Registry Events must be open to any dancers. Restricted or closed city, state, regional events are not eligible.
3. For Trial / Registry Events held outside the United States: Registry Events must be held in an approved venue that meets the following minimum requirements:
   1. Dance floor in main ballroom must be a minimum of 150 sq meters (1600 sq ft).
   2. Recommended accommodations must be available within a 10 min walk or event must provide shuttle that goes from/to accommodations suggested by event. If the latter, shuttles must run until the end of social dancing and are of sufficient frequency and capacity needed.
   3. Venue must provide full service (food and drink) and/or options must be available nearby.
   4. Studios that meet the above requirements must be approved and have additional restrictions as follows:
      1. A maximum of two (2) Registry Events may be held in the same studio per calendar year.
      2. A studio owner who is also the Event Owner / Event Director may hold a maximum of one (1) Registry Event in their studio.
   5. Registry Events in venues that do not currently meet these requirements have a three (3) year grace period (ending December 31, 2025) to meet the venue minimum requirements.
4. For Trial / Registry Events held inside the United States^[1]: Registry Events must be held in a hotel with ballroom and guest rooms available, unless otherwise approved by the Board.
5. Registry Events must offer a minimum of two (2) skill level WSDC Jack and Jill contests at Tier 1 size and a minimum of eighty (80) unique (skill-level and/or age-based) WSDC Jack and Jill competitors.
   1. For 2023, the minimum number is reduced to sixty (60) unique (skill-level and/or age-based) WSDC Jack and Jill competitors.
   2. If the event has fewer than eighty (80) unique competitors [sixty (60) for 2023], the competition results will be posted and Registry Points awarded. The Registry Event will be placed on probation for one (1) year and must meet the required minimum number of competitors.
   3. If the event has fewer than eighty (80) unique competitors [sixty (60) for 2023] during the probation year’s event, the event will lose its Registry Event status. Competition results during probation will be posted and Registry Points awarded. Member may reapply for Registry Event approval.
6. Registry Events must occur annually and maintain the same date and location. All changes to ownership, event name, location, venue and/or date must be approved by the Board. (See Section 1.4.1 Existing Registry Events)

1.3. New Registry Events

Event Owners / Event Directors must demonstrate that their event is viable and of sufficient size and scope to warrant Registry Event status. An approved preliminary event (“Trial Event”) must be held prior to applying for Registry Event status.

New or Existing Members who wish to hold a Registry Event must meet the following requirements:

1. Receive approval from the Board for a Trial Event (see Section 1.3.1 Registry Event Application).
2. Run the Trial Event according to the WSDC Registry Event Rules.
3. Apply for and be approved for Registry Event status from the Board.
4. Be a WSDC Professional Member (see Section 1.1 Professional Membership).

1. All of the Member’s existing events must have a minimum of two (2) years of history as Registry Events in good standing.
2. All of the Member’s existing events must have a minimum of three (3) WSDC skill level Jack and Jill divisions and at least 120 unique (skill-level and/or age-based) WSDC Jack and Jill competitors.

1.3.1. Registry Event Application:

Stage 1: Trial Event Application and Planning

1. Event Owner / Event Director submits Trial Event application and application fee ($50) a minimum of six (6) months prior to Trial Event. Trial Event application includes, but is not limited to, the proposed event criteria:
   1. Event Owner(s), Event Directors
   2. Event name, date, location, venue, format, competition divisions, and proposed staff
   3. No proposed event conflicts based on the following: If the proposed event is within 400 miles (640 km) of an existing Registry Event, then the start and end dates of the proposed event must be more than 30 days from the start and end dates of the existing Registry Event. (“Time / Distance Rule”)
2. WSDC New Event Coordinator reviews Trial Event application and works with the Event Owner / Event Director during the Trial Event period.
3. Board reviews Trial Event application packet. Trial Events are approved / rejected based on the proposed event criteria.
4. If Trial Event is approved, Event Owner / Event Directors submits Trial Event for inclusion on the WSDC Events calendar (worldsdc.com/submit-event-updates).

Stage 2: Trial Event

5. During Trial Event, all Registry Event rules must be followed, including holding a minimum of two (2) skill level WSDC Jack and Jill contests at Tier 1 size with a minimum of eighty (80) unique (skill-level and/or age-based) WSDC Jack and Jill competitors.
   1. For 2023, the minimum number is reduced to sixty (60) unique (skill-level and/or age-based) WSDC Jack and Jill competitors.
6. No points will be awarded to competitors during the Trial Event.

Stage 3: Post-Trial Event Review and Registry Event Application

7. Within five (5) days after the close of the Trial Event, the following must be submitted to the WSDC New Event Coordinator:
   1. Completed WSDC Event Reporting form.
   2. List of competitors, preliminary and final contest scores, contest tabulation sheets, and petitions to New Event Coordinator for verification of unique competitors, proper placement of skill levels, and proper scoring.
8. New Event Coordinator reviews Trial Event results and creates Registry Event application packet for Board review.
9. Board approves or rejects Registry Event application. Registry Event applications may be denied if any event criteria change during the Trial Event’s “year of history” and/or the Trial Event does not follow all Registry Event rules. If denied, a second Trial Event may be required.
10. If Registry Event is approved, Event Owner must become and/or be a Professional Member in good standing (see Section 1.1. Professional Membership).
11. If Registry Event is approved, Event Owner / Event Directors submits Registry Event for inclusion on the WSDC Events calendar (worldsdc.com/submit-event-updates).

1.4 Existing Registry Events

1.4.1 Registry Event Changes:

All changes in ownership, event name, location, venue, and/or date of a Registry Event are subject to the approval of the Board. Prior to a proposed change, the Member shall meet the following requirements:

1. The Board must be notified of the proposed change(s) six (6) months prior to the Registry Event.
2. A proposed event location or date change must not create a new conflict to the Time / Distance Rule (see “Time / Distance Rule" definition in Section 1.3.1 #1c).
3. During the first two (2) years of running an event as a Registry Event, the original Owner(s) must retain at least 50% ownership or WSDC status will not transfer to the new Owners.

The following exceptions do not require Board approval but Board must still be notified:

1. A one (1) week change before / after an event’s original weekend. Registry Events associated with a specific date / holiday may be held either the weekend before / after that specific date / holiday.
2. A change from one city to another city in the same metropolitan area (and within a reasonable distance) will not be considered a change in location.

1.4.2 Registry Event Hiatus:

Registry Events are permitted a one (1) year break without jeopardizing their Registry Event status. New Registry Events must hold two (2) Registry Events before being eligible for hiatus. Hiatus may be a cancellation of the current or upcoming year. The event may be listed on the WSDC Events Calendar with a note that the event is on hiatus. Registry Events on hiatus will keep their date and location on the WSDC Events Calendar for assessing Time / Distance Rule conflicts (see “Time / Distance Rule" definition in Section 1.3.1 #1c).

Note: Registry Event cancellations in 2020-2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic are not considered an event hiatus by the Board.

A one (1) year break is automatically allowed by the Board if the following criteria are met:

1. Members notify the Board that their Registry Event is on hiatus for the current or following year in advance.
2. Members maintain their WSDC Professional Membership during the hiatus (i.e., Members pay their membership fee). Members will receive no partial or full refunds for a canceled event.

Post-hiatus, an event must complete a minimum of two (2) consecutive Registry Events before it may go on hiatus again. If no event is held in the year following the break (i.e., the event is not held for two (2) consecutive years), the event will lose its Registry Event status. Members would need to reapply for Registry Event status, including holding a new Trial Event.

Section 2: Membership Dues, Competition Surcharges, and Competitor Results Reporting

2.1 Membership Dues

Members must pay annual Professional Membership dues as established by the Board. Membership fees include the right to hold one (1) Registry Event (“Primary Event”). Dues are set as follows:

1. Initial membership application fee: $200.
2. Membership renewal fee: $200 annually, due after the close of a Member’s Primary Event.
3. Secondary Event(s) fee: $100 upon approval as a Registry Event; $100 annually for each Secondary Event, due after the close of each Secondary Event.

Late submission of Membership Dues may result in penalties (see Chart 1: Penalty Chart for Late Membership Fees / Late Competitor Surcharge).

2.2. Competitor Surcharge

Members must pay a Competitor Surcharge to the WSDC for each competitor’s entry into WSDC Jack and Jill competitions. Competitors entering multiple WSDC contests would result in a Competitor Surcharge for each WSDC Jack and Jill contest (e.g., a competitor entering an Advanced as Follower; Intermediate as Leader; and Masters WSDC Jack and Jill contests would result in a $3 Competitor Surcharge). The Competitor Surcharge is due within 30 days after the close of the Registry Event. The Competitor Surcharge is set as follows:

• $1 per competitor entry, per contest entered in WSDC Jack and Jill contest

Late submission of Competitor Surcharge may result in penalties (see Chart 1: Penalty Chart for Late Membership Fees / Late Competitor Surcharge).

2.3. Competitor Results Reporting

Members must report results for all WSDC Jack and Jill competitions to the WSDC, using the WSDC Event Reporting Form, including the following information:

• All petitions.
• Competitors’ WSDC ID numbers (if assigned by the Points Registry) should be included.
• The number of competitors in each division, so the appropriate Tier level for recording points can be determined.
• List of all unique competitors registered in WSDC Jack and Jill contests.

The Event Director and/or the Chief Judge shall verify contest results and the number of contestants.

Competition results are due to the WSDC at the close of the Registry Event, and no later than three (3) days after the event closes. Submission of contest results within a timely manner is required out of respect for our competitors, so the Points Registry is current for upcoming Registry Events.

Late submission of competition results may result in penalties (see Chart 2: Penalty Chart for Late Submission of Competition Results).

Section 3: Competition Requirements

3.1. Contest Structure / Format Requirements

1. Registry Events must offer a minimum of two (2) skill level WSDC Jack and Jill divisions.
   1. Events are responsible for informing competitors of the Registry Points skill levels and points awards as defined by the WSDC.
   2. Events must allow competitors to compete as Leader and/or Follower. Any exceptions (i.e., events that wish to maintain traditional male/Leader and female/Follower roles) must be pre-approved by the Board and be publicly published in the Event’s rules.
2. Registry Events may offer only one (1) WSDC Jack and Jill for each skill level or age-based contest.
   1. WSDC will record WSDC points for only one (1) Junior, one (1) Sophisticated, and one (1) Masters contest per event. Juniors are defined as 17 years of age or younger by close of the event; Sophisticated are defined as 35 years of age or older by close of the event; and Masters are defined as 50 years of age or older by close of the event.
   2. WSDC age-based Jack and Jill contests must be open to all competitors who qualify (i.e., meet the age-based requirement). If events hold multiple age-based contests, the “open” contest will qualify as the WSDC contest and those competitors will receive points.
   3. Events must clearly state which contests qualify for WSDC points (e.g., WSDC Champions Jack and Jill vs Invitational or non-WSDC Champions contest)
3. 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.
4. Registry Events must use the Points Registry, this rules document, and the WSDC Skill Level Jack and Jill Advancement Chart to determine competitors’ appropriate skill levels.
5. Registry Events must offer a petition process for competitors who wish to dance in a different skill division.
   1. Petitions can be submitted one skill level up or one skill level down only. Competitors may submit petitions for their primary or secondary role.
   2. The Chief Judge, or qualified individual(s)/committee designated by the Chief Judge, may allow or deny the petition after reviewing competitor’s Points Registry record.
   3. Petitions are event-specific and not transferable. Competitors must submit a new petition at their next event.
   4. All petitions must be submitted to the WSDC with the WSDC Event Reporting form.
6. Registry Events may combine divisions. For events with combined divisions, points will be awarded to the lower of the two divisions (e.g., an Advanced / All Star combined contest would award Advanced points).
7. Registry Events may not artificially balance their competitions (i.e., select their Leader and Follower numbers to be equal in a division). Unacceptable examples include, but are not limited to, shifting competitors from one division to another (including the use of petitions, adding “walk-on” competitors (e.g., audience members who did not sign up in advance), and adding stand-in dancers.
8. For Registry Events that have different category names for their skill level divisions, WSDC may choose not to record them. Recognized WSDC skill level divisions are listed in Chart 3: WSDC Skill Level Jack and Jill Advancement Chart.
9. Registry Events must publish their contest rules in advance of the event.
10. Registry Events must post contest results at the event and those results shall be open to all competitors for a minimum of 30 days. If results are inaccurate (e.g., scoring issues, violations), corrected results must be posted.
11. For Registry Events held over the New Year’s holiday, points will be assigned to December of the outgoing year, not January of the incoming year (e.g., points would be awarded for December 2022, not January 2023).

Skill Level[2]	WSDC Category Definitions	Allowed (Dancers are given the option to move to the next skill level)	Required (Dancers are required to move to the next skill level)
Champion	Champions is defined by the event for their highest skill level dancers; however, Events must follow rule 3.2 #10 for all WSDC Champion J&Js.
		Champion
All Star	All Stars should be extremely competitive.	Allowed to move up with 150 All Star points (no time limit)
		All Star
Advanced	Advanced should be very competitive.	Allowed to move up with 60 Advanced points (no time limit)[3]	Required to move up with 90 Advanced points (no time limit) or 1+ All Star point[3]
		Advanced
Intermediate	Intermediate dancers are perfecting their competitive skills.	Allowed to move up with 30+ Intermediate points	Required to move up with 45+ Intermediate points or 1+ Advanced point
		Intermediate
Novice	Novice dancers demonstrate basic dance skills.	Allowed to move up with 16+ Novice points	Required to move up with 30+ Novice points or 1+ Intermediate point
		Novice
Newcomer[4]	Newcomers are dancers who are new to competition.	Allowed to move up at the dancer's discretion.	Required to move up with 1+ Newcomer point or 1+ Novice point
		Newcomer

3.2. 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 to [email protected]).
   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 (see limitations due to approved exceptions in Section 3.1 #1b and Section 3.2. #7). 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 (see limitations due to approved exceptions in Section 3.1 #1b).
5. Competitors must use the Points Registry, this rules document, and the WSDC Skill Level Jack and Jill Advancement Chart (Chart 3) to determine the skill level for their primary and secondary role.
   1. Competitors who wish to dance one (1) skill level up or down (i.e., in a higher or lower division than they qualify for based on the Points Registry and the WSDC Skill Level Jack and Jill Advancement Chart in their primary role) must submit a formal petition (and be approved) or they will not receive points for placement.
   2. Competitors may not change skill levels at an event, with the exception that a competitor entering a contest with a designated partner may dance “up” to match their partner’s skill level (e.g., a Novice competitor may dance in an Advanced strictly swing with an Advanced partner, and dance in Novice in the Jack and Jill). Note: WSDC only records points for WSDC Jack and Jill contests.
6. Competitors will be awarded points as either a Leader or Follower. Those points will be tracked separately in the Points Registry for advancement to the next skill level (see limitations to secondary role in Section 3.2. #7).
7. Competitors must dance one (1) level down in their secondary role, 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 contest.
   2. Competitors who choose to dance at a higher level in their primary role must dance one level down from that higher level (e.g., Competitor has 39 points in Intermediate as a Leader and is allowed to dance in Advanced. They may choose to dance in Intermediate as Leader and in Novice as Follower OR in Advanced as Leader and in Intermediate as Follower.)
   3. Competitors who are Novice in their primary role may choose to dance in either Newcomer if they have no points (see WSDC Skill Level Jack and Jill Advancement Chart) or Novice in their secondary role. If they choose to dance in Novice in their secondary role, they must follow Section 3.2. #7a (i.e., they may not compete twice in the same skill level).
   4. Competitors with no/limited competition success in their secondary role may submit a petition to dance one (1) additional level down in that role.
8. Points are recorded only for those who place in WSDC Jack and Jill finals (see Chart 4: Points Awarded per Tier).
   1. 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.
9. 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 2^nd and 5^th; competitor is awarded points for 2^nd place).
10. Registry Events must allow All Stars who have a minimum of 150 All Star points to compete in a WSDC Champion Jack & Jill contest, if offered at the event.
    1. Registry Events may include other qualifications (e.g., predefined number of Champion / Invitational points, NASDE Classic or Showcase placement(s), professional staff at event) for their WSDC Champion J&J contest, but Registry Events must allow All Stars who have 150+ All Star points to compete.
    2. All Stars who qualify are not required to compete in Champions.
11. Competitors who do not meet the Registry Event’s qualifications for Champions or All Stars, even if they have Champion points, must submit a petition and receive approval to dance in the appropriate division.

3.3. Contest Tiers, Points Awarded, and Competition Rounds

3.3.1. Point Tier Awards

Tiers are defined by the number of unique competitors in each role (Leader or Follower). Dancing in finals does not guarantee that a competitor will be awarded points. Points awarded to leaders and followers may not be identical. The higher the number of competitors within a division, the higher the Tier, and the greater the points potential.

A division may have different tiers for Leaders and Followers. For example, a Novice contest may have 18 Leaders and 35 Followers. Leaders would receive Tier 2 points; Followers would receive Tier 3 points. The points awarded to a competitor according to their placement in finals is listed in Chart 4.

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.

3.3.2. Competition Rounds

If the leaders and followers fall into different tiers, the number of rounds must be determined by the higher tier. The number of rounds for tiers is mandatory (see Chart 5: Competition Rounds based on Tier Size).

3.4. Contest Oversight: Staff Requirements, Conflicts of Interest, Scoring

Registry Events should follow the highest ethical standards regarding the conduct of contests. Flagrant disregard of ethical standards, even if not specifically outlined in the Registry Event Rules, are grounds for penalties by the Board. Contest oversight requirements apply to all contests held at the event, except where stated otherwise.

Note: For the purposes of this section, Event Director and Owner are defined as follows:

• Event Director is any person involved in a strategic planning or decision-making role related to the hiring of judges and/or scoring staff.
• Owner is any person with >20% ownership in the event.

1. Event Director and/or Owner must not perform Chief Judge, Judge, or Scoring functions or duties.
2. Event Director, Owner, Chief Judge, and Score person (or Contest Administrator with automated scoring systems) must not compete in any swing contests at the event, with the following exceptions:
   1. Exhibitions only.
   2. Any contest of a different dance genre and/or sponsored and run by a separate organization. Exceptions must be authorized by the Board prior to the event.
   3. At UCWDC events only, Event Director, Owner, Chief Judge, and Score person may dance in a UCWDC Pro-Am West Coast Swing contest. This exception is allowed since it is permitted under UCWDC rules.
3. Chief Judge and Scoring / Tabulation functions and duties must be provided by separate individuals.
   1. An Assistant Chief Judge may assist the Chief Judge and is subject to the same Chief Judge requirements.
4. Judges must make decisions independently.
   1. Group judging decisions (instantaneous “on the floor”), tap out” eliminations during the contest (by an individual judge or as a group), or audience-judging are permitted only in “fun” contests (e.g., “Sweet Sixteen”-type contests, costume contests). Final results must be awarded “on the spot.”
5. All real and/or perceived biases must be identified and avoided. All issues of bias or conflict (e.g., positive / negative favoritism, personal (family, spouse, significant other), business, or dance partners) between competitors and any judge or Chief Judge should be submitted to the Chief Judge and/or Event Director. Judging assignments must be made to avoid potential conflicts. Judges / Chief Judges must excuse themselves from a judging panel to avoid conflicts; when necessary for a specific contest, the Chief Judge may be replaced by the Assistant Chief Judge or an appointed Judge (a separate judge who is not on that contest’s judging panel).
   1. Exceptions are allowed for Pro-Am Jack and Jill and Pro-Am Strictly Swing competitions when judges are judging the Amateurs only.
6. Judges for contests must meet the following standards:
   1. For preliminary Jack and Jill contests, a minimum of six (6) judges (plus Chief Judge) are required. A minimum of three (3) judges shall be assigned to each role. The WSDC recommends Registry Events use four to five (4-5) judges per role in preliminary contests to get more consistent results. The following exceptions are allowed:
      1. Where there are 15 or fewer couples, events may use three to five (3-5) judges. Judges must judge both roles.
      2. Where there are 16-20 couples, events may use five to seven (5-7) judges. Judges must judge both roles.
   2. For final Jack and Jill contests, a minimum of five (5) judges (plus Chief Judge) are required. An even number of judges shall not be used. The WSDC recommends Registry Events use seven (7) judges for finals.
   3. The Chief Judge may join the general judging panel only if there is an unforeseen / unavoidable shortage of general judges.
   4. Self-judging contests are allowed only in the Champions division. Self-judging should occur only if there is an insufficient number of available judges.
   5. Virtual judging is not permitted.
7. Contests must use the Callback System for preliminary competitions and Relative Placement scoring system for finals.
   1. The Callback System for preliminary competitions has been standardized. The following point values must be assigned to judges’ callbacks: Yes = 10; Alternate 1 (Alt 1) = 4.5; Alternate 2 = 4.3; Alternate 3 = 4.2; No = 0. The outcome for callbacks must be determined by the sum of the values.
      1. Scoring systems should not use more than 3 levels of Alternates (e.g., no Alternate 4).
      2. At their discretion, the Chief Judge may ask judges to use only Alt 1s or Alt 1s & Alt 2s instead of Alt 1, Alt 2 & Alt 3s, for any specific contest. In larger contests, if more alternates are desired, the Chief judge may ask for two or more Alt 1s; Alt 1 & Alt 2s; or Alt 1, Alt 2, & Alt 3s.
      3. In the event of a tie, the Chief Judge breaks the tie.
   2. Chief Judges must assign raw scores to all competitors in preliminary rounds. If necessary, the Chief Judge may raw score one role and assign an Assistant Chief Judge or appointed Judge to raw score the other role (e.g., Chief Judge scores Leaders; Assistant Chief Judge/appointed Judge scores Followers).
8. Contests must maintain the integrity of random and unbiased selection.
   1. Rotations (e.g., in preliminary heats) shall be determined at random (e.g., roll of dice, drawing of number cards, random number generator).
   2. The pairing of partners in finals and determining the order of dance shall be random (e.g., drawing dance partner names and/or dance order shall be done “on the floor,” random computer function).
9. Contest scoring shall be computerized and tabulated using the Callback and Relative Placement scoring systems. Information on Relative Placement is available on the Education section under Rules & Info on the WSDC website.

Section 4: WSDC Enforcement Policy and Penalties

The WSDC recommends that all events have a Code of Conduct policy. A suggested policy is available on the Code of Conduct section under Rules & Info on the WSDC website.

Registry Event rules are enforced by the WSDC Board. Unless otherwise approved, any WSDC Professional Member or Registry Event that does not comply with the WSDC Registry Event Rules will be considered in default of their membership and subject to penalties and/or loss of Registry Event status.

Members who violate Registry Event rules, including late submission of their Membership dues, Competitor Surcharge, or competition results, will be in default. Default may result one or more of the following options:

1. Warning
2. Fine
3. Probation
4. Loss of Registry Event status
   1. Event may be required to reapply for Registry Event approval, including a new Trial Event.

Penalties specific to late submission of Membership fees, Competitor Surcharge, and competition results are detailed in Charts 1 and 2. Penalties for all other Registry Event rules violations are detailed in Chart 6. Members in default may reapply for WSDC membership or Registry Event status, subject to approval by the Board.

Version dated June 8, 2023.
Previous versions dated 11.1.2007, 1.1.2009, 9.1.2010, 1.1.2012, 7.1.2015, 1.1.2018, 2.15.2019, 1.1.2020, 11.2.2022.

APPENDIX

Section 5: Computerized Scoring System Requirements

A computerized scoring system should do the following tasks:

1. Place competitors within the various divisions and contests.
2. Create preliminary and finals contest judging sheets with pre-populated information.
3. Tabulate and rank callbacks. See Section 3.4, # 7a on requirements for ranking callbacks.
4. Create callback announcement sheets.
5. Transfer competitors to finals.
6. Randomly assign partners (if needed).
7. Place paired competitors in random dance order or place competitors in numerical order for “draw for dance order,” as needed.
8. Tabulate and rank finals contests for placement results.
9. Provide results / announcement / posting sheets.
10. Provide WSDC scoring report to WSDC.

Legend

• [1] Rule 1.2 #4 is subject to change in July 2023, pending Board review of proposal by U.S. Event Directors.
• [2] 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.
• [3] Advanced dancers who qualify for All Stars as of July 4, 2023 based on the pandemic “freeze” rules will be allowed to dance in All Stars through December 31, 2023.
• [4] Newcomer division is not offered at all events. Competitors may select either Newcomer or Novice divisions, but must dance in Novice once they receive one (1) point in either Newcomer OR Novice in their selected role (primary or secondary).