NASDE RULES

Effective January 2023

NASDE Swing Dance Competition Divisions

NASDE sponsors the swing dance competition divisions of Showcase, Classic to help promote, preserve, and improve swing dancing. The objective is to provide a competitive performance venue for the various unique styles of swing that have developed across the nation to include the Carolina Shag, Dallas Push, East Coast Swing, Hand Dancing, Hollywood Swing, Houston Whip, Imperial Swing, Jive, Jitterbug, Lindy Hop, Rock-n-Roll, and West Coast Swing, to name a few.

NASDE Statement of Swing

NASDE Statement of Swing to be used to identify the presence of swing in the NASDE competition divisions. Swing is an American Rhythm Dance based on a foundation of 6-beat and 8-beat patterns that incorporate a wide variety of rhythms built on 2-beat single, delayed, double, triple, and blank rhythm units. The 6-beat patterns include, but are not limited to, passes, underarm turns, push-breaks, open-to closed, and closed-to-open position patterns. The 8-beat patterns include, but are not limited to, whips, swing-outs, Lindy circles, and Shag pivots. Although they are not part of the foundation of the dance as stated above, 2- beat and 4-beat extension rhythm breaks may be incorporated to extend a pattern, to phrase the music, and/or to accent breaks.

NASDE Sportsmanship Expectations

Sportsmanship is a fundamental aspect of our competition. Competing for the NASDE prize fund is privilege, not a right. The event director may flag a competitor’s behavior as un-sportsman-like. Said behavior will be reviewed by the NASDE board at the next schedule NASDE Board meeting. Redress for violations can include but are not limited to deduction of points, dropping in level in the overall standing, or removal of competitor from the NASDE list.

NASDE Prop Rules

To ensure the safety of competitors and the audience, no props are allowed in NASDE routines. A prop is defined as any article or object that is 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 will be used for verification and applying penalties.

NASDE Re-Starts Rule

Re-starts will be allowed in NASDE Classic or Showcase divisions, if something occurs during the performance that would impact the safety of the competitors. This includes:

1. Technical problems — factors outside the dancers control (e.g., lights in ballroom go out, flooring is faulty or damages, music suddenly stops)

OR,

2. Costume malfunctions — shoe breaks or becomes unfastened or untied; costume tears or breaks, and loose items could endanger dancers or expose a part of body that would not normally be exposed in a public setting.

If such a problem occurs during a performance, the Chief Judge may stop the performance, until the problem can be addressed and rectified at the time of the competition. The competitors may also willingly stop their performance and ask the Chief Judge for a Re-start.

The competitors must request the re-start prior to their departure from competition dance floor. They must speak to the Chief Judge when the problem occurs.

If it is determined that a Re-Start is allowable, the Chief Judge will then make a decide based on their situation and ask the couples to dance/restart as quick as possible.

Staff Judges will be instructed by the Chief Judge to judge the competitors on the repeat performance only. The performance that occurred before the Re-Start will not be counted toward the competitor’s overall ranking.