Rules of Participation at Best of the Best

Event Rules
  1. A wristband must be worn at all times: workshops, contests & parties
  2. All businesses involved in the running of Best of the Best including Wests Ashfield Leagues Club, Westside Motor Inn, and Best of the Best take no responsibility for any lost valuables
  3. Physical Injury must be avoided at all times and if a dancer tells another dancer to stop, then that dancer must listen
  4. Attendees will abide by the event’s Code of Conduct
  5. Attendees shall accept the decisions of the Event Crew & Professional Team
General Competition Requirements
  1. Competitor Eligibility:
    • Must hold a current Event Pass
    • Must sign a waiver
    • Must pay appropriate competition entry fee where applicable and complete any required forms
    • Must register by official deadlines outlined in the weekend schedule
    • Meet all other individual and general requirements outlined in this document
  2. Age Requirements & Age Sensitive Divisions:
    1. Jack & Jill: minimum age to enter is 10 years of age at the time of the first day of the event (entrants under 18 must have event director approval)
    2. Should the WSDC mandate specific age requirements for competitions, those rules shall be followed
  3. Waiver Forms:
    1. Every competitor must sign the appropriate waiver before being allowed to compete
    2. Competitors under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian sign any required forms
  4. Role/Gender Requirements:
    1. People of any gender can choose to lead or follow, entering 1 skilled division as either a Leader or a Follower, within their Dominant skill level division.
    2. People of any gender can choose to lead or follow, entering 1 skilled division as either a Leader or a Follower, 1 level down from their Dominant skill level division.
  5. Appropriate Behaviour & Dress Code
    1. Actions deemed ‘inappropriate’ (i.e., Wearing inappropriate attire or showing disrespect toward one’s partner, other dancers, judges, volunteers, event staff or the event) is strictly prohibited.
    2. Casual attire is required as a minimum competing. Shorts and Singlets will get a penalty or disqualification.
Competitor Responsibilities
  1. Be Informed
    1. It is the responsibility of the competitor to check the weekend schedule in advance
      1. Plan arrival times accordingly in order to meet registration deadlines. It is the competitor’s job to check for any changes to previously announced timetables.
      2. Contests will start promptly, according to the timetables
    2. Schedules are always subject to change
  2. Know the Rules
    1. These rules, as well as WSDC rules, should be read by the competitor
    2. Adherence to said rules are the responsibility of the competitor
    3. Any questions about specific contests should be asked in advance
    4. Questions should be directed to Head Judge or Event Organizer(s) at the Event & Competition Orientation Meeting(s) or addressed in advance
  3. Be prepared
    1. Competitors should be present in ballroom 15 minutes prior to specified competition time
    2. Appropriate attire should be worn
    3. BIB numbers are competitor’s responsibility; they should be in place (to be worn on the back) at time of marshalling
General Information
  1. Entrants per Division
    1. There is no limit to the number of entrants per division or contest
    2. If there are fewer than 5 entrants in a division, the Organizer reserves the right to;
      1. Combine or cancel the division
      2. Dance the division as an exhibition
      3. Adjust prizes accordingly
  2. Music
    1. Event DJ(s) will select music
    2. Information about said music will not be provided beforehand
    3. Length of music is at the discretion of Organizer(s)
  3. Rounds
    1. Preliminary, Quarter-final, and semi-final rounds will be run in a heated format
    2. Finals may be run as an all skate, semi-spotlight, or as a spotlight, this is decided by the Organizer(s)
    3. Strictly Swing may be sent to finals if there are less than 12 couples entered
    4. Organizer(s) will follow the WSDC Tier Guidelines for Jack & Jill divisions
  4. Cancellations
    1. Cancellations made after registration deadline will not be refunded their entry fee if applicable
  5. Scoring Review
    1. Competitors’ dance scores will be available for review after awards on Sunday
  6. Petitions for Division Reclassification
    1. The (WSDC) World Swing Dance Council Points Registry will be used to determine eligibility for the West Coast Swing Jack & Jill Skill level divisions. Current points information is available online at https://www.worldsdc.com/registry-points/ for your reference
    2. If a competitor feels uncomfortable in said division, they may petition for reclassification by filling out the appropriate form
    3. Petitions will be reviewed by a committee, including but not limited to the Chief Judge and the Organizer(s)
    4. Contestants will be notified as quickly as possible. The decision is final
    5. The Organizer(s) reserve the right to reclassify any contestant for any reason
  7. Changes to these Rules
    1. Every effort will be made by the  Organizer(s) to comply by the afore listed rules; however, they reserve the right to make any changes they deem fit or necessary without prior notice
Contest Requirements
  1. All contests must have a minimum of five (5) entrants in each role, to be a valid contest
  2. There will be a minimum of (6) Judges for Preliminary competitions; and a minimum of (5) for Finals
  3. Contests are scored by computer using Relative Placement. In Preliminary, Quarter-final and Semi-final heats, competitors will be judged individually, and as a couple in finals
Jack & Jill Division Rules
Jack & Jill competitions celebrate the spontaneous aspect of swing dancing and the ability to dance with a variety of partners. Competitors enter as individuals and dance with a randomly assigned partner. The DJ chooses the music, and Leaders and Followers will have multiple partner changes during the preliminary and semi-final rounds. Competitors will be scored on Timing, Technique and Teamwork. Those with the highest scores will be recalled to dance in the final rounds. During the final, competitors are randomly paired, then scored as a couple.
  1. Entry
    1. Competitors enter as individuals
    2. Competitors may enter one (1) Jack & Jill in their dominant role and one (1) Jack & Jill in their non-dominant role (one level lower than the dominant role) - Skill Level divisions available are Newcomer, Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and All-Star
    3. In addition to the skill-level division, competitors may enter Sophisticated (aged 35 years+) Jack & Jill, if applicable
  2. Division Qualifications
    1. Qualifications allow dancers of similar abilities to be grouped together in the same division
    2. Classifications are based on WSDC recommendations. If a competitor does not feel comfortable dancing in said divisions, a petition form may be requested
    3. Synopsis of WSDC Division recommendations
      1. Newcomer – For individuals who have never competed, or just started competing without success in prior competitions. WSC basics should be known.
      2. Novice – For competitors who have Newcomer points or have previously competed at a Novice level. Competitors may compete until they have 30 Novice points.
      3. Intermediate – For competitors with at least 16 Novice points or less than 45 Intermediate points.
      4. Advanced – For competitors with at least 30 or more Intermediate points or less than 60 points in Advanced. This division may also contain competitors with All-Star points failing to meet requirements to dance in All-Star division.
      5. All-Star – Competitors who have earned at least 45 points in Advanced accumulated within the last 36 months’ period. Competitors with All-Star points may compete in this category if they earned at least 3 All-Star points within the last 36 months’ period. Competitors wanting to return to All-Star category need to accumulate at least 10 Advanced points within the last 12 months’ period.