How to earn points and compete at US Swing events!

Steppers, here are all the rules needed to make sure you begin to build points to compete in the respective categories. The WSDC breaks it down so that you earn points and compete commensurate with your skill level. Once you get going the easier it is to move to the next level. Start at your local "Strictly Swing" and "Jack and Jill" competitions to learn what the expectations are. Obeserving first may be beneficial in the long run as well. The key is to get started now.



Points Registry Updated 11.2008 1 of 2
World Swing Dance Council
407 Dahlia Corona del Mar, CA 92625 www.swingdancecouncil.com
WSDC Points Registry Document
Division Requirements Recorded/Tracked
Newcomer None – normally beginner, perhaps never competed Recorded
Junior None – normally age-based Recorded
Masters Check event rules - normally age-based + other requirements Recorded
All Star Recommend at least 40 Advanced points – check event rules,
may have other requirements
Recorded
Champions/Invitational/Pro Check event rules - normally have specific requirements Recorded
Division Minimum Points Required Recorded/Tracked
Novice None – normally new to dancing in competitions Tracked and points used to move forward
Intermediate 20 Novice Points Tracked and points used to move forward
Advanced 25 Intermediate Points Tracked and points used to move forward
This new structure and points recorded/tracked will be effective January 1, 2009. This new point structure is from this
date forward, and past points will not be affected. These Tiers are based solely on the number of competitors and not the
size of the event. The Competitor's Points Registry is meant as a tool to assist both the Promoter and the Contestant.
Only current WSDC Registry Member Events for Jack & Jill competition results in the Points Registry Books for
male/leader and female/follower competitors. The WSDC records points for: Juniors, Newcomer, Masters, All Star, and
Champion/Pro/Invitational but do not necessarily consider them a "level of dance". These divisions are recorded but do
not require points to move into them (normally). We track points for: Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced. Points will
be tracked based on the tiers below determined by number of competitors and used to decide appropriate divisions or to
move up. Please be sure to check every individual event rules regarding their requirements to dance in any division.
The event director is responsible to report the results of Jack & Jill competitions to the WSDC within 10 days of their
event. They are also responsible for advising the WSDC how many contestants were in each category, thereby setting up
the Tier level for recording points, as stated below. Event Directors are also responsible for informing contestants of the
point structure detailed below. The WSDC determines recorded or tracked points based on this input.
The competitor is responsible for knowing your WSDC assigned competitor ID number. Please use this ID number when
signing up for J&J contests at events. Competitors should know what division they should be competing in but use the
Points Registry for guidelines if you are unsure. If the event allows you to petition down or up, please do so according to
that event’s requirements. Know the rules of every individual event prior to competing!
Points are recorded/tracked as follows: When couples are not even, the “number of couples” is determined by the
lowest number of dancers between leaders and followers. The minimum number of couples to make a contest eligible for
recording/tracking is five (5).
Tier / # of Couples 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place 4th Place 5th Place Additional
Tier 1 = 5-15 5 4 3 2 1 0
Tier 2 = 16-39 10 8 6 4 2 6 to 10th 1 pt
Tier 3 = 40+ 15 12 10 8 6 1 pt all finalists
TIER 1 - 5 to 15 Couples (Could be run as a "finals only", or perhaps semi and final)
TIER 2 – 16 to 39 Couples (Should at least be run as a semi/final, but could be prelim / semi / final)
TIER 3 – 40+ Couples (With this number of competitors, should be 3 rounds – prelim / semi / final)
Points Registry Updated 11.2008 2 of 2
World Swing Dance Council
407 Dahlia Corona del Mar, CA 92625 www.swingdancecouncil.com
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS & FURTHER CLARIFICATIONS
We hope to answer some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about how points are recorded/tracked in the Points
Registry. It’s the responsibility of the Event Director and Competitor to be aware of these rules.
1) The WSDC only tracks and records points for Jack & Jill contests. Points will only be tracked or recorded for
those who danced in the final round only.
2) Points are tracked and recorded for female-followers and male-leaders.
3) Contests where the leader or follower dances and places twice in that division (Tier 2), that individual will only
be awarded points in the highest of the two placements.
4) For events that combine divisions (i.e. Novice/Intermediate), points will be tracked for all contestants in the
lower of the two divisions.
5) For events that offer only one division (i.e. “Open”), points will be tracked in Advanced.
6) For events that have different category names per division, please verify with the Event Director as to how points
will be tracked/recorded within the WSDC Points Registry guidelines. We recommend that Event Directors
cover this terminology in their competition rule package. Note what divisions are recognized by the WSDC.
7) For events that are held over New Years’ holiday, points will show as of December-end of that year (versus
using January of the New Year).
8) Points received prior to the last five (5) current years will not show on the Event Director’s copy of Registry
Books. They will be archived and available to see on the website (in other words, they are not “taken away”).
Note: Removed original #2 referencing point assignments
Recommendations:
Novice: A competitor must stay in Novice until they have earned at least 20 points in Novice. In addition, a competitor
may stay in the Novice division until they have both 20 points and a first place win in Novice.
Intermediate: A competitor must stay in Intermediate until they have earned at least 25 points in Intermediate. In
addition, a competitor may stay in the Intermediate division until they have both 25 points and a first place win in
Intermediate.
Advanced: You must have at least 25 points in Intermediate in order to move into Advanced.
All Stars: Not all events offer this division. We recommend that at least one of the qualifications to dance in All Stars is
that the competitor has at least 40 points in Advanced. However, this is at the event’s discretion.
Petitions: If an event offers petitions, we suggest that a committee, including the chief judge, consider the requested
reclassification/petition after reviewing the dancer's record. We recommend that the Event Director will select this
committee prior to the Event. For competitors, please note that if you have petitioned to dance in a higher division at one
event, this does not "carry over" to the next Event. You may need to petition at the next Event as well.
In addition to the above recommendations, the WSDC also recommends that a competitor only be allowed to dance in one
Jack & Jill division/category per event.
Please remember to check every individual event’s rules/guidelines regarding their competitions and their
requirement. Sometimes they will vary from the WSDC recommended rules/guidelines.
The Points Registry is available at http://www.swingdancecouncil.com/registry_search.asp. A published version (hard
copy or soft copy), detailing the individual results up to 60 points and showing the past five (5) years of competing, is
given to the Event Director (WSDC Members only) just prior to their Event.