Novice Invitational 2004 Contest Rules                               (  Revised 1/31/2004 )

• General
• Eligibility
• Entries
• Newcomer Novice 
• Amateur Novice Division   
• Amateur Novice Strictly Swing
• Amateur Novice Jack & Jill
• Mixed Pro Am  
• Pro Am Strictly Swing
• Non Pro Division
• Non Pro Strictly Swing
• Non Pro Jack & Jill
• Email your Questions to the Event Director
• Frequently asked Questions and Answers about the rules

General

1. The Novice Invitational is open to all eligible contestants in every division.

2. All categories are traditional male / female, lead / follow couples.

3. Costumes are acceptable in all categories except Strictly Swing, Pro-Am Strictly Swing and Jack & Jill.

4. This is a Whip, Push, and West Coast Swing Dance Competition only, no other styles of swing are allowed.

5. Dancers may compete in multiple swing contest categories during the weekend. No one may enter a particular contest more than once with the exception of the Pro-Am Divisions. 

6. Contestants must dance at least two (2) minutes and no more than three (3) minutes to music they provide (except the Jack & Jill, Strictly Swing and Pro-Am Strictly Swing categories for which Novice Invitational will provide). Failure to dance at least two (2) minutes will result in disqualification.  The penalty for any other rule violation will be the loss of one placement for each infraction in the final contest standing.

7. At least one (1) contestant from each entry must attend the dancers meeting.  NO PROXIES ALLOWED.  See the contest schedule for the assigned meeting times.

8. Dance Order will be determined by reverse order of entry:  First in, last to dance.

9. Qualification for Newcomer Novice Dancers: This division of competition is designed and intended for anyone who has never competed as a NOVICE competitor or AM competitor in a Pro-Am, and has never taught dancing in an organized class setting. Dancers may only compete in this category once.      

10. Qualification for Amateur Novice Dancers: You must have never danced in a Non-Professional, Open or higher Class category, in Classic, Showcase, Strictly Swing/Just Dance style or equivalent categories, or as a Pro in a Pro-Am, in any style of dance.  Jack & Jill competitions are not excluded.  You can never have taught any style of partner dance for compensation.  This division is not open to all levels.

11. Qualification for Non-Professional Dancers: You must have never danced in a Rising Star, Open or higher Class category, in Classic, Showcase, Strictly Swing/Just Dance style or equivalent categories, or as a Pro in a Pro-Am, in any style of dance.  Jack & Jill competitions are not excluded.  This division is not open to all levels.

12. Definition of a LIFT: That point when both feet are off the ground, and weight is not self supported.

13. Definition of a DROP: The point at which the head goes below your partner’s waist and weight is not self supported.

14. All rules will be strictly enforced. 

Entries:

1. There is no limit to entries to any division with the exception of deadline regulations.  Deadline for all divisions is the end of the dancers meeting for that division, with the exception of Jack & Jill categories and Pro-Am Strictly Swing. Pro-Am Strictly Swing due by Feb. 20, 2004.  (Please check schedule.  THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS). If there are fewer than five (5) entries in any division, the Novice Invitational reserves the right to combine or cancel that division.  Novice Invitational also reserves the right to have any and all lead/follow categories run in a heat format in lieu of prelims or spotlight format for time restraints.

2. Each entry/waiver form (Jack & Jill excluded) must be accompanied by a $10/a person ($20 per couple) per contest, fee through 2/6/04, after 2/6/04 $15/per person ($30/ per couple) per contest. All Entrants are required to purchase a weekend ticket and must be included or have verification of purchase. You may, as always, sign up at the dancers meeting.  See above General Notes #7.  Entries may be submitted via mail postmarked no later than February 6, 2004 to:  Novice Invitational, c/o Southwest Whip Club, PO Box 631933, Houston, Texas 77263-1933.

Newcomer Novice Strictly Swing:

1. Any dancer that qualifies may enter this category. (See General Rules)

2. This is a Swing category and dance content must be 100% that style.

3. This is a lead/follow category and no choreographed routines are allowed.

4. No lifts, drops or aerials and no planned entrances or exits allowed.  

5. No apart dancing other than free spins.

6. This division is danced in heats of 3-5 couples.

7. Couples will dance approximately two (2) minutes to music provided by Novice Invitational. The music will be selected at random at the time of the contest and the couples will be given no prior music information.

Amateur Novice Division:

1. Any dancer that qualifies may enter this category. (See General Rules)

2. This is a Swing category and dance content must be 80% that style.

3. There are no lifts or aerials allowed.  

4. Apart dancing allowed within first 32 beats of music. No breakaways or other apart dancing except free spins.

5. There are no other restrictions.

Amateur Novice Strictly Swing:

1. Any dancer that qualifies may enter this category. (See General Rules)

2. This is a Swing category and dance content must be 100% that style. It is a lead/follow category and no choreographed routines are allowed.

3. No lifts, drops or aerials and no planned entrances or exits allowed.  

4. No apart dancing other than free spins.

5. Couples will dance approximately two (2) minutes to music provided by Novice Invitational.  The music will be selected at random at the time of the contest and the couples will be given no prior music information.

Non-Professional Division:

1. Any dancer that qualifies may enter this category. (See General Rules)

2. This is a Swing category and dance content must be 80% that style.

3. There are no lifts or aerials allowed.  

4. Apart dancing allowed within first 32 beats of music. No breakaways or other apart dancing except free spins.

5. There are no other restrictions.

Non-Professional Strictly Swing:

1. Any dancer that qualifies may enter this category. (See General Rules)

2. This is a Swing category and dance content must be 100% that style.

3. This is a lead/follow category and no choreographed routines are allowed.

4. No lifts, drops or aerials and no planned entrances or exits allowed.  

5. No apart dancing other than free spins.

6. Couples will dance approximately two (2) minutes to music provided by Novice Invitational. The music will be selected at random at the time of the contest and the couples will be given no prior music information. 

Pro-Am: Male & Female Strictly Swing:

1. The Pro partner may dance with up to five (5) different Am partners.

2. The amateur partner must not qualify as a Rising Star, Open or higher level dancer.

3. The Pro can qualify as either Rising Star, Open or Professional level dancer.

4. This is a Swing category and dance content must be 100% that style.

5. It is a lead/follow category and no choreographed routines are allowed.  

6. No lifts, drops or aerials and no planned entrances or exits allowed.  

7. No apart dancing other than free spins.

8. Couples will dance approximately ninety (90) seconds to music provided by Novice Invitational.  The music will be selected at random at the time of the contest and the couples will be given no prior music information.  It will be approximately 112-124 bpm.

9. Costumes are not allowed.

Mixed Pro-Am Division:  

1. The Am must be eligible to qualify as a Newcomer Novice, Amateur Novice, or Non-Professional dancer. ( See General Rules)

2. Any Am who has previously won any Pro-Am competition at the Novice Invitational will not be allowed to dance as an Am again at this event.

3. This is a Swing category and dance content must be 80 % that style.

4. No minimum or maximum bpm (music speed) limitation.

5. There are no lifts or aerials allowed. 

6. Apart dancing allowed within first 32 beats of music. No breakaways or other apart dancing except free spins. 

7. There are no other restrictions.

Amateur Novice Jack & Jill:

1. Anyone that qualifies may enter this contest.

2. You must sign up in person. No proxies.

Non-Professional Jack & Jill:

1. Anyone that qualifies may enter this contest.

2. You must sign up in person. No proxies.

Questions and Answers about the rules