TULSA SPRING SWING 2026 CONTEST RULES

For all contests, a Competitor Weekend Pass is required. See Funtests for Exceptions

JACK & JILL CONTESTS

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WSDC JACK AND JILL DIVISIONS: Newcomer, Novice, Masters, Intermediate, Advanced, All Star

All WSDC Jack & Jill Divisions will be run according to the World Swing Dance Council Registry rules for competitors. See the WSDC Registry Event rules here https://www.worldsdc.com/wsdc-points-registry-rules/. For general competitor rules, see Sections 3.1 & 3.2 “Contest Structure/Format” & “Competitors: Skill Levels & Points Registry”.

Competitors are responsible for following the WSDC Registry Rules and registering accordingly. Competitors will not receive WSDC points for placement if they fail to follow the WSDC Points Registry Rules.

All Jack & Jill competitors must be 10 years of age or older prior to the first day of the event.

Note Regarding Newcomer Qualification

In accordance with WSDC rules: “… After successfully making finals and earning any points in either Newcomer or Novice, you will be required to move up to Novice for future contests in that role. You can choose to dance in Newcomer again in the other role where it is offered until you earn a point in that role.”

Primary & Secondary Roles

Contestants may dance in both their primary and secondary roles as defined by WSDC, but a dancer may compete only once in a single contest. For example, a qualified Intermediate Follower can follow in Intermediate as the primary roll, and lead in Novice (if qualified), OR lead in Intermediate, but not follow in Novice. For more details, See WSDC Sections 3.2.3-7.

Dancing Up In Strictly Swing

All contestants must meet the WSDC minimum point requirement for the WSDC Jack & Jill contest they enter.  Dancing UP, or having danced up, a level in Strictly Swing does NOT qualify a dancer to compete at that same level in Jack & Jill.

Points

Awarded points are defined by WSDC. See Section 3.3.1 “Point Tier Awards”.

Petition

Dancers may petition to the Head Judge prior to the contest registration cut-off to dance up or down a level. If in doubt about the correct level, competitors should consult the Head judge prior to cut-off. Registration in the inappropriate division could result in not dancing in any contest, or disqualification.

Swing Content

Recognizable Lead/Follow Swing must be present throughout the dance. The following definition will apply to all contest requirements for swing content.

The NASDE Statement of Swing** is a guide to assist the judges in determining swing content. 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, swingouts, 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.

** This definition will be used to evaluate Swing content in a performance, and is not intended to be a full definition of Swing. Nor shall it be used to evaluate the quality of the performance. Each Judge will evaluate the presence of Swing content, which will be one of the criteria that determines a final score.

Restrictions

No Lifts or Aerials allowed. Weight-supported moves ARE allowed.

Format

All prelims will be run in Heats.  Finals may be Heated or Spotlight at the discretion of the Head Judge or Event Director.

Choreography

Spontaneous choreography is expected. Obvious prearranged choreography will be penalized at the discretion of the judges.

Time/Music

Dancers will dance a time length determined by the Head Judge to music provided by the contest DJ.

Please Note

The event reserves the right to combine divisions, based on registrations, at the discretion of Event Director and/or Head Judge.

STRICTLY SWING CONTESTS

Qualifications

Competitors are responsible for following all rules and registering accordingly. Non-qualified contestants will be disqualified, without reimbursement.

Multiple Strictly Swing Entries

Dancers may compete in multiple Strictly Swing contests as long as dancers meet the requirements* for each entered division and register with unique partners for EACH contest.

You may dance STRICTLY SWING in one or more contests, if you meet the following conditions:

1. In your PRIMARY JJ skilled level/role, as defined by WSDC.
2. Down one level in your SECONDARY JJ level/role, as defined by WSDC.
3. Up one level from your PRIMARY JJ level/role, with a partner who qualifies for that level.
4. In any age-defined contests, such as Sophisticated Swing or Masters.
5. In Pro-Am Strictly Swing in your primary level/role, as defined by WSDC.
6. In Pro-Am Strictly Swing in your secondary role/level, as defined by WSDC.

* Dancing up (having competed or placed) a level in Strictly Swing does NOT penalize a dancer for Jack and Jill qualification, nor qualify a dancer to compete at a higher Jack and Jill.

Partner Exceptions

Ams may compete with their Pro in both routines and Strictly Swing.

Dancers may compete on a “Team” contest with any of their Strictly Swing partners.

Swing Content

Recognizable Lead/Follow Swing must be present throughout the dance.

Restrictions

No Lifts or Aerials allowed (weight-supported moves ARE allowed).

Format

All prelims will be run in Heats.  Finals may be Heated or Spotlight at the discretion of the Head Judge or Event Director.

Costumes

Costumes are not allowed, but matching colors and complimentary attire are encouraged.

Choreography

Spontaneous choreography is expected. Obvious prearranged choreography will be penalized at the discretion of the judges.

Time/Music

Dancers will dance a time length determined by the Head Judge to music provided by the contest DJ.

Newcomer SS

You must have never danced above the lowest WSDC Jack & Jill division offered at any Invitational Swing Dance event. You must have never placed 1st in any Newcomer Jack & Jill or Strictly Swing contest at any WSDC registry event. You may have never made finals in any Novice contest in any WSDC contest. Per WSDC rules, you may not have more than 1 point in that level/role. However, if you qualify by WSDC rules, you may dance your secondary role.

Novice SS

You must have never danced Intermediate (or the equivalent of) or any higher class level at any invitational Swing Dance Event.  You may not have any WSDC Intermediate points. You many not dance down from the WSDC Jack & Jill level in which you are registered for this event. However, you may dance in your secondary level/role, as defined by WSDC.

Intermediate SS

You must have never danced Advanced (or the equivalent of) or any higher class level at any invitational Swing Dance Event.  You may not have any WSDC Advanced points. You many not dance down from the WSDC Jack & Jill level in which you are registered for this event. However, you may dance in your secondary level/role, as defined by WSDC.

Masters SS

All dancers must be a minimum age of 50 years by the first day of the event.

Open SS

This division is open to all dancers. Partners may be different levels. This contest is considered as the highest level of SS, and may include Advanced, All Star and Professional dancers.

PRO-AM STRICTLY SWING

Pro

A “Pro” is considered to be an Advanced or Professional level dancer. A pro may dance with a maximum of FOUR (4) “Ams” per contest.

Am

An “Am” in the Pro-Am contests must qualify in the Newcomer, Novice or Intermediate class according the WSDC Guidelines (See “Jack & Jill Contests”). “Ams” may dance in both primary and secondary levels/roles, as defined by WSDC.

PREVIOUS WINNER RULES: 1st Place Winners of a ProAm Strictly Swing division may not compete in the same division with the same Pro in the same role (lead/follow) for 5 years. A previous winner AM may:

1) compete with the same pro in the same division, but in a different role (lead/follow);

2) compete in the same division with a different Pro in the same role;

3) move up to the next division with the same Pro in the same role, if applicable.

A 1st Place Newcomer Am may not compete as a Newcomer in the same role with any pro, however, may compete on the opposite role, if qualified.

Judging

The judging emphasis is placed on the Am’s execution of the judging criteria.

PRO-AM ROUTINES

Contestants

Ams must meet the requirements for a Newcomer, Novice or Intermediate dancer. (See Qualification for Strictly Swing Contests).

Pros may dance with a maximum of FIVE ams in each division contest, but not to exceed 12 in total. Only the highest placement points will count toward “Top Pro” award. Pros may dance with the same am in both the Mixed Pro-Am Routine and Pro-Am Strictly Swing contests.

Swing Content

65% traditional Swing Content.

Restrictions

A maximum of 5 partner weight support moves (lifts and/or drops) is allowed, but not required.  No Aerials allowed.

Newcomer Routines: A max of 2 weight support moves.

Costumes

Costumes are strongly encouraged, as a portion of the “showmanship” score.

Choreography

Pre-choreographed routines are required.

Format

All couples will dance Spotlight.  Dance Order will be randomly assigned by the Head Judge.

Time/Music

Contestants will dance a minimum of 2, and maximum of 3, minutes.

Newcomer Routines: A minimum of 1.5 mins, and maximum of 2.5 minutes.

Time (and judging) begins with first choreographed movement (with or without music) and ends when movement ends (with or without music). Competitors are responsible to provide or email their music to the Head DJ before floor tryouts.

Judging

The judging emphasis is placed on the Am’s execution of the judging criteria.

Please Note: The event reserves the right to combine divisions, based on registrations, at the discretion of Event Director and/or Head Judge.

OTHER CONTESTS & FUNTESTS

PRO-AM JACK & JILL

Newcomer, Novice and Intermediate Ams dance with invited staff and pros.

MIXED LEVEL JACK & JILL

Open to all levels from Newcomer to Champion. Partners randomly matched in prelims and sorted Hi-Lo in a fast paced Tournament Style Finals.

SWITCHLY SWING

You and your partner switch roles randomly and consistently throughout your dance!
Point System… Max Combination – 7 Points… 1-Newcomer, 2-Novice, 3-Intermediate, 4-Advanced, 5-All Star/Champ

HIP HOP THREESOME

Three Dancers keeping connected throughout the entire dance using any combination of Switches, Steals and (connected) dances. “CONNECTION” is Key!
Point System… Max Combination — 9 Points… 1-Newcomer, 2-Novice, 3-Intermediate, 4-Advanced, 5-All Star/Champ

JEANNE’S CRAZY JACKPOT DRAW

Open to ALL DANCERS. Crazy fun! Crazy Rules. Might be dancing, might no! Expect to be surprised! Expect to Laugh! Cash Prizes! Registration at the event only.

REFUNDS are not available after two weeks prior to the event, but event tickets may be transferred (contests are not transferable). Notification must be made about the transfer to the Registration Director. Under special circumstances, the event director may consider a credit to the following year.

QUESTIONS? Email dancingjeanne@gmail.com.com or see the Head Judge prior to the contest.