• Open to all dancers living in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji at the age of 16 years and above.
• Competitors can represent a Dance School, organization or just on their own.
• There is no limit to the number of competitors that can represent a particular school or organization.
• ASC Team will not take responsibility for loss or injury to persons or possessions in relation to this event.
• By entering this contest, entrants accept and agree to be bound by these Official Rules.
• All competitors will have to check in prior to the competition at the event registration desk and be ready to compete 15 minutes prior to the commencement.
• There will be competition allocated numbers (BIB) assigned to Jack and Jill competitors at the time of registration. It must be kept throughout the whole competition and be worn during the Jack and Jill competition. It is competitors' responsibility to keep the BIB intact and visible and return them undamaged to the ASC Team at the end of the competition.
• If competitor misplaces oneself into the category that one does not belong (by the ASC category definition) and be proved and verified, the Competition Directors and the Head Judge of the Panel forfeit any right to any prizes or awards presented.

For Music:

• Competitors and team leaders will need to send a copy of their choreography competition music in mp3, m4a or wav format to info@salsachamp.au by 10 March 2024, labelled with your name OR team name and category. We will send you a confirmation that your song has been received, but we will NOT be checking to see if your song meets the music rules. 
• If your music is not submitted by the deadline, registration will be considered incomplete. It is the competitors and team leaders responsibility to make sure the DJ has the correct music in the right format, and check the music on the competition day with the DJ if necessary. 
• Competitors also need to bring with them a backup of their music on USB on the competition day. 
• The DJ will not slow down or speed up your music for you. 
• A maximum of 2 songs can be used in the music cut of any given choreography.
• Remixed music is allowed so long as there is a clear and recognizable base rhythms and signature beat of the salsa.
• Names of the teams have to be finalized when registration and be used when sending the music. No change of team names on the day of the event.

Code of Conduct:

• Any competitor that does not adhere to the General Rules, Code of Conduct and Terms & Conditions of ASC may be subject to disqualification from the competition and therefore forfeit any right to any prizes or awards presented.  
• While on the competition premises, competitors shall conduct themselves at all times in a civil and sportsmanlike manner. Any kind of harassment : verbal, physical or sexual will not be tolerated and  the competitor will be disqualified and asked to leave the premises immediately.
• Moves that depict or imply violence, sexual assault or degradation are not permitted and will be penalized (from penalty to disqualification).  This includes performing moves which simulate sexual acts, hitting ones partner, throwing them to the ground, and pulling their hair.
  Competitors will be marked down for costume malfunctions. Selected clothing must cover all personal anatomy and be of an appropriate and suitable style as not to cause offence, regardless of personal tastes.
• It is the competitor’s responsibility to be in attendance at least half hour in advance of the advertised time scheduled for the events he/she is entering. Organizers are not required to delay the program for the benefit of latecomers.  There is no refund of entry fees for any reason.
• Competitors entering ASC event shall accept as final the individual markings of the judges, and no appeal against them may be made except when it can be shown that the actual markings have been incorrectly evaluated. 
• If officials and competitors mutually consent to discuss markings and results after the conclusion of the event, they should do so in a civil, ethical, and professional manner. Any breaches of professional conduct should be immediately reported to the ASC Team. 

Promotion, Photography and Video Recording:

Competitors and participants agree to be photographed and filmed on behalf of the ASC, where the media material can be used for promotion of future competitions as well as released on social media and other internet sites like Instagram, YouTube, etc. This includes, but not limited to photographic, video or written commentary regarding the competition experience and any subsequent ventures from the benefits of winning and holding a National title, on various online platforms including Competition or Studio websites or Social Media outlets such as Facebook.

Jack and Jill Freestyle

• This is for the dancers competing for the title of Australian Salsa Champion 2024.
• To compete in this category, you must register ONLY yourself. There is no need to bring a partner as they will be assigned on each round.
• Leaders and followers can be of both genders, but must remain the same role for the whole Jack and Jill.
• All Couple Categories (Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, All Star) will dance 1 - 3 rounds according to the number of registration.
• Shines are permitted and encouraged in partnered routines, however no more than 30% shines are permitted.
• You will be judged based on the judging criteria outline below.

Choreography (Soloists/Duets)

• This is for non-couples dancing Salsa competing for the title of Australian Salsa Couple Choreography Champions 2023.
• All entries in all Soloist Categories (Professional, Semi-Pro, Amateur) will dance a choreographed song of their choice. The song must be no longer than 2 minutes.
• Partner dancing and/or touching such as tricks and show moves are permitted in non-partnered routines. However, penalty will be applied if it is more than 30% of the whole routine.
• You will be judged based on the judging criteria outline below.

Choreography (Couples)

• This is for couples dancing Salsa competing for the title of Australian Salsa Couple Choreography Champions 2024.
• All entries in all Couple Categories (Professional, Semi-Pro, Amateur and Pro-Am) will dance a choreographed song of their choice. The song must be no longer than 2 minutes and 20 seconds.
• Shines are permitted and encouraged in partnered routines. However, penalty will be applied if it is more than 30% of the whole routine.
• You will be judged based on the judging criteria outline below.

Choreography (Shines Teams)

• This is for the teams competing for the title of Australian Salsa Shines Team Choreography Champions 2023.
• All Teams Categories (Amateur, Semi Pro, Professional) will dance a choreographed song of their choice. This song must no longer than 2 minutes and 20 seconds.
• Teams can be made of non-couples only.
• Partner dancing and/or touching such as tricks and show moves are permitted in non-partnered routines. However, penalty will be applied if it is more than 30% of the whole routine.
• You will be judged based on the judging criteria outline below.

Choreography (Couple Teams)

• This is for the teams competing for the title of Australian Salsa Couple Team Choreography Champions 2023.
• All Teams Categories (Amateur, Semi Pro, Professional) will dance a choreographed song of their choice. This song must no longer than 2 minutes and 20 seconds.
• Teams can be made of couples only.
• Shines are permitted and encouraged in partnered routines. However, penalty will be applied if it is more than 30% of the whole routine.
• You will be judged based on the judging criteria outline below.

• Judges will be appointed at the sole discretion of the ASC Directors

• In the event of any dispute, the Competition Directors and the Head Judge of the Panel will make a final decision.
• The results and decisions of the Judges will be final, binding, and conclusive on all matters.
• By entering this contest, entrants accept and agree to be bound by all the Official Rules.

Dancers will be judged (from 0 to 10) in the following criteria:

• Rhythm/Timing (30%)

Dancers are required to show recognisable timing for the majority of the performance. The correct and consistent use and understanding of the timing and rhythm relevant to the dance (the sharpness of ‘highlights’ and the execution of appropriate syncopations) and the chosen dance style must be displayed. For instance, competitors will be deducted marks for interchanging 1 and 5 if dancing ‘On 1’, or interchanging 2 and 6 if dancing ‘On 2’. If dancers temporarily break their timing to accent musicality or maintain the flow of a movement they will not be penalized, as long as this action is purposeful and there is an intentional effort to return to the original timing. More specifically, if a dancer breaks on1 for most of their routine with some purposeful deviations breaking on5 they will not be penalized, as long as there is an intentional effort to return to their on1 break step. Similarly, if a dancer breaks on2 for most of their routine with some purposeful deviations breaking on6 they will not be penalized, as long as there is an intentional effort to return to their on2 break step.

• Musicality/Choreography (20%)
  A demonstration of the ability to creatively work with the timing and interpretation of competitor(s)’ chosen music. This can be done in a variety of ways, including patterns, footwork, “hits”, tricks, etc. The creativity and originality of the choreography is a factor here. The way it utilizes the elements of the chosen Salsa style, the music (including the ‘hits’ and breaks), theme, the dancers and the stage space. Judges will consider the structure (from intro to finale), the variety, seamless-ness of its components, the cleverness and the freshness of the choreography. Overall the choreography should showcase the dancer(s) and create an artistically impressive and captivating work.
  
  
• Partnering/Synchronicity for Couple & Teams OR Showmanship/Floor Craft for Solo (20%)
For all couple, duets and teams, partnership is the connection dancers cultivate and exhibit with the audience and their fellow performer(s). Judges will consider the X-factor, flavor/sabor, brought to the performance to win over and connect with the audience and judges. (Note: this should not be done by prompting the audience to cheer or clap) Dancers should demonstrate a connection with their partner/team that elevates the energy and level of performance and complements the style and strength of their partner/team.

It also refers to the unison of a team during side by side movement, partner-work, line placement, footwork and styling. Teams will also be judged on their utilization of formations. Judges will consider the artistic choice, clarify and variety of formations, and the transitions utilized to change between them. Additionally, the synchronization of the team where the choreography should/is intended to be synchronized (e.g. during combinations, poses and shines, and in dancers' lines, hands, feet and body movement) will be scrutinized in the scoring.

For couple and couple teams, judges will take "couple dynamics" into consideration. Do they interact with each other, dance as a couple? Is there something happening between them or are they just two individuals, doing their own thing?

For non-team categories, floor craft and showmanship are considered. Floor craft is the skill of making use of the space on stage. It is important to show how the choreography incorporates the flow of moving across the stage and how the competitor(s) execute accordingly.

• Difficulty/Technique (20%)
The level of difficulty exhibited in the choreography and its execution. Judges will consider the complexity and intricacy of the combinations, footwork and shines, turns/spins, tricks/dips and body movement utilized in the performance and how well those elements were executed. Examples: The amount of turns done on both double and single foot. How intricate were the shines/footwork/solo sections? Any movements requiring exceptional balance, flexibility or strength? In order to get credit for any of these things, the movement must be successfully executed. 

The dance technique exhibited in the execution of the performance. Judges will consider good posture, clean footwork, balanced turns/spins, aesthetic use of lines, smooth and complementary lead/follow partner work (if applicable) and the use and mastery of appropriate Latin motion/body movement as appropriate for the chosen dance style. This refers also to general technique for partner dance, where the movement is “grounded”, and there is clarity of proper weight changes from foot to foot. 

• Overall Presentation /Appearance (10%)
  The overall presentation of the Individual/Couple/Team. Judges will consider the aesthetic qualities and professionalism exhibited in the costuming and appearance, the entrance, exit and sportsmanship. On top of that, stage presence and confidence are also considered in the overall presentation - the complete package: moves should be well executed; any highlights and step sequences should not interrupt the flow of the dance; originality of moves (creation or re-creation of moves); cleanliness and how dynamic of the presentation; styling should suit Salsa dancing and unique and as addition to the performance instead of detraction from the dance. Costumes should complement the style, movement, theme and dancers to enhance the performance.

JUDGING CRITERIA FOR JACK AND JILL

• The focus is on lead/follow and connection with the partner as well as timing and music interpretation.
• NO lifts, tricks or flares are allowed, but dips are permitted where appropriate.
• Shines should be danced facing each other and must be clearly un-choreographed or marks will be deducted.
• In the preliminary round (in cases where there are over five leaders and five followers entry), competitors will be judged individually and only certain amount of leaders and followers will advance to the next round of preliminary or final round.
• In the final round, competitors will be partnered up randomly and will be judged on their ability in the lead/follow freestyle format. Judges will consider the overall presentation of the couple, taking into account elements of timing, execution and performance.
• Judging is ranked only, no individual scoring is done. The followings are the judging criteria that affect the ranks: 

• Timing/Musicality
  * Dancing on-time consistently and show recognisable Salsa timing
  * Musicality
      - Appropriate use of breaks, syncopations, speed changes
      - Strategically using movements to “hit” or demonstrate certain elements of the music
      - Timing maybe be broken with clear and obvious intention to highlight the break or accent musicality
  * Musical interpretation
      - How the dancers hear and apply the song
      - Since every dancer hears music differently, should not judge competitors down for having a different interpretation of the music, provided that the competitor is on time and displaying appropriate musicality

• Technique/Execution
  * Posture, clean lines, foot placement, flexibility and body movement appropriate to the style
  * Keep in mind that poor teamwork and timing should reduce the amount of credit given for technique, as this is considered improper technique
  * Technique can be divided into two types: Individual and Partnership

• Teamwork/Connection
  * Do the dancers show that they are engaged with each other and matching each other’s level?
  * Partnership technique (Partner centering, connection, lead/follow)
  * Partner communication (Compatible musical interpretation, partner awareness)
  * Partner compatibility (Compatible musical interpretation, adjusting personal styles to compliment the partnership, adjusting to a partner’s limitations or strengths)

• Difficulty
  * Difficulty refers to the level of technical or musical difficulty in the dance.
Eg should give credit to the added level of difficulty when competitors dance wearing high heels

• Presentation/Showmanship
  * Do the dancers look like they are enjoying themselves throughout the dance?
  * Presentation is a competitor’s ability to entertain, excite, and inspire an audience
  * Stage orientation and floorcraft
  * What the dancers are wearing and how they present themselves