General Rules

• It is the competitors’ responsibility to read and understand the competition rules.
• All competitors are required to read and understand the information section relating to the category/categories they are entering.
• Any competitor who is not in the marshalling area and ready to enter the floor when called will not be able to compete.
• By agreeing to participate, you agree to have photo/videos taken at any of the events for Ceroc Asia’s use.
• A category will require 6 registered dancers in order to go ahead. For DWAS, at least 3 Leaders and 3 Followers will be required.
• Competitors will dance to music chosen by the organisers. This could include anything from the 40's to present day.
• Competitors are encouraged to warm up sufficiently prior to the heat.
• Competitors are encouraged to dance to the end of their heat.
• Qualifying dancers will be asked back to the next round.
• All details are subject to change by the organisers at any point.
• Judges’ decisions on the day are final and no correspondence will be entered into. Judges are required to maintain confidentiality regarding results so please refrain from approaching them with queries about the results.
• Judges are not permitted to be involved in the choreography of competitor routines for events they will be judging. However this does not preclude judges from assisting in technique or move improvement before the day of the competition.
• The Judging Panel for 2019 CPAC consist of qualified Ceroc or Modern Jive teachers globally.
• There will be no refund for competitors who withdraw or are unable to compete in a category either before or during the event.
   

Dancers' Levels

Beginners

Provided you do not qualify for a higher level, you qualify for Beginners if you meet the following criteria:

• You and your partner have been dancing Ceroc or modern jive for less than 12 months from the date of your first Ceroc/modern jive dance class.
• You or your partner have not placed (1st, 2nd or 3rd) at any level in a competition for Ceroc or any other style of partner dance within the last 12 months.
• You or your partner are not teachers, ex-teachers or trainee teachers.
• If in the opinion of the judges, a couple should be competing in a category above Beginners, they will be required to move up.
   

Intermediate

Provided you do not qualify for a higher grade, you qualify for Intermediate if you meet the following criteria:

• You and your partner have been dancing Ceroc for more than 12 months from your first Ceroc dance class.
• You or your partner have not placed (1st, 2nd or 3rd) at an Intermediate or higher level in a competition for Ceroc or any other style of partner dance within the last 12 months.
• You or your partner are not teachers, ex-teachers or trainee teachers.
• If in the opinion of the judges, a couple should be competing in a category above Intermediate, they will be required to move up.
   

Open

• This level is open to all dancers with any level of dance experience and background.
• You must compete in Open if you meet any ONE of the following conditions:
• You or our partner have placed (1st, 2nd or 3rd) at an Advanced or higher level in a competition for Ceroc or any other style of partner dance
• You or your partner are Ceroc Asia teachers, ex-teachers or trainee teachers.
   

By Invitation

• Ceroc Asia teachers and ex-teachers who have placed in numerous Open categories from previous Ceroc Pan Asia Championships will be invited to this category
• Non-Ceroc Asia teachers and champions from overseas may be invited to join this category
• If a teacher/champion who qualifies for this category would like to dance with their Open Level partner they will be entered into this category
• If in the opinion of the judges, a couple should be invited to compete in this category you will be invited to do so
   

Dance Definitions

Ceroc Style

• The dancing throughout the competition must be recognisable as Ceroc or modern jive. For the purpose of this competition, “Ceroc” is defined as moves based on those taught in Ceroc or modern jive classes; allowing for modifications, variations, personal interpretation and styling.
• Elements from any other dances including but not limited to lindy hop, west coast swing, swing, rock ‘n’ roll, ballroom, jive, salsa and hip-hop may be incorporated into the moves danced in this competition; provided the moves fit into the style and timing of Ceroc and the principles of partner dancing (i.e. lead & follow).
   

Non-contact

• Non-contact dancing is any dancing where there is no contact between dancers. It is also called breakaway dancing.
• Non-contact dancing that lasts for less than or equal to 4 beats will not be counted in the Non-contact total danced as long as it is followed by at least 16 beats of normal Ceroc partner dancing and footwork/style.Non-contact dancing that lasts longer than 4 beats is allowed as long as all of the following occur:
  
  • It does not last longer than 16 beats; and
  • It is followed by at least 16 beats of partner dancing in the Ceroc Style; and
  • The total time spent in non-contact dancing / Non-Ceroc Style is not more than 6 bars (48 beats) of the total dance time.

Floor Moves

• A floor move is one where both feet of both the leader and the follower are touching the floor.

Aerials and Baby Aerials

• A Baby Aerial is any lift where one of the lady or man’s feet remains below the lady or man’s waist (belt line) at all times.
• An Aerial is any lift where both of the lady or man’s feet are above the lady or man’s waist (belt line).
• Aerials and Baby Aerials will only receive credit if they are performed cleanly and are seamlessly worked into freestyle or your routine, including entries and exits.
• Acrobatic throws are aerials that do not maintain physical contact throughout the manoeuvre and are not permitted under any circumstances.
   

Leans, Dips and Drops

• A Lean is a move where part of the follower’s body is resting against and supported by of the leader
• A Dip is a move where part of the follower’s body is lowered by the leader and the follower is still supporting their own weight.
• A Drop is a move where the follower's body weight is partially or completely supported by the leader while at least one part of the follower's body remains in contact with the floor.

Judges' Criteria

Technical

• Does one or both partner(s) dance in time with the music? Dancing in time is essential, demonstrating a sound understanding of rhythm and timing.

Style

• Does the partnership demonstrate a confident and natural use of styling? Styling considers (but is not exclusive to) the following skills:
  
  • Posture and lines
  • Arm styling and footwork
  • Balance and control
  • Focus, head movement and eye-line
  • Aesthetic consideration – is the movement pleasing and interesting to observe
     

Musical interpretation

• Does the partnership consider the music that is being played, and adjust their performance to compliment it? For example, competitors should not dance exactly the same way to two different genres of track. Musical interpretation considers:
  
  • The rhythm and tempo of the music
  • The style and genre of the music
  • The mood and atmosphere created by the music
  • Any stand out highlights, breaks or changes in the music

Innovation and Imagination

• Does the partnership steal the attention of the judges with their uniqueness and creativity? Judges see many dancers across the day and originality always stands out from the crowd. Innovation and Imagination considers:
  • New and unseen movements
  • Popular movements performed with original and creative styling
  • Moments of surprise, sudden unexpected wow moves or a quick change in dynamics
  • Playfulness and experimentation
     

Connection between dancers

• Is each dancer connected to their partner? Or are they ignoring each other and dancing independently from one another?
  Connection considers
  • Is the lead and follow aspect of the dance clearly demonstrated?
  • Are the dancers interacting with one another facially and emotionally?
  • Is the lead considering the ability, comfort, stability, direction and control of the follow?
  • Is the follow listening and responding appropriately to the lead?
     

Quality of dancing

• Looking at the technical mastery of the dance, and the substance that backs up the style. Quality of dancing considers:
  • Strength of movement, energy, enthusiasm and attack
  • Grace, control and flow in the movement
  • Competent and clean execution with minimal errors or faults
  • Assertiveness and conviction with the movement
     

Variety and complexity of moves

• Variety is key to hold and maintain interest. Complexity shows the range and depth to the dancers’ technical repertoire with the following considerations:
  • Avoid too much repetition
  • Ensure moves are complex enough to impress, but not too complex for the individual’s (or partner’s) ability level
  • Ensure that the moves are relevant given the music that is being played
  • Don’t neglect simple movements. Complexity is pointless if the execution is bad. A simple movement executed perfectly is far more likely to leave a positive impression
     

Dress

• Clothes and costumes can enhance the overall feel of performance. There is no requirement to dress up ‘smart’, just consider the style of dance and the image that the dancers want to portray. A more relaxed wardrobe that has been carefully considered can have just as much impact as sparkles and sequins:
  • Does the clothing complement their partner’s, and does the image synchronise?
  • Does the clothing complement their style? Don’t wear a ball gown if you are more street and funky
  • Does the clothing complement the dance? Wear something that enhances the movement, and avoid anything that inhibits or restricts the performance
     

Personality, Character and Attitude

• Dance ability aside, are the dancers performing and showing individual character? Fun, flair, enjoyment, sass, confidence and attitude can often take precedence over dance ability in the overall entertainment value of the dance:
  • Confidence – pride, power, head up, shoulders back, conviction and attack
  • Facial expression – smile, eye contact, look out to the crowd, show emotion
  • Personality – can the judges see what sort of character you are through your movement, or do you just look nervous and stressed?
     

Health and Safety

• All persons attending this event whether spectators, non-competitors, competitors, officials or guests of the organisers shall be bound by the rules of the event and by attending, automatically become obliged to abide by them.
• Anyone competing in the championships understands that the organisers are not held liable for injury sustained by persons attending. Everyone attending does so at his or her own risk
• The organisers reserve the right of admission and may ask persons displaying unacceptable behaviour to leave. Refunds will not be given
• The organisers do NOT accept responsibility for loss, damage or theft of articles in any area of the building
• Bags and items of clothing must not be left anywhere in the aisles or passageways in the building so as to create an obstruction
• All moves are danced at the dancer’s own risk. Please take care of any other dancers around you whilst performing any aerial. Should a participant’s dancing interfere with or endanger another dancer on the dance floor, they will be penalised or disqualified depending on the severity
   

Disqualifications and Penalties

• If a competitor is disqualified, the reason for disqualification may be made available to the competitor on request
• The competitor may ask the Head Judge for a review of the disqualification, provided the review is requested within five minutes of being notified of the disqualification. Notification will be as soon as possible after the end of the relevant heat. The
• Head Judge’s decision is final
• Dancers may use any area of the competition floor and may move around the floor, provided that they do not interfere with or endanger any other dancers. Dancers competing in DWAS must stay in their allocated area. Any competitor causing interference with another dancer or endangering another dancer will be disqualified
• Excessive amounts of choreography in freestyle events will be penalised
• Any dancer proven to be competing at a level below what they should be (see category information for competition level definition) will be penalised