.png)
TWO-STEP
(NCDC Certified)
Newcomer, Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced Levels
Description
A progressive partner dance that moves counterclockwise around the floor, using a quick-quick-slow-slow rhythm.
Judging Criteria
​
-
Timing: Judged on adherence to quick-quick-slow-slow timing throughout the dance.
-
Footwork: Must maintain quick-quick-slow-slow rhythm. Brief deviations are allowed, such as a quick-quick-slow-quick-quick-slow rhythm breaks.
-
Lifts & Tricks: At least one foot must remain on the ground at all times. All divisions can incorporate rides, pendulums, one-footed spins, and other tricks.
-
Musicality: Competitors will be rewarded for matching their movements to key moments in the music, such as hitting breaks or changes in phrasing.
-
Safety: Running into other competitors will result in points reduction.
-
No lifts allowed.
COUNTRY SWING
(NCDC Certified)
Newcomer, Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced Levels
Description
A rotational, stationary partner dance.
Judging Criteria
​
-
Timing: Competitors will be judged as a baseline on basic one-count timing (stepping to the beat).
-
Footwork: Syncopated steps and varying rhythms (e.g., quick-quick-slow, slow-slow-quick, quick-quick-quick-and) are allowed. However, every 16 counts must include a basic country swing move, such as a cuddle turn, waist slide, or infinity loop. Barcoast patterns like whips, tuck turns, or slotted patterns are permitted but should be done between infinity loop basics.
-
Lifts & Tricks: At least one foot must remain on the ground at all times. All divisions can incorporate rides, pendulums, one-footed spins, and other tricks.
-
Musicality: Competitors will be rewarded for matching their movements to key moments in the music, such as hitting breaks or changes in phrasing.
-
Safety: Running into other competitors will result in points reduction.
-
No lifts allowed.
TRADITIONAL PROGRESSIVE
(NCDC Certified)
Newcomer, Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced Levels
Description
A slotted, progressive dance that moves counterclockwise around the floor.
Judging Criteria
-
Timing: Judged on one-count timing (stepping to the beat).
-
Footwork: Syncopated steps and rhythms (e.g., quick-quick-slow, slow-slow-quick, or quick-quick-slow-slow) are allowed. You may stop for up to 16 counts on any straightaway. Barcoast patterns, including whips, tuck turns, and slotted moves are allowed.
-
Lifts & Tricks: In all divisions, at least one foot must remain on the ground at all times. Rides, pendulums, and one-footed spins are permitted in all divisions.
-
Musicality: Competitors will be rewarded for matching their movements to key moments in the music, such as hitting breaks or changes in phrasing.
-
Safety: Running into other competitors will result in points reduction.
-
No lifts allowed.
FREESTYLE PROGRESSIVE
All Level
Description
A slotted, progressive dance that moves counterclockwise around the floor, allowing lifts.
Judging Criteria
​
-
Timing: Judged on basic one-count timing (stepping to the beat).
-
Footwork: Syncopated steps and rhythms (e.g., quick-quick-slow, slow-slow-quick, or quick-quick-slow-slow) are permitted. Stops are allowed for up to 16 counts on straightaways. Barcoast patterns, such as whips, tuck turns, and slotted patterns, are allowed.
-
Lifts & Tricks: Lifts are allowed and encouraged.
-
Musicality: Competitors will be rewarded for connecting movements to key moments in the music, such as breaks or changes in phrasing.
-
Safety: Running into other competitors will result in disqualification.
COUNTRY MEDLEY
Night Club | Cha-Cha | Triple Two
All Level
Description
Night Club Two-Step is a slow, smooth dance with a basic timing of: slow, quick, quick. Nightclub is more of a stationary dance that is stylized with smooth shaping.
Triple Two is a slow, smooth dance that uses chasses and French cross footwork. Basic step is walk-walk-triple step-triple step. It’s a progressive dance that travels around the line of dance. It is stylized with soft spotting, curved sway, and smooth shaping.
Cha-Cha commonly seen at ballroom events, but done to slower tempo country music. Cuban motion on rock steps and twisting actions on chasses are ideal. Stylings should be sharp, with fast, hard spotting on spins. Turn out of the feet and toe leads are characteristic of Cha-Cha.
​
No lifts allowed.
LINE DANCE
(NCDC Certified)
Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced Levels
Judging Criteria
​
Musicality: Competitors should demonstrate clear knowledge of the dance and perform it to the music.
Performance: Judges will look for full-body engagement, including facial expressions and upper-body movement. Make the most of the song’s intro to grab attention, and give your routine a distinct ending that matches the music.
Step Sheet: For the first two walls, competitors must stick to the original choreography as detailed in the step sheet. After the first two walls, creativity is encouraged, but embellishments must not disrupt the flow of the original choreography. Deviating too far from the structure will result in a score reduction.
Beginner
Pre-lims
Finals
Intermediate
Pre-lims
Finals
Advanced
Pre-lims
Finals
STEALS
All Level
Judging Criteria
​
-
Execution of the Steal: While overall dancing is judged, the focus is on the execution of the steal. Steals should be clean, smooth, and creatively matched to the music.
-
Timing of the Steal: Once tapped, competitors have 15 seconds to execute the steal. Steals can come from any direction, and you may move around the circle as you see fit. Once a steal is completed, there will be an 8-count before the next person is tapped.
-
Follows must have one foot on the ground at all times.
-
No lifts allowed.
