STREET DANCE        INTERNATIONAL

STREET DANCE INTERNATIONAL RULES FOR STREET DANCE COMPETITIONS and CHAMPIONSHIPS

 

 

These Rules are effective from 1st January 2023.

 

1. DANCERS may only dance in one of each of our events. For example - A dancer cannot compete in 2 teams or 2 solo category's etc. Just one of each.

 

2. AGE GROUPS 

Promotors are requested to use the age ranges as below but are free to add or omit age ranges as they deem fit.

 6 and UNDER....8 and UNDER....10 and UNDER....12 and UNDER....14 and UNDER....16 and UNDER....17 and OVER

Any professional dancers who want to compete must do so in the advanced category.

A professional dancer is someone who has a professional qualification, been paid for teaching or has been given a teaching role within a dance school. Professionals who have been judging competitions or have been employed giving workshops are deemed to have lost their amateur competition status.

 

Duos, Small Groups & Teams need to enter in the age group determined by the oldest dancer.

 

3. GRADES FOR ALL EVENTS.

We rely on our teachers honesty to enter their dancers into the correct age and grade. If an age group or grade of a dancer is put into question then we will have a discussion with the relevant teacher.

 

Teachers must use their discretion when entering dancers in beginners. You may have an advanced dancer that has never entered any competitions previously. If this is the case then they should automatically be entered as intermediate or advanced even for their first competition.

 

Teachers need to be aware that placing an obviously Advanced dancer into a Beginner event just discredits that dancer and school. Each dancer should be entered in the correct age group and grade. The SDI promotors reserve the right to move a dancer up a category if they have been entered incorrectly. This action will be taken with a discreet discussion with the judges and teacher at the event.

We will take into consideration that some teachers may be unaware of the level of a competition so not intensionally entering incorrectly.

 

Status is lost when there is more than 7 entries in an event in Solo & Duos or 3 or more entries in Small Groups and Teams. 

 

a) BEGINNERS EVENTS

All first time competition dancers may dance in beginners events. With the exception of a teacher using their discretion to start them off in a higher grade. When beginner dancers are placed 1st (with more than 7 entries in Solo/Duo or 3 or more entries in Small Group/Team) the dancers must move to the intermediate section at the next competition. Dancers are also to move to the intermediate section if not placed 1st but upon achieving 3 finals (with more than 7 entries Solo/Duo or 3 or more entries in Small Group/Team). Once the dancers have danced in the intermediate section then they must never return to beginners.

 

b) INTERMEDIATE EVENTS 

Open to all dancers that have been placed 1st or made 3 finals in the beginner section at an SDI event as stated above. If a dancer has never danced at an SDI event but have danced in other Street/Hip Hop associations and placed 1st or made 3 finals in a beginner/first timer/newcomer section then they must also enter in intermediates. Dancers must move into the Advanced level if placed 1st in their intermediate section with more than 7 entries in Solo/Duo / 3 or more entries in Small Group/Team. If the dancer has been placed 1st at a street/hip hop event outside our association in an Open/Advanced section then they must dance in Advanced with the SDI.

 

c) ADVANCED EVENTS 

OPEN TO ALL COMPETITORS. Any dancer making an Advanced final must remain in the Advanced grade even when they change age groups.

An Advanced dancer may move down to intermediate status upon moving up an age group if they haven't made a final within a 6 month period but this is totally at the discretion of the teacher/trainer.

Advanced dancers in Solo and Duo may be required to perform a spot performance of 8 bars for SDI events but please check with the individual promotor.  

Solo grades have no effect on pairs grade nor do pairs grades have an effect on solos.

 

 

4. GRADES & RULES FOR SMALL GROUPS & TEAMS  

Group & Team Grades  are - Beginners, Intermediate & Advanced & the criteria is set above. 

If creating a new Small Group/Team of new dancers, they are permitted to dance in beginners. However if 50% of these dancers usually compete in the Intermediate or Advanced Solo event, the new Small Group/Team must be placed accordingly.

 

Promoter may combine Beginner/Intermediate or Intermediate/Advanced Small Groups or Teams - please check your program prior to event.

 

A small group may consist of a minimum of 4 to a maximum of 7 dancers. They may dance for a maximum time of 1.30 minutes in Beginners, 2 minutes in Intermediates & 2.30 minutes in Advanced. 

 

A team may consist of a minimum of 8 dancers. If you have more than 24 dancers in a Team then please check with the promotor that they can accomodate a Team of this size on their dance floor. They may dance for a maximum time of 2 minutes in Beginners, 2.30 minutes in Intermediates & 3 minutes in Advanced.

 

Music will be stopped should a Small Group or Team dance overtime.

 

All Small Groups and Teams dance to their own music but Small Groups can dance to the DJ's choice on request. .

 

Status is lost in either Small Groups or Teams if there are 3 or more entries in the event. 

 

Props can be used in Small Groups and Teams as long as this doesn't affect the performance of the next Small Group or Team. Props must be bought on and taken off the dance floor immediately prior and after the performance.

 

The judges will be given a score sheet to use whilst judging Small Groups and Teams. A pdf copy of this and the rules is below to show you the criteria.

 

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*PLEASE NOTE THAT SOME PROMOTORS MAY COMBINE THE SMALL GROUP AND TEAM SECTION SO WILL ONLY ADVERTISE ON THE PROGRAMME AS 'TEAMS'. If this is the case then the numbers will be from 5 or more dancers and the timings will follow the team timings listed above. 

 

5. MUSIC FOR SMALL GROUPS & TEAMS

Music should not contain abusive or emotive words. Music should be emailed to the promotor by the Friday before the competition. The email should clearly state the name, category, grade and if for an entry in Small Groups or the Team section if applicable. A back up copy on an Android or IOS device or USB needs to be bought with you on the day.

 

6. COSTUME RESTRICTIONS 

All outfits must be age appropriate and in keeping with Street/Hip Hop Clothing style.

 

All dancers must wear suitable footwear to be securely fastened. 

 

7. DANCE RESTRICTIONS

Street dance should be a mix of styles Hip Hop, Popping, Locking, Breaking and House etc and routines should not be dominated by any one of these styles. 

Dancers are not restricted from performing any move or style but they must be aware that it is their own responsibility to ensure that they do not perform dangerous moves that could injure themselves or others. 

Dance moves should be age appropriate and that moves should not be distasteful or crude.

Dancers are not allowed to run, skip or travel round the floor and any movements off the spot must be danced with a hip hop or street action.

Promoters have the right to bring in further safety restrictions.

 

8. PHOTOGRAPHY

Videoing & Photography is allowed at our events but you must only take the footage of your own Child(ren). An SDI representative may also take photos and video footage for the use of its Social Media. If for any reason a child cannot be photographed or videoed then please see the promotor at the beginning of the competition day.

Official photographers may also be present with permission from the promoter.

A nominated representative of each school is able to film their own Small Group or Team at the promoter’s discretion.

 

9. COMPETITION ETIQUETTE.

 Judges decision is final.

Teachers can request feedback regarding their dancers but only at the agreement of the relevant promotor and judge.

At competitions only teachers and or school representatives are allowed on the stage area. No one must approach the compere there will be an SDI official available to answer questions.

SDI will not tolerate threatening or aggressive behaviour from parents, competitors, spectators or teachers. 

Dancers and parents should be aware that they should sit in their designated seating area and that they should not block the views of other schools. Banners are permitted but again must not restrict view of others.

Gangways should be kept clear at all times for safety reasons and to give free access to the floor for dancers. 

Parents, competitors, spectators & teachers should always act in a dignified manner with good sportsman-like behaviour. Language should be appropriate at all times.

Competitors and their fans should refrain from loud noises such as compressed air horns, which can be distracting to the judges, audience and the competitors.

 

 10. GENERAL

By becoming an SDI member, you are agreeing to adhere to our rules & code of conduct.

The SDI committee has the authority and ability to add, change and remove rules.

Active coaching of dancers during performance is not encouraged and could lead to disqualification at the promoters discretion.  

 

Anyone not adhering to our rules at any of the SDI events could result in disqualification or even being asked to leave an event.

 

 

Any feedback or rule additions/amendments can be send to us by email

 

streetdanceinternational@mail.com

 

Rules and Small Group/Team Judges Criterea available on a PDF below

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CLICK HERE FOR THE PDF VERSION OF THE RULES AND THE JUDGES SMALL GROUP/TEAM JUDGES CRITERIA FORM 

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