Rules & Regulations

We will run this competition according to the current International DanceSport Federation (IDSF) Rule Book for a non-sanctioned event. All competitors should refer to the rulebook prior to completing the entry form and competition. The exception is for the TZM International Events and International Team Match, which is detailed below.

ELIGIBILITY

Newcomer Couples of which neither member has ever danced as an amateur couple in a ballroom competition are eligible to dance in Newcomer events (in which only the first 5 figures in a bronze syllabus are allowed). Competitors who qualify for Newcomer events may choose to dance in ONLY Newcomer events or in both Newcomer AND Bronze syllabus events.

Both partners must be eligible for each event they enter.

AGE CLASSIFICATIONS

All age classifications are as of October 1, 2025:

Pre-teen I - The elder partner is 9 years old or younger Pre-teen II - The elder partner is 10 or 11 years old

Junior I - The elder partner is 12 or 13 years old Junior II - The elder partner is 14 or 15 years old

Youth - The elder partner is 16 to 18 years old Under 21 - The elder partner is 16 to 20 years old

Adult - The elder partner is 19 years old or older

Senior I - One partner must be 35 years old or older, the other partner must be at least 30

Senior II - One partner must be 45 years old or older, the other partner must be at least 40

Senior III - One partner must be 55 years old or older, the other partner must be at least 50

Senior IV - One partner must be 65 years old or older, the other partner must be at least 60

Senior V -One partner must be 75 years old or older, the other partner must be at least 70

Freestyle-Showdance/Cabaret - Both partners must be 16 years old or older

Pre-Teen I, Pre-Teen II, Junior I, Junior II and Youth may dance their age division and one division higher.
Seniors may dance their age division and one division lower.

Pro/Am Divisions are: A -19+, B-36+, C-51+, S1-61+, S2-71+; S3-76+, S4-81+

Per IDSF, rest time will be allowed between rounds of any one event. In the interim, we will run other events, such as the same event for different age categories. Competitors that register for events in more than one age category should consider that the events would probably be run back-to-back.

EVENT FORMAT

Each event will consist of one, two, three, four, or five dances danced in succession without leaving the floor. The best-combined score for all dances will determine places in that event. Awards will be presented to the top six couples in each event. We may cancel/combine events with fewer than three [3] entries.

The competition is organized into Syllabus and Open events. Syllabus events are offered in the following proficiency levels: Newcomer (1st five figures of Bronze), Bronze, Silver and Gold. Open events are offered in proficiency levels of Novice, Pre-Championship and Championship.

Competitors may enter up to two consecutive proficiency levels in each style or discipline with the same partner at the minimum level for which they are qualified and one higher (e.g., Newcomer and Bronze, Bronze and Silver, Silver and Gold, Gold and Novice, Novice and Pre-Champ, Pre-Champ and Champ.)

For more information on the events offered, please see the Events page!

FIGURES

No lifts are permitted in any division except Freestyle Showdance.

No props are allowed in any division.

In American Smooth and Rhythm Syllabus events, figures from any recognized published syllabus are acceptable, including NDCA, ISTD, North Am. Dance Society, Arthur Murray, Fred Astaire and Pan-Am. See the ISDF website for a sample syllabus. In Smooth Newcomer and Bronze events, competitors must use closed footwork; continuity styling will be penalized.

In International Standard and Latin Syllabus events, only approved figures are allowed.

All Syllabus Viennese Waltz, Mambo and Paso Doble event competitors are restricted to all syllabus level figures.

DRESS/COSTUMES

Please refer to the current IDSF DanceSport Rulebook for specific costume regulations. Dresses have to create the characteristic shape for each discipline and dresses and make-up have to respect the age and level of dancers. Costumes are recommended for Youth, Adult & Senior, Novice, Pre-Championship and Championship events.

INVIGILATION

All closed syllabus events will be invigilated using the current IDSF Syllabus list of elements and restrictions. Penalties may be given without warning for any syllabus infractions.

TZM EVENTS

The TZM Events are Open International scholarship events. They are in honor of a father, who passed several years ago. These events are open for anyone who meets the age category to participate. However, it is strongly recommended that you are an open level dancer in all of the dances which will be danced.

The events will be held on Friday and Saturday, with the Award Ceremony at the Saturday Night Gala Session:

TZM Memorial Standard & Lain

Junior (I and II), Under 21, Collegiate, Adult (Over 17), Senior I (over 35) and Senior V (over 75)

Please note: the organizer reserves the right to reduce the scholarship by 50% if there are insufficient entries.

In addition, there will be an International Team Match, which will be for fun and does not include any Scholarship. Any group of 8 dancers who can dance the international style, regardless of level should consider hopping into this fun event, please register on Friday during the day session.

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