General Rules
- Title
These rules shall be known as the ADFP rules for freestyle and Rock’n’Roll Competitions and Championships
Unless specifically stated to the contrary the expression N.E.C. shall be taken to mean The National Executive Council of the Association of Dance & Freestyle Professionals. The words ‘Dance’, ‘Dancer’, ‘Dancing’, ‘Competitor’ and ‘Competition’ shall refer to Freestyle and Rock’n’Roll Competitions and Championships.
- Where Applicable
These rules shall operate in the U.K.
- Rules
(a) Should any point arise not covered in these rules, it shall be referred to the N.E.C. whose decision shall be final.
(b) Revisions will be considered annually by the N.E.C. Such revisions must receive a simple majority.
(c) Any amateur found to be in contravention of these rules may be subject to disciplinary action resulting in:
i) reprimand ii) suspension iii) total ban.
- Disciplinary Action
(a) The N.E.C. may on the written application of any member or on it’s own initiative in any case where it shall think fit to do so request a Disciplinary Committee appointed by the N.E.C. to investigate and examine any complaint against any person subject to the jurisdiction of the N.E.C. in relation to whom any prima facie cause of complaint referable to the N.E.C. appears to exist. In the case of Juveniles and Juniors the Parent/Guardian is considered to act on behalf of the child.
(b) Any such Disciplinary Committee will consist of not less than five members of the N.E.C. who shall appoint their own Chairperson.
(c) Any person in relation to whom any complaint is to be the subject of investigation by a Disciplinary Committee shall be given a minimum of 14 days notice in writing of the date on which the Disciplinary Committee will meet accompanied by a full statement of the complaint, and shall attend the meeting in person and also may be represented at his or her own expense by an authorised representative for the purpose of answering any complaint or allegation which has been made against him or her and of making any statement by way of explanation which he or she may wish the Disciplinary Committee to take into consideration.
(d) The Disciplinary Committee shall be empowered to regulate it’s own proceedings and shall within 14 days after meeting report to the N.E.C. it’s findings and recommendations in relation to each matter brought before it and a copy of such report shall upon request be forwarded to every person affected thereby.
(e) The N.E.C. upon the recommendation of a Disciplinary Committee shall be empowered to impose such penalty as it deems appropriate upon any such person whose conduct has been the subject of complaint and investigation and in addition to or as an alternative to any such penalty may require such person to pay the ADFP all or any part of the expenses incurred in the investigation.
(f) In the event of any person whose conduct has been the subject of complaint desires to appeal against any findings or recommendations of the Disciplinary Committee such person shall give notice thereof in writing to the N.E.C. within 14 days after receipt by him/her of notification of the N.E.C. decision. In the event of any such appeal, the N.E.C. shall as soon as possible there after, appoint an Appeal Committee which shall comprise not less than five members of the N.E.C. none of whom other than the Chairperson shall have been a member of the Disciplinary Committee whose findings and recommendations are subject of the appeal. If the appeal fails all expenses, incurred by the said hearing and Delegates, will be met by the person issuing the appeal.
(g) The findings and decisions of an Appeal Committee shall be final and binding upon all persons who may be affected thereby.
Amatuer Rules
Amateur Section - General
- Definition of an Amateur Dancer
An amateur dancer is one who uses the Art of Dancing as a non-remunerative or non-profit making pastime.
- Amateur and Schools
Amateur dancers may only receive tuition with their registered school of dancing (i.e. the school through which they applied for status cards) or they may be liable to a three-month exclusion from competitions.
- Forfeiture of Amateur Status
(a) Acts as a teacher of Freestyle and Rock’n’Roll dancing with or without a fee.
(b) Takes a teaching qualification or student teacher examination in any form of dance.
(c) An individual acting as a promoter or adjudicator for any form of Freestyle Competition or function.
(d) Competing for cash (vouchers may be accepted).
(e) Converting prizes into cash.
(f) Accepts remuneration in cash or kind for the use of his/her name as a dancer in an advertisement.
(g) Any dancer wearing a costume with a visible Company name or Logo or other recognised means of advertising at any competition and/or championship or other event run ADFP rules.
- Amateur Displays
Displays of dancing may be given. Any monies received for such displays to be paid to the trainer for use at his/her discretion. No individual dancer to receive payment.
- Unrecognised Competitions/Championships
An amateur who competes in an unrecognised competition and/or championship run under rules not recognised by the ADFP shall be subject to disciplinary action.
- Closed Competitions and Championships –
eligibility to compete
(a) If a dancer is qualified to compete in two County/Area Championships – one by birth and one by residence – the dancer may not compete in both counties/area in the same calendar year. If the dancer chooses the county/area of residence, the dancer may not revert to the count/area of birth unless it becomes a future permanent address, in which case there must elapse a period of one year before the dancer is allowed to exercise a choice again. This choice shall determine which closed area championships or competitions the dancer is entitled to enter.
(b) In closed championships or competitions the right of a pair to compete shall be determined by either partners qualifications, but no pair shall compete in two different county/area closed or closed national events of more than one country, in the same calendar year, or in any closed area event which does not include the county/area for which they have elected to dance.
(c) In closed championships or competitions, when a team competes at least 75% of its members must be qualified by birth or residence. No team shall compete in two different county/area closed or closed national events of more than one country, in the same calendar year, or in any closed area event which does not include the county for which they have elected to dance.
- Re-instatement - How To Apply
Any dancer who under Rule 7 is deemed to have lost his/her amateur status and desires to be re-instated as an amateur dancer, must apply in writing to the ADFP giving full details of the circumstances. An appropriate fee must be paid to cover administration expenses. The Reinstatement Committee will consider each application on its merits and the applicant shall be allowed to appear in person and/or be represented before the committee. Reinstatement may be refused, postponed or granted either unconditionally or subject to such conditions and to operate from such dates as the ADFP Reinstatement Committee may decide. Any dancer, whose reinstatement has been deferred until a particular date, may not participate in any competition during the period of suspension. The ADFP Reinstatement Committee will decide in which grade a competitor will be reinstated.
- Right To Appeal
(a) Any dancer who has applied for reinstatement and is dissatisfied with the decision of ADFP Reinstatement Committee, may request permission to appeal and attend in person or be represented. The ADFP Reinstatement Appeals Committee may reduce or increase any period of suspension.
(b) The ADFP Reinstatement Appeals Committee shall not be the same as the ADFP Reinstatement Committee, which first heard the case.
(c) The findings of the ADFP Reinstatement appeals Committee shall be final.
- Objection – to Eligibility to Participate
No objection to a competitor’s eligibility to take part in a competition or championship shall be considered unless the complainant gives his/her full name and address. Such objection, unless admitted by the competitor complained against, shall be referred to the N.E.C. but if there is not time to reach a decision before the event, the competitor complained about shall be permitted to dance in the competition or championship on the understanding that any prize he/she may win shall be withheld until the decision of the N.E.C. is known. Should the objection be sustained, the result shall be adjusted accordingly.
- Judge’s Decision Final
Any competitor entering a competition or championship held under the rules of the ADFP must accept as final the verdict of the judges and their individual markings, and no appeal against that verdict or markings may be made to the ADFP or elsewhere except when it can be shown that the actual markings have been incorrectly interpreted.
- Objection – General
If any competitor, or in the case of a junior or juvenile the parent/guardian, has an objection against any aspect of the adjudication they should forward an objection to their teacher, who in turn will submit the objection to the ADFP.
Amateur Section – Freestyle: Solos, Pairs, Trios
- Competition Categories
(a) Competitors may only dance in one grade per section, (i.e. Solo, Pairs).
(b) Confined to amateur competitors as defined in Rule 5.
- Age Groups
(a)
1. Under 8’s
2. Under 10’s (8 & 9 years of age)
3. Under 12’s (10 & 11 years of age)
4. Under 14’s (12 &13 years of age)
5. Under 16’s (14 & 15 years of age)
6. Under 18’s (16 & 17 years of age)
7. Adult (18 years of age and over)
(b) When separate boy’s events appear on the programme (championship grade) then the age groups for championship events are as follows:
Under 8 Mixed
Under 10 Girl
Under 12 Girl / Under 12 Boy
Under 14 Girl
Under 16 Girl / Under 16 Boy
Youth Girl (i.e. under 18)
Adult Girl (i.e. over 18) / Adult Boy (i.e. Over 16)
(c) All competitors must dance within their age group and grade. When a promoter does not include one of the main age groups in the programme competitors may move up to the next higher age group in their own grade or remain in their own age group and dance in a higher grade.
(d) When changing age group by birthday, dancers may at their teacher’s discretion compete in competitions one grade lower. Anyone wishing to take advantage of this rule must notify the status official within twenty-eight days of entering the higher age group. After this period written application must be made to the N.E.C. and the dancer will not compete in the intended lower grade until the outcome is decided. No Starter may return to Beginner.
(e) The eligibility of a pair to enter a competition is determined by the age of the eldest member of the partnership.
- Competition Grades
(a) Solo (four grades)- Beginner
- Starter
- Intermediate
- Championship
(b) Pairs (three grades)- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Championship
(c) Changing Status
Competitors will change to a higher grade on losing three lives in their own grade or being placed in the final of a higher grade competition in which there are more than six participants.
(d) Loss of Life
The number of lives lost is determined by the number of competitors in the first round of the event. As follows:
- 1 - 6 inclusive = no loss of life
- 7 - 12 inclusive = first place only to lose a life
- 13 - 24 inclusive = first and second place to lose a life
- 25 or more = first, second and third place to lose a life
1) Intermediate Solo Grade Dancers: - One of the lives lost by an intermediate dancer must be a first place before they move up to championship grade.
2) Championship Grade Dancers: - When a championship dancer has lost three lives in accordance with rule 18(d) they will be deemed to be a Premier dancer and will not be eligible to downgrade on their next change of age group. This applies to both solos and pairs.
- ADFP Status Cards – Solo, Pairs.
(A) All amateur competitors who compete in the UK under the rules of the ADFP must be in possession of a current ADFP Status Card. Status cards are only available through a recognised teacher of dancing who will be issued with Status Cards upon application.
(b) Changing School. There is a three-month exclusion from competitions when a competitor changes school, which is effective from the day written notification is received at the ADFP office. It is the duty of the new school to inform the ADFP office when a competitor changes school. The fee to re-register with another school will be the fee in force at the time of transfer notification.
(c) Under 6 year old competitors should be registered initially as a beginner. Status will not be affected unless the competitor participates in an under 8 or older age group competition.
(d) Minimum age for competitors is 3 years of age.
(e) To ensure all Freestyle competitors enter the correct age group and grade events, competing dancers must carry their Status Cards and produce them at all competitions on request.
(f) In order for teams to dance in competitions and championships, the trainer/teacher must lodge the name/s of the team/s with the ADFP. All teams will be issued with a Status Card under the school/trainers name to avoid duplication of team names, which should be produced at competitions/championships when required.
- Competitions that do not Affect Status.
(a) The winning of a competition restricted to bona fide pupils of one school, or a competition confined to medallists, does not in any way affect status
(b) Small Interschools Competitions i.e. a maximum of three schools attending a competition by invitation only, does not affect status. These events must not be advertised.
(c) Events held with one adjudicator do not affect status
(d) The winning of a consolation competition for those eliminated in earlier rounds of a larger event does not affect status.
- Regrading.
Application may be made to the N.E.C. for regrading of status, each case will be considered on its merits.
- Dress. (Rule to apply to Solos, Pairs &
Teams)
(A) Suitable footwear should be worn by all competitors.
(b) Beginners. Beginners may only wear items of plain coloured basic design “dancewear” either one piece or two piece. Each item must be one single colour without added decoration of any type. (i.e. no cut-outs, latticework, belts, anklets, slits/slashes or leg warmers.) Commercial sports wear is not allowed.
Matching hair ties/scunchies that meet the above criteria are allowed.
(c) Starters. Starters outfits may be of any fabric including foiled fabrics but not sequinned fabrics. They may be of any design but may not have any added beads/sequins/stones or any other form of added glitter to the manufactured material.
(d) Outfits should be suitable for the age group of the dancer and should be the responsibility of the parent/teacher.
(e) Dancers will be subject to disciplinary action for contravention of rule 7(g) appertaining to Logos etc. Name and Status Card Number will be taken and reported on the Competition Report Form for future use.
- Routines
The teacher should ensure that the content of routines is appropriate and suitable for the age and grade of the dancer.
- Solo Spots.
(a) When Freestyle solo spots are danced they shall be restricted to a maximum of 20 seconds from the first movement (48 beats) and an equal amount of time shall be given to all dancers in the final. All dancers in a final must be given music which has the same continuous beat.
(b) Solo spots for Rock’n’Roll will be restricted to a maximum of 15 bars from the first movement (60 beats).
- Safety Restrictions.
(a) In Freestyle competitions no acrobatics or gymnastics, (i.e. cartwheels, handstands, walkovers), are permitted in any
round including finals. At the discretion of the organiser restrictions may be lifted for the solo spots.
(b) Free Handed (i.e. with no hands) rotating gymnastic movements are not allowed at any time.
(c) Lifts. In freestyle competitions no lifts are permitted in any round. At the discretion of the organiser restrictions may be lifted in the final/solo spot only.
(d) Definition of a lift: - Where one dancer has both feet off the floor with the assistance or support of another.
- Team Competitions
(a) Grades.
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Championship
(b) Age Groups
- Under 12 years
- Under 16 years
- 16 years of age and over
- 25 years of age and over
N.B. Rule 22(b) Beginners’ Dress, applies to teams
- Teams to comprise.
(a) Minimum number of six persons in any mix of sexes. Maximum number sixteen persons in any mix of sexes.
(b) Eligibility to enter is governed by the age of the eldest team member.
(c) No person may dance in more than one team on the same day, or at a festival, or at an event held over more than one day.
(d) Over 25’s team. At least 75% of team members must be 25 years of age or over.
(e) Beginner Teams. At least 75% of team members must be Beginner team status.
(f) Intermediate Teams. At least 75% of team members must be Intermediate team status.
(g) Teams must not use props. “Props” is taken to mean anything other than an item of clothing.
(h) Changing Status. Teams will change to a higher grade on losing three lives in their own grade or being placed in the final of a higher grade competition in which there were at least three teams.
(i) Open Competitions and Championships. Open to all teams.
(j) The renaming of a team does not constitute the establishment of a new team.
- Time Limits.
(a) Beginner Teams: - Not to exceed 1 minute and 30 seconds
(b) Intermediate Teams: - Not to exceed 2 minutes
(c) Championship Teams: - Not to exceed 3 minutes.
Timing to commence from the first movement to music. Exceeding the time limit will meet with immediate disqualification.
Amateur Section – Rock’n’Roll
- Footwear
Competitors are not permitted to dance barefoot. Suitable footwear must be worn.
- Age Groups Solos, Pairs
(a)
- Under 8’s
- Under 10’s (8 & 9 years of age)
- Under 12’s (10 & 11 years of age)
- Under 14’s (12 & 13 years of age)
- Under 16’s (14 & 15 years of age)
- Under 18’s ( 16 & 17 years of age)
- Under 21’s ( 18,19, & 20 years of age)
- Under 25’s ( 21,22,23, & 24 years of age)
- 25 Years of age and over
(b) All competitors must dance within their own age group. If an event is not included in the programme, competitors may move up to the next higher age group.
(c) When boy/girl events are held refer rule 17(b)
(d) Other age groups may be added at the promoter’s discretion.
(e) The eligibility of the pair to enter a competition is determined by the age of the eldest member of the partnership.
(f) In all over 25 years competitions, both partners must be over 25 years of age.
(g) Safety Restrictions: Free Handed (i.e. with no hands) rotating gymnastic movements are not permitted at any time.
Amateur
Section – Rock’n’Roll : Teams
- Team competitions may be conducted
in four age groups:
- Under 12 years
- Under 16 years
- 16 years of age and over
- 25 years of age and over
- Teams to Comprise:
(a) Minimum number four couples in any mix of sexes. Maximum number eight couples in any mix of sexes.
(b) Eligibility to enter is governed by the age of the eldest team member
(c) No person may dance in more than one team on the same day, or at a festival, or at an event held over more than one day
- Time Limits.
Teams not to exceed 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Timing to commence from first movement to music. Exceeding the time limit will meet with immediate disqualification.