New NDCA Rules
2003-01-11 00:00:00

by Richard Booth

Rule Changes that were considered but tabled:

Standardize the Age Category Classifications for the Pro/Am Student Dancers at all NDCA events.
AMATEUR DANCER EXAMINATIONS - Any amateur dancer, other than those who qualify as World Class Competitors, who undertakes an examination given by a bona fide examining body such as the member organizations of the NDCA, and where the purpose is to teach and/or judge, will be considered professional by the NDCA.
Rules that were Passed:

Other rules of interest to many of our competitors nclude a rule re- defining what is a lift and what is (or is not) allowed; a rule clarifying pro/am partnerships for 9 and 10 dance competitions; minimum floor sizes for competitions and championships; and a timetable for consideration by the Board of Governors to accept new applications for additional NDCA recognized competitions and championships.

Several additional rules dealt with advertisment of non-NDCA competitions at NDCA events, clarification of sanctions at NDCA events by non-NDCA bodies, and a more formalized approach to the publishing of the NDCA Competition Calendar (which is done twice yearly).

A rule that will be of interest to our NDCA adjudicators is one that split the American Style ualification designation into two areas: American Style Smooth (C- or C+) and American Style Rhythm (D- or D+). All adjudicators who presently hold a C- or C+ qualification will automatically receive both the C and D qualifications. Those adjudicators who presently are qualified with their heatrical credentials (D- or D+) will be moved to an E- or E+ designation.

Two proposed rules were tabled for later consideration.The exact wording of these rules, along with the indication of where they will appear in the new rule book appears below:

Rule Changes that were adopted at the January 2003 NDCA Board of Governors Meetings

In Pro/Am nine-dance or ten-dance championships the Student Dancer must be partnered by the same professional for both events involved in that particular championship.

NEW LIFT RULE - Delete the following text: "Under the above definition if both feet are higher than knee level or are off the floor for more than two counts of music then the move shall be determined to be a "lift"."
Floors for Competitions must be a minimum of 60 feet long and a minimum of 36 feet wide, or 2,160 square feet. Floors for Championship events must be a minimum of 66 feet long and a minimum of 42 feet wide.
Applications for new competitons may only be considered once every three years. Acceptance of new competitions to the NDCA Calendar will be determined at the first board of governors meeting in the years 2006, 2009, etc.
NDCA registered organizers may not publish advertising from non- registered competitive events, nor may they display posters, etc, advertising such non-registered competitive events. This does not apply to events approved by the WD&DSC.
Competition Calendars are normally published and distributed in January and July. In order to appear in the January calendar an event must submit the annual registration fee no later than December 15th. In order to appear in the July calendar an event must submit the annual registration fee no later than June 15th.(1) Events may not be printed (even if the annual registration fee has been paid) in the calendar until their dates and locations have been cleared by the Ballroom Department, or approved by the NDCA Ballroom Department Committee.
" NDCA organizers are not allowed to accept sanction or recognition from any other organization unless approval is given by the NDCA." b. "Events that do not have NDCA recognition and are run immediately before or after a recognized NDCA event in the same location will be considered part of the recognized NDCA event and must also comply with this rule unless approval is given by the NDCA."
C- Associate Degree in American Style Smooth

C+ Member Degree, or above, in American Style Smooth

D- Associate Degree in American Style Rhythm

D+ Member Degree, or above, in American Style Rhythm

E- Associate Degree in Theater Arts

E+ Member Degree, or above, in Theater Arts

WORLD COMPETITIOR CLASSIFICATION A "World Competitor" is a competitor who has appeared within the past twelve months in the final round of the United States National Amateur Latin Championship, the United States National Amateur Standard Championship, or the top 3 placements in the United States National Amateur 10-Dance Championship.
a. "World Competitors" will be permitted to coach other amateur competitors providing any such coaching is done under the supervision of a professional coach/teacher, and any and all income derived from such coaching is paid directly towards the couples own competitive endeavors. At the time of registration with NDCA, eligible dancers should register under the "World Competitor" program. All other amateur dancers registering with the NDCA must comply with the definition of amateur as specified in the NDCA Rules.

b. World Competitors are not allowed to coach professionals. c. This classification is valid for a one-year period following the conclusion of the applicable United States Championship wherein the competitor gains "World Competitor" status. Competitors may retain "World Competitor" status from year to year only by re-qualifying at the applicable United States National Amateur Championship." Proposed Rule Change #7 - Rule X.C. (Passed)

WORLD COMPETITOR EVENTS
1. NDCA RECOGNIZED WORLD COMPETITOR COMPETITIONS AND CHAMPIONSHIPS: Open to amateur couples and World Competitors sixteen years of age and over who are registered with the NDCA, or in the case of overseas visitors, those couples who are registered with the recognized organization of their country.

2. AMATEUR EVENTS OR WORLD COMPETITOR EVENTS Organizers of NDCA recognized competitions or championships may option to hold either or both of the following competition categories at their events: These competitions may only be offered for the full amateur division, and will not be allowed for the Pre-Championship or Novice divisions. World Competitor competitions are not allowed in Pre-Teen, Junior or Youth competitions.

COLLEGIATE COURSE OF STUDY REQUIREMENTS: The NDCA recognizes that a specified amount of teacher training as well as classroom teaching experience, under the direct supervision of university professors, is a requirement in some collegiate Dance Major and/or Minor programs. Where this is demonstrated to be the case, such students, who are fulfilling their course requirements, will not be classified as professionals by the NDCA.

NEXT ARTICLE:
NEW NATIONAL JUDGES (01/12/2003)

PREVIOUS ARTICLE:
THE NEW PDF! - The Membership of the Future? (12/28/2002)

[ Back to Press Releases ]