Rules & Guidelines

• Solos can enter up to 3 solos in 3 different & distinct categories but only one will be allowed to place in overalls in the Elite Division. Only 2 solos are allowed in all other divisions. 
• Duet/Trio - 2 & 3 dancers 
• Small Group - 4-9 Dancers
• Large Group - 10-19 Dancers
• Super Group - 20 or more Dancers 

• Prep - This level is for novice dancers that have little competition experience. Typically these dancers don’t have elongated class or rehearsal time. If a duet/trio or group has more than 50% of intermediate or elite level dancers than they will be placed in the higher level. Your solo must compete on the level that the specific dancer is registered in & that will determine their level for entire event. 
• Prep Dancer Level Rules - No airborne skills are permitted. If an acro skill is performed 1 hand must be in contact with the floor at all times. Can not have 2 acro tricks linked together. Must be a choreographed break between the 2 elements. No more than 3 a la second turns, & double pirouettes can be utilized. Switch leaps of any kind are not permitted. Lifts are restricted to the flyer being directly attached to a base that is in contact with the floor. Also hips cannot go over head in lift or be incorporated in entrance or exit of lift. 
• Intermediate - This level is designed for dancers with some competition experience. Typically these dancers have multiple technique classes & acro as well as rehearsal time. This level is for those that lack the finesse of the Elite level. If your solo competes in this level, you are not eligible to compete in the PREP category. 
• Intermediate Dancer Level Rules - Cannot have 2 airborne acro skills linked together. Must have a choreographed break in between the 2 elements. No Twisting airborne acro skills of any kind. I.E. an aerial twist, a ½ or full twist traveling forward or backward. Layouts & layout step outs are not allowed. Up to triple pirouettes are permitted. A la second combos cannot have more than 8 turns or more than 4 changing spots in a series. 540’s & all versions of similar tricks are not allowed. All height of lifts are permitted, however the flyer must stay in contact with a prop or dancer at all times.
• Elite - This level is for dancers that take multiple classes of various styles of dance & acro & have extensive competition/performance experience. This is truly an anything goes level. All acro dance tricks & lifts are allowed. However, if any of these skills are done unsafely & “hit the ground” a deduction will be given on the scoresheet for a safety violation. Please execute skills confidently & safely. 
• Shooting Stars - This level is for dancers with special needs or disabilities. For group pieces you must have 30% of the dancers be registered as shooting stars in order to compete in this level. 

All ages are defined as each dancers age on January 1, 2025. For duets/trios & all groups, ages will be averaged together & the decimal point will be dropped if needed. 

You are not allowed to dance more than one age division down. For example: if you have a piece with Junior, Teen & Senior dancers then regardless of average age they will compete in the Teen Age Group. 

• Petite 5 & under
• Mini 6-8
• Junior 9-11
• Teen 12-14
• Senior 15-19
• Teacher/Pro 20 & over 

• Solos - 2:30
• Duet/ Trios - 2:30
• Small Groups - 3:00
• Large Groups - 3:30
• Super Groups - 4:00
• Productions - 6:00
• Super Productions - 8:00 

The use of ANY device for videography is STRICTLY PROHIBITED during all performances as well as in dressing rooms and restrooms. Photographs of your dancer is permitted, however absolutely NO Flash Photography is allowed. Failure to comply with this rule may result in confiscation of the recordings and/or photographs.  All dancers grant permission to The Dance Duel to use photography and videography of their performances for promotional purposes including advertising, publicity and posting on social media outlets.  

80 % of the piece must incorporate the style in which it’s registered under. Categories with an asterisk * are limited to 3 acro skills. An acro skill is defined by hips being over the head or passing through a fully inverted position with the exception to floor rolls, shoulder & headstands and partner or group lifts. The only categories that will allow for more than 3 acro skills are Open, Contemporary, Character & Production. If the piece is more than 50% Acro then it must compete in the Acro Dance category.  

*Jazz

*Tap

*Hip Hop

*Ballet

*Pom

*Musical Theater

*Pointe

*Lyrical

*Modern

*Folkloric

Open

Contemporary

Character

Production

Acro Dance

All-Star Dance Style: there is no limit of acro in this division, however there are multiple restrictions & defining characteristics of levels & skills acceptable in those levels. See All-Star Dance Style Level Rules