Event Rules & Documents
Rules, guidelines & resources for all attendees to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.
'Revitalise WCS' competitions are exclusively West Coast Swing contests. All references to "Swing content" are deemed to refer to West Coast Swing, as opposed to Lindy Hop, Carolina Shag or other. Other dances/styles may be demonstrated in the allowed non-Swing or breakaway portions of each division.
Per The Open Guidelines for "Swing Content" for West Coast Swing:
"Swing Content is evaluated based on the percentages required by [division] rules. Each judge independently considers these percentages when scoring.
Primary Identifiable Characteristics (Spatial Structure):
1. Danced in a slot
a. follower stays in the slot
b. the leader moves off the slot to allow the follower to pass
c. The follower moves forward on counts “1” and/or “2” of the pattern
Structural Identity (Rhythm Structure):
1. Built on 6-beat and 8-beat foundation patterns: passes, push breaks, whips, tucks, open-to-closed and closed-to-open position patterns
2. Incorporates all 2-beat rhythm patterns: singles, doubles, triples, delays, holds, and syncopated rhythm patterns
3. Built on a foundation of 2-beat rhythm patterns: doubles and triples
4. 2-beat and 4-beat pattern extensions are frequently used to reconnect with musical phrasing
5. Patterns are connected by a 1 or 2-count stretched redirection referred to as an anchor
6. Stretch (default connection)"
Lifts are generally prohibited, except where expressly permitted or required by the published division rules (Showcase or Team Routines, for example). Each instance of an accidental lift (error) may result in a 1-Place Penalty (drop of placement); whereas, an intentional lift (violation) would result in disqualification. Intentionality will be determined by the Chief Judge at their sole discretion.
Competition Dancewear shall be neat & presentable; no images, symbols or words which would be considered offensive to a reasonable person; and no ripped jeans. Shoes are required. Dancing in thong sandals (flip-flops, jandals), socks or bare feet is prohibited. Violation will result in exclusion from competition, or disqualification if discovered after-the-fact.
Otherwise, 'Revitalise WCS' runs all competitions in accordance with the following rules sets, in hierarchical order:
- WSDC Jack & Jill (Newcomer, Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Allstar & Champions): in accordance with the rules prescribed by the World Swing Dance Council (WSDC), available to download below. For comprehensive WSDC Rules & Policies, visit: WSDC Rules & Info
- Strictly (Novice, Open & Masters): in alignment with same Jack & Jill rules, except with the understanding that Strictly competitions are entered with pre-registered partners adhering to their registered roles, Leader or Follower.
Strictly Registrations will be reviewed by Event staff and require approval on the following criteria:
In a bid to return Strictly to its original intended format, honouring partnerships that have been working on their dancing together, regardless of whether they have developed (or have any interest in developing) a Routine, registrants for this competition will be required to demonstrate that they have a track record of competing in Strictly together, or that they are consistently working on their Dance partnership.
Essentially, we are eager to avoid Strictly becoming a glorified Jack and Jill, with individuals finding each other in the entrance foyer or on Facebook in the days leading up to the event, signing up with people that they've barely met, let alone practised with.
Our Novice Strictly competition is open to established partnerships, where both partners are either Novice or Newcomer. Higher level competitors are prohibited from entering the Novice Strictly, even with a lower level partner.
Couples who compete in Novice may not enter Open, and vice versa. Couples who enter Novice may not enter Masters together, but may do so with another eligible partner ... with similar requirement to be an established practising partnership.
Our Masters Strictly competition is open to established partnerships of all levels, including Pro-Am couples, where both partners are aged 50 or older on the day of competition (in the local time zone).
Couples who enter Masters may not enter Open or Novice together, but may do so with another eligible partner ... with similar requirement to be an established practising partnership.
Our Open Strictly competition is open to established partnerships of all levels, including Pro-Am couples.
Couples who compete in Open may not enter Novice, and vice versa. Couples who enter Open may not enter Masters together, but may do so with another eligible partner ... with similar requirement to be an established practising partnership. - Switch Strictly: Our Switch Comp will be run in a Strictly format, open to partnerships of all levels, including Pro-Am couples.
Couples who compete in Switch Strictly remain eligible to compete in other Strictlies with the same or other eligible partner ... with similar requirement to be an established practising partnership.
Switch Strictly competitors will be required to "switch" roles, alternating between leading & following, but they may not swap partners nor intentionally interfere with another couple. That would result in disqualification. Intentionality will be determined by the Chief Judge at their sole discretion. Switch Strictly competitors will be judged subjectively on the frequency, complexity & fluency of their switching, in addition to the fundamental quality of their West Coast Swing. - Classic & Showcase Routines: in accordance with the rules prescribed by the National Association of Swing Dance Events (NASDE), downloadable below, except where those rules refer to NASDE places, points or prizes. No affiliation with NASDE is expressed or implied. We adopt these rules for international consistency, as we support competitors on the path to competition abroad, including at the prestigious The Open.
- Rising Star Routines: in accordance with the rules prescribed by the Rising Star Tour (RST), downloadable below, except where those rules refer to RST places, points or prizes. No affiliation with the RST is expressed or implied. We adopt these rules for international consistency, as we support competitors on the path to competition abroad, including at the prestigious The Open.
- Team Routines: in accordance with the version of rules prescribed by The Open downloadable below, except: open to teams consisting of four (4) or more dancers, and a dancer may dance on more than one Team providing that their participation does not interfere with scheduling / does not necessitate a break exceeding 1 minute between performances. Also, age limits shall not apply. No affiliation with The Open is expressed or implied. We adopt the rules that we adopt for international consistency, as we support competitors on the path to competition abroad, including at the prestigious The Open.
- Pro-Am Routines: in accordance with the version of rules prescribed by The Open downloadable below, except: age limits & age divisions shall not apply. Also, an Am may only enter one (1) Pro-Am routine. A Pro may enter up to five (5) providing that their participation does not interfere with scheduling / does not necessitate a break exceeding two (2) minutes between performances. No affiliation with The Open is expressed or implied. We adopt the rules that we adopt for international consistency, as we support competitors on the path to competition abroad, including at the prestigious The Open.
Download Documents
Diversity Respect and Safety - Revitalise WCS
Diversity Respect and Safety - Revitalise WCS
Download(98 KB)2026 WSDC Registry Event Rules
Registry Points and Events Rules - Effective January 2026 Combined Points and Event Rules in one document. Details on how dancers earn points in Jack and Jill competitions and about running a Registry Event.
Download(279 KB)2025 NASDE Rules
NASDE Rules effective January 2025
Download(107 KB)2026 RST Rules
Rising Star Tour (RST) Rules effective 4 February 2026
Download(156 KB)2025 Open Rules
The Open Rules 2025 date-marked 31 July 2025
Download(323 KB)Got any questions?
Refer to our FAQ & Information page, or contact us!