Rules & Judging Criteria 2018
Music Submission
Please send your music to :irina@nzsalsaopen.co.nz by Thursday 22nd Nov midnight, labelled with your name and category. We will send you a confirmation that your song has been received, but we will not be checking to see if your song meets the music rules.
** If submitted after the deadline, it is competitors responsibility to make sure the DJ has the correct music.
**We recommend having a copy of your music with you on the day as well
How many times you can compete?rants can compete in as many divisions as they are eligible to compete in, but can only compete once in each division, with the exception of Professional competitors in Pro/Am divisions, who can each compete multiple times in the Pro/Am division with different partners.
2018 rules will also permit competitors to be part of multiple teams and to represent multiple schools.
Competitor definition
In 2018 there are 4 different criteria to determine whether a competitor is Youth, Novice, Amateur or Professional. You only need to meet 1 criteria to move up in your status. Please note that your competitor definition must be consistent across all categories, divisions and styles (i.e. a competitor cannot compete as an Amateur for Bachata, but a Novice for Salsa). Youth competitors may move up to Novice or Amateur by choice.
Masters categories require for the combined age of the competitors to be 75yo and over.
YOUTH | NOVICE | AMATEUR | PROFESSIONAL |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AGE | Up to and including 16 y.o. | 17+ y.o. | 17+ y.o. | 17+ y.o. |
| PERFORMING/COMPETING | No restriction | May have up to 2 years performing/ competing experience as an adult | No restriction | No restriction |
| INCOME | Has never had any financial compensation for dance related activities such as teaching, performing, competing, judging etc | Has never had any financial compensation for dance related activities such as teaching, performing, competing, judging etc | Has never had any financial compensation for dance related activities such as teaching, performing, competing, judging etc | May have had financial compensation for dance related activities such as teaching, performing, competing, judging etc |
| JUDGING | Has never judged a Latin Dance competition | Has never judged a Latin Dance competition | Has never judged a Latin Dance competition | May have judged a Latin Dance competition. |
Divisions
Novice: Must consist entirely of Novice dancers.
Amateur: Must consist entirely of Amateur dancers
Professional: Must consist entirely of Semi-Pro dancers
Pro-Am: An Instructor/Student couple, where the Amateur Student is the only dancer being assessed – however, the Professional Instructor can still incur infractions for any errors. May be a combination of Professional and Amateur or Professional and Novice
Open : Can consist of a mix of Novice, Amateur and Professional dancers but excludes Youth.
Masters: May consist of a mix of Novice, Amateur and Professional dancers with a combined age of 75yo
Length of Music for 2018
The length of music across all styles:
Solos, Couples and Duets: 1m30s-2m00s
Teams: 1m45s-2m30s
Definitions of Freestyle for the purpose of the NZSO 2018
**Freestyle – applicable to the SOCIAL categories. Freestyle is judged on the ability to interpret the music using the social Salsa dance moves. NO lifts, tricks or flares are allowed, but dips are permitted. Shines may be danced facing each other and must be clearly un-choreographed. The focus of freestyle is on lead/follow and connection with the partner as well as timing and music interpretation. Marks will be deducted for clearly choreographed sections.
Teams
Amateur (Student): Must consist entirely of Amateur and Novice dancers
Open: Can consist of a mixture of Novice, Amateur and Professional dancers.
Partnered Teams must consist of a minimum of 2 (two) couples and a maximum of 10 (ten) couples.
NOTE: In case of low number of Amateur teams entering this year, the category will be combined with the OPEN Teams.
Shines Teams must consist of a minimum of 3(three) dancers and a maximum of 12 (twelve) dancers.
SOCIAL Salsa Category Specifics
Adult Social Salsa Freestyle
This category is for the existing dance couples,i.e. no changing partners throughout this category. You need to enter this category with your own partner.
Dress : smart casual / semi formal, no costume required
Shoes : heels are optional
Beginner
A Beginner definition for the purposes of the NZSO is a NOVICE dancer with less than 6 months of Salsa Dance experience. The following rules must be followed:
- Up to 1.5 in line turns allowed
- Un-Choreographed shines are accepted but not expected
- No dips, lifts, tricks or flares
2 songs will be danced of different tempos
Intermediate
An Intermediate definition for the purposes of the NZSO is an Amateur or Novice dancer. A couple can be a mix of Amateur and Novice dancers for this category only. The following rules must be followed:
- Up to 2.5 in line turns and check/NY spins allowed
- Un-choreographed shines are encouraged
- Dips allowed as long as they compliment the music and fit with timing
- No lifts, tricks or flares are allowed
2 songs will be danced of different tempos
Advanced
An Advanced definition for the purposes of the NZSO is an Amateur or Professional dancer. A couple can be a mix of Amateur and Professional dancers for this category only. The following rules must be followed:
- Any number of in-line turns and check spins allowed
- Un-choreographed shines are expected
- Dips allowed as long as they compliment the music and fit with timing
- No lifts, tricks or flares are allowed
2 songs will be danced of different tempos
Jack and Jill Competition.
This category can be entered without a partner, as partners will be rotated.
The same limitations/ rules apply for this category as for the Freestyle categories above, with an exemption of Advanced level being closed to Professionals and a separate division for Professionals is created, where anything goes .
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Professionals ( anything goes including flares )
CHOREOGRAPHED Salsa Specifics: COUPLES AND TEAMS
Choreography Style
90% of the routine must be recognizable salsa.
Music selection
All songs must be recognizable salsa with a traditional salsa rhythm.
On1 or On2 or Cuban ?
In Salsa categories dancers can compete either on1 or on2 or Cuban, but must stay on their chosen beat throughout the entire routine
Qualifying Rounds For Couples :
100% choreography and will run in case there are 7+ couples registered. For 6 or less couples the categories will go straight to Final round.
CHOREOGRAPHED Latin Specifics: solos, COUPLES AND TEAMS
Choreography Style
Connection for Duets and Shines Teams
Qualifying Rounds For Couples :
100% choreography and will run in case there are 7+ entries registered. For 6 or less entries the categories will go straight to Final round.
SALSA SHINES Divisions solo/ duets/ teams Specifics
Music Selection
All songs must be 100% recognizable Salsa, having the distinctive rhythm throughout the song
Style
Connection for Duets and Shines Teams
Latin Showcase specifics
For the 2018 competition we will have 2 categories:
ZOUK SPECIFIC RULES- Freestyle only
Other Competition Rules and Regulations
By entering the NZ Salsa Open 2017 Competition you agree to our Rules, Terms and Conditions.
Shines
Props
No props are allowed
Dips, Lifts tricks and Flairs
Routine and song length For every 1 second over the time limit for the division, there will be an additional 1 point penalty deduction off the final mark
Costuming and shoes
Competitors will be judged on their appearance as part of the judging criteria, and may be marked down for costume malfunctions. All ladies are also required to wear a minimum of a 2.5 inch heeled shoe in competition routines for the styles of Salsa,Bachata and Zouk - 2 points will be deducted from the final score if this requirement is breached. This rule does not apply to Youth and Social Salsa categories ( Freestyle and Jack and Jill). Any shoes may be worn in the Youth Divisions, however, lower heels may affect judges marks on presentation and/or difficulty
***NO COSTUME or proper dance shoes are required for Social and Jack and Jill categories, however smart-casual/semi-formal dress is preferred.
In 2017 the NZ Salsa Open competition is open to competitors with any visa or passport. I.e non NZ residents are welcome!
Registration
Minimum entries
Judges will be appointed at the sole discretion of competition organizers
Disqualification
Any competitor that does not adhere to the terms and procedures of these Rules and Regulations will be subject to disqualification from the competition and will automatically forfeit any right to any prizes or awards presented by the competition.
Disputes
In the event of any dispute, final decision will be made by the Competition Director and the Head Judge of the Panel.
Promotions
Competitors agree to be photographed and filmed on behalf of the NZ Salsa Open, where the media material can be used for promotion of future competitions as well as released on social media and other internet sites like Youtube etc. This includes, but not limited to photographic, video or written commentary regarding the competition experience and any subsequent ventures from the benefits of winning and holding a National title, on various online platforms including Competition or Studio websites or Social Media outlets such as Facebook.
Agreement to the rules & regulations
By participating in the New Zealand Salsa Open, all competitors, judges and other associated parties, agree to all of the above terms and conditions of participation.
Judging Critera
Timing & Musicality (20%)
Dancers must be consistent with the timing of the chosen dance style. Dancers may interrupt their timing to highlight the break or accent musicality. The dancer must return to the original timing. Dancer must break consistently on the same count, according to the chosen dance style. The timing maybe broken with clear and obvious intention. As part of musicality, the interpretation of the chosen song will also be judged.
- Difficulty (20%) Judges will look for the complexity, intricacy and speed of footwork, spins, patterns, lifts, tricks & overall routine. Points are deducted for any routine that uses an excessive amount of tricks/lift/flares. Clean execution of the elements will contribute to the marks on difficulty.
- Technique (20%) Judges will look for posture, clean lines, foot placement, flexibility and body movement appropriate to the chosen dance style. Dancers are expected to demonstrate clean execution of the chosen movements.
- Originality and structure of Choreography / OR Freestyle vocabulary (20%) Freestyle categories are judged on the vocabulary of freestyle patterns for the lead and the vocabulary of styling of the of such patterns by the follower. Choreography is judged on such elements as: use of floor space, interpretation of music, interesting pattern and shine combinations, formation changes ( where applicable) and use of height levels ( lower, mid and upper).
- Appearance, Connection & Synchronicity (20%) Dancers will be judged on stage presence and visual presentation: aesthetics of the couple (hair, costumes, makeup should be appropriate and complimenting to the body and the chosen dance style and should not be distracting), 1 point will be deducted for every wardrobe malfunction. Additionally, interaction and connection with partners is considered: coordination of movements between them, and lead/follow relationship. Synchronicity in shines for couples and overall execution of the routine for duets and teams is marked in this section.
