Controlling organization	Rule	1
Application	Rule	2
Prize money	Rule	3
Advertising	Rule	4
Grades of Competitions	Rule	5
IDSF World Championships	Rule	5.1
IDSF Continental Championships	Rule	5.2
IDSF Sub-Continental Championships	Rule	5.3
IDSF World Ranking Tournaments	Rule	5.4
International Invitation Competitions	Rule	5.5
International Invitation Competitions for Formation Teams	Rule	5.6
IDSF World Cups	Rule	5.7
IDSF Continental Cups	Rule	5.8
International Team Matches	Rule	5.9
Open Competitions	Rule	5.10
Time allowed and Tempi	Rule	5.11
Restrictions of syllabus	Rule	5.12
Right to organize competitions	Rule	6
Invitations	Rule	7
Reimbursement of expenses	Rule	8
Drug Abuse	Rule	9
Procedure for International Competitions	Rule	10
Age Restrictions	Rule	11
Competition Dress	Rule	12
Couples of mixed nationality	Rule	13
International Formation Championships	Rule	14
Authority of the Presidium	Rule	15
Application of these Rules	Rule	16
RULES FOR ADJUDICATION
SYLLABUS

Rule 1: Controlling organization

The International Dance Sport Federation (IDSF) is the governing body for all international IDSF DanceSport Competitions.

Rule 2: Application

1. These RULES apply to all international IDSF DanceSport Competitions organized by an IDSF-member association, including but not restricted to Standard, Latin-American, New Vogue, American Style, Rock’n Roll, Old Time and Modern and Latin Sequence. Rules for Rock’n Roll are administered by the IDSF Associate Member the World Rock’n Roll Confederation.

2. The IDSF Presidium is responsible for seeing that these RULES are observed.

3. For specific events the Presidium may impose supplementary rules on the organizer.

4. All competitiors in IDSF Competitions must be a member of the national IDSF member association.

Rule 3: Prize money

In IDSF DanceSport Competitions prize money can be paid up to the amount of prize money paid by IDSF in IDSF World Open. If an organizer offers more prize money than in IDSF World Open he needs the approval of the IDSF Presidium.

Rule 4: Advertising

1. In all IDSF granted DanceSport Competitions advertising of up to two sponsors per couple on competition dress is permitted up to 40 square cm for each sponsor. The place of the advertising is on the chest or sleeves. The sponsorship can be either on the man or lady's costume or one sponsor on each.

2. Advertising on the competition number of the couple is limited to 20 % of the size of the competition number.

Rule 5: Grades of competitions

1. IDSF World Championships

1.1 Adult, Youth and Junior II

1.1 a Types of competitions:

IDSF World Championships are held:

1.1 aa In the Standard dances (Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep)

1.1 ab In the Latin American dances (Samba, Cha-Cha-Cha, Rumba, Paso doble and Jive)

1.1 ac Over Ten Dances (Standard and Latin American)

1.1 ad In Formation dances (Standard and Latin American), RULE 14, paras 2-13 must be observed. -only Adult-

1.1 b Invitations:

Invitations are to be sent to all IDSF member associations.

1.1 c Entitled to participate:

Every IDSF member association has the right to nominate two couples. In IDSF World Ten Dance Championships only one couple may represent each member association.

IDSF World Formation Championships:

One team of each category must be invited from each member country. A second team can be entered from each country represented in the final of the previous year and from the organising member country.

1.1 d Reimbursement of expenses:

Reimbursement of expenses, see RULE 8.

1.2 Senior

1.2 a Types of competitions:

IDSF World Senior Championships are held in the Standard dances (Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep).

1.2 b Invitations:

Invitations are to be send to all IDSF member associations.

1.2 c Entitled to participate:

Every IDSF member association has the right to nominate two couples.

1.2 d Reimbursement of expenses:

No travel expenses, one overnight hotel accommodation. IDSF Chairman and Adjudicators according to RULE 8.

2. IDSF Continental Championships

2 a Types of competitions:

IDSF Continental Championships are held:

2 aa In the Standard dances (Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep)

2 ab In the Latin American dances (Samba, Cha-Cha-Cha, Rumba, Paso doble and Jive)

2 ac over Ten Dances (Standard and Latin American)

2 ad In Formation dances (Standard and Latin American), RULE 14, paras 2-13 must be observed.

2 b Invitations:

Invitations are to be sent to all IDSF member associations in the relevant continent. For sport’s communication Israel is counted to Europe.

2 c Entitled to participate:

Every IDSF member association has the right to nominate two couples. In IDSF Continental Ten Dance Championships only one couple may represent each member association.

IDSF Continental Formation Championships:

One team of each category must be invited from each concerned member country. A second team can be entered from each country represented in the final of the previous year and from the organising member country.

2 d Reimbursement of expenses:

Reimbursement of expenses, see RULE 8.

3. IDSF Sub-Continental Championships

3 a Types of competitions:

Sub-Continental championships are held:

3 aa In the Standard dances (Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep)

3 ab In the Latin American dances (Samba, Cha-Cha-Cha, Rumba, Paso doble and Jive)

3 b Invitations:

Invitations are to be sent to a minimum of four IDSF member associations.

3 c Each invited member association has the right to nominate two couples. The organizer may invite one further couple from each participating country.

3 d Reimbursement of expenses:

Reimbursement of expenses, see RULE 8.

4. IDSF World Ranking Tournaments

There are 4 categories of IDSF World Ranking Tournaments:

4 a IDSF SUPER WORLD CUP

4 b IDSF WORLD OPEN

The IDSF will conduct a series of IDSF World Open Competitions in Standard and Latin, which will be "IDSF World Open" with prize-money and points for the IDSF Computer World Ranking List.

4 c IDSF INTERNATIONAL OPEN

The IDSF will conduct a series of IDSF International Open Competitions in Standard and Latin with points for the IDSF Computer World Ranking List in accordance with the Presidium.

4 d IDSF OPEN

The IDSF will conduct a series of IDSF Open Competitions in Standard and Latin with points for the IDSF Computer World Ranking List in accordance with the Presidium.

Detailed regulations for the conduct of these tournaments will be issued from time to time by the Presidium.

5. International Invitation Competitions

5 a Definition of an International Invitation Competition:

Except for International Team Matches and Formation competitions a competition may only be described as an "International Invitation Competition" if it involves couples from at least four countries.

5 b Invitations:

Invitations are to be sent only to IDSF member associations unless decided otherwise by the Presidium.

5 c Reimbursement of expenses:

The reimbursement of participants shall be subject to agreement between the member associations.

6. International Invitation Competitions for Formation-Teams

6 a Definition of an International Invitation Competition for Formation-Teams:

A competition may only be described as an "International Invitation Formation Competition" if it involves formation-teams from at least four countries.

6 b Invitations:

Invitations are to be sent only to IDSF member associations unless decided otherwise by the Presidium.

6 c Reimbursement of expenses:

The reimbursement of participants shall be subject to agreement between the member associations.

7. IDSF World Cups

7 a Types of competitions:

IDSF World Cups are held:

7 aa In the Standard dances (Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep)

7 ab In the Latin American dances (Samba, Cha-Cha-Cha, Rumba, Paso doble and Jive)

7 ac over Ten Dances (Standard and Latin American)

7 b Invitations:

At least eighteen member associations from at least three continents must be invited. For events organized outside Europe the Presidium will make special arrangements.

7 c Entitlement to participate:

Only one couple will be accepted from each invited member association.

7 d Reimbursement of expenses:

Reimbursement of expenses, see RULE 8.

8. IDSF Continental Cups

8 a Types of competitions:

IDSF Continental Cups are held:

8 aa In the Standard dances (Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep)

8 ab In the Latin American dances (Samba, Cha-Cha-Cha, Rumba, Paso doble and Jive)

8 ac over Ten Dances (Standard and Latin American)

8 ad in Formation Dances (Standard and Latin American), Rule 14, Paras 2-13 must be observed.

8 b Invitations:

At least ten member associations must be invited from the continent concerned. For events organized outside Europe the Presidium will make special arrangements.

8 c Entitlement to participate:

Only one couple/formation team will be accepted from each invited member association.

8 d Reimbursement of expenses:

Reimbursement of expenses, see RULE 8.

9.International Team Matches

9 a Types of competitions:

International Team Matches are held:

9 aa In the Standard dances (Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep)

9 ab In the Latin American dances (Samba, Cha-Cha-Cha, Rumba, Paso doble and Jive)

9 b Invitations:

International Team Matches are subject to arrangement between the member associations, but may only be held once in any year in the same country and between the same member associations.

9 c Entitlement to participate (Definition of a team):

Each team must consist of at least four couples chosen according to national ranking and must not be varied during the competition.

9 d Reimbursement of expenses:

The reimbursement of participants shall be as freely agreed between the member associations concerned.

10. Open Competitions

Participation is only allowed for couples of IDSF member associations. Couples from countries and associations not affiliated in the IDSF shall only be permitted to participate at the IDSF Presidium’s discretion.

11. Time allowed and Tempi

In all rounds of competitions the music played shall be a minimum of one and a half minutes duration for the Waltz, Tango, Slow Foxtrot, Quickstep, Samba, Cha-Cha-Cha, Rumba and Paso doble. The time for the Viennese Waltz and Jive shall be a minimum of one minute.

The tempi for each dance shall be:

Type of music:

In all IDSF competitions the music must have the character of the dances, for example no discomusic in Latin-American dances.

12. Restrictions of syllabus

In all IDSF granted competitions under RULE 5 there is an uniform restricted syllabus for all juveniles age groups. There is only one restriction.

The restrictions of syllabus are worked out by a commission installed by IDSF. The restrictions or changing of the restrictions are effective 12 month after publishing by circular to all IDSF member associations.

Rule 6: Right to organize competitions

1. The Presidium grants the right to organize competitions by RULE 5 paras 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 and levies a fee, see FINANCIAL REGULATIONS (Appendix to the STATUTES). Theses competitions, except competitions RULE 5 para 5 and 6, must have been previously offered to the members by circular. In special cases the Presidium is authorised to grant events directly to bidding Cities or Countries, subject to the prior approval in writing by the National Member Body.

2. Competitions covered by RULE 5, paras 5 must be registered by IDSF. The fee for registration is CHF 20,00. The organization of theses competitions shall be as freely decided by the national member association.

Rule 7: Invitations

Invitations to International Invitation Competitions must be arranged between the member associations concerned. The invitation must contain the date of registration of the competition by IDSF.

Rule 8: Reimbursement of expenses

The minimum reimbursement of expenses to competition couples, chairman and adjudicators for competitions covered by RULE 5, paras 1-4, 7 and 8, will be fixed by the Presidium.

Members will be notified of the amounts in advance.

Rule 9: Drug Abuse

1. Doping is strictly forbidden. Doping is the use by or distribution to a dancer of substances in contravention of IOC rules.

2. Any dancer must, if requested by an official designated by the national amateur association for the purpose of doping control, submit to a doping control test. Failure to do so will be taken as if a "positive" result has been obtained and will be dealt with accordingly.

3. Any "positive" test result must be reported to the Presidium who will decide the disciplinary action to be taken by the national association.

4. Any person assisting or inciting others in the contravention of doping rules shall be considered as having committed an offence and will be subject to disciplinary action.

Rule 10: Procedure for International Competitions

1. A chairman (non-voting) appointed by the IDSF Presidium is responsible for the control of IDSF authorized competitions. In international competitions when a chairman has not been appointed by IDSF the organizer must appoint a chairman (non-voting).

2. Adjudicators:

A minimum of seven adjudicators should officiate at international competitions covered by RULE 5, para 1, 2, 4a-c and 7, a minimum of five adjudicators in paras 3, 5, 6, and 8, a minimum of three adjudicators at Team Matches.

3. For competitions under RULE 5, paras 1 and 2 Professional adjudicators must be qualified and constitute the majority. IDSF adjudicators must have an IDSF licence.

4. Adjudicators for competitions covered by RULE 5, paras 1-4a+b, 7 and 8 must be nominated by the IDSF Presidium. Adjudicators for competitions covered by Rule 5, para 4c, must have an IDSF adjudicators licence or must be qualified professional adjudicators.

5. For competitions under RULE 5, paras 1-4, 7 and 8 the adjudicators must all be invited from different countries.

6. For all international competitions the adjudicators must be recognized by the IDSF Presidium.

7. Adjudicators are not allowed to judge their children in IDSF granted competitions.

Rule 11: Age Restriction

1. The following age division is obligatory in all international competitions and championships:

Juvenile I: reach 9th birthday or less in the calendar year

Juvenile II: reach 10th and 11th birthday in the calendar year

Junior I: reach 12th and 13th birthday in the calendar year

Junior II: reach 14th and 15th birthday in the calendar year

Youth: reach 16th, 17th and 18th birthday in the calendar year

Adult: reach 19th birthday or more in the calendar year

Senior: reach 35th birthday or more in the calendar year

Putting two age-groups together, such as Juvenile I and II as well as Junior I and II in one class, is optional. Youth couples are allowed to participate in Adult competitions. In all age sections one partner of a couple can be younger, except in the seniors.

2. When nominating couples, member organizations must give dates of birth.

Rule 12: Competition Dress

For all IDSF granted competitions under RULE 5, competitors dress must be as follows:

 

1.	For competitions in the Standard dances:
1 a	Juvenile I and II:
	Boys:	Black or midnight-blue trousers. Plain white shirt with normal sleeves and armholes.
	Girls:	Skirt of one colour - blouse of one colour or simple one colour dress. No decorations, no competition dress. High heel shoes are not permitted. Block heel only with a maximum height of 3,5 cm.
1 b	Junior I and II:
	Boys:	The suit must be black or midnight-blue, tail suits are in Junior II allowed but not prescribed.
	Girls:	Competition dress.
1 c	Youth:
	Boys:	The suit must be black or midnight-blue, tail suits are allowed but not prescribed.
	Girls:	Competition dress.
1 d	Adult:
	Man:	The man's tail suit must be black or midnight-blue.
	Woman:	Competition dress.
1 e	Seniors:
	See > Adult
2.	For competitions in the Latin American dances:
2 a	Juvenile I and II:
	Boys:	Black or midnight-blue trousers. Plain white shirt with normal sleeves and armholes.
	Girls:	Skirt of one colour - blouse of one colour or simple one colour dress. No decorations, no competition dress. High heel shoes are not permitted. Block heel only with a maximum height of 3,5 cm.
2 b	Junior I and II:
	Boys:	Black or midnight-blue trousers. Black vest and black tie optional. Plain white shirt with long sleeves.
	Girls:	Competition dress.
2 c	Youth:
	Boys:	The suit must be black or midnight-blue. Black vest and black tie is optional. A white shirt may be worn under the suit or vest provided that the white shirt has long sleeves.
	Girls:	Competition dress.
2 d	Adult:
	Man:	The suit must be black or midnight-blue. Decoration on Latin suits is allowed only if it is in the same colour as the suit material. A white shirt may be worn under the suit, provided that the suit has long sleeves.
	Woman:	Competition dress.

For all age divisions:

The buttock of the female partners must be covered all the time as a minimum, tangas are not allowed.

3. The chairman, or the IDSF Sports Director, has the right to disqualify any couple at the competition not dressed according to this Rule.

Furthermore the Presidium is entitled to suspend such couples from competitions for a limited period of time.

Rule 13: Couples of mixed nationality

1. A competitor having represented one country is not permitted to represent another country until a period of 12 months has elapsed.

2. In competitions during events of IOC and IWGA couples of mixed nationality are not allowed. According to the Olympic Rules competitors are representing their nation. Each competitor must have the nationality (passport) of the IDSF member represented.

3. In IDSF Championships/Cups Formation teams are National Teams. All competitors must have the nationality (passport) of the represented IDSF Member Association.

Rule 14: International Formation Championships

1. Formation Championships may be held in two styles:

1 a In the Standard dances.

1 b In the Latin American dances.

2. Competition dress:

Standard section:

The men's dress must be black or midnight-blue.

Latin section:

The men's dress in colours is permitted, but all men of a team must have the same colour of dress. No properties are allowed.

3. Teams in the Standard category must base their routines on the Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep with an optional maximum of 16 bars based on any dance including Latin American.

4. Teams in the Latin American category must base their routines on the Samba, Cha-Cha-Cha, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive and any other Latin American rhythm with an optional maximum of 16 bars in any dance, including Standard dances.

5. Solo work in the Standard category shall be restricted to 8 bars in any one dance used with a maximum of 24 bars over the whole presentation. This does not apply to the Latin American dances in which solo work is normally a part.

Lifts are not permitted in either category.

Note: A lift is any movement during which one of the dancers has both feet off the floor at the same time with the assistance or support of the partner.

6. In all championships teams shall consist of six or eight couples. No person may dance in more than one team in the same event.

7. At any stage in a championship team members may be replaced by up to 4 reserves.

8. No Formation team shall dance a routine exceeding 6 minutes including entry and exit. Of these 6 minutes, no more than 4 ½ minutes shall be judged and must be clearly identified in recognisable fashion (beginning and end).

Teams not complying with these requirements may be disqualified by the chairman.

9. Adjudicators experienced in formation work should be selected. No less than 7 adjudicators from different countries must be engaged.

10. Tapes or other audio systems shall be used.

11. Adequate arrangements must be made for team rehearsals, an equal amount of time being allocated to each team in the ballroom and with the music.

12. A chairman must be appointed. He must attend rehearsals and warn any team infringing the Rules. If the Rules are infringed during the contest, he will have the right to disqualify the team(s) after consultation with the adjudicators.

The dance routine and music used at the rehearsal are the only permitted during the competition. No change of dress is permitted during the competition.

13. When there are more than 5 teams in a competition a second round must be held.

Rule 15: Authority of the Presidium

The presidium shall have the authority to make decisions on matters not covered by these RULES.

Rule 16: Application of these RULES

The national member associations are responsible for compliance with the IDSF COMPETITION RULES in their respective countries and should use them as guide-lines for their own rules.

RULES FOR ADJUDICATION

1. International Competitions covered by RULE 5, paras 1-4, 7, 8, and 10 shall comprise at least a first round, semi-final and final. The semi-final must always be danced in two heats in International Competitions covered by Rule 5, paras 1 and 2 and in International Competitions with a size of the floor less than 250 square metres.

No more than 10 couples should dance in each heat of a competition round, up to the quarter-final in International Competitions covered by Rule 5, paras 1 and 2 and in International Competitions with a size of the floor less than 250 square metres. Open marking shall be reserved for finals.

2. In IDSF World Championships, IDSF Continental Championships and IDSF World Ranking Tournaments with an entry of more than 20 couples the re-dance system shall apply from the first round. Two qualifying rounds shall be held to allow all couples the opportunity of dancing twice. The chairman shall decide the number of couples to be re-called of the both qualifying rounds.

The first 12 couples of the actual IDSF Computer World Ranking List enter the IDSF World Championships at the 1/8 final of the competitions (these couples have not to dance in the first round).

3. At least 50 % of participating couples shall be re-called to the next round excluding the FINAL. This provision does not apply for IDSF World Ranking Tournaments.

4. International Ten Dance Competitions shall comprise no more than first round, re-dance, semi-final and final. The provision under para 3 above does not apply.

5. In finals adjudicators shall place couples. 1 is the best place marking. The same placing must not be given to more than one couple.

6. In all IDSF World and IDSF Continental Championships (only age group "Adult") the "revised competition format" must be used. Additional there is the possibility to use this format in all IDSF granted competitions (only age group "Adult") if the national IDSF member association applies for using this format, effective 1^st January 2000.

"Revised competition format" means the provision of two (2) solo dances, one (1) at the beginning and another one (1) at the end of the final of each discipline, with each couple performing for one (1) minute in each solo dance, and that all couples return to the floor after the solo dances for a further one (1) final minute of group competition in that dance.

7. In international competitions under Rule 5, para 1-4, 7, 8 and 10, no more than 6 couples should participate in the final, but if more than 6 couples qualify, the chairman will decide on the number of participate.

8. Open marking, shall be used in the final of international competitions under Rule 5 paras 1-4, 7 and 8. The Skating System shall be employed.

9. In International Competitions under Rule 5, paras 1-4, 7 and 8, the organizer must display marking sheets upon conclusion of the competition.

10. Team Matches (incl. International Team Matches)

Marking:

In each round open marking shall be employed, couples being assessed as 1, 1 1/2, 2, 2 1/2, 3. "1" being the best mark.

For equal performance, identical markings may be given. In all dances the same couples must always dance against each other. Interchange of couples is not allowed.

The marks shall be added together to produce a result.

 

A	Technique
	The latest edition of the following technique books are the base for restricted syllabus:
	-Technique of Latin Dancing by Walter Laird (IDTA)
	-Technique of Latin Dancing - SUPPLEMENT by Walter Laird (IDTA - first edition 1997)
	-The revised Technique of Latin American Dancing (ISTD)
	-The revised Technique by Alex Moore
	-The Ballroom Technique by the Imperial Society (ISTD)
	-Technique of Ballroom Dancing by Guy Howard (IDTA)
	As a base for all Latin American Figures the technique and principles explained in Technique of Latin Dancing by Walter Laird are recommended.
B	Figures
	Any figures including notes, special notes and amalgamations are allowed except those figures listed in Section E Standard Dances.
C	Alignments, Positions, Amount of Turns
	Alignments, commencing and ending positions and amount of turns have to be danced as described in the charts or notes. It is not allowed to dance only parts of the figures unless otherwise stated in the technique book.
D	Precedes and Follows
	As precedes and follows any connections are allowed, as long as they follow the above mentioned rules (alignment, amount of turn, commencing and ending positions).
E	Standard Dances
	Waltz
	All the specified figures
	including:
	-Open Natural Turn from PP (as an independent figure)
	except:
	-Contra Check
	-Left Whisk
	Tango
	All the specified figures
	except:
	-Oversway
	-Contra Check
	Quickstep
	Including:
	-Open Natural Turn from PP (as an independent figure)
	-Running finish may be ended in PP
	Viennese Waltz
	Specified figures:
	-Natural Turn
	-Reverse Turn
	-Change from Natural to Reverse Turn forward or backward
	-Change from Reverse to Natural Turn forward or backward
F	Latin American Dances
	Holds
	Permissible holds are as described in the technique books.
	Free arms should be used naturally.
	The duration of figures which are allowed to be danced without hold can be four bars in Cha-Cha-Cha and four bars in Samba, not counting the foot changes.
	Guapacha timing in Cha-Cha-Cha
	Syllabus figures that lend themselves to the use of Guapacha timing are:
	-Close and Closed Basic
	-Cross Basic
	-Time step
	-Check from Open CPP and Open PP
	-Turkish Towel
	-Fan

[ Syllabus ]