Rules
& Regulations

Directions Dance Challenges

The following rules and regulations will apply to Directions Dance Challenge. Please read through them carefully. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us and a member of our team will be happy to speak with you.

Divisions

NOVICE

  • A Novice Group or Line must be made up of at least 75% novice dancers who are new to competition.
  • A Novice Soloist/Duet/Trio may have competed before in a Group or line, but never in any number with less than 4 dancers
  • A novice soloist is a dancer that has never performed a solo before.
  • Once classified as Novice, a dancer remains in this category for the entire season.
  • The maximum age for Novice dancers is 14 years. (Teen category)

PRE-COMPETITIVE

  • The Pre-Competitive category is designed for dancers who train no more than 6 hours per week. The total time for this category includes in-class training and choreography.
  • Solo, duet, or trio participant(s) in this category should have a maximum of 6 hours of training each week as noted above.
  • For groups, lines, and productions, a minimum of 75% of the dancers must be in the Pre-Competitive category.

COMPETITIVE

  • Dancers who train more than 6 hours a week.
  • Competitive dancers must dance in the competitive category as a soloist, duet or trio.
Age Divisions

Age as of December 31st
(for the 2026 season, use age of December 31st of 2025)

MINI > 8 and under

JUNIOR > 9 – 11 years

TEEN > 12 – 14 years

SENIOR > 15 – 18 years

GRADUATES > 19+

Categories

SOLO > 1 dancer

DUET / TRIO > 2 – 3 dancers

SMALL GROUP > 4 – 9 dancers

LARGE GROUP > 10 – 16 dancers

EXTENDED LINE > 17+ dancers

PRODUCTION > 20+ dancers

THE FINAL DIRECTION – DANCE OFF > Studios must have at least 10 competitive group dance entries with the exception of adult and production entries.

At each Directions Dance Challenge, studios are able to choose one group competition entry for each division (12 and under) and (13 and over). This can be of any style to perform in The FINAL Direction – Dance Off. If Competition allows we will offer this to the Pre-Competitive category as well.

Studios and/or their director must submit their entry a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the Directions Dance Challenge event. The winner will be selected not only by technique but the 3 adjudicators will determine the winners by entertainment and overall performance.

* NO ADDITIONAL ENTRY FEES FOR THE FINAL DIRECTION DANCE OFF

Human1Dancer2 > Dancers will be selected at our exclusive dance conventions by our host faculty. Selected dancers will compete in an Improv category including participants throughout all age divisions. Judging criteria will focus on the connection between the dancer and their movements within their music. The winner will receive a full scholarship to the Human1Dancer2 Convention or one free solo entry in the next season’s Directions Dance Challenge.

Styles
  • Contemporary
  • Ballet
  • Acrobatics
  • Jazz
  • Lyrical
  • Aerial Arts
  • Hip Hop/ Jazz funk/ House
  • Musical Theatre
  • Open
  • Tap
  • Pointe
  • Human1Dancer2 Improv
Scoring System

Rose Gold > 86.9 and under

Platinum > 87 – 90.9

Sapphire > 91 – 93.9

Diamond > 94 – 95.9

Directions Diamond > 96+

All scores are final. Awards are based on scores, not placement, and multiple medals may be awarded within the same category.

Tiebreakers
In the event of a tie, the highest individual judge’s score will determine the placement. For overall ties, judges will decide the winner, and only one cash prize will be awarded.

Deductions

  • Tap recordings in tap routines will incur a 5-point deduction.
  • Acrobatics allows an unlimited number of over-the-head tricks
  • Open style permits up to 6 over-the-head tricks
  • All other styles may include up to 3 over-the-head tricks
  • Exceeding this limit will result in point deductions
Awards & Scholarships

Numerous Scholarships will be awarded throughout the competition & determined by the panel of judges.

COSTUME AWARD

CHOREOGRAPHY AWARD

JUDGES CHOICE

HIGHEST SCORE OF THE DAY *Production Category Excluded

TOP 3 STUDIOS

TOP SCORE OF COMP

TOP 5

  • Solo
  • Duet/Trio
  • Small Group
  • Large Group
  • Line/Extended Line
  • Production

OVERALLS BY STYLE

MOST POTENTIAL
1 dancer in each age category

  • Technique
  • Performance
  • Choreography
  • Overall performance

* Awards and Scholarship will be updated closer to the event

Time Limits

Solo > 3min

Duet/Trio > 3min

Small group > 3min

Large group > 3min

Extended line > 5 min

Production > 12 min

Music / Appropriateness
Performances exceeding the time limit without prior approval from Directions Dance will incur a 1-point deduction for every 5 seconds over.

Extended performance time can be requested in advance for an additional fee by contacting the Dance Director. Ensure all music is edited from start to finish.

Music must be uploaded to DanceBUG at least three weeks prior to the competition. Late submissions will incur an administrative fee.

Directions Dance promotes a family-friendly environment. Music, choreography, and costumes must be age-appropriate. Performances with explicit content will be disqualified from awards or rankings. Please review your music to ensure compliance.

Prohibited Props
All props that may affect subsequent performances, like paint or confetti, must be pre-approved by the Directions Dance Director.

Dangerous props, including fire, weapons, or sharp objects, are strictly prohibited.

Directions Dance may restrict certain props based on venue guidelines and safety regulations.

Re-Dancing
The opportunity to re-dance is at the sole discretion of the director and will only be granted if the schedule allows.

Pre-Competitive, Novice, and Mini dancers who are unable to complete their routine will be given the chance to re-dance and will still receive an award based on their score. However, eligibility for overall awards will be determined at the director’s discretion.

Junior, Teen, and Senior Competitive dancers who opt to re-dance will not qualify for category placements or overall awards; their performance will be for adjudicators’ comments only.

Dancers experiencing technical difficulties such as costume malfunctions, music skipping, etc may re-dance without penalty. 

Videography
By participating in the event, choreographers, teachers, students, and parents automatically grant Directions Dance and its Directors permission to use their photos and videos for publicity and promotional purposes. This includes, but is not limited to, advertisements, television, videotaping, broadcasting, social media, web, or print, without any form of compensation.

For the safety of dancers, audience members are strictly prohibited from taking photos or recording videos during the event. Performances may face disqualification if audience members are found violating this policy.

All videography is included in the entry fees.

Backstage
Directions Dance Challenge requests all studios maintain a clear, organized backstage area. Access is limited to Studio Directors, dancers, and teachers only.

Dancers may wait backstage up to five routines before performing. Studios should demonstrate a supportive, positive environment/ negativity, including booing, is prohibited.

For safety, parents are not allowed backstage unless child is in need. Thank you for helping create a positive, professional experience.

Participation and Acceptance
By participating in a Directions Dance event, you affirm acceptance of these Rules and Regulations. Studios registering on behalf of individual dancers or teams confirm that all participants and their parents/guardians have been made aware of these rules.
Competitors and Categories

Event Scheduling
Directions Dance reserves the right to adjust event dates based on registration numbers.

Studio Representation
Competitors may only represent one studio and cannot compete against themselves. Independent entries are allowed and eligible for overalls.

Age Divisions and Categories
Categories may be combined depending on entry numbers. Adult categories are not eligible for overall awards.

Awards and Placements
Cash award amounts are determined based on registration. Soloists may be divided into heats if 10 or more compete in one category.

Age Verification
Birth certificates may be required to resolve age discrepancies and must be provided by the end of the competition to avoid disqualification.

Props
Props requiring setup time or larger accommodations must be noted on the registration form.

Backstage Etiquette
Abuse of dressing areas will result in disqualification. All participants must keep their areas clean.

Performance Readiness
Dancers should be prepared to perform up to 2 hours before their scheduled time.

Registration and Changes

Registrations are non-transferable and final upon studio selection of date and location. Changes, if approved, may incur additional fees.


No Refunds
Deposits and registration fees are non-refundable.

Registration Process
Register via DanceBUG to manage your entries and receive competition updates.


Entries are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until categories reach full capacity.


Payment methods include credit card and may accept e-transfers . All studios will receive the fee due date. Late entries subject to additional fees.

Judges
All routines will be judged by 3 professional adjudicators. Scores will be based on, in order, Technique, Performance, Choreography and Costume.

A studio representative must be present during adjudication. Unfortunately there will be no delivery on awards that were not collected during competition hours.

Small Studios

Small Studios are considered less than 50 dancers or 80 entries or less. Small Studios are more than welcome to all our competition events and we would love to hear from you so we can offer you an amazing experience.

The Final Directions – Dance offs are also included in Small Studio Events and all rules and regulations apply.