The Opus

2008 Division Rules

Updated: April 16, 2008

Classic Division - $6000

This division is traditional Swing dancing at its highest performance level and is characterized by the dancers having consistent contact with the dance floor and with each other. This is a NASDE competition and NASDE points will be awarded.

Showcase Division - $6000

This division is characterized by Swing dancing with the addition of lifts, aerials, acrobatics, side-by-sides and break-aways.
  1. Recognizable Swing content as described in the Statement of Swing must be present in at least 60% of the performance as required by NASDE.
  2. A minimum of three "In the air", partner weight support moves such as, lifts, aerials, or acrobatics is required.
    1. Moves must be at knee level or above.
    2. At least one move must place the partner above the waist.
    3. There is no maximum to the number of "In the air" moves allowed.
    4. "In the air" moves do NOT count towards meeting the 60% recognizable swing content rule.
  3. "On the ground" support moves (such as drops, slides, and spreads) are allowed (but not required).
  4. Side-by-side patterns, and breaks in contact are allowed.
  5. Routines must be a minimum of two-minutes and a maximum of three-minutes in length.
  6. Competitors select their own music.
  7. Dance Costumes are required. Halloween type costumes are NOT allowed.
  8. Minimum number of entries is 5 couples.
This is a NASDE competition and NASDE points will be awarded.

Cabaret Division - $4500

This Division is open to any style of Dance. The Performance must display a Cabaret element.

Formation Team Division - $5000

This division consists of teams of eight or more dancers comprised of any combination of gender, age, and skill-level. They will be judged as a group.
  1. This division requires Formation Routines to be based on "Couples Dance(s)."
    1. Examples of "Couples Dances" include, but are not limited to, Swing, Shag, Hustle, Salsa, and Waltz.
    2. Examples of dances recognized as "Non-Couples Dances" include, but are not limited to, Jazz Dancing, Line Dancing, Hip-Hop, and Break Dancing.
  2. Lifts, aerials, acrobatic moves, drops, slides, break-aways, switching of partners, and reverse lead/follow are all allowed.
  3. A Competitor can be a member of only one Formation Team.
  4. A team member is allowed to enter a Couples Division and/or the Cabaret Division.
  5. Routines must be a minimum of three-minutes and a maximum of four-minutes in length.
  6. Formation Teams select their own music.
  7. Dance Costumes are required.
  8. Minimum number of entries is 4 Formation Teams.
  9. The first 10 Team entries received by the US Open entry deadline will be guaranteed acceptance into the Formation Team Division.

Sophisticated Swing Division (35+) - $2800

This division is characterized by social Swing dancing at a performance level.
  1. The rules governing the Sophisticated Swing Division are the same rules that govern the Showcase Division with the following exceptions:
    1. Both Competitors must be 35-years of age or older, on or before, Sunday, November 30, 2008.
    2. "In the air" partner weight support moves, such as Lifts, aerials, and acrobatic moves are allowed (but not required).
  2. Choreographed routines are required.
  3. Routines must be a minimum of two-minutes and a maximum of three-minutes in length.
  4. Competitors select their own music.
  5. Dance Costumes are required. Halloween costumes are NOT allowed.
  6. Minimum number of entries is 5 couples.

Masters Division (50+) - $2800

This division is characterized by social Swing dancing at a performance level.
  1. The rules governing the Masters Sophisticated Swing Division are the same rules that govern the Showcase Division with the following exceptions:
    1. Both Competitors must be 50-years of age or older on or before Sunday, November 30,2008.
    2. "In the air" partner weight support moves, such as Lifts, aerials, and acrobatic moves are allowed (but not required).
  2. Choreographed routines are required.
  3. Routines must be a minimum of two-minutes and a maximum of three-minutes in length.
  4. Competitors select their own music.
  5. 5. Dance Costumes are required. Halloween costumes are NOT allowed.
  6. Minimum number of entries is 5 couples.

Young Adult Division - $2500

This division is for Competitors age 14 through 17-years of age.
  1. The rules governing this division are the same rules that govern the Showcase Division with the following exceptions:
    1. Lifts & aerials that have 1 partner's torso rise above the other partner's shoulders are not allowed.
    2. All other partner weight support moves are optional.
  2. Age requirements:
    1. If partners have competed previously but one partner is older than 17-years of age, that couple may petition the Organizer for an exception to the age restrictions rule. The intent of this rule is to allow youngsters who have formed a partnership and advanced their dancing together to continue to compete together in the Young Adult Division.
    2. If one partner has reached the age of 14, and the other partner is under the age of 14, this couple must compete in the Young Adult Division.
  3. Routines, choice of music, and costumes must be in good taste and appropriate for this age group.
  4. Routines will be a minimum of two-minutes and a maximum of three-minutes in length.
  5. Competitors select their own music.
  6. Age appropriate Dance Costumes are required. Halloween Costumes are NOT allowed.
  7. Minimum number of entries is 5 couples.

Young America Division - $2000

This division is designed to feature young dancers age 6 through 13-years of age.
  1. The rules governing this division are the same as the rules that govern the Showcase Division with the following exceptions:
    1. Lifts & aerials that have 1 partner's torso rise above the other partner's shoulders are not allowed.
    2. All other partner weight support moves are optional.
  2. Competitors must have reached the age of 6-years old in order to compete. If one partner is 14-years of age or older, and the other partner is under the age of 14, this couple must compete in the Young Adult Division.
  3. Routines, choice of music, and costumes must be in good taste and appropriate for this age group.
  4. Routines must be a minimum of two-minutes and a maximum of three-minutes in length.
  5. Competitors select their own music.
  6. Age appropriate dance Costumes are required. Theme costumes okay for Young America.
  7. Minimum number of entries is 5 couples.

All-Star / Advanced Jack & Jill Division - $900

This Division is for randomly paired leaders/followers who will dance immediately after being paired.
  1. This division is open to All-Star and Advanced Level Jack & Jill Competitors as recognized by the World Swing Dance Council.
  2. Recognizable Swing content, as described in the Statement of Swing, must be present throughout the performance.
  3. Semi-Finals will be danced in a group format. Finals may be danced in a Group and/or Spotlight format.
  4. This is a "lead/follow" dance.
  5. "In the air" partner weight support moves, such as Lifts, aerials, and acrobatic moves are not allowed.
  6. "On the ground" support moves (such as drops, slides, and spreads) are allowed (but not required) to the degree that they would be considered safe and appropriate on a social dance floor.
  7. Short break-aways (breaking of contact, immediately followed by an effort to re-establish physical contact) are allowed.
  8. Music will be randomly selected by the Organizer and will not be previewed in advance by the Competitors.
  9. Dance Costumes are not allowed, dressy dance attire is encouraged.
  10. Minimum number of entries is 10 couples.
  11. This is a non-NASDE division.
  12. The first 40 Jack & Jill entries received by the US Open entry deadline will be guaranteed acceptance into this Division.

Strictly Swing Challenge

Strictly Swing Challenge - Championship Final Round - $1000
  • 1st Place Team- $1000
  • 1st Place Couple - Silver Rings

The top placing couples from each of the Divisions, Strictly West Coast, Strictly Lindy, Strictly Shag, and Strictly Hand Dance will compete in a final round for the Overall Strictly Swing Challenge Championship. This is a non-NASDE Division. NASDE Points will not be awarded.

These Challenge Divisions are open to all levels of Swing Dancer - from the Champions & Professionals down to the Novice & Beginners. Although we rarely see dancers below the Advanced level enter, these divisions are open to all levels of swing dancer.

Competitors in all Strictly Swing Challenge divisions must be 18-years of age or older on or before Sunday, November 30, 2008.

Strictly Swing Challenge - Strictly West Coast Swing Division - $1700
  • 1st Place - $800
  • 2nd Place - $400
  • 3rd Place - $250
  • 4th Place - $150
  • 5th Place - $100
This division is designed to highlight social West Coast Swing dancing skills at a performance level with an emphasis on lead/follow technique. This Division is open to all levels of West Coast Swing Dancers.Final Rounds will feature brief spotlighted performances within a group format all present on the floor at once.
  1. Competitors must participate in the Strictly Swing Challenge Championship's Final Round to be eligible for any Strictly Swing Challenge Prize Money. There are no exceptions to this rule.
  2. Recognizable West Coast Swing content must be present throughout the performance.
  3. This is a "lead/follow" dance.
  4. "In the air" and "on the ground" partner weight support moves are allowed (but not required) to the degree that they would be considered safe and appropriate on a social dance floor.
  5. Side-by-side patterns, and breaks in contact are allowed.
  6. Music will be randomly selected by the Organizer. It will not be previewed in advance by the Competitors.
  7. Dance Costumes are not allowed, dressy dance attire is encouraged.
  8. Minimum number of entries is 7 couples.
  9. The first 40 Strictly Swing entries received by the US Open entry deadline will be guaranteed acceptance into this West Coast Swing Division
Strictly Swing Challenge - Strictly Lindy Division - $1700
  • 1st Place - $800
  • 2nd Place - $400
  • 3rd Place - $250
  • 4th Place - $150
  • 5th Place - $100
This division is Lindy, the grandfather of all types of Swing. This division is designed to feature swing dancing and companion dances at a fast tempo. This Division is open to all levels of Lindy Swing Dancer - from the Champions & Professionals down to the Novice & Beginners. Although we rarely see dancers below the Advanced level enter. This division is based on the fast dance formula popularized at Camp Hollywood. Final Rounds will feature brief spotlighted performances within a group format all present on the floor at once.
  1. Competitors must participate in the Strictly Swing Challenge Championship's Final Round to be eligible for any Strictly Swing Challenge Prize Money. There are no exceptions to this rule.
  2. Recognizable Lindy Swing content must be present throughout the performance.
  3. This is a "lead/follow" dance.
  4. "In the air" and "on the ground" partner weight support moves are allowed (but not required) to the degree that they would be considered safe and appropriate on a social dance floor.
  5. Side-by-side patterns, and breaks in contact are allowed.
  6. Music will be randomly selected by the Organizer and will not be previewed in advance by the Competitors.
  7. Dance Costumes are not allowed, dressy dance attire is encouraged.
  8. Minimum number of entries is 7 couples.
  9. The first 40 Strictly Lindy entries received by the US Open entry deadline will be guaranteed acceptance into this Strictly Lindy Division.
Strictly Swing Challenge - Strictly Shag Division - $1700
  • 1st Place - $800
  • 2nd Place - $400
  • 3rd Place - $250
  • 4th Place - $150
  • 5th Place - $100
This division is the southern version of Swing referred to as Carolina Shag. Final Rounds will feature brief spotlighted performances within a group format all present on the floor at once.
  1. Recognizable Shag content must be present throughout the performance.
  2. Shag characteristics, rhythms, and patterns are required.
  3. This is a "lead/follow" dance in the classic sense of Carolina Shag.
  4. "In the air" partner weight support moves, such as Lifts, aerials, and acrobatic moves are allowed (but not required) to the degree that they would be considered safe and appropriate on a social dance floor.
  5. "On the ground" support moves (such as drops, slides, and spreads) are allowed (but not required) to the degree that they would be considered safe and appropriate on a social dance floor.
  6. Side-by-side patterns, and breaks in contact are allowed.
  7. Music will be randomly selected by the Organizer and will not be previewed in advance by the Competitors.
  8. Costumes are not allowed, but dramatic, tasteful dance clothing is encouraged.
  9. Minimum number of entries is 7 couples.
  10. The first 40 Strictly Shag entries received by the US Open entry deadline will be guaranteed acceptance into this Strictly Shag Division.
Strictly Swing Challenge - Strictly Hand Dance Division - $1700
  • 1st Place - $800
  • 2nd Place - $400
  • 3rd Place - $250
  • 4th Place - $150
  • 5th Place - $100
This division features a version of Swing originating from our nation's capital, known as DC Hand Dancing. Final Rounds will feature brief spotlighted performances within a group format all present on the floor at once.
  1. Recognizable Hand Dance content must be present throughout the performance.
  2. This is a "lead/follow" dance in the classic sense of Hand Dance.
  3. "In the air" partner weight support moves, such as Lifts, aerials, and acrobatic moves are allowed (but not required) to the degree that they would be considered safe and appropriate on a social dance floor.
  4. "On the ground" support moves (such as drops, slides, and spreads) are allowed (but not required) to the degree that they would be considered safe and appropriate on a social dance floor.
  5. Side-by-side patterns, and breaks in contact are allowed.
  6. Music will be randomly selected by the Organizer and will not be previewed in advance by the Competitors.
  7. Dance Costumes are not allowed, dressy dance attire is encouraged.
  8. Minimum number of entries is 7 couples.
  9. The first 40 Strictly Hand Dance entries received by the US Open entry deadline will be guaranteed acceptance into this Strictly Hand Dance Division.