Event Rules

• Skill-based Jack & Jill contests require a Full Weekend Pass; a Sunday Pass covers Sunday and its contests only.
• Full Weekend Pass attendees must compete in a skill-based Jack & Jill contest.
• Sunday Pass attendees may optionally compete in any contest on Sunday, including Jack & Jill Newcomer.
• WSDC J&J Novice Eligibility: We strongly recommend Novice competitors have at least 1 Newcomer point, or at minimum prior West Coast Swing competition experience.
• We encourage competitors with no WSDC points in either role to compete in WSDC J&J Newcomer.
• One Level/Role Entry per Jack & Jill: You may add a second skill-based Jack & Jill in your opposite role, in person during the event weekend, only if that division’s published target capacity is not met.
• Division Target Sizes: To keep contests balanced and manageable, we set a per-role target for each WSDC Jack & Jill division. These are not strict caps. 2027 targets:
  • Novice & Intermediate: 42 per role (WSDC Tier 4)
  • Advanced: 30 per role (WSDC Tier 3)
  • All-Star: 22 per role (WSDC Tier 3)
  • Champion: 12 per role (WSDC Tier 2)
  • Newcomer: 25 per role (WSDC Tier 3)

• To run, each contest targets at least five leaders and five followers. The Event Directors may cancel, or reduce prize money for, any contest with fewer than five entries in either role. If NYFF cancels a contest, entry fees will be refunded.
• WSDC Jack & Jill and Strictly contests use computer scoring, with the WSDC Callback system in prelims and Relative Placement in finals.
• Every contest has a Chief Judge. WSDC Jack & Jill prelims and semis use at least four judges per role (in Tier 1-3 divisions, judges may score both roles). Finals use at least five judges, not including the Chief Judge, always an odd number for Relative Placement.

Dancing thrives on creative exploration, but we prioritize safety and comfort for all dancers. We prohibit any actions or clothing that judges deem disrespectful or unsafe to partners, other dancers, or the event. Check with the Chief Judge in advance if you have questions about acceptable movements, actions, or attire.

• Planning Ahead: Know your competition schedule, meet registration deadlines (entries close one hour before each contest starts), arrive for marshaling, listen for emcee announcements, bring appropriate attire, and check for schedule changes. Competitors are responsible for staying informed.
• Knowing the Rules: Read these rules carefully before competing. You must follow them whether or not you’ve read them. Direct questions to the Chief Judge or Event Directors before competitions begin.
• Be Prepared to Compete: Arrive at the venue no later than 15 minutes into your competition’s marshaling time block. We will scratch competitors who are late. You’re responsible for your bib number. Contest entry fees are not refundable except when NYFF cancels a contest.
• Demonstrating Good Sporting Conduct: Show respect to fellow competitors, dancers, event staff, and venue staff at all times. Do not approach judges about placements or scores until after awards conclude. Do not argue with judges. Refrain from any behavior judges deem inappropriate. Violations may result in disqualification.

Sign up with a partner of your choice for this lead/follow contest. Depending on entries, there may be preliminary and/or semi-final rounds, followed by a final.

• 2027 Strictly Divisions: Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and All-Star.
• Competitors may enter more than one Strictly contest (e.g. Int leader may dance in Int & Adv Strictly as a leader and Nov Strictly as a follower).
• Strictly partners may not dance together in more than one Strictly contest or in Pro-Am Spotlights.
• A couple’s Strictly division is determined by their WSDC Jack & Jill level. If partners qualify for different WSDC levels, they must enter at the higher skill level when dancing their primary role. When dancing a secondary role, the WSDC level in that role (Chart 4) applies.
• Props and matching costumes are not allowed. Coordinated attire is acceptable.
• Drops, leans, circular movements, and other partner weight-supported moves are allowed if both partners keep at least one foot on the floor.
• Role switching is not allowed.

Sign up as an individual for this lead/follow contest. Depending on entries, there may be preliminary and/or semi-final rounds, followed by a final.

• You’ll compete in one skill-based WSDC Jack & Jill contest, and may add a second in your opposite role at your eligible WSDC level only if that division’s target capacity is not met. Add it on-site during the weekend, first-come, first-served.
• Sophisticated Jack & Jill: An age-based WSDC contest for dancers 35 and up, open to every skill level. Solo entry with random partners, $25, one entry per dancer. WSDC Sophisticated points are awarded. Entries close one hour before the contest.
• To find your eligible WSDC level, refer to Chart 3 on the WSDC Registry Event Rules; for an opposite-role entry, use Chart 4 (the Secondary Role Advancement Chart) instead. Look up your points on the WSDC Points Registry.
• Drops, leans, circular movements, and other partner weight-supported moves are allowed if both partners keep at least one foot on the floor. Champions are exempt from this requirement.
• Petitioning Up: Submit all petitions to dance up to the WSDC Chief Judges Committee (CJC) at WSDC Level-Up petition, including two videos of your dancing. The CJC reviews these and your Points Registry record, then contacts you if more information is needed. Approvals are valid for six months and transfer between events, so another event’s recent approval covers NYFF; earning a point in the higher division keeps you there. Complete this by Feb 11, 2027 (15 days before the event), though we recommend at least four weeks out. If you already bought your pass, notify us to adjust your pass level.
• Petitioning Down: To petition down, submit a petition to the Chief Judge and get approval at least 24 hours before the event starts. Petitions move down one division only and apply to your primary role only. Petition-down approvals are specific to NYFF and don’t transfer, so petition again here even if another event approved you. Dancing in the wrong level without approval results in disqualification. We’ll adjust your weekend pass level to match your updated competition level.

Partner rotation, partner draws, and music selection in every WSDC Jack & Jill are random and unbiased. In rare cases, our Code of Conduct requires us to keep two specific competitors from being paired. WSDC rules allow a narrow exception for exactly this situation (WSDC Appendix IV), and we decide it in advance, confidentially, without compromising the draw for anyone else.

If you have a concern, speak confidentially with the Event Directors or the Chief Judge before the contest begins. We protect the privacy of everyone involved.

Sign up as an individual for this lead/follow contest. In All-American prelims, you will be paired with a random partner of any level and judged as a couple. In finals, you will be paired with another partner and compete in an elimination tournament.

• The Rat Race is a non-WSDC fun contest and does not award WSDC points. Prelims use the WSDC Callback system; finals are decided by elimination, not Relative Placement.
• Instructors, DJs, and judges not on the Rat Race panel may enter. Event Directors, the Chief Judge, the Secondary Chief Judge, and scoring staff may not compete.

Amateur dancers perform a routine dance with their Professional partner in a spotlight format. This division will not be judged.

• Amateurs are Newcomer, Novice, Intermediate, or Advanced dancers who do not meet the Professional definition below.
• A Professional is an All-Star, Champion, or someone who earns significant income teaching or performing West Coast Swing.
• Anyone who has competed in an open or professional-level West Coast Swing competition counts as a Professional for this contest.
• Must be 2-3 minutes.
• Must be at least 50% swing.
• Each Professional may dance with up to five different Amateurs in this division.

For all contests (Skill-Based Jack & Jill, Age-Based Jack & Jill, Strictly, and New York Rat Race), we will award:

• 1st Place: $50 per person
• 2nd Place: $40 per person
• 3rd Place: $30 per person