"Tiny Dancers, Big Rules: What Every Coach (and Parent) Needs to Know"

Oh, the Drama (and Importance) of the Rules! 🎭

Reading through the NDCA rules and regulations for youth competitors might feel a bit like trying to decipher the fine print on a pill bottle—with a magnifying glass… in the dark. Not exactly thrilling stuff. But like it or not, it is essential, especially for coaches. Why? Because you're the first stop in the all-important chain of communication:

👉 Rules are created by: The National Dance Council of America (NDCA)

👉 Implemented by: The Coaches

👉 Communicated to: The Parents (when it comes to costumes)

👉 Followed by: The Parents (a.k.a. Team Wardrobe)

It’s a simple chain… until someone decides to freestyle. 😬

Sometimes, with the best intentions (and the cutest accessories), parents will take matters into their own hands. Rhinestones! Lip gloss! Maybe a tiara or two? But here’s the hard truth: That’s an epic fail. 🚫 Why? Because if little Susie in Pre-Teen I shows up with a full glam squad look, she risks disqualification—or worse, a very disappointed coach. And it’s not Susie’s fault. She's just here to dance her heart out.

Coaches, this one's on you. If you're running a kids' program, it's your responsibility to know the rules for each age division and to make sure your dance families do, too. You’re not just teaching cha-chas and waltzes—you’re the guide, the rule-keeper, the protector of tiny dancers and your school's reputation. 🕺💼

Remember, the Chairman of Judges and the invigilator aren’t going to have a sit-down with the parents or lecture the kids. They’ll be coming to YOU. And trust us—you don’t want that convo.

Alright, lecture over (promise! 😄). We've put together a simplified, easy-to-digest version of the NDCA youth rules below. It’s like the CliffsNotes for dance dress codes. Take a peek, and when you have the time, dive into the full rulebook for the real deal.

Let’s keep the kids shining on the dance floor—and off the judges’ radar. 💃✨Let’s dance (by the book)!AGE CATEGORIES / DRESS & COSTUMING / SYLLABUS

To see the full list of rules and regulations check out the NDCA Website.

  www.ndca.com

AGE CATEGORY CLASSIFICATIONS

Age classifications, become effective on the individual's actual

birthday.   On a year where a competitor is going to move from one classification to the next they may make this change anytime during a 60-day period that begins 30 days prior to their birthday and ends 30 days following their birthday. Age classification "f" (Under 21) does not have a 60-day grace

period - competitors in this division must adhere strictly to the age requirements as stated.

Color Coded according to Age:

a. Pre-Teen I: 9 years old or younger                   b. Pre-Teen II: 10th or 11th birthday

c. Junior I: 12th or 13th birthday                            d. Junior II: 14th or 15th birthday 

e. Youth: 16th, 17th or 18th birthday                    f. Under 21:

On the day of the competition at least one of the partners has reached their 16th birthday, and neither member of the partnership has reached their 21st birthday.

Adult: 19th birthday or greater

Organizers may offer additional age category competitions, such as "Under 21", etc.

Competitors may dance "up" or "down" as follows:

Pre-Teen I competitors may dance up one age classification to "Pre-Teen II".

Pre-Teen II competitors may dance up one age classification to "Junior I".

Pre-teen II competitors who dance up to junior must remain in the approved pre-teen

costumes. This rule applies to the individual, not to the couple - if only one member of the partnership is a Bonafide Junior age competitor then only that individual may wear a "Junior" costume.

Junior I competitors may dance up one age classification to "Junior II".

Junior II competitors may dance up one age classification to "Youth".

Youth competitors may dance up to the Adult classification.

When an organizer combines age classifications (Pre-Teen I & II, Junior I & II or Senior I, II & competitors may dance up or down as follows:

Only Pre-Teen II age category competitors may dance up into the combined Junior age category.

Combined Juniors may dance up into the combined Youth age category.

A competitor may not be approved during an event to relinquish one age category after competing

in that division and then dance up an additional age category from their newly approved division.

The following rules apply to competitors age 18 and under:

For Youth, Junior I and Junior II partnerships, one of the individuals may be no more than two age classifications younger.

 If one of the individuals in the partnership is two age classifications younger, then the younger member of the partnership must request permission in writing to the NDCA Ballroom Department and in turn receive written approval prior to being allowed to compete.

(example - a "Pre-Teen II" girl wishing to compete with a "Junior II" age boy).

If one of the individuals in the partnership is one age classification younger, then the younger member of the partnership may request permission in writing to the NDCA Ballroom Department to relinquish their age classification and be allowed to move up one age classification.

This request will generally be allowed if the individual making the request is already within one year of reaching the next age classification.

Under no circumstance will a Pre-Teen I, Pre-Teen II, or a Junior I competitor be allowed to compete in the Adult age classification.

A Junior II competitor may not generally apply for permission to dance up as an Adult until they are 15 years old, at which time they would need to apply to the Ballroom Department as noted above.

Youth competitors who turn 19 years of age while still enrolled in their final year of High School may still dance as youths until they have finished their final year.

A couple's age classification eligibility is defined as the age of the older partner for the Pre-Teen I, Pre-Teen II, Junior I, Junior II, Youth and Adult classifications, while it is defined as the age of the younger partner for the Senior classifications.

 PROFICIENCY CLASSIFICATIONS

 Competition proficiency categories may be offered as follows:

Syllabus. Restricted to “medalist” level figures (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Novice Bronze, Novice Silver, Novice Gold, Etc).

Novice. Open Syllabus. It is recommended that “Novice” competitions generally be restricted to two of the allowed dances for each style.

Pre-Championship. Open Syllabus. It is recommended that “Pre-Championship” competitions generally be restricted to three or four (3-4) of the allowed dances for each style.

Open Amateur. Open syllabus. All of the dances in each style must be done in this category in all rounds, and in the order prescribed.

DRESS AND/OR COSTUMING - PRE-TEENS

Pre-Teens must dress as listed below.

Pre-Teen Boys

Trousers:     ~ Black or dark blue color only

                        ~ High waist optional

                        ~ Underfoot strap optional

                        ~ One satin stripe (no wider than 1") is allowed on the outside of each leg, and a satin waistband is allowed if it is sewn as part of the trousers.

Shirts:           ~ Plain white or black long sleeved collared shirt only. Tuxedo shirts are allowed.

                        ~ Sleeves to be worn at wrist length

                        ~ Black or dark blue vests are allowed, but sweaters and jackets are not allowed

                        ~ Tie must be worn - black color only, may be either straight or bow

Socks:          ~ Black or dark blue color only

Shoes:          ~ Heel height not to exceed 1.5 inches (must be black)

Materials:    ~ Fabrics must be plain

                        ~ No shiny fabrics

                        ~ No rhinestones, glitter, metallic thread, patterns or sequins allowed

                        ~ Decorations - not allowed

                        ~ Makeup - Not allowed

                        ~ Hairstyle - Long hair must be worn in a pony tail

Pre-Teen Girls

Skirt:             ~ with top or simple dress with attached under garment or leotard top with full skirt

                        ~ Skirts Plain or pleated with minimum 1 to maximum 3 half circles, including godets and/or extra panels.

                        ~ One plain simple underskirt allowed which is no larger or longer than top layer, and is the same or similar color as the outer skirt

                        ~ No uneven hem lines, frills, splits, openings, ruffles, or sequins Horsehair/Crinoline may be used only inside the hem of the skirt

                        ~ Ribbon on the skirt is acceptable, but no other trim is allowed

                        ~  Length of skirt must not be shorter than 3 inches above the knee cap and no longer than 3 inches below the knee cap

                        ~ At least one of the layers of the skirt must be solid (not sheer)

                        ~ No diagonal cuts or pieces on the skirt allowed

Bodice:        ~ Shoulderless bodices are not allowed

Necklines:    ~ Boat, high neck, V-neck, sweetheart, 'peter pan' collar, and regular collar are allowed.

                        ~ Simple edging or trim is allowed on the neckline.

                        ~ One simple ruffle is allowed around the collar of not more than two inches in width, but must not extend past the collar.

Belting:         ~ as well as gathering or shirring is permissible from the waist down for a maximum of two inches, provided it is part of the dress itself and not an accessory

                        ~ Edging or trim on the bodice is not allowed

                        ~ No backless bodices allowed

                        ~ Piping is allowed

                        ~ Top stitching is allowed

Sleeves:       ~ Long, short, elbow length, cap, puff. or sleeveless styles are allowed

                        ~ Cannot be replaced by trimmings, frills, or edging on the shoulder line

                        ~ No "finger loops" allowed

                        ~ Piping is allowed provided it is no larger than 1/8 of an inch across

                        ~ Top stitching is allowed

Materials:    ~ Fabrics must be one constant color throughout

                        ~ No metallic or iridescent fabrics.

                        ~ No rhinestones, glitter, pearls, appliques, patterns, sequins, or similar materials allowed

                        ~ No use of feathers, fringes, bows, belts, frills or sequins

                        ~ No flesh color fabric

                        ~ Any use of mesh, lace, or any other 'see through' fabric must be lined in a solid material of the same color from the waist to the top of the bust line, as well as a corresponding height in the back.

                        ~ When mesh, lace, or any "see-through" fabric is used on the arms no

                        lining is needed

                        ~ Burnout (also called Devoré), or similar fabric, must be lined with a fabric of the same color. Lycra, spandex, polyester, plain velvet, satin or jersey is encouraged

Shoes:              ~ Heel height not to exceed 1.5 inches, and must be block heel style if a dance shoe.

                        ~ If the shoe comes with rhinestones on the buckle then they are allowed.

                        ~ If the shoe comes with glitter on the shoe then it is allowed

Socks:              ~ White ankle socks (lace allowed), flesh colored pantyhose, or light pink or white tights must be worn

                        ~ No Fishnet Tights

Accessories:     ~ No use of arm bands, gloves, chokers or headbands

                        ~ No decoration is allowed on dress or in hair

                        ~ No jewelry is allowed, other than one small earring in each ear, to be no larger than 1/4 inch

                         ~ No makeup allowed

                         ~ No spray tan, make-up, glitter, or any similar materials, etc allowed anywhere on the body.

                        ~ Use of fake eyelashes, colored or glitter hair spray is forbidden

                        ~ Separate belts are not allowed.

                        ~ Sponsor logos are allowed on Pre-Teen costumes.

                        ~ For pre-teen one-dance or two-dance events, competition organizers may require that the shirts/tops be all white or all black, and the trousers/skirts be black.

COSTUME CHECK ENFORCED IN THE ON - DECK AREA

Any sanctioned event that includes a full day of Pre-Teen, Junior, and Youth Divisions shall be required to always have at least 1 designated “Costume Check” person in the on-deck area where regulation costume divisions are danced. A copy of the required NDCA costume rules should be provided to the Costume Check person by the organizer.

DRESS AND/OR COSTUMING - JUNIOR, YOUTH & ADULT

Syllabus Dress

Gentlemen:       

Ballroom and Smooth Divisions:

                        ~ Dress pants, plain shirt and tie, and optional cummerbund or vest or black sweater or tuxedo.

                        ~ No tail suits.

Latin and Rhythm Divisions:

                        ~ Dress pants, plain or ruffled shirt, optional tie and or vest.

Ladies:

Ballroom and Smooth Divisions:

                        ~ Cocktail dress without excessive adornment.                          

                        ~ No ball gowns.

Latin and Rhythm Divisions:

                        ~ Leotards and wrap skirts or party/cocktail dresses without excessive adornment.

Open Amateur Dress

Gentlemen       

Ballroom and Smooth Divisions:

                        ~ Tailsuits, Tuxedos, Dinner Jackets. Latin and Rhythm Divisions: Latin costumes.

Ladies             

Ballroom and Smooth Divisions:

                        ~ Ball gowns. Latin and Rhythm Divisions: Latin costumes.

* For “Syllabus” competitions competitors must wear “Syllabus” Dress.

* For “Novice” competitions competitors may wear either “Syllabus” or “Open Amateur” dress. The

competition organizer may stipulate one or the other for this category.

* For “Pre-Championship” and “Open Amateur” competitions competitors should wear

“Championship” costumes.

NOTE: Competition organizers may establish alternative dress and/or costume guidelines if they desire for Juniors, Youths or Adults.

SYLLABUS - PRE-TEEN

~ Couples competing in the "Pre-Teen" category must dance restricted syllabi as noted below.

~ Pre-teen. Couples competing in this age category may only dance Bronze, Silver and Gold syllabus figures from the NDCA Approved Figures, Elements & Restrictions

~ No embellishments of standard figures. No change of levels, head rolls, foot flicks, syncopations or delayed timings unless specified within the approved syllabus.

~ In addition to Closed Syllabus Events, organizers may offer open syllabus events for Pre-Teen II provided they do not eliminate any closed divisions as well. Couples dancing in this category must still wear approved costuming for that age level.

SYLLABUS - JUNIOR, YOUTH & ADULT

~ Couples competing in the “Junior”, "Youth" and "Adult" categories are not restricted in syllabi unless competing in a "Syllabus" event or otherwise stipulated by the organizer.

~ No embellishments of standard figures. No change of levels, head rolls, foot flicks, syncopations or delayed timings unless specified within the approved syllabus.