Competitors Print

Registration is now open until 1st October 2010,  

Competition Rules

Whether the emphasis is on the down beat (the 1st beat of the phrase) or the upbeat (the 2nd beat of the phrase), rhythm must be maintained consistently throughout the performance.

Each performance must be 1:50-2:30 minutes for couples and 1:50-3:00minutes for teams.

Routines can only have a maximum of 30% shines. 

Your routine must be a minimum of 80% recognisable salsa music and dancing.

No props are allowed.

You are allowed to enter the the couple division and one team division as long as you have paid the registration for both divisions.

No one is allowed to compete in a division more than once. Example: you can not be in 2 teams competing in Teams division.

All competitors must be New Zealand residents. 

Categories

Beginner

The beginner division will be open to any student or dancer who has not taught salsa and/or received any money from teaching or dancing Salsa (this includes prize money). This division does not permit any lifts, drops and dips. Couples will compete on the dance floor together to selected music. There will be two songs of medium tempo up to 1.30 minutes per song. Competitors will be grouped into heats of no more than 5 couples in the Qualifying Round. The Final will consist of the top 5 places. There is no individual choreographed performance. 

PLEASE NOTE: you are expected to display basic salsa moves with an emphasis on timing and connection with your partner. You will not receive points for difficulty of moves, refer to judging criteria for more information. For more clarification see Beginner definition. 

Improver/Intermediate

The improver/intermediate division will be open to any student or dancer who has not taught salsa and/or received any money from teaching or dancing Salsa (this includes prize money). This division does not permit any lifts. Drops and  dips are permitted. Couples will compete on the dance floor together to selected music. There will be two songs of differing tempo (medium and medium/fast) up to 1.30 minutes per song. Competitors will be grouped into heats of no more than 5 couples in the Qualifying Round. The Final will consist of the top 5 places. There is no individual choreographed performance.

PLEASE NOTE: you are expected to display salsa combinations with an emphasis on timing and connection with your partner and the music, refer to judging criteria for more information. 

Amateur

The amateur division will be open to any student or dancer who has not received any money from teaching or dancing Salsa (this includes prize money). This division is restricted to 5 lifts and drops. Dips are permitted. The freestyle round will contribute 20% of your overall score. The individual choreographed performance will make up the remaining 80%. 

Open

The open division will be open to any student or dancer. This division is restriced to 5 lifts and drops.  Dips are permitted. The freestyle round will contribute 20% of your overall score. The individual choreographed performance will make up the remaining 80%.  

Teams

The teams division is open to any student or dancer. Teams must consit of at least six people (an equal ratio of males and females is not necessary) . Any number of lifts, dips and drops are permitted.

PLEASE NOTE: team formations will be judged, refer to judging criteria for more information. 

For any queries regarding divisions please consult your dance school.

Judging Criteria

Freestyle Round

All couples will compete in a freestyle round with all the couples dancing together. This will reflect how well you perform in a lead-follow format, ensuring dancers truly possess knowledge of the dance. No lifts are permitted in the freestyle round, performers must have at least one foot on the floor at all times. 

Timing

Do the dancers exhibit an understanding of a recognisable salsa and timing rhythm. Do they consistently maintain their timing and rhythm. Do they change between rhythms and any syncopations deliberately and appropriately? Are 'highlights' on time? Is the team synchronised?

Formation

Does the Team change position throughout the routine? Are there a variety of formations used? 

Musicality

Ability to interpret the music and match the dance to the music. How effectively does the couple utilise the breaks and nuances of their chosen piece of music? Are they rhythmically in sync with the piece? Are highlights well placed? 

Choreography

How well put together is the choreography? What is the aesthetic quality of the choreography? Does the routine flow easily from one movement to the next? How well do they use the stage space? Do the dancers dance with movements and steps that match the music played? Is there something clever or new that is part of the routine? Any lifts/tricks, highlights and step sequences should not interrupt the flow of the dance. Does the dancer's styling add to the performance or does it detract from the dance? 

Partnering

Couple Dynamics - do they interact with each other, dance as a couple? How synchronised are the dancers during side-by-side movement or shines? Is there something happening between them or are they just individual, doing their own thing? 

Technique

Reflected through dancer's balance, placement and line. Movement should appear to be effortless. Partners must reflect adequate 'Latin/Salsa Motion' and 'Isolations' as designated by the dance style. These are all reflections of good dance technique. 

Difficulty

What is the level of difficulty of the combinations utilised? By both parties or only one? How intricate are the shines? What is the difficulty of any lifts/tricks? Are these elements successfully executed? 

Appearance, Appeal and Showmanship

How professional and polished do the dancers appear to be? Their entrance, exit, introduction steps, end poses, execution, stage presence and confidence. Do they project to the audience and capture their attention? Is the performance attractive and entertaining?

Judging Criteria Weightings

Category Freestyle Formation Timing Musicality Choreography Partnering Technique Difficulty Appearance, Appeal, Showmanship
Beginner     40%     30% 20%   10%

Improver/

Intermediate

     35% 15%   20% 10% 10% 10%
Amateur 20%   20% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10%
Open 20%   20% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10%
Teams   20% 20% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10%

Qualifying

All competitors must qualify to compete at the New Zealand Salsa Nationals 2010 Final.

There are 5 places available in the final in each category. Places will be determined by a Qualifying Round during the early afternoon. Please note that there will be a freestlye round in both the Qualifying Round and the Final for amatuers and open categories.

Once you have qualified, you may not change your dance partner.

Prize Money

Prize money pending, will be awarded to first and second places for divisions:  

Open  

Team  

Prizes

The following prizes will be awarded to first, second and third places of each division:

Beginners - Medal, Certificate, Prize Pack

Improver/Intermediate - Medal, Certificate, Prize Pack

Amateurs - Medal, Certificate, Prize Pack  

Open - Medal, Certificate, Prize Pack 

Teams -  Trophy, Certificate, Prize Pack

 

Beginner Definition 

Salsa Competition Levels: This is not a learning guide, but a reference to the levels for the Salsa Nationals.
Beginners
Level definition: Up to 1 whole stepping turn & no more. No Combinations within 1 whole 8 count.

Beginners 7 Salsa Basics/Fundamentals

#1 Basic step

#2 Side basic

#3 Back Basic (aka Open out)

#4 Left Turn

#5 Right Turn

#6 Cross Body Lead (CBL)

#7 Basic Inside Turn (aka Half Left)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR BEGINNERS CATEGORY:

• Above are the 7 Salsa Basic/Fundamental steps.

• Competitors in the BEGINNERS category MUST show full understanding of the basics and fundamentals above – and ONLY the basics above.

• We recommend doing private lessons to gain further information & recommendations for the competition from your dance school or instructor.

• It is up to the instructors and/or the Beginner students creativity and understanding of the basics to find ways to display "variations" of the salsa basics listed above without combining them – within one 8 count (1, 2, 3 – 5, 6, 7 - ).

• Beginners MUST continuously step on each count throughout the dance in order to demonstrate understanding of salsa rhythm & timing. Beginners MAY NOT STOP STEPPING the rhythm/timing (1, 2, 3 – 5, 6, 7, -) at any time throughout the dance.

• Besides demonstrating the understanding and knowledge of the basics, Beginners will also be judged on dance technique (eg. Lead/Follow etc), posture, dance frame, footwork and presentation.

• NONE of these allowed; - Drops, Tricks, shines or Dips
NB: see your instructor/school for info on these moves/combos
Video - Beginners 7 Salsa Basics/Fundamentals