UDA National Dance Team Championship

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VII. INTERPRETATIONS AND / OR RULINGS
Any interpretation of any aspect of these Rules and
Regulations or any decision involving any other aspect of
the competition will be rendered by the Rules Committee.
The Rules Committee will render a judgment in an effort to
ensure that the competition proceeds in a manner consistent
with the general spirit and goals of the competition. The
Rules Committee will consist of the Competition Director,
Head Judge, and a designated competition official.
VIII. DISQUALIFICATION
Any team that does not adhere to the terms and procedures
of these "Rules and Regulations" will be subject to
disqualification from the competition and will automatically
forfeit any right to any prizes or awards presented by the
competition.
IX. FINALITY OF DECISIONS
By participating in this competition, each team agrees that all
decisions by the judges will be final and will not be subject
for review. Each team acknowledges the necessity for the
judges to make prompt and fair decisions in this competition
and each team therefore expressly waives any legal,
equitable, administrative or procedural review of such
decisions.
X. GENERAL SAFETY GUIDELINES
A. All participants agree to conduct themselves in a manner
displaying good sportsmanship throughout the event.
The coach of each team is responsible for seeing that
team members, coaches, parents, and any other person
affiliated with the team conduct themselves accordingly.
B. All programs should have, and review, an emergency
action plan in the event of an injury.
C. Coaches must recognize the entire team’s particular
ability level and limit the team’s activities accordingly.
D. No technical skills should be performed when a coach is
not present or providing direct supervision.
E. All practice sessions should be held in a location suitable
for the activities of dance, and away from noise and
distractions.
F. Warm-up and stretching should precede and conclude all
practice sessions, pep rallies, games, competitions,
performances, and other physical activities.
G. The performance surface should be taken into
consideration before engaging in any technical aspect of
dance. The performance area should be reasonably free
of obstructions. Dancers should not perform technical
skills on:
1. Concrete, asphalt, or any other hard or uncovered
surface
2. Wet surfaces
3. Uneven surfaces
4. Surfaces with obstructions
H. The dance team coach or other knowledgeable
designated representative should be in attendance at all
practices, functions, and games.
XI. COMPETITION ROUTINE GUIDELINES
A. Substitutions may be made in the event of an injury or
other serious circumstance. Substitutes must also abide
by the age restrictions in all division in which they
compete.
B. Formal entrances which involve dance, technical skills,
and all traditions/chants are not permitted. Dancers
should enter the performance area in a timely fashion.
C. All staging, backdrops, special effects, or any items that
may damage or otherwise alter the performance floor or
environment are prohibited (water, powder, glitter, fire,
sliding oil, etc).
D. Teams may dance off of the performance floor; however,
all routine choreography for the entire team must begin
and end on the performance surface. Jumping on or off
the performance surface is prohibited.
E. Time limit is as follows:
1. SCHOOL teams will have a maximum of (2) two
minutes to demonstrate their style and expertise.
If a team exceeds the time limit, they will be
assessed a penalty.
2. ALL STAR teams will have a minimum of (1:45)
one minute forty five seconds and a maximum of
(2:30) two minutes thirty seconds to demonstrate
their style and expertise. If a team exceeds the
time limit, they will be assessed a penalty.
F. Timing will begin with the first choreographed
movement or note of music, whichever is first. Timing
will end with the last choreographed movement or note
of music, whichever is last.
XII. MUSIC GUIDELINES
A. I have read and understand the USA Cheer Music
Copyrights Educational Initiative and all sound
recordings used in our team’s music shall only be
used with written license from the owners(s) of the
sound recordings.
B. These guidelines are as of June 16, 2016. For the most
up to date music information, visit
If you have any questions,
cheer teams should email and
dance teams should email
Please check Preferred Provider list for updates and
changes periodically.
C. Teams must be able to provide proof of licensing
upon request. If a team does not have proof of music
licensing available, they will be allowed to perform to
an optional approved track of music or a track with
counts (provided by Varsity Spirit). If a team cannot
provide proof of licensing, and do not perform to an
optional approved track of music or to counts, the
team will be disqualified from the competition.
D. If there are concerns regarding a certain team’s use
of music, a Challenge Form must be completed
immediately following the team’s performance.
E. Challenge Process
a. All music challenges must be submitted in writing to the
event director.
b. There will be $100 fee to request a music challenge and
must be in the form of a check made out to St Jude
Children’s Research Hospital.
c. Fees collected will be voided if challenge is correct.
d. If the team challenged can provide documentation
during the event and can be verified, the fees will be
donated to St. Jude.
e. If the team challenged can provide documentation that
requires further review, a decision will be finalized
within 48 hours of the event.
GENERAL RULES
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