DANCE

GENERAL INFORMATION:

1. Dance is a co-ed state championship sport with as many divisions as deemed necessary by the number of teams competing.
2. Beginning and ending dates for practice and competition may be found at the beginning of this publication.
3. All dancers must be turned in on the proper eligibility forms and ruled eligible by the GHSA office.
4. All dancers must have a physical examination on file in the school office before they may try out, practice, or perform.
5. All dance coaches must complete a GHSA Rules Clinic or the school will be fined.
6. Tryouts may be held in the spring any time after the state competition is completed and before the end of school.Tryouts may be held again after school begins in the fall. Tryout can be held for 10 consecutive days.
   
   1. Students must be enrolled at a school in order to try out for that school’s dance team. A student may been enrolled in only one school at a time.
   2. Enrolled migrant students may try out for a dance team, but may not represent the school at the varsity level during the school year until the migratory sit-out period has ended.
   3. Students must meet academic eligibility requirements in order to try out.
7. Dance teams are allowed to attend camps after the last day of school until Aug. 1.

COMPETITION RULES:

1. All Dance competitions must be conducted according to the rules of the National Federation Spirit Rules book and the GHSA Dance Competitive Dance Manual. The Dance manual is posted online on the GHSA web page (www.ghsa.net). The NFHS rules book can be purchased from the GHSA office, online at Amazon.com, or from the NFHS site.
2. Schools are allowed to have only one (1) varsity competition team.
3. All teams must consist of at least 7 dancers, but not more than 20 dancers. If the number of competitors falls below the number required to compete in that division, the team will be allowed to compete in the division they have entered with a five-point penalty per dancer below the minimum.
4. A school may have a roster greater than 20 performers, and may use any combination of eligible dancers in any competition in each specific division. A team’s second routine must be comprised of at least half +1 participants of the original performers.
5. All team members must be dressed in appropriate uniforms/costumes approved by their school. All NFHS rules for apparel must be applied. No hard jewelry is permitted. Hair must be secured and must NOT extend below the waist unsecured.
6. Dance apparel is restricted as follows:
   
   1. When standing at attention, apparel must cover the midriff.
   2. Fabric must cover the skin from the bra line to the knees (tights, body liners, pants, etc.).
   3. Dancers must wear footwear that is appropriate for the activity. (see NFHS rulings)
7. The maximum number of competitions for a varsity dance team is six (6), plus the state competition. To qualify for state, a team’s selected routine must be scored in at least three (3) GHSA sanctioned competitions before state.
   
   1. All competitions must be sanctioned by the GHSA by October 1.
   2. GHSA sanctioned Dance competitions may include member schools only or schools from other states who are members of their state association. This excludes non-member high schools and all middle schools.
   3. Dance coaches, certified teachers and Community coaches may not be involved in any way during the school year with a competition not sanctioned by the GHSA that involves dancers on their school’s team.
   4. Only coaches who meet the criteria of By-Law 2.50 are eligible to assist teams in the competitive setting. Any others assisting a team in any manner at a GHSA competition will be guilty of illegal coaching.
   5. Groups that are not members of the GHSA may NOT perform at any time before, during, or after the competition without approval from the GHSA office.
   6. Invitational competitions should have a minimum of 12 high school routines participating in the event. Officials will be paid for a minimum of 12 high school teams. (See Appendix F for fee schedule)
   7. Middle school and high school events must be considered separate events. Middle schools may not be placed in rotation with high school teams. GHSA judges may be hired as officials for middle schools or solo, duets, or trio events; however, it is not mandatory.
8. Deadlines for the competitive season are as follows:
   
   1. Request Sanction of Regular Season Invitational Tournament Oct. 1
   2. Register to enter regular season invitational tournaments Oct. 15
   3. Submit rosters for “Notification of Entry” online Feb. 1
9. The competitive area is the basketball court inside the basketball boundary lines.
   
   1. Only approved GHSA coaches, competitors, and officials are allowed in the competitive area.
   2. Non-competitors may not assist during the routine.
10. The length of the routine shall be a minimum of one minute, 40 seconds and not exceed two (2) minutes.
    
    1. The routine must begin within 30 seconds of the cue, “Welcome to the floor, _______ High School.” Failure to do so could result in a five-point deduction for delay of meet.
    2. Teams may begin from any position in bounds, and the time of the routine will begin with the first note of the music. NOTE: Inbounds is determined as the area inside the end lines and side lines of a basketball court.
    3. The routine ends with the last note of the music or choreographed movement.
    4. If the routine is longer or shorter than the allotted time, five (5) points for every 15 seconds will be deducted.
11. Each school is responsible for the preparation and presentation of the music in its routine, and for complying with all copyright laws. (NOTE: music must be submitted and approved in the ClicknClear portal.).
    
    1. Music should be free of any explicit language or violent implications can result in a disqualification.
    2. Each coach is responsible for providing a high quality version of their own music for the DJ.
    3. Principals have the responsibility of approving the music chosen for performances. Notation is provided on the dance rosters page for each school (found in MIS site)
    4. Delays in music could cause a meet delay deductions of five (5) points.
12. Winners of the competition will be determined by the highest point total from the judges across all styles of dance.
    
    1. A winner for each style of dance will be named. The following styles of dance will structure the categories: HipHop; High Kick; Jazz/Lyrical and Pom.
    2. An overall winner for each classification will be named. Classifications, depending on size of school, will be determined based on number of teams who have entered in each classification.
    3. Prior to any disqualification or noticeable deduction for a rules violation, the Head Judge must call a conference at the conclusion of competition, and the majority of the judges must agree the violation occurred.
13. Judges’ decisions are final.
14. In all competitions, all judges must be registered with the GHSA and must have completed the GHSA training program.
    
    1. A minimum of 5 judges, including 1 tech judge will be used at all competitions.
    2. Judges must be secured by the GHSA office.
    3. 5% of the gross receipts from all invitational competitions shall be paid the GHSA office.

STATE COMPETITION:

1. The State Championship will be held at a site to be determined. In each session, teams will rotate by divisions. A total of six (6) judges will be used per division.
2. No flash photography of any kind will be allowed during the competition.
3. Finances: Net receipts will be divided with the GHSA receiving 40% and 60% divided among the participating schools. Each participating team will be allowed free admission for a maximum of 24 dancers, 2 coaches and 1 music person.