Rules & Regulations

All persons attending the American Star Ball Championships, whether as spectators, competitors, officials, staff, guests, etc. shall be bound by the rules and regulations of the National Dance Council of American (NDCA) and, by participating in this event, automatically become obliged to adhere to them.

  • Every person attending the American Star Ball Championships does so at his or her own risk and expressly and irrevocably waves any claim or claims against the NDCA, American Star Ball Championships, its organizers, employees, and representatives arising from loss, personal injury, death or damage associated with this event.
  • The American Star Ball Championships, its organizers, and the NDCA accept no responsibility for damage, loss or theft of property left in changing rooms, ballroom, guest rooms, or hotel.
  • This event may be photographed by video, photography, or other method. All persons attending this event may be photographed and, by their presence, waive any claim related to the use of that photography and the rights of any copyright, privacy or publicity associated with said photography. The American Star Ball Championships and its organizers reserve all print, electronic and broadcast rights and reserve the right to use any and all photography taken at the American Star Ball Championships for future promotional purposes.
  • Private videotaping is not allowed at any time during the American Star Ball Championships without express permission from the organizers. Violators may be asked to leave the ballroom or have their cameras confiscated until after the competition. Professional videographers and photographers will be available.
  • Professionals competing in any capacity and amateur couples must be currently registered with the NDCA and supply the organizers with an official registration number on entry forms and upon request. Registration Forms are available from www.NDCA.org or Dawid Schulz
    3214 North University Avenue, Box #406, Provo, Utah 84604, (801) 422-8124
  • Entry waivers for minors must be signed by a parent or legal guardian.
  • Entries consist of completed entry form, signed waiver, accounting form (if applicable), and payment in full. Incomplete entries will not be processed. Entries received after May 1, 2024 will be accepted at the discretion of the organizers if space and time permits.
  • Registration Deadline: May 1, 2024 – Please send all completed forms and payment in full made payable to “AMERICAN STAR BALL”.  Personal and studio checks as well as credit cards will NOT be accepted at the competition. Payment must accompany all completed forms no later than May 1, 2024. Any payments received after the deadline must be made in the form of a money order or cashier’s check. A $35 returned check fee will applied to all returned payment.
  • Cancellation/Refund Policy: Cancellation must be made in writing. Cancellations received prior to May 1, 2024 will receive a refund by mail no later than 30 days after completion of the event minus a $50 service charge. No refunds will be issued for package and/or entry and/or room reservation cancellations received after May 1, 2024. Credit or partial credit toward entry fees for the following year, may be considered at the sole discretion of the organizers in cases of emergency only when notified prior to the start of the competition and when accompanied by a physician’s certificate. Canceled entries taken at the event cannot be substituted by another entry and no refund will be made on such a cancellation.
  • There are no refunds or exchanges on general admission tickets.
  • Changes or additions to entries after May 1, 2024 will be accepted at the sole discretion of the organizers.
  • There will be no substituting of a student with another student during the event.
  • All entries must be complete and all fees paid before competitor numbers are issued and before competitors are allowed to dance.
  • The organizers reserve the right to modify the final schedule if necessary. In accordance with NDCA rules, events may commence up to 30 minutes prior to their scheduled time.
  • Competitors must be in the ballroom 30 minutes before their scheduled heat and in the “on deck” area a minimum of 3 heats before their scheduled heat. Events will not be delayed for latecomers.
  • Events with less than 3 entries may be canceled to combined across age and/or gender divisions. Prize monies may be reduced in events with less than 3 entries.
  • The judges’ decisions will be final. No competitor shall question or harass a judge about his or her personal marks.
  • Marks will be posted at the registration desk and online. Anyone removing posted marks or master scrutineer sheets without permission may be subject to disciplinary action.
  • All closed syllabus events will be invigilated using the current NDCA list of elements and restrictions. Penalties may be given without warning for any syllabus infractions.
  • Competitors shall conduct themselves in a civil, sportsmanlike manner at all times while on the competition premises.
  • The organizers reserve the right to reject entries from competitors who have previously violated rules of conduct at NDCA events.
  • Prize money vouchers are void after 60 days from date of issue.
  • Additional rules for Pro-Am competitors include:
    • Pre-teens, Juniors, and Youth Pro-Am competitors may dance true age and dance up one age higher.
    • Adult Pro-Am Competitors may enter, in addition to their regular age, two age categories younger than his/her regular age. (i.e. Ladies B can dance in Ladies A3 and Ladies A2 as well as Ladies B). May not dance down to Youth.
    • For each Scholarship event entered, Pro/Am competitors must dance “5” single dances in the same style (including smooth).
    • For the Pro/Am 6-Dance, 9-Dance and 10-Dance Championships, competitors must dance with the same teacher for all dances. Ex: Competitors cannot dance smooth with one teacher and rhythm with another.
    • Ladies and gentleman will be combined for all multi-dance Pro-Am events.
    • Figures used in American-style Newcomer through Full Silver syllabus events are restricted to NDCA-approved figures, elements, and restrictions. Figures used in American-style Gold syllabus events are restricted to the approved syllabi of member organizations of the NDCA and the official NDCA American-style syllabi.
    • Figures used in International Newcomer through Full Gold are restricted to NDCA-approved figures, elements and restrictions.
    • Syllabus figure restrictions do not apply to Adv. Gold or Open events.
    • The Newcomer division is restricted to bronze syllabus.
    • Newcomer Scholarship are for students that have NEVER competed or have competed less than 1-year.
    • Pre-Teen Pro-Am competitors are restricted to syllabus figures from approved syllabi of member organizations of the NDCA and the official NDCA syllabus.
    • No continuity style will be permitted in the American Bronze levels.
    • Open divisions are not material restricted.
    • Lifts are only permitted in the Solo Exhibitions.
    • Maximum of two Solo Exhibitions per student will be accepted. Solo Exhibition must be completed within 3 minutes, music will be faded out. Solo exhibitions critique sheets and scores will be available to studio personnel at the registration desk.
    • Costumes are permitted at any level for Junior, Youth, Adult, and Senior Pro-Am competitors. Pre-Teen competitors must adhere to NDCA Pre-Teen costume requirements.
  • Additional rules for Amateur competitors include:
    • Amateur competitors must be registered with the NDCA for 2024 and provide valid proof of 2024 registration at the event.
    • Amateur competitors without a valid NDCA number will be required to register at the competition before they are permitted to dance.
    • An amateur couple’s age classification is determined by: 1) the age of the older partner for Pre-Teen, Junior, Youth, and Adult classifications or 2) the age of the younger partner for Senior classification.
    • Pre-Teen, Junior, and Youth amateur couples may dance up one age category.
    • Senior amateur couples may dance down one age category.
    • Amateur competitors may dance in two consecutive levels per style (ex – Bronze & Silver, not Pre-Bronze & Silver).
    • Mixed Amateur (Singles) events are open to individual amateur Pre-Teen, Junior, or Youth competitors. The single competitor must be partnered by another amateur competitor. The age of the Single competitor shall determine the age level entered and only the Single will be judged.
    • Figures used in American-style Newcomer through Full Silver syllabus events are restricted to NDCA-approved figures, elements, and restrictions. Figures used in American-style Gold syllabus events are restricted to the approved syllabi of member organizations of the NDCA and the official NDCA American-style syllabus.
    • Figures used in International Pre-Bronze through Gold are restricted to NDCA-approved figures, elements and restrictions.
    • Pre-Teen competitors are restricted to syllabus figures from approved syllabi of member organizations of the NDCA and the official NDCA syllabi.
    • No continuity style will be allowed in the American Bronze levels.
    • Lifts are not permitted at any time.
    • Costume requirements are as follows:
      • All Pre-Teen competitors must adhere to NDCA Pre-Teen costume guidelines
      • Syllabus dress for Pre-Bronze through Gold
      • Either “Syllabus” dress or “Open Amateur” dress for Novice
      • “Open Amateur” dress for Pre-Champ and above.
  • Additional rules for Professional competitors include:
    • Professional competitors must be registered with the NDCA for 2024 and provide valid proof of 2024 registration at the event.
    • Professional Showdance – Due to time limits only 12 solos will be accepted.  First come, first serve. Couples will be judged performing a solo routine of their own choice, not to exceed three minutes duration, including walk-on and walk-off music. Therefore, all competitors entering this event must come prepared with their own special music. Lifts are allowed.
  • Rules for Professional Top Teacher:
    • There is no entry fee for Professional Top Teacher.
    • This is a unisex competition.
    • Teachers must be on package AND must have a minimum of 50 Pro-Am adult entries in order to be eligible for top teacher awards.
    •  All teachers will receive points based on participation AND merit.
    • If a teacher does not have the minimum entries required for the placement they earned, they will receive the placement for which they qualified.

Merit Points Table:

Pro-Am Adult – Single Dance Entry Placements
1st Place 8 points
2nd Place 7 points
3rd Place 6 points
4th Place 5 points
5th Place 4 points
6th Place 3 points
7th Place 2 points
8th Place 1 point

– UNCONTESTED ENTRIES RECEIVE FULL POINTS

– SOLOS & PROFICIENCY ENTRIES RECEIVE 1 POINT

– YOUTH ENTRIES RECEIVE 1/2 THE VALUE OF ADULT ENTRIES 

PARTICIPATION POINTS:

– 1 point for every dance entered and danced. Pro/Am Adult entries only. 

Pro-Am Adult – Multi-Dance Entry Placements
1st Place 20 points
2nd Place 15 points
3rd Place 10 points
4th Place 8 points
5th Place 6 points
6th Place 4 points
7th Place 2 points
8th Place 2 points

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