Competitor Info


GENERAL INFO

All competitions will be held to music by our Comp DJ.

All events with a shines or spotlights format may include a short un-judged all-skate before and/or a judged all-skate after the shines or spotlights.

The organizers reserve the right to alter the order of events or formats dependent on number of entrants and time constraints. Running order and number of heats/finals will be confirmed to competitors by email soon – please keep an eye on your email inbox.


FORMAT DEFINITIONS

  • All-skate: Where all couples in an event dance on the floor at the same time. 
  • Shines: Where one couple takes the floor to dance on their own during a phrase by phrase jam. Couples keep rotating through until they have all had the correct number of shines.
  • Spotlights: Where one couple at a time takes the floor to dance on their own for a set time or number of phrases. Usually a longer period than shines. Each couple gets a different song.
  • Battle: Two couples or dancers dance against each other with the judges choosing one to advance to the next round. Couples/dancers may be dancing at the same time or one after the other.
  • Jazz/blues phrasing: In a song with jazz phrasing, 1 phrase is equal to 4 counts of eight (or “eights”). In a song with blues phrasing 1 phrase is 6 eights. It is common to dance two phrases in competitions, so in jazz phrasing this would be 8 eights or in blues phrasing this would be 12 eights. 
  • BPM: “beats per minute” – measure of the tempo (speed) of a song.
  • Chorus: A chorus in jazz phrased music is 4 phrases, which is equal to 16 eights or 128 counts/beats.


SWING CONTENT

Competitors in all categories are required to demonstrate a majority of recognisable swing dance content. Aerials are allowed in all events provided there is sufficient space to be executed safely and both parties consent.


PLACES

Places will be awarded to first, second and third places in the three Mix and Match categories and Solo Jazz. The battle format of the two Strictly Lindy finals (Open and Advanced) means only first and second place will be awarded.


JUDGING CRITERIA

Lindy Royale uses the Relative Placement system (except for rounds with a “battle” format). The judging criteria will be:

  • Solid foundations: grounded movement, clear rhythm, authentic jazz groove, quality of movement, precision in execution
  • Connection with your partner: Collaboration with your partner, clear leading and following through skillful physical connection
  • Musicality: Dancing in time to the music, expressing and responding to the feel and structure of the music, the breaks or highlights, individual instruments, etc. 
  • Improvisation: Responding to opportunities that present themselves in the moment, in conjunction with the music and your partner
  • Expression: Individual personal style, presentation, creativity

APPROPRIATE LEVELS

Competitors are required to read the level descriptions on the website and determine the most suitable level for them to enter. The organisers reserve the right to move competitors they feel have entered an unsuitable level. This will happen in discussion with the competitor.