jack & jill competitons

J&J (Jack & Jill) competitions were created by the late Jack Carey to showcase a competitor’s skills in spontaneous swing dancing and their ability to dance well with a variety of partners. Competitors enter individually and are randomly assigned to several partners. This is a fun, low-pressure contest that is an excellent introduction to swing dance competitions.

We wish all our competitors the best dances possible in your contests! 

Be sure to check the Rules page and Fees & Requirements page, then Register to compete.

PRICING

  • J&J Competitions — $20/25 per competitor
  • Crossover J&J — $10/15 per competitor
  • Switch It Up J&J — $10/15 per competitor

J&J RULES

  • All dancing in J&J competitions is to be lead/follow.
  • Partner selection is luck of the draw.
  • During the preliminaries, couples will be judged in heats and will rotate partners as many times as deemed necessary by the judges.
  • Should there be an imbalance in the number of leaders and followers entered in the contest, some contestants may be required to dance twice.
  • If semi-finals are required, an announcement will be made regarding the time and number of dancers chosen to advance. Couples will be judged in heats and will rotate partners as many times as deemed necessary by the judges.
  • In the finals, dancers will be randomly paired with one partner. The dancers will not rotate and will be judged as a couple.
  • Finals will be judged in heats (default). Time permitting, the upper division finals may be danced in single or double spotlight format.
  • Contest music and the order in which it is played will be selected by the competition DJ’s.

CROSSOVER & SWITCH IT UP (TAKE THE LEAD)

  • Open divisions – any competitor of any level is free to participate in this competition

BALBOA

Competitors are allowed to place themselves in the level of Jack & Jill that would be most appropriate for their level of competition dance ability.

  • Novice/Intermediate
    This division is intended for beginning through intermediate dancers that have limited competition experience, or who would not classify themselves as advanced.
  • Advanced
    This division is intended for advanced dancers with significant dance and competition experience who consistently place in intermediate competitions.

If there are not enough competitors signed up, the two divisions may be combined into one open division at the discretion of the judges.

LINDY HOP

  • Competitors are allowed to place themselves in the level of Jack & Jill that would be most appropriate for their level of competition dance ability.
  • Newcomer (if available)
    This division is intended for beginner dancers who have been dancing less than a year and have little to no previous competition experience.
  • Novice
    This division is intended for beginner dancers who have been dancing for 1-2 years and have some previous competition experience.
  • Intermediate
    This division is intended for intermediate dancers dancing for several years, with some previous competition experience and who quite often place in novice competitions.
  • Advanced
    This division is intended for advanced dancers with significant dance and competition experience who consistently place in intermediate competitions.

WEST COAST SWING

(Refer to WSDC documents for the most up-to-date information on contest rules and points requirements for each division.)

With the updated rules, if you have pointed out of a division, you must advance regardless of whether or not you have achieved a first place win. If you believe you should be competing at a different level you can complete the online petition and the chief judge will determine the best course of action.

  • Newcomer 
    This division is intended for dancers who are new to WSDC competition in their role.
  • Novice 
    This division is intended for dancers who demonstrate basic dance skills. 
  • Intermediate 
    This division is intended for dancers who are perfecting their competitive dance skills. 
  • Advanced
    This division is intended for dancers who are very competitive.
  • All-Star 
    This division is intended for dancers who are extremely competitive.
  • Masters
    This division is intended for competitors of any skill level who are age 50+.

WSDC RULES REGARDING GENDER-NEUTRAL COMPETITIONS

As of February 1, 2015, the WSDC will enforce rules that address how gender-neutral J&J competitions are conducted.

Each competitor must choose ONE role to compete in (Leader or Follower) in leveled.

J&J Competitions

Leveled J&J comps are Newcomer, Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and All-Star. You may not compete in both roles in leveled J&J comps at one event. However, you may compete in strictly competitions and age restricted divisions in a different gender role than you competed in a leveled role.

J&J’s

For instance, you may compete in J&J’s as an intermediate follower and in the masters division as a leader or follower. Additionally, you can continue to compete in one division of strictly in one gender role and compete in another division in the opposite gender role.

  • Competitors must compete at their current competitive level in either role — Leader or Follower. You may petition to compete at a different level (one level up or down).
BTP Intermediate JJ