rules & regulations

When competing in Solos, you will be expected to freestyle to a random track played on the day.

Your age group and ability level will be called up, and you may be split into heats depending on the number of entries within your category.

If you are successfully chosen by a majority of judges, you will be called back for further heats until the final.

Competitors will be eliminated until there are between 5 and 7 dancers in the final. You will then be ranked by each judge to determine your final placing.

The Open ability level will be run as solo spots at most events, but this depends on the event schedule.

Solo Core Rules:

• Your competitor number must be worn clearly on the front of your clothing.

• Acrobatic moves may only be performed if there is adequate floor space available.

• All teachers must compete in Open with exception to student teachers who may compete in Amateur.

• No props may be used in Solos

Age Divisions:

We keep age groups simple.

You must compete in the age group that your age falls into on the event day.

For example, an 8 year old would compete in 8 and under. A 15 year old would compete in 16 and under.

The date of birth that you provide when you create your membership determines which age group you will compete in.

First Timers
6&U, 8&U, 10&U, 12&U, 14&U, 16&U, OVER16

Amateur
10&U, 12&U, 14&U, 16&U, OVER16

Open
10&U, 12&U, 14&U, 16&U, OVER16

*At larger regional events or major championship events 6&U, 8&U Amateur & Open will be enabled*

Music Guidance:

First Timers (110-130bpm)

Examples:

Bedroom Floor - Liam Payne

Baby be mine - Michael Jackson

Because of you - Neo-Yo

Amateur (100-130bpm)

Examples:

Caught Up - Usher

Love come down - Evelyn King

Take you there - Sean Kingston

Open (100-130bpm)

Examples:

Shaku Shaku - Afro B

Heads up - Kardinal Officiall

Beat Slaya - No holds barred

The above BPM ranges are for guidance only.

Dancers should be prepared for tracks from the lower and upper end of the guided BPM.

When competing in Duos, you will be expected to freestyle to a random track played on the day.

Your age group and ability level will be called up, and you may be split into heats depending on the number of entries.

If you are successfully chosen by a majority of judges, you will be called back for further heats until the final.

Duos will be eliminated until there are between 5 and 7 pairs in the final.

You will then be ranked by each judge to determine your final placing.

The Open ability level will be run as solo spots at most events, but this depends on the event schedule.

Duo Core Rules:

• One competitor number must be worn per Duo.

• Duos must compete in the age group of the oldest competitor.

• Duos must compete at the ability level of the highest ranked competitor.

• Acrobatic moves may only be performed if there is adequate floor space.

• Teachers must compete in Open with exception to student teachers who may compete in Amateur.

• No props may be used in Duos.

First Timers

6&U, 8&U, 10&U, 12&U, 14&U, 16&U, OVER16

Amateur

10&U, 12&U, 14&U, 16&U, OVER16

Open

10&U, 12&U, 14&U, 16&U, OVER16

*At larger regional events or major championship events 

6&U, 8&U Amateur & Open will be enabled*

Music Guidance:

First Timers 

(110-130bpm)

Examples:

Bedroom Floor - Liam Payne

Baby be mine - Michael Jackson

Because of you - Neo-Yo

Amateur 

(100-130bpm)

Examples:

Caught Up - Usher

Love come down - Evelyn King

Take you there - Sean Kingston

Open 

(100-130bpm)

Examples:

Shaku Shaku - Afro B

Heads up - Kardinal Officiall

Beat Slaya - No holds barred

The above BPM ranges are for guidance only.

Dancers should be prepared for tracks from the lower and upper end of the guided BPM. 

Your team age category is determined by each individual team members date of birth upon registration.

Our online registration system will automatically calculate your team age category.

When 70% of your team fall within the same age category the team will then be entered into this category.

If less that 70% of the team do not fall under the same age category the team can still compete but will be automatically entered into a higher age category.

Team Ability Levels

First Timers:
-Compete at this level if the majority of the team have never competed at a dance comp before.
-Once you place 1-3rd against 5 or more teams you should then move up to Amateur.
-Once in amateur you cannot go back down to First Timers.

Amateur:
-Compete at this level if your team have prior competition experience or have placed 1st-3rd against 5 or more teams at First Timers.
-Once placing 1st against 3 or more teams, teams should then move to Open.
-Once in amateur you cannot go back down to First Timers.
-When events are  less busy than usual, Amateur & Open will be combined.
- Student Teachers may compete at this level but never at First Timers. Principle  Teachers must compete in Open.

Open:
-Compete at this level if principle teachers are members of the team.
-Compete at this level if you have placed 1st against 3 or more teams at Amateur Level.
-When events are less busy than usual, Amateur & Open will be combined .

Divisions:

First Timers
6&U, 8&U, 10&U, 12&U, 14&U, 16&U, OVER16

Amateur
10&U, 12&U, 14&U, 16&U, OVER16

Open
10&U, 14&U, 18&U, O18

*At larger regional events or major championship events 6&U, 8&U Amateur & Open will be enabled*

Teams Core Rules:

• Competitors can only compete in 1 Team only.1 team.

• Teams whose members contain Dance Teachers must compete in Open. Student teachers must compete in Amateur

• Music must not contain foul language or exceed the time limit set.

• All clothing worn must be appropriate.

• All team music must be uploaded alongside your team registration by the registration deadline. There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this. If you fail to upload your music by this time, your team will automatically be removed from the running order.

• Team music must be clean, and must not contain any foul language.

• We do not vet team music before the event, so it is your own responsibility to check.

• We impose a time limit on team music to ensure that the event runs on time.

• Teams should have no more than 25 & no less than 5 members

• Ability levels will be combined at smaller events where there are less teams. Eg Teams can be moved from Open to Amateur or vise versa. 

Team Music Guidance:

The maximum time limits that we have set are as follows:

First Timers: 3 mins Max

Amateur: 3 mins Max

Open: 3 mins Max

The above duration is a maximum limit only, music can be less than the above duration by a 

maximum of 1 minute.

Team Judging Criteria:

Creativity

Choreographing and presenting the crew’s routine in a unique and one of a kind way with 

signature moves and combinations of moves that are the teams alone.

Original ways to go to the floor, getting up from the floor, transitions and music selection that sets the crew apart from 

the other routines. Be special, different and fresh with all aspects of the routine. 

Routines should consist of Hiphop Styles such as Hiphop, House, Breaking, Popping etc.

Where performances include Commercial Street or Commercial Hiphop this should only form part of your 

routine with other non-commercial styles to be included.

Synchronisation / Timing

The movements of the Team members are performed in sync; the range of movement, speed, timing and execution of moves are performed by all crew members in unison.

Musicality

Performance and choreography corresponding to timing and music usage and the crew’s ability to perform simultaneously to the music.

Entertainment Value

Team members and their routine should connect with the audience and evoke emotional responses, i.e., excitement, joy, laughter, involvement and /or sense of drama relative to the style presented. The routine should leave a memorable and lasting impression.

Overall Execution 

Judges will score teams on their overall execution of all criteria as a whole

Judges will mark each of the above elements out of 10 points, please see below for a guide. Judges may use increments of 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1 to scores in accordance with the above scale

BELOW AVERAGE  // 0-2 POINTS
AVERAGE // 3-4 POINTS
GOOD  // 5-6 POINTS
VERY GOOD //  7-8 POINTS
EXCELLENT // 9-10 POINTS

A teams total score will be calculated by adding all judges total scores to give an overall net total points.

TIED TEAMS

Where points are tied between 2 teams, we will use our highest ranked judges totals to decide on the higher placed team. Judges will be ranked based on their experience judging at BDO events.

ABS Teams Competition Rules & Judging Criteria

Competition Overview

ABS Teams stands for “Anything But Street.” This competition welcomes teams across various dance styles, divided into multiple divisions and age categories.

Team Requirements

• Minimum dancers per team: 5

• Maximum dancers per team: 25

Age Categories

• 10 & Under

• 14 & Under

• 18 & Under

• Over 18

Dance Divisions

• Division 1: Commercial / Acro

• Division 2: Lyrical / Contemporary

• Division 3: Musical Theatre / Jazz / Tap

Entry Guidelines

• Dancers may only enter once per division.
* Teams who qualified in more than 1 teams within the same division before 17/05/2025 may still compete at British 2025, after this event teams will only be able to compete once per division *

• Example: A dancer may compete in one Acro team, one Lyrical team, and one Jazz team, as these styles belong to different divisions.

Music Regulations

• Maximum duration: 3 minutes per routine.

• Music must be free from explicit or offensive content.

• All music must be submitted at least 10 days prior to the event.

Props

• Props are permitted within reason.

• Large or excessive props (e.g., multiple desks) may require prior approval from event organizers.

ABS Teams Judging Criteria

Each routine will be scored out of 50 points, based on the following five categories:

1. Creativity – 10 Points

• Unique choreography with signature moves and innovative transitions.

• Original music selection and movement combinations.

• A routine that stands out as special, different, and fresh.

2. Synchronization & Timing – 10 Points

• All team members moving in perfect sync.

• Precise execution of moves with clean timing and coordination.

3. Musicality – 10 Points

• Choreography and movement perfectly aligned with the music.

• Teams demonstrate an understanding of rhythm, tempo, and accents.

4. Entertainment Value – 10 Points

• Engaging performance that connects with the audience.

• Evokes emotions such as excitement, joy, or drama.

• Leaves a memorable and lasting impression.

5. Overall Execution – 10 Points

• Judges assess technical execution, clarity, and consistency across all aspects.

Judging Scale

• Below Average: 0-2 Points

• Average: 3-4 Points

• Good: 5-6 Points

• Very Good: 7-8 Points

• Excellent: 9-10 Points

Tiebreakers

• A team’s final score is determined by adding the total points awarded by all judges.

• In the event of a tie, the highest-ranked judge’s scores will determine the higher-placed team.

• Judges are ranked based on their experience judging at BDO events.

Megacrew Core Rules:

• Dancers can compete in both Teams and Mega Crews, routines must be different for each.

• Mega crews must follow a concept / theme in their routine.

• 17-50 dancers are permitted in Mega Crew.

• Additions, substitutions, and deletions of up to one third of the Mega Crew can be made.

• Mega Crew routines can be up to a maximum of 4 minutes long.

• There will be no age division or ability level for Mega Crews, all Mega Crews will compete against each other.

• Tricks are permitted.

• 50 % of the Mega Crew must dance for at least 2 minutes of the routine.

Max music duraction: 4 minutes

Minimum Number of dancers: 17

Maximum Number of dancers: 50

Age Divisions

14&Under, Over 14

Mega Crew Judging Criteria

Our judging criteria has been designed to be simple to enable the most accurate and fair system. Our criteria will be broken down into 6 key areas. Each team will be judged in the following areas, out of 10 points

Concept/Theme /10

All Mega Crew performances should follow a theme / concept. Your concept must be portrayed in a way for our judges & audience to understand.

Creativity /10

Choreographing and presenting the crew’s routine in a unique and one of a kind way with signature moves and combinations of moves that are the teams alone. Original ways to go to the floor, getting up from the floor, transitions and music selection that sets the crew apart from the other routines. Be special, different and fresh with all aspects of the routine.

Synchronisation / Timing /10

The movements of the Team members are performed in sync; the range of movement, speed, timing and execution of moves are performed by all crew members in unison.

Musicality /10

Performance and choreography corresponding to timing and music usage and the crew’s ability to perform simultaneously to the music.

Entertainment Value /10

Team members and their routine should connect with the audience and evoke emotional responses, i.e., excitement, joy, laughter, involvement and /or sense of drama relative to the style presented. The routine should leave a memorable and lasting impression.

Overall Execution  /10

Judges will score teams on their overall execution of all criteria as a whole.

Mega Crew Judging Guidance

Below Average // 0-2 POINTS

Average // 3-4 POINTS

Good // 5-6 POINTS

Very Good // 7-8 POINTS

Excellent // 9-10 POINTS

A teams total score will be calculated by adding all judges total scores to give an overall net total points.

Tied Teams

Where points are tied between 2 teams, we will use our highest ranked judges totals to decide on the higher placed team. Judges will be ranked based on their experience judging at GDO events.

ABS Solo

ABS stands for 'Anything but Street'

Dancers can perform a solo spot to their own choice of music. 

This category is only available at select events.

To compete in an ABS Solo, dancers must first pass an online selection process.

Important: Even if you have qualified at regional events, you must still audition online to be considered for major events like the BDO British Dance Festival.

How to Enter:

• Submit a 1 minute 30 second audition video online via the BDO website before the deadline.

• If selected, finalists must submit their final music tracks on time—failure to do so will result in automatic withdrawal.

• Music must be 1 minute 30 seconds or less and must not contain offensive language.

Divisions & Age Groups:

ABS Solos are divided into three style-based divisions:

• Division 1: Commercial / Acro

• Division 2: Lyrical / Contemporary

• Division 3: Musical Theatre / Jazz / Tap

Age categories:

• 10 & Under

• 14 & Under

• 18 & Under

• Over 18

Entry Rules:

• Dancers may enter once per division (e.g., one Acro routine, one Lyrical routine, and one Jazz routine).

• You cannot enter twice in the same division (e.g., one Lyrical routine & one Contemporary routine).

Finalists Selection:

• Up to 7 finalists per division/age group will be chosen based on the judges’ decisions.

For full details and deadlines, visit the BDO website.

ABS Duo/Trio Competition

Dancers can compete in either a duo (2 dancers) or a trio (3 dancers) category.

This category is available only at select events and requires an online selection process before being approved to perform at any live final.

Important:

If you have qualified at regional events, you must still audition online before being considered for major events such as the BDO British Dance Festival.

Online Video Submission

All ABS duos/trios must submit an online video entry by the specified deadline.

Divisions

Competitors may only compete once per division:

• Division 1: Commercial / Acro

• Division 2: Lyrical / Contemporary

• Division 3: Musical Theatre / Jazz / Tap

Age Categories

• 10 & Under

• 14 & Under

• 18 & Under

• Over 18

Competition Guidelines

• Each duo/trio may enter only once per division.

• A 1 minute 30-second audition video must be submitted online via the BDO website.

• Up to 7 finalists per division/age category will be selected based on judges’ decisions.

• Finalists must submit their final music track by the given deadline to avoid disqualification.

• Music must not exceed 1 minute 30 seconds.

• Music must not contain explicit language.

• Props are permitted.