Who Created These Rules?

Each division (e.g. Jack and Jill, Strictly Swing, Rising Star) has a separate set of rules and governing bodies.

Jack and Jill's

The World Swing Dance Council (WSDC) creates rules for the Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and All-Star Jack and Jill levels. WSDC also keeps track of all the points that you earn at events.

• WSDC allows each individual event director to decide whether their Jack and Jill divisions are role-based or gender-restricted.
• As of July 2015, WSDC tracks the points that you earn in either role. Points you earn as leader appear with an "L" next to them in the WSDC Point Registry. Points you earn as a follower appear with an "F" next to them in the WSDC Point Registry.
• WSDC requires you to combine the points you have earned as leader and a follower when determining which level you must compete in.
• WSDC prohibits events directors from allowing competitors to petition down more than one skill level.
• WSDC prohibits events from allowing dancers to compete in two different roles in any one Jack and Jill competition. For example, you cannot compete in Advanced J&J as a follower and also compete in Intermediate J&J as a leader at the same event.

Strictly Swing

There is no governing body for Strictly Swing divisions. Event directors of each event dictate their own rules, including rules that pertain to role restrictions in Strictly Swing.

Rising Star

Event directors of each event dictate their own rules for Rising Star, including rules that pertain to role restrictions.

Some events participate in the Rising Star Tour. If the event participates in the Rising Star Tour, then its Rising Star division rules are governed by the Rising Star Tour Committee. The Rising Star Tour Committee allows each individual event to determine whether their Rising Star division is role-based or gender-restricted.

Classic and Showcase

The National Associate of Swing Dance Events (NASDE) creates rules for Classic and Showcase.