Hello,
I was looking for advice on competitions and in particular on competition fules. In a recent competition, the steps allowed at each level were clearly defined and the rules stated that costumes were not permitted at certain levels.

However, some people did wear costumes and danced steps that were not listed at their levels. In most of the heats, this didn't seem to matter. None of the couples with costumes doing non-syllabus moves was warned or disqualified.

My question is...for competitions, is it recommended that we follow the competition rules?

Thanks for any advice.

Good question and I'd love to hear answers on this. I've heard there's a particular studio in my area that always does outside-the-syllabus steps and it seems unfair to the rest of the dancers that they not get penalized (although I hate to see the dancers get penalized for the teacher's arrogance).

What comp?

I think you should try to follow the rules. There's always the chance you could be in the wrong place when they suddenly start enforcing them. At the outside, if you are going to try to get away with something (because everyone else is) then at the very least you should be prepared to quickly change into a legal backup outfit and fallback to appropriate syllabus material if someone DOES end up making an issue of it.

I've also seen one case where the rules in the program were more liberal than the ones in the registration packet. From now on, I will always travel with costume!

Of course you should follow the rules. Just because other people aren't good sportsmen enough to follow the rules doesn't mean you should go along with them. Follow the rules and complain about the rule breakers. The only way some people are ever going to learn to follow the rules is for others to set a good example and for the rule-breakers to get punished for their transgressions. Organizers and judges should be held accountable for not enforcing their own rules, too. I'm so tired of people trying to get away with things to get ahead. What ever happened to good sportsmanship?

Thank you everyone for your advice. I am in agreement about following the rules. In this competition, I did follow them and was surprised and upset that the rules weren't enforced. It makes me feel better to learn that I'm not the only one who feels that being ethical and playing fair is the right thing to do. You are absolutely right "can't-tand-rule-breaker" that just because others break the rules that I should do it too.

I guess I am somewhat disillusioned that the rules weren't enforced however. And as for complaining, who do you complain to? The compeition organizer? And would complaining stigmatize a dancer somewhat?

In any event, thank you everyone for your responses; as I said, it is good to know that I am not the only one who feels that competition rules should be followed.

If you're dancing in Pro/Am events, get your teacher to complain to the organizer and/or the Chairman of Judges. If you're dancing in Amateur events, either complain yourself or get your coach to complain. Always do it calmly and factually, and make sure you have your facts straight before making a case. Rule books for various competitive sanctioning organizations are online. If you're in the USA, you can find the NDCA's rule book (for Pro, Amateur, and Pro/Am) at www.ndca.org. You can find USABDA's (for Amateur) at www.usabda.org. If you're not in the US, find the web sites for the sanctioning bodies in your country.

Unfortunately, pointing out to officials that they aren't enforcing their own rules can stigmatize a dancer somewhat, but cheating has gone on far too long in dancesport and those who scrupulously folow the rule while others slide by are being hurt by the sliders. The only way the good sportsman who follow the letter and the spirit of the rules are going to win things back from the cheaters is to point out when the cheaters are cheating. Obviously people pointing out rules infractions/lack of enforcement need to be good sportsmen too: occasionally a rule is broken for very odd but excusable reasons, but more often than not it's due to ignorance of the rules on the part of the dancer, teacher, and/or coach, or purposeful evasion so as to get ahead. Ignorance is no excuse, which is why I suggest reading the rule book for your organization. Evasion is inexcusable, because it destroys the heart of good sportsmanship upon which any competition is based.

Those breaking the rules would not want to live in my country. A junior, a female was D'd for wearing a glow- mesh belt with her Latin gear, which I think was a bit harsh. But there , rules are rules.

Thanks "can't-stand-rule-breaker" for your good suggestions and comments; I appreciate the good advice. And thanks for the info Onlooker. It is very helpful and encouraging to know that there are others who agree that rules should be followed and that they are enforced. And also to understand about good sportsmanship and that cheating diminishes the sport and spirit of the competition (in my opinion).

I am going to give some consideration into whether to complain or not; I have already talked with my teacher and he is going to make a few inquiries about things.

I'm very glad to know there are others who feel as I do. Thanks to everyone who reponded for your feedback and comments; I appreciate it!