GENERAL RULES

1. Category Eligibility

   • Participants who compete in a specific category for a competition cannot compete in a lower category.
     Example: A contestant competing in Semi-Pro Bachata is already classified as a semi-professional and cannot participate in Amateur Salsa, even if they lack salsa training.

2. Category Selection

   • It is the participant’s responsibility to carefully read the rules and enroll in the correct category.

   • Participants with television or stage experience in any other dance genre will not be considered amateurs.

   • Contestants found competing in the wrong category may be disqualified during the competition and will not be moved to another category.

3. Penalty for Rule Violation

   • Any violation of the rules will result in a flat deduction of 5 aggregate points from the total score.
     Example: If a contestant’s average score is 70, their final score will be reduced to 65 after the penalty.

4. Lifts

   • Multiple lifts executed with a touch down within 3 bars of music will be considered as one lift.

5. Withdrawal Policy

   • Contestants who withdraw from the competition without valid medical reasons or without the approval of the organizing committee will be banned for one year from all future competitions.

DEFINITIONS OF DIVISIONS

Amateur
An Amateur is a dancer who meets the following criteria:

• Has been dancing in the specific dance form for 2 years or less.

• Is a casual social dancer (2 years or less of experience).

• Has no prior experience in the dance form.

• Has never performed paid shows or performances in that dance form.

Semi-Professional
A Semi-Professional is anyone who does not qualify as an amateur, as per the above rules.

• There is no experience limit in this category.

• Dancers who pursue dance as a hobby (not full-time) are considered semi-professional.

Professional
A Professional is a dancer who teaches or performs dance on a professional or full-time basis. This includes:

• Being paid to teach regular dance classes.

• Being paid for choreographies.

• Being the primary recipient of payment for shows or performances in the dance form.

• Being invited to perform at Latin events, with or without payment.

Pro-Am
This category involves a Professional partnering with an Amateur (as defined above).

• The professional’s dancing is not judged.

• Semi-professionals cannot be classified as amateurs for this category.

Team Salsa
An open-level category, meaning there are no restrictions on dancer levels.

• Minimum of two couples required; no upper limit.

• Music and judging criteria are the same as for Couple Salsa categories.

• No limits on lifts and tricks.

• A participant cannot be part of more than one team in the championship.

Same Gender
A category featuring two dancers of the same gender performing a partnered or non-partnered routine to Salsa or Bachata music.

• Rules are the same as for Amateur categories.

Under 14 Kids
This category is for competitors below 14 years of age.

• Solo dancers must be below 14 years.

• Couples: both partners must be below 14 years.

• No exceptions will be made.

• Competitors can perform in any style — Solo or Couple routines in Salsa, Bachata, or Kizomba (including same-gender performances).
   

MUSIC RULES

• At least 80% Latin music must be used in all competitive routines.

• Routine duration: Minimum 1 minute 30 seconds – Maximum 2 minutes 30 seconds.

• Music files must be submitted to the organizer on or before the announced deadline.

ATTIRE

• Latin costumes and Latin footwear are mandatory.

• Non-compliance will result in mark deduction.

• Wearing jeans or non-Latin footwear is not permitted.

• Jazz shoes are considered non-Latin footwear.

• Barefoot or foot thongs are allowed only in Kizomba categories.

• Solo competitors must also follow the Latin footwear rule.

LIFTS – DEFINITION AND LIMITS
Definition:
Any move requiring partner support to keep both feet off the floor, regardless of height, is considered a lift.
Clarification:

• Same-spot spins, dips, flares, and assisted moves where at least one foot remains on the ground are not lifts.

Lift Limits:

• Semi-Professional & Professional: Maximum of 3 lifts, unlimited tricks.

• Pro-Am & Amateur: No limit on lifts.

• Team Category: No limit on lifts.

BELLY DANCE RULES

• Individual category divided into Amateur and Professional levels.

• Classification follows IIDC’s general category definitions.

• Semi-Pro dancers will compete under the Amateur category for Belly Dance.

Performance Guidelines:

• Duration: 3–5 minutes

• Style: Open — any Belly Dance form (Fusion, Folk, etc.) allowed.

• Props: Allowed, except for:

  • Live animals

  • Liquids or substances that pollute or pose danger

ADDITIONAL NOTES

• A minimum of 5 participants is required for any category to take place.

• Any rule violation will result in point deduction.

• Participants who register and withdraw without valid medical reasons will be barred for two years from all LRDA competitions.

• Depending on entries, the organizing committee will decide on one or two rounds of competition.

• The organizers’ decision regarding registration, scheduling, execution, and scoring is final and binding.

• Classification disputes will be resolved by the organizer.