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Section II. 4. Competitor Movement Allowances & Limitations

To continue the focus on IDP’s goal of “more dancing - less rules”, our desire is to have as few movement limitations as possible. However, the few limitations that are established will be enforced* for the safety of our competitors. 

Therefore, what follows is a general description of the movements that are allowed at which levels of experience:
 
 

All Divisions, including Jack & Jill competitions and Cabaret: Obscene and/or vulgar movements or gestures are not allowed at any level for any reason.

All Divisions, except Masters/Pro-Am Graduates and Cabaret: Overhead Lifts or Aerial movements are not allowed for any reason.  
 

Masters/Pro-Am Graduates: all lower-level movements are allowed, plus a maximum of 2 Overhead Lifts.  

Division I: all lower-level movements are allowed, plus Low Lifts where both feet of the supported partner leave the floor.   (Low lifts do not allow the supported partner’s hips and feet to pass above the supporting partner’s waist at the same time.)
 

Division II: all lower-level movements are allowed, plus any vertically supported movement where at least one foot of the supported partner maintains contact with the floor at all times. These movements are allowed to rotate or move at this level.

Division III: all lower-level movements are allowed, plus Rotating Leverage Movements. Rotating leverage meaning body weight is counter-balanced from a horizontal connection and rotates. 
 

Division IV: all lower-level movements are allowed, plus stationary drops. Drop being defined as a vertically supported movement where weight is lowered toward the floor. These movements may not travel or rotate.

Division V: Leverage moves that do not rotate are allowed at this level.  Leverage meaning body weight is counter-balanced from a horizontal connection. Movements requiring a Vertically Supported connection may not be used in this division.


*NOTE: If a movement violation occurs because of an error, judges will use their own discretion to determine whether or not the violation was blatant or was an error. If a judge decides that a blatant violation has occurred, they will indicate this on their scoring card and no raw score points will be awarded from that judge. 
 
For Jack & Jill competitions, Novice level may use Division IV allowances, Intermediate level may use Division II allowances, and Advanced level may use Division I allowances, except for WSDC J&J competitions, during which competitors must abide by WSDC allowances/limitations.

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