Midnight MadnessWest Coast Swing
Midnight Madness /

Version August 12, 2026

Competition Rules

Rules and expectations for all Midnight Madness competitors and participants.

General Rules

These rules apply to all participants unless otherwise noted.

  • All participants must abide by the Midnight Madness Code of Conduct at all times, including during competitions, performances, and event activities.
  • All participants agree to follow current health and safety policies established for the event.
  • Competitors under the age of 18 must have a chaperone who is at least 21 years of age. The chaperone is responsible for supervision of the minor both on and off the event premises.
  • Event Management reserves the right to remove or disqualify any participant whose behavior presents a safety concern, causes disruption, or negatively impacts the event environment.
  • Event wristbands must be worn and visible at all times. Wristbands may not be removed or transferred.
  • General seating is open and shared unless otherwise designated. Please do not reserve shared seating with personal belongings, sit on the floor, block doors or aisles, or obstruct audience viewing areas. Reserved seating is intended for designated individuals or groups, including sponsors, VIPs, staff, and event officials. Those assigned to reserved seating may determine who is seated at their table.
  • Photography and video recording are permitted during contests unless otherwise announced. Recording of choreography divisions, Spotlight performances, or performances designated as “No Recording” is prohibited. Tripods, lighting equipment, and extension cords are not permitted without prior approval. Please obtain permission before publishing identifiable photos or videos of other participants.
  • Outside food and beverages are not permitted in the ballroom. Only food and beverages purchased on hotel property may be brought into the ballroom, in accordance with hotel policy.
  • Competition entries are non-refundable. Competitors unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances should contact the Registrar.
  • Bare feet are not permitted on the competition floor. Wax, powder, rosin, silicone, or any other substance that alters the dance floor or shoes is prohibited.
  • Sales, advertising, or solicitation within event areas require advance approval from Event Management.

General Competition Rules

  • Competitors are responsible for reading, understanding, and following all published competition rules.
  • Questions regarding eligibility or competition rules should be directed to Event Management before competing.
  • Registration and payment must be completed by published deadlines.
  • Competitors must pick up their competitor number before the deadline for their first competition division.
  • Competitors must check in with the Division Coordinator at least 15 minutes before their scheduled round. Failure to check in may result in being scratched from the division without refund.
  • All competitors must be 15 years of age or older.
  • Competitors must demonstrate good sportsmanship and treat judges, staff, partners, fellow competitors, and spectators with courtesy and respect.
  • Vulgar, offensive, unsafe, or inappropriate gestures, costumes, music, or behavior may result in penalties or disqualification.
  • Judges’ decisions are final.
  • Competitors are responsible for competing in the correct division based on eligibility requirements.
  • The Head Judge and Event Management reserve the right to address rule violations, unsafe dancing, or conduct detrimental to the event.
  • Event Management reserves the right to combine, modify, or cancel divisions based on registration numbers. Prize money may be adjusted accordingly.
  • An individual may not enter the same division more than once unless specifically permitted by that division.
  • By entering a competition, competitors grant Midnight Madness permission to photograph, record, and use their name and likeness for promotional and archival purposes without additional compensation.
  • Where applicable, current WSDC, NASDE, or Rising Star Tour rules take precedence over conflicting event rules.

Strictly Swing

Strictly Swing is a partnered competition where competitors register with a chosen partner and dance to music selected by the DJ.

Couples are evaluated on

  • Timing and rhythm
  • Lead and follow
  • Technique
  • Connection
  • Musicality
  • Teamwork
  • Presentation and showmanship

Strictly Swing emphasizes authentic social dancing.

  • Matching costumes are not permitted. Coordinating attire is acceptable.
  • Props are not permitted.
  • Choreographed routines or pre-planned sequences are not permitted.
  • The same partners may not dance together in more than one Strictly Swing division or in any choreography division.

Divisions may include

  • Newcomer/Novice
  • Intermediate
  • Advanced
  • All-Star
  • Sophisticated (35+)
  • Masters (50+)

Skill division placement is anchored to the current WSDC Jack & Jill level for the role each competitor will dance. When partners qualify at different skill levels, the couple must enter the higher division. Newcomer- and Novice-qualified dancers compete together in Newcomer/Novice.

A competitor may enter more than one Strictly Swing division only with a different partner in each division. This is permitted when entering at the competitor’s own WSDC level, dancing up with a partner who qualifies for a higher level, entering an age division for which both partners qualify, or dancing down in a secondary role when current WSDC rules allow it.

Sophisticated requires both partners to be at least 35 years old. Masters requires both partners to be at least 50 years old. All-Star- or Champion-qualified competitors may enter an age division only with a partner who is neither All-Star- nor Champion-qualified.

Petitions submitted to Midnight Madness apply only to requests to move down a division. Petitions to move up must be submitted directly through the WSDC petition process and require the advance lead time established by WSDC.

Pro-Am Spotlight

The Pro-Am Spotlight division showcases a choreographed performance between a professional and amateur competitor.

Divisions Offered

  • Newcomer/Novice
  • Intermediate/Advanced

Rules

  • Routine length must be 1½ to 2½ minutes, measured from the first performance movement, whether music has started or not.
  • At least 50% swing content must be present throughout the performance.
  • Competitors select and provide their own music.
  • Choreographed routines are required.
  • Costumes are encouraged but not required.
  • A bona fide instructor/student relationship must exist between the professional and student competitors.
  • Student eligibility is based on the competitor’s current WSDC Jack & Jill level, not simply on whether the competitor has ever received compensation for teaching.
  • Competitors qualified for Newcomer, Novice, Intermediate, or Advanced may enter as the student. Competitors qualified for All-Star or Champion may not enter as the student.
  • Receiving compensation for teaching a dance class outside West Coast Swing, including a line dance class, does not by itself make a competitor ineligible to enter as the student.
  • A student without a WSDC level may enter Newcomer/Novice. Event Management or the Head Judge may review that competitor’s placement for fairness.
  • Each professional may compete with up to five (5) students per division.
  • Competitors may enter as both Leader and Follower using different routines but may compete in only one Leader division and one Follower division.

Rising Star

Rising Star is a choreography division designed for couples with limited choreography competition experience who are not yet ready to compete against the highest-level choreography competitors.

If any Midnight Madness rule conflicts with current Rising Star Tour rules, the Rising Star Tour rules take precedence.

General Rules

  • A competitive couple must consist of one Leader and one Follower. Competitors must remain in their designated roles throughout the entire routine, except for one role switch that does not exceed eight (8) beats.
  • Costumes are allowed and highly encouraged.
  • Competitors select their own music.
  • Performance time must be a minimum of 2 minutes and a maximum of 3 minutes.
  • Timing begins with the first dance movement of the performance, whether music has started or not.
  • Props are not allowed. A prop is defined as any article or object intentionally discarded, removed, taken away, or brought into the dance by a competitor.
  • Couples must use the same music submission for preliminary and final rounds.
  • Individuals may not compete more than once within the same division.

Division Rules

Swing Content

  • A minimum of 70% swing content is required.
  • Judges determine whether the swing content requirement has been met.

Partnering Requirements

  • Separate entrances are permitted; couples must join within 32 beats of music.
  • Physical contact must be maintained except during spins, turns, short breakaways, and recoveries.
  • Separations may not exceed eight (8) beats.

Weight Support and Lifts

  • A maximum of seven (7) partner weight-support moves are permitted.
  • All partner weight-support moves, including lifts, count toward this total.
  • Both partners must keep at least one foot on the floor during weight-support moves.
  • Any movement where a partner loses both feet from the floor is considered a lift.

Competition Format

  • Rising Star will be conducted regardless of the number of entries.
  • Prize money and points will be awarded according to applicable Rising Star Tour requirements.
  • For events with more than 18 couples, a preliminary round is recommended, with 10–12 couples advancing to the final.

Jack & Jill

Jack & Jill is an improvised social dance competition. Competitors register individually and are randomly paired with partners for each round.

Competitors are evaluated on

  • Timing and rhythm
  • Technique
  • Lead and follow
  • Connection
  • Musicality
  • Teamwork
  • Adaptability

WSDC Divisions Offered

Midnight Madness offers the following WSDC Jack & Jill divisions:

  • Newcomer
  • Novice
  • Intermediate
  • Sophisticated
  • Masters
  • Advanced
  • All-Star
  • Champions

These divisions follow current WSDC Points Registry rules, eligibility requirements, and division placement guidelines. Competitors are responsible for entering the division for which they are qualified based on their current WSDC standing.

First-time competitors are encouraged to enter Newcomer.

Petitions to move down in division level may be submitted to the Chief Judge no later than 24 hours before competition for review.

Petitions to move up in division level must be submitted directly through the WSDC petition process and must meet the required submission timeline established by WSDC.

The Chief Judge reserves the right to review division placement and make final determinations regarding petitions submitted at the event.

Judging follows current WSDC criteria using Relative Placement scoring.

All Madness Jack & Jill

The All Madness Jack & Jill is open to qualified competitors who:

  • Are 15 years of age or older
  • Hold a current WSDC Competitor ID

Partners are randomly assigned before the preliminary round and remain together throughout the competition.

Event Management will make every reasonable effort to avoid pairing Champion and All-Star competitors together whenever possible. Due to registration numbers and the random assignment process, this cannot be guaranteed.

Judging follows current WSDC Jack & Jill criteria using Relative Placement scoring.

Social dance attire is encouraged.

Divisions Offered

Not all divisions listed in these rules are offered at every Midnight Madness event. Available divisions, schedules, entry limits, eligibility requirements, and prize information will be published with each year's registration information.

Final Statement

Midnight Madness is committed to providing a fair, professional, and welcoming competition environment.

Event Management reserves the right to interpret these rules and make decisions regarding situations not specifically addressed herein. All decisions made by Event Management and the Head Judge are final.