Rules - September 2025 Competition

Judging Criteria

We've uploaded our full judging criteria sheets as PDFs. Check them out so you'll know exactly what the judges are looking for!

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Overall Rules

  • Dancers and spectators must be 21+ years old in order to enter the venue (a bar)
  • Dancers must be near the dance floor and ready to compete by the scheduled time of the competition.
  • Dress Code: Typical “going out” wear. There are no requirements for what to wear; however, clothing should be presentable and appropriate. No costumes or props. It is recommended that dance shoes (of any style) be worn. Any shoe that can damage the dance floors will not be allowed. Inappropriate clothing or shoes can result in disqualification. If an outfit or article of clothing is called into question, the judges and/or representatives of Round-Up Saloon will have the final say.
  • If needed, some dancers may be asked to return for a Finals round, which will occur during the same evening.

Event Format

This competition event has 2 contests: Country Progressive Two Step and Line Dance.

Progressive Two Step

One division

  • Open Novice

Special Rules

  • Dancers will sign up as a couple
  • Each couple will dance to the first two (2) minutes of the same two (2) songs
  • A dancer can enter one or multiple divisions, such that they meet the criteria for the division(s)
  • No lifts or aerials in any division (see Definitions)

Details

  • Max Dancers: 20 individuals across all divisions
  • Heats: Max 5 couples per heat - heats will be divided evenly
  • Dance Style: Progressive Two Step (QQSS)

Line Dance

One Division, Two Phases

  • Phase 1 - Qualifier Line Dance (Novice - Improver)
  • Phase 2 - Finals Line Dance (Improver - Intermediate)

Special Rules

  • Dancers may sign up individually
  • The songs will be selected by the event coordinators and announced when registration opens - every dancer will dance to the full length of the selected songs
  • The designated step sheets and videos will be provided with the songs during registration to ensure everyone is doing the same version

Details

  • Max Dancers: 45 individuals across all divisions
  • Heats: Max 15 individuals per heat (3 rows of 5 dancers) - heats will be divided evenly
  • Step Sheet: The designated step sheets and video demos will be provided on the online registration page at the opening of registration (see rules)

For Phase 2 - Finals Round

  • Max Dancers: At the judges' discretion, no more than a full heat of 15 individuals
  • Heats: One (1) heat composed of the highest scoring individuals from prior heats
  • Step Sheet: The designated step sheet and video demo will be provided on the online registration page at the opening of registration (see rules)

Registration Info

Online registration opens September 3, 2025, here on dallasdoesdance.org.

Song Selections

  • Line Dance - Qualifier - HonkyTonk Floors | "Honky Tonk Hardwood Floors" by Cody Johnson (Choreo: Tara Biano & Mackenzie Keister) || Step Sheet & Demo Video
  • Line Dance - Finals - Toxic | "Project" by Chase McDaniel (Choreo: Brianna Faith) || Step Sheet & Demo Video
  • Couples Open Novice - "Hidin' Something" by Chris Housman & "80s Mercedes" by Maren Morris

Division Rules

Line Dance | Improver - Intermediate

Improver+ Line Dance

Phase 1 - Qualifier

  • An improver to low intermediate level line dance will be selected
  • Dancers sign up as individuals
  • One song will be pre-selected and announced at the open of registration - each dancer will dance the full length of the same song
  • The designated step sheet and video demo will be provided on the online registration page

Phase 2 - Finals

  • A high improver to intermediate+ level line dance will be selected
  • Dancers cannot sign up for this round; they are chosen based upon performance in the Phase 1 round(s)
  • One song will be pre-selected and announced at the open of registration - each dancer will dance the full length of the same song
  • The designated step sheet and video demo will be provided on the online registration page

Progressive Two Step | Novice

Couples Open Novice

  • Skill level: Beginner and Novice only.
  • Beginner = A dancer may have competed in a max of three Country Two Step competitions.
  • Novice = A dancer may have won (first place) a max of one local/smaller Country Two Step competition and has not won any interstate competitions (such as ACDA or UCWDC).
  • Dancers will sign up as a Couple; each dancer pays the registration fee.
  • The song(s) will be selected by the event coordinators and announced when registration opens - every couple will dance to the set length of the selected song(s) as mentioned in the event rules.
  • No lifts or aerials; cannot use more than one (1) drop (see Definitions).