Rules - DigiLine 2021
Online line dance competition
“DigiLine 2021”
Online dance competition DigiLine 2021
Latvian I digital line dance competition "DigiLine2021" is an online event dedicated to every line dancer, during which competitions in various divisions will take place for individual dancers, groups and teams. It is not a real-time competition where dancers are invited to dance on the same site at the same time, but an online competition that is broadcast in real time where competition videos have been pre-submitted and have already been judged by judges (evaluating by divisions before as if the trial were in person on the dancefloor).
To ensure justice our judges will only receive the videos once they have been placed in a division where they can see multiple competitors at the same time. Divisions with more than 8 competitors will be judged on several screens (so that due to the number of dancers we can actually fit on the screen).
Videos submitted to the competition will no longer be re-filmed and edited once you have received confirmation that they have been accepted.
The event will be broadcast on September 25, 2021.
Deadline for registration of participants and payment of the participation fee: September 1, 2021.
Deadline for submitting the competition video: September 10, 2021.
Detailed information about this dance competition (incl. Regulations, requirements for filming and video submission, registration procedure, etc.) will be available on the competition website www.rigaskauss.lv , as well as on the social network website Facebook.
Regulations
The age group you are in is determined by your age on the day of the broadcast of the Latvian I online line dancer competition "DigiLine2021" (September 25, 2021). If you have a birthday on this day, you can move on to the next age group, but it is not mandatory.
Age groups and divisions of individual line dancers
Rugrats: age 0-5 *
Kids 1: age 6-9 **
Primary: age 0-7
Junior: age 8-10
Youth: age 11-13
Teen: age 14-17
Open: age18+
Crystal: age 26+
Diamond: age 40+
Gold: age 50+
Gold+: age 65+
Rugrats
This division is for beginners up to 5 years of age. The emphasis is on pleasure and enjoyment of the dance and encouraging the youngest dancers to participate in the competition. Only one dance is offered in this division.
Kids
This division is for beginners aged 6 to 9. The emphasis is on pleasure and enjoyment of the dance and encouraging the youngest dancers to participate in the competition. Only one dance is offered in this division.
Social
In the Social Division, competitions take place in the following age groups:
Primary: 0-8g; Junior: 8-10; Youth: 11-13; Teen: 14-17; Open: 18+; Crystal: 26+; Diamond: 40+; Gold: 50+; Gold+: 65+
This division is recommended for beginners or dancers who have never competed before. The emphasis is on pleasure and enjoying the dance. Variations are not allowed and dancers must strictly adhere to the official description of the steps. Dance teachers are not allowed to participate in this division. For more than 3 consecutive years, dancers are not allowed to participate in this division (in the fourth year, dancers must move to the next division). Three dances are offered.
Newcomer
In the Newcomer Division, competitions take place in the following age groups:
Primary: 0-8g; Junior: 8-10; Youth: 11-13; Teen: 14-17; Open: 18+; Crystal: 26+; Diamond: 40+; Gold: 50+; Gold+: 65+
This division is recommended for beginners. Variations are not allowed and dancers must strictly adhere to the official description of the steps. Three dances are offered.
Novice
In the Novice Division, competitions take place in the following age groups:
Primary: 0-8g; Junior: 8-10; Youth: 11-13; Teen: 14-17; Open: 18+; Crystal: 26+; Diamond: 40+; Gold: 50+; Gold+: 65+
This division is recommended for dancers who have been dancing line dance for more than one year or who have some previous dance experience. This division is also recommended as a starting point for dance teachers who have not previously competed. In this division, the emphasis is on the precise execution of basic steps and techniques. Minimal variations are allowed, but dancers may not make turns more than 360 degrees on one leg. Three dances are offered.
Intermediate
In the Intermediate Division, competitions take place in the following age groups:
Primary: 0-8g; Junior: 8-10; Youth: 11-13; Teen: 14-17; Open: 18+; Crystal: 26+; Diamond: 40+; Gold: 50+; Gold+: 65+
This division is recommended for dancers who have a very good knowledge of line dance, who have previously participated in national or international line dance competitions. In this division, the emphasis is on the precise execution of basic steps and techniques, style-appropriate emotions. Variations are also allowed in this division, but dancers are not allowed to perform acrobatic tricks. Three dances are offered.
EXTRA
In the EXTRA division, dancers are not divided into age groups
The dancers of this division are dancers who compete in international line dance competitions in Advanced or higher-level groups. These dancers have the same dances as the Intermediate division. In this division, dancers are not divided into age groups and men and women dance together. Variations are allowed in this division, and dancers are allowed to perform acrobatic tricks (jumps, twine, etc.).
Summary of line dance rules
Dancers can dance one or any combination of the offered dances. Either way, the dancers have to dance all the dances to get an awarded place.
The beginning of the dance steps will be counted at the beginning of the dance so that the participants know when to start the dance.
The duration of the dance for individual line dancers will be 2 - 2.5 minutes. For teams and groups, the dance duration will be the full length of the song / music.
Basic steps and variations: Dancers must dance the first two walls according to the dance description. You can use your arms, wrists, head and upper body as you like, but you cannot change any steps. They must be performed exactly as written in the official dance description. You will be awarded penalty points if you do not stick to the dance description. Variations are allowed in the third, fifth and subsequent odd walls. The variations should follow the direction of the dance movement of the basic steps, but the last 2 majors (2x4 or 2x3 (waltz)) should follow the basic steps. In the fourth, sixth and next walls of the couple you have to dance the basic steps with your emotions and style.
During the dance introductory music (before the start of the basic dance wall), movements within a radius of no more than one step are allowed.
In dances with a description of several parts (A-B-C), variations are not allowed when dancing each part for the first and second time. Only when dancing the relevant part for the third time, variations are allowed, but the last 2 majors (2x4 or 2x3 (waltz)) have to dance the basic steps.
Movements containing acrobatic elements, sitting or lying on the dance floor are not allowed, except for Show duets / Showcase Duo and Cabaret Team and Extra divisions individual dancers.
Exceptions to the rules on variations:
Social: Variations are not allowed in this division. Social dancers must dance in strict accordance with the official dance description.
Newcomer: Variations are not allowed in this division. Newcomer dancers must dance in strict accordance with the official dance description.
Novice: The variation rules apply to this division, but only minimal variations are allowed. Dancers are not allowed to make turns more than 360 degrees on one leg. Excessive variations in this division will be penalized with penalty points.
Groups
Duo
In the Duo division, competitions take place in the following age groups:
Junior: age 0-13; Teen: age 14-18; Open: age 18+; Senior: age 35+
The duo are two individual dancers - men, women or a mixed duo, who dance in any unconnected pattern. Hands and bodies can easily come into contact, but dancers must not connect to perform any movement. Before the competition, music will be announced, at which the duo will be able to prepare their own choreography and perform it during the competition.
Dancers can start performing their choreography whenever they want, it will not be included in the beginning of the dance.
No participant may dance in more than one duo during one competition.
Showcase Duo
In the Showcase Duo division, competitions take place in the following age groups:
Junior: age 0-13; Teen: age 14-18; Open: age 18+; Senior: age 35+
The duo has two individual dancers - men, women or a mixed duo. Dancers of this division are allowed grips, elements of pair dancing are allowed, there are no restrictions on movements, acrobatics are allowed. However, if movements that judges consider dangerous are used, dancers may be penalized.
Before the competition, music will be announced, at which the duo will be able to prepare their own choreography and perform it during the competition.
Dancers can start performing their choreography whenever they want, it will not be included in the beginning of the dance.
No participant may dance in more than one show duet during one competition
Quad
In the Quad division, competitions take place in the following age groups:
Junior: age 0-13; Teen: age 14-18; Open: age 18+; Senior: age 35+
If the dancers are dancing in quad and they correspond to different age groups, then they have to participate in the Open age group, or in case all the dancers are under 18 years old, then in the Teen age group.
A quad is four individual dancers, men, women, or any gender combination, dancing in any unconnected pattern.
Hands and bodies can be easily touched, but dancers cannot connect to perform a movement.
Before the competition, music will be announced, at which the quartets will be able to prepare their own choreography and perform it during the competition.
Dancers can start performing their choreography whenever they want, it will not be included in the beginning of the dance.
No competitor may dance in more than one quad during one competition.
Team divisions, age and summary of rules
Team age groups:
Junior: age 0- 17; Open: age 18+; Senior: age 35+, Gold: age 50+, Gold+: age 65+
• Junior (age 0 to 17) - team members are up to 17 years old; it is allowed that one of the team dancers is from another age group;
• Open (age 18 +) - team members are at least 18 years old; one of the team dancers is allowed to be under 18 years of age;
• Senior (age 35+) - team members are at least 35 years old, it is allowed that one of the team dancers is younger than 35 years;
• Gold (age 50+) - team members are at least 50 years old, it is allowed that one of the team dancers is younger than 50 years;
• Gold + (age 65+) - team members are at least 65 years old, it is allowed that one of the team dancers is younger than 65 years
Team Divisions:
Country Classic Team
Modern Line Team
Standard Line Team
Cabaret Team
Country Classic Team
There must be at least 6 dancers in the team, there is no limit to the maximum number of team members.
This division has all the same rules as the individual line dance divisions.
Before the competition, one dance will be chosen to be performed. Dancers have to dance the basic steps of the first two walls, variations can be placed on the third, fifth and all subsequent odd walls. During the basic walls, it is possible to change the pattern only by varying the size of the steps. Changing the steps, their direction is strictly forbidden. In the walls of variations, the variations do not necessarily follow the direction of the basic dance, in these walls dancers are also allowed to change the location.
All dances that will be selected for this division will be accompanied by country music.
Modern Line Team
There must be at least 6 dancers in the team, there is no limit to the maximum number of team members.
This division has all the same rules as the individual line dance divisions.
Before the competition, one dance will be chosen to be performed. Dancers have to dance the basic steps of the first two walls. Variations can be placed on the third, fifth and all subsequent odd walls. During the basic walls, it is possible to change the pattern only by varying the size of the steps, but changing the steps, their direction is strictly forbidden. In the walls of variations, the variations do not necessarily follow the direction of the basic dance, in these walls dancers are also allowed to change the location.
All the dances that will be chosen for this division will not be accompanied by country music
Standard Line Team
There must be at least 6 dancers in the team, there is no limit to the maximum number of team members.
The team must have at least 6 members, who are individual dancers who dance any combination of dances. Team members must not meet and connect to create drawings or initiate a turn or movement. Team performances can include strings(combinations) from line dances and pair dance styles. Lifting, lowering and weight-carrying contact are not permitted in standard team performances.
The teams of this division dance to music of their choice. Music must be at least 2 minutes and no more than 5 minutes long. The time is counted from the first notes to the last notes. Any arrival and departure music must be counted within the total time limit. If you exceed the time allowed, you will get a lower score in the final. At least 50% of the music used in a standard team performance must be country music (that is, it must have been in the country charts, its performers must be recognizable country singers or bands).
Cabaret Team
There must be at least 6 dancers in the team, there is no limit to the maximum number of team members.
The team consists of at least 6 participants, who are individual dancers who dance any combination of dances. Team members can meet and connect to create drawings or initiate a turn or movement. Team performances can include strings/combinations from line dances and pair dance styles. Lifting, lowering and weight-carrying contact are allowed in cabaret teams. Teams can use any dance style or a combination of them by choosing the theme and music of their choice. Cabaret / themed costumes are allowed. Audio / verbal sounds are allowed.
The teams of this division dance to music of their own choice. Music must be at least 2 minutes and no more than 5 minutes long. The time is counted from the first notes to the last notes. Any entry and exit music must be counted within the total time limit. If you exceed the time allowed, you will get a lower score in the final. Cabaret teams are allowed to play any style of music.
Costumes / appearance - for all divisions
Basic rules
Men: must wear a cowboy hat in all dances except funky and novelty style dances. If the hat falls off during the dance and is not raised at the earliest opportunity, you will have penalty points.
Women: Skirts and dresses must be worn with tights (skin colour) and "dance pants", i.e. clothing that restricts the visibility of the underwear. A cowboy hat is not mandatory, but it can be used if desired.
Common rules for men and women:
All dancers are recommended to dance in country / western dance boots, except for non-country style dances, during which any other dance shoes may be worn, but country / western boots in non-country dance dances are not prohibited. If dancers wear any other style of footwear, they must be dance shoes with a heel height not exceeding 5 cm.
Themed or formal costumes of any kind, masks are prohibited;
Costumes must not have any names or advertisements of any kind;
Tops without straps are prohibited;
Transparent or leather-coloured material used in the dancer's costume and creating an unsafe view of the underwear or body that may confuse participants, judges or spectators is not allowed;
The naked part of the body from the chest to the waist is not allowed;
The neck must be fully exposed so that it is also visible from the sides and back (must not be covered with hair).
The Team Cabaret Division and the Social Divisions are free from the costume rules, but any costume that may confuse the referees or spectators will be penalized with penalty points.
If you are not sure if any part of your costume / look is compliant, check with the organizers before submitting the video.
General Regulations
The procedure of competition:
From August 1 to September 1 - registration, during which the participant must register and pay the participation fee.
From August 1 to September 10- participants must submit their dance videos. For more information on video design and submission procedure, see the section “Video recording and submission procedure”
Videos submitted to the competition organizers will no longer be re-filmed and edited once you have received confirmation that they have been accepted.
Videos can only be recorded with music that you will receive from the competition organizers (on request).
If there is a large number of participants in one division / group, then no pre-selection will be held. All participants will be judged by a specific place.
The organizers of the event are obliged to provide available step descriptions for each of the dances to be danced in the competition (this will be done by publishing the descriptions on the competition website www.rigaskauss.lv ). Dancers have to dance only according to this description of dance steps. The description of dance steps from other sources is not valid for the competition.
Dancing culture:
The use of chewing gum is prohibited.
Audio / verbal sounds / singing are not allowed (except for the command cabaret division). Synchronous lip movement with the song is allowed
Acrobatic movements are not allowed at any moment in the dance (this also includes the introduction and the 'ending poses' of the dance). Acrobatic movements are defined as follows:
any movement in which both legs are higher than the waist of the participant;
any movement in which a participant weighs on one or both hands;
any movement in which a participant sits or lies on the floor.
Twine is not allowed.
Kicks are allowed, but they must not in any way disturb or endanger other dancers on the dance floor.
(Note: Extra Division dancers, Cabaret teams and Showcase duos are free from acrobatic restrictions)
No hand-held individual accessories are allowed (except for the Cabaret division).
Vulgar, seductive or rude dance movements are not allowed. Movements that will be overly saturated with flirtation, humour and comedy will prevent the dancer from gaining a place in the final results.
Video recording and submission procedure:
Video recording for individual dancers:
1) Record videos vertically in high definition (HD, at least 720p [9:16]) in the best possible quality;
2) The dancer starts dancing with his face towards the camera;
3) Use only music issued by the competition organizers, the video must be filmed from the beginning of the music to the last sound of the recording;
4) The dancer must be visible in full length throughout the video. When the dancer is closest to the camera, the video must have a free space of 1 cm from the top of the screen and 1 cm from the bottom of the screen.
5) Make sure there is good lighting, do not record with large windows behind you, so that the dancer is as visible as possible (not just the silhouette), avoid mirrors in the frame.
6) Ask the editor to follow your dance with the camera so that the dancer is as close as possible to the centre of the video at all times, and the foot and arms are fully visible at all times.
7) The dancer should not be too far away, as this can make it difficult to see and therefore objectively assess.
8) Each dance of each dancer must be recorded separately. It is not allowed to film several dancers at the same time or several dances of one dancer together.
9) Recording can be done in a dance studio, on stage or in another environment, without visual or audio announcements about the participant, avoiding various objects in the background as much as possible.
10) All kinds of promotional videos are not allowed.
11) Save the participant's name, division and dance reference in the video title, for example, Irita_Grinberga_Advanced_Crystal_DanceA
12) Send your videos via wetransfer.com to e-mail: LVdigiline2021@gmail.com , in the description (message) indicate: name and surname of the participant, division and dance name. Otherwise, videos uploaded using other gadgets (Messenger, WhatsApp, YouTube, etc.) will not be accepted.
Video recording for groups and teams:
1) Record videos horizontally in high definition (HD, at least 720p [16: 9]) in the best possible quality;
2) Dancers start dancing face to face with the camera;
3) For groups and teams whose music / dance is announced in advance by the organizers, use music issued by the competition organizers. The video must be recorded from the beginning of the music to the last sound of the recording. For Cabaret and Standard line dance teams with music of their choice, the video must be recorded 3sec before the start of the music / dance and 3sec after the end of the dance (introduction and end).
4) All dancers must be visible in full length throughout the video. When the dancers are closest to the camera, the video should have a free space of 1cm from the top of the screen and 1cm from the bottom of the screen.
5) Make sure there is good lighting, do not record with large windows behind you, so that the dancers are as visible as possible (not just silhouettes), avoid mirrors in the frame.
6) Dancers should also not be too far away, as this may make it difficult to see and therefore objectively assess.
7) When shooting a group or team, place the camera statically in the centre.
8) Recording can be done in a dance studio, on stage or in another environment, without visual or audio announcements about the group / team, avoiding various objects in the background as much as possible (with the exception of Cabaret teams).
9) Advertising of any kind is not allowed.
10) Save the group / team name and division in the video title, for example, Sun_CountryClassicTeam_Senior
11) Send your videos via wetransfer.com to e-mail: LVdigiline2021@gmail.com, indicate in the description (message): group / team name and division. Otherwise, videos uploaded using other gadgets (Messenger, WhatsApp, YouTube, etc.) will not be accepted
Submit a video only after you have registered and paid the fee.
Once you have received confirmation from the organizers that your videos have been received, it will no longer be possible to change them.
Don't postpone submitting your video to the last minute so as not to delay submission for technical reasons!
Registration after September 1 and video submission after September 10 will no longer be possible!
Meeting of participants:
The participants meeting will be held online immediately after the registration is completed - September 2. All registered participants will be sent information about the time and platform on which it will take place.
Responsibilities of participants:
Each participant must make sure that they are fully acquainted with the latest regulations for their division. This includes the official dance description and costume rules.
All participants are expected to behave in a professional and appropriate manner. Anyone who acts unethically or unprofessionally may be disqualified from the competition.
If participants do not comply with the published rules, they will be disqualified.
To draw the attention of the event organizers to inappropriate behavior, questions about the competition, protests or disputes immediately. All decisions of the event organizers, competition coordinators, judges and scorers are final.
Judges:
During the competition, the judges and other organizers may not disclose information about the results or points to the participants of the competition or other visitors to the event under any circumstances.
The reason and result of the meeting of the judges will be announced only to the dancers involved, if necessary. If the Chief Judge considers that a statement is necessary, it will only be made in a general form so that all participants can benefit from it.
By participating in the Riga Cup Olympics, you agree with the following statement: “We undertake not to take any requests, claims against the organizers of this event. We allow any video of the event to be reproduced, sold, copyrighted, displayed, transmitted or distributed. We are aware of the physical risks of starting and competing in a dance competition and take full responsibility for any injuries or personal loss that this event may cause. We do not object to the processing of personal data as far as the publication of lists of participants, the compilation of results and their publication are concerned. "
