2025 Division Guidelines

This page is for contest descriptions and guidelines.  For Contest Registration click here.

We offer more than the usual divisions… dancers of all levels and all ages get the chance to dance not just in their own divisions but with each other as well!!! With more chances to dance than any other event every competitor can enter at least 6 divisions if they want!

Take the Carlito Rofoli challenge!
Dance in as many divisions as you can and earn points by placing top 5 or making finals in ANY division. At the end of the weekend we’ll add up the points from EVERY division and the…
*Top Dancer gets a FREE pass and FREE competition fees for JJO 2025
*2nd Place Dancer gets a FREE pass for JJO 2025
*3rd Place Dancer gets FREE competition fees for JJO 2025

We allow you to compete in different contests in different roles however…

• If you are dancing multiple roles in different divisions and end up with a simultaneous prelim & semi we will stagger the heats you are in…but you will likely NOT have a break between dancing so be prepared
• For Pro-Am you cannot dance in the same level for 2 different roles as an Am (because the finals are simultaneous), but you can do different levels
• For Pro-Am you can dance in both roles as a Pro (if qualified) but if you make finals multiple times in the same level an alternate pro will be used for your extra Ams because of how finals are scheduled/run
• For Pro-Am you cannot enter in one role as an Am and the other as a Pro because that would be the same contest
• For what levels to enter in different roles we follow the WSDC guidelines.
• You ARE allowed to enter BOTH Newbie & WSDC Novice in the SAME role if you DON’T have any WSDC points in that role.

For 2025 there is a slim chance we might have to cap entries for our contest divisions in order to maintain the schedule for the weekend. For more details click here.

Due to our insane schedule and us wanting to maintain plenty of social dancing time be aware that:
There will be NO Quarterfinals for any division during the weekend regardless of the size of any divisions.
There will be NO Semifinals for Role Reversal J&J, Sophisticated J&J, All American/60s Era J&J, Pro-Am J&J, Open Strictly, or All Star/Champions Strictly despite these being potentially large divisions.

Non-WSDC Jack and Jills…

• Open Jackpot: The ULTIMATE Jack and Jill competition. All levels and all ages. Competitors randomly draw one partner and stay with that partner through all rounds. PLUS, all the entry fees for this division go back into the jackpot prize fund.
• All American/60s Era: All levels and all ages. Competitors randomly draw one partner and stay with that partner through all rounds. Music will be 60s themed! And no, you don’t have to be American to dance in this division haha.
  
• Pro/Am: Each Amateur competitor will randomly draw one Professional competitor to dance with. Professionals will likely dance multiple times with multiple Amateur partners. If you are dancing in the All Star or Champions Jack & Jill you must sign up as a professional, otherwise sign up as an amateur according to your WSDC level (Nov, Int, or Adv).
• Sophisticated: All levels, competitors must be 35 or older. In preliminary round competitors will dance with multiple partners. In finals competitors will randomly draw one partner to dance with.
• Role Reversal: Competitors sign up to dance in the opposite role (leader or follower) from their primary role (if you compete in both roles then the opposite of whichever role you have more points as). In preliminary round competitors will dance with multiple partners. In finals competitors will randomly draw one partner to dance with. This division is intended to be about good dancing and not comedic or inappropriate behavior.
• Newbie: No Money, No Points, No Pressure.  You are not allowed to have any WSDC points in the role you are entering as or any WSDC points in Intermediate or higher in the opposite role if you compete in this division.
  This division is intended to be a fun, welcoming opportunity for new dancers to get their feet wet.  You ARE allowed to enter BOTH Newbie & WSDC Novice in the SAME role if you DON’T have any WSDC points in that role.
• Country Swing: For our Country Swing friends.  Just for fun with no entry fee or money at stake, but the winners get passes to Jack & Jill O’Rama they can use this year or next year.

WSDC Jack and Jills…

• Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, All Star, Champions: Divisions are based off points and guidelines set by the World Swing Dance Council. In preliminary round competitors will dance with multiple partners. In finals competitors will randomly draw one partner to dance with.
• Masters: All Levels, competitors must be 50 or older. In preliminary round competitors will dance with multiple partners. In finals competitors will randomly draw one partner to dance with.

Strictly Swing Divisions…

• All Star/Champions Strictly Swing: If either partner will/would dance in the All Star or Champions Jack & Jill in the role they are dancing in for the strictly then dance in the All Star/Champions Strictly.
  
• Open Strictly Swing: If neither partner will/would dance in the All Star or Champions Jack & Jill in the role they are dancing in for the strictly then dance in the Open Strictly.

To Compete At Jack & Jill O’Rama you are required to:

• Have a full weekend pass (except for Newbie & Country Swing)
• Register for each competition by the official entry deadline. (See the weekend schedule.)
• Pay any required entry fees (none for Newbie or Country Swing)
• Sign a legal waiver. (If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must sign for you.)

Role/Gender Inclusivity: Jack & Jill O’Rama welcomes persons of any gender to dance as a leader or follower.

Eligibility: Make sure you read and abide by the eligibility requirements for each division before entering.

Dance Requirements for Competitions: The following dance requirements apply to all our competitions. If our judges determine that you have failed to meet one or more of these requirements, they may assign a violation penalty.

1. West Coast Swing content. This is a West Coast Swing dance event. Therefore, our judges will expect to see recognizable West Coast Swing content from both partners in all our divisions except Country Swing.
2. Partner weight-support moves (“tricks”). These moves will be judged according to the standard criteria of timing, teamwork, and technique. Any moves that our judges deem unsafe may earn a violation penalty.

Requesting a Restart: You may request a restart if something happens during your dance that could impact safety. Our chief judge may also call for a restart without a request from you if our chief judge believes it is fair to all and in your best interest. If our chief judge allows a restart, your previous scores will be voided. If our chief judge denies your request for a restart, or you decline an offer to restart, your prior performance will be scored.

Submitting a Petition: For WSDC divisions we follow the WSDC guidelines regarding petitions.