UKEDC Competition Rules

Click here to download the UKEDC Competition Rules, valid from May 2020.

ESSDA Showdance Rules

Click here to view the latest ESSDA Showdance Rules.

New to competing?

Ever wondered about how to get started with same-sex competitions? Scroll down to view a handy guide which we’ve put together or click here to download the ‘Competing with the UKEDC Guide’  or click here to download the ESSDA new starters guide.

The basics of competing

Ballroom and Latin equality dance competitions will normally follow this structure:

First classification:

All couples will dance and be placed into the categories A, B, C, or D

Second classification:

A chance for the judges to review the categories, and make any changes as necessary

Competition rounds and semi-finals:

The couples will compete in their categories, with the judges selecting who will make it through to the next round

Finals:

Normally up to 6 couples will compete in the final of the Ballroom and Latin competitions

The dances required for each category are as follows, and usually danced in this order:

Ballroom:

A – Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot and Quickstep

B – Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot and Quickstep

C – Waltz, Tango and Quickstep

D – Waltz, Tango and Quickstep

Latin American:

A – Cha Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble, Jive

B – Cha Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Jive

C – Cha Cha Cha, Rumba, Jive

D – Cha Cha Cha, Rumba, Jive

Usually, the All-Male couples with compete against each other in their own competition, and the All-Female couples will compete against each other in their own competition. But please note, on occasion the organisers may decide to combine the All-Male and All-Female couples into one competition if the total number of entrants is low. There may also be Open / Mixed categories where couples of any make up, irrelevant of gender may enter.