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Rules & Regulations

Please read carefully before registering

Important Agreement

The following rules must be read and agreed upon as your entries are being submitted. All studios, teachers, dancers, and parents are responsible for understanding and following these regulations. By completing registration, you acknowledge acceptance of all ADC rules and policies.

GENERAL INFORMATION

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  • All on-line entries must be completed before event deadline date listed on website.

  • Entries are accepted on a first-come first-serve basis. There will be a $10 late fee per act entered after the deadline date.

  • No entry will be processed to compete without full payment.

  • Addiction Dance Competition will only accept Visa, Master Card, Studio checks, money orders or cashier checks.  Personal checks will not be honored. All returned checks are subject to a $30 service fee.

  • ADC reserves the right to cancel or move the competition location due to unforeseen circumstances.

  • There will be NO refunds after your registration has been submitted and studio invoice has been paid.

  • General Admission to any ADC event is FREE!

  • Doors will open 30 minutes prior to the first scheduled performance of each day.

  • No food or drinks are allowed inside the competition performance area.

  • ADC expects everyone to display good sportsmanship. Failure to comply will result in immediate disqualification.

  • ADC is not responsible for lost or stolen items

Age Groups

Age as of January 1, 2026

Super Mini

5 & Under

Teen

13–15 years

Mini

6–8 years

Senior

16–19 years

Junior

9–10 years

Adult

20+ years

Tween

11–12 years

Teacher

All ages

Division

Solo

1 Performer

Line

20-39 Performers

Duet/Trio

2-3 Performers

Addiction Line

40+ Performers

Small Group

4-9 Performers

Production

15+ Performers

Large Group

10-19 Performers

ADDICTION LINE- Performance must utilize at least 40 dancers incorporating any style of dance or combination of dance styles. ADDICTION Line performances should not portray a theme or storyline and have a 5:00 minute time limit. 

PRODUCTION- Performance must utilize at least 15 dancers incorporating any style of dance that portrays a theme or storyline throughout. Props are encouraged. Production performances have an 6:00 minute time limit for performance and given a maximum of 5:00 minutes total for set-up and removal of props.

Time Limits

Number
Division
Maximum Time
1
Solo

2:45

2
Duet/Trio

3:00

3
Small Group

3:00

4
Large Group

4:00

5
Line

4:00

6
Addiction Line

4:00

7
Production

8:00

LEVELS

NOVICE- Dancers with 1-2 years of competition experience and 5 or less routines.

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*If a dancer is registered for 6 or more routines dancer must compete in intermediate or advanced level. 

INTERMEDIATE- Dancers with 3-5 years of competition experience. ​​

ADVANCED- Dancers with 6 or more years of competition experience.

ADAPTIVE- Designed specifically for individuals with special needs

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  • Mixed level groups are only allowed to compete one level lower than the highest level dancer. (Ex: A routine that has one Advanced level dancer can only compete in the Intermediate or Advanced level.)

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  • Level Change - At ADC we trust that dancers will be placed in the appropriate level based on years of experience competing. We understand, however, that occasionally level changes need to be made day-of-event to ensure a fair competition experience.

Our process is as follows:

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● The dance must first be flagged by 2 out of 3 judges.

● The tabulator will check scores.

● The dance must score 2.5 points or more higher than the next highest score in its current

category AND must place top 10 in the bracket of the next category it’s bumped into.

CATEGORIES OF DANCE

BALLET

Performance should contain ballet technique incorporating formal classical movements.​

TAP

Performance consisting primarily of tap technique.​​​

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CONTEMPORARY

A performance that combines modern dance and classical ballet elements.

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POM-PON

Performance using pom-pons with incorporation of precise and definite movements.

HIP HOP

Performance demonstrating any dance style or combination of dance styles.

POINTE

Performance must consist of pointe technique. This category is not permitted in the NOVICE LEVEL.

LYRICAL

Performance consisting of dynamic emotion and expressive movements to compliment the lyrics demonstrated with fluidity, balance, extension and control.

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FOLK/ETHNIC

Performances with tradition and strong cultural roots.

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MUSICAL THEATRE

Performance featuring any style of dance from a Broadway, Movie or Television Show.

CLOGGING

Performance using clogging technique.

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JAZZ

Performance must consist of jazz technique.

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MODERN

Performance consisting of interpretive movements using modern technique focusing on the ‘center’ of the body, coordination between breathing and movement and a dancer’s relationship with the floor.

ACRO/GYMNASTICS

Performance using controlled movements and flexibility, walkovers, aerials, backhand springs, etc. Must incorporate dance technique.

HIP HOP

Performance demonstrating hip-hop and/or funk choreography.

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GENERAL RULES

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Dancers must perform in their scheduled order unless permission is given for costume changes. Points will be deducted from acts that do not comply. The only exception to this rule is if the ADDICTION office administration has prior notification or the Competition Director has pre-approved the delay. Special stage or house lighting will not be provided for any performance. At no time are teachers, parents or dancers allowed to practice or rehearse on stage.

 

PROP RULES

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No form of liquid, gel, aerosol, glitter, etc. may be used that would physically alter the surface of the marley floor provided by Addiction.  If the stage is altered from its original state during an act, please be ready to clean up immediately following the performance. There will be a one-point deduction for prop removal that exceeds one minute.

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Production performances are given a maximum of 5:00 minutes total for set-up and removal of props, exceptions can be made on a case by case basis. When sliding props or moving scenery, please be careful not to damage the marley dance floor. If marley floor is damaged beyond repair, the studio owner/director will be responsible for replacing it.

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Fire, swords, knives, weapons and use of live animals are prohibited. If the weight of a prop exceeds the maximum weight limit for a built stage, or the Competition Director feels the weight of the prop is a safety hazard, the dancers will not be allowed to use the prop. Props must be loaded in and out of the venue on the same day they will be used. Addiction will not be responsible for props left overnight or unattended.  All props backstage should be labeled with the studio name for identification purposes.

   

FINAL COUNTDOWN

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The FINAL COUNTDOWN is a live audition experience on stage! All participating dancers will be assigned an audition number. One ADC choreographer will teach a short combination to the group of auditioning dancers. The judges will begin the elimination process until we are left with the top 5 dancers on stage. The dancers are divided into two age brackets for the FINAL COUNTDOWN; 12 & younger, 13 & older. Dancers must enter based on age the day of competition. Audition numbers can be purchased at the registration table. Top 3 Final Countdown winners will receive an item from the ADC merchandise store. Final countdown winner will receive CASH prize! 

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ADC NATIONAL RULES

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All Regional Platinum, Diamond and Double Diamond winners are eligible to participate in Nationals. Each routine will receive a score from a panel of 3 National ADC judges.

Adjudicated awards are presented to every routine. (National High Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Double Diamond. Flawless Diamond) Routines must perform in scheduled order. If a studio does not comply points may be deducted from routine. 

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ADC NATIONAL GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP

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At Nationals the top 3 scoring routines in each division in the Novice, Intermediate, Advanced levels will be invited to participate in the ADC National Grand Championship. These top scoring dances will re-compete for National Grand Champion in each level and group division. Only one group per studio can qualify in each Grand Champion division.

GRAND CHAMPION DIVISIONS:

SOLOS 

Super Mini Solos  (all levels) 

Mini Solos 

  • Intermediate Mini Solos 

  • Advanced Mini Solos 

Senior Solos 

  • Intermediate Senior Solos 

  • Advanced Senior Solos 

Junior Solos 

  • Intermediate Mini Solos 

  • Advanced Mini Solos 

Tween Solos 

  • Intermediate Junior Solos 

  • Advanced Junior Solos 

 Teen Solos 

  • Intermediate Tween Solos 

  • Advanced Tween Solos 

DUO/TRIOS 

Super Mini D/T  (all levels) 

Mini D/T

  • Intermediate Mini D/T

  • Advanced Mini D/T

Senior D/T

  • Intermediate Senior D/T

  • Advanced Senior D/T

Junior D/T 

  • Intermediate Junior D/T

  • Advanced Junior D/T

Tween D/T

  • Intermediate Tween D/T

  • Advanced Tween D/T

Teen D/T

  • Intermediate Teen D/T

  • Advanced Teen D/T

SMALL GROUPS 

Super Mini Small Groups  (all levels) 

Mini Small Groups 

  • Intermediate Mini Small Groups 

  • Advanced Mini Small Groups 

Senior Small Groups 

  • Intermediate Senior Small Groups 

  • Advanced Senior Small Groups 

Junior Small Groups 

  • Intermediate Junior Small Groups 

  • Advanced Junior Small Groups 

Tween Small Groups 

  • Intermediate Tween Small Groups 

  • Advanced Tween Small Groups

Teen Small Groups 

  • Intermediate Teen Small Groups 

  • Advanced Teen Small Groups 

LARGE GROUP/LINE

Super Mini Large Group/Line  (all levels) 

Mini Large Group/Line 

  • Intermediate Mini Small Groups 

  • Intermediate Mini Large Group/Line

  • Advanced Mini Large Group/Line

Senior Large Group/Line

  • Intermediate Senior Large Group/Line

  • Advanced Senior Large Group/Line

Junior Large Group/Line

  • Intermediate Junior Large Group/Line

  • Advanced Junior Large Group/Line

Tween Large Group/Line

  • Intermediate Teen Large Group/Line

  • Advanced Teen Large Group/Line

Teen Large Group/Line

  • Intermediate Teen Large Group/Line

  • Advanced Teen Large Group/Line

PRODUCTION PALOOZA

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Top scoring productions will be invited back to earn the Production Palooza Grand Champion title! ​​​Grand Champion winners will receive a banner and National Grand Champion trophy.

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Choreographer of the Year- We will award one Choreographer of the Year award at the ADC National Showcase. The Choreographer of the year award is selected by the 3 national judges. All 3 judges must vote on their favorite choreographer from the entire National event.

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Studio of the Year- Studio of the Year is awarded to one studio with the highest average scores in each level.  

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