General Rules for All Divisions

| REQUIREMENTS for ALL DIVISIONS |

Please ensure your full understanding of the competition rules. Lack of understanding won’t exempt the competitor from fulfillment of the rules.
All competitors must be 18 years of age or older for all divisions.
Competitors must read and accept the liability waiver form in which it states that the competitor assumes all responsibilities for any damages or injuries caused to the participant or by the participant in the event. The competitor also releases the organization from all responsibility should any injury or damages arise during the event.
While BraZouky organisers have the administrative rights on all rules, regulations and development of the event, they are disengaged from judging the competitions and all decision matters pertaining to competition placings.

| REGISTRATION for ALL DIVISIONS |

What should each competitor purchase? 

Each competitor should purchase a BraZouky Full Pass and also register for their chosen division. Please visit Ticket Booking to view prices for all passes and registrations.

• BraZouky Full Pass: Each competitor must pay for his/her own pass. The BraZouky Full Pass DOES NOT include competition registration. The director/coach of any competitor should also purchase a BraZouky Full Pass if they wish to attend or compete.
• Competition Registration: Each competitor must purchase a Competition Pass for each division he/she will compete in. Alternatively, the competitor may purchase the ‘Comp Fanatic’ pass which includes all divisions.
• Can I compete in different divisions?Yes, all competitors can participate in different divisions as long as each division pass is paid for. This value of each division pass is one per competitor. It is not allowed to compete more than once in the same division. Winners of previous years can compete again in the same division.
• Can I replace a dancer after the registration? Yes, changes on the members are allowed in Strictly and Qualifier Competitions. New member must register and pay for both BraZouky Full Pass and Competition Pass.
• Qualifying rounds: Jack and Jill and Strictly competition will consist of up to three rounds: prelims, semi-finals and finals. Competitors in other divisions will go straight to finals.

Registering at Brazouky

Prices will be higher at the event however registrations can be made in person up until 11:30AM on the Friday.

During registration check-in, competitors’ information, divisions and payments will be confirmed. Competitors will be provided with event information, wristbands and bibs.

For cancellation, transfer and changes please check the Participation Terms and Conditions page on our website.

| VIDEOS AND PHOTOS for ALL DIVISIONS |

The BraZouky organization reserves the right to take and use any videos or photos during and after the event. The BraZouky organization may use the videos or photos for commercial use. Once the registration form has been completed, all competitors acknowledge the understanding and fulfillment of all rules.
A waiver form will be issued to all competitors, which will grant the organization permission to use all videos and photos of competitors. The competitors should read and agree with this waiver.
Any video or photo taken by an entity or person not authorized by the BraZouky organization is strictly prohibited.
The organization reserves the right to broadcast or rebroadcast the BraZouky event. Competitors will not receive any compensation for this.

| MANDATORY ACTIVITIES for ALL DIVISIONS |

The BraZouky organization has mandatory activities for its competitors. Competitors should view the event program and find out when those will be held.

| PERFORMANCE DURATIONS for ALL DIVISIONS |

Min / Max performance durations:

• All Couple divisions: 2 mins / 3 mins
• Team: 3 mins / 4 mins

| DEFINITIONS OF TERMS for ALL DIVISIONS |

• LIFT: A lift is when both feet are off the floor at the same time, and any part of the body of the other dancer touches to assist/support.

• • Any move in which both dancers each keep at least one foot on the floor is not a lift.
  • A dancer raising both feet on their own, without being in contact with their partner, is not a lift.

| ALLOWANCE OF TRICKS, LIFTS AND ACROBATICS for ALL DIVISIONS |

• Professional Original
  • Lifts are not allowed and will result in disqualification or placing last
• Professional Showtime
  • The routine must have a minimum of 3 lifts.
• Amateur Rising Star
  • Lifts are allowed
• Teams
  • Lifts are allowed
• Pro/Am
  • Lifts are allowed
• Strictly
  • Lifts are not allowed and will result in disqualification or placing last
• Jack and Jill
  • Lifts are not allowed and will result in disqualification or placing last

| POINTS TO CONSIDER for ALL DIVISIONS|

• If a competitor registers for both professional and amateur, it will result in automatic disqualification of the amateur division.
• Competitors are considered professional when they are being paid to teach and or perform or performs with a professional team even if it’s on a non-payment agreement.
• If the music presents any error during the performance and the mistake is caused by the production team, it is up to the competitor to start over or stop and notify production when they are ready to start again before their division is over.
• Please make sure to send a final version of your music to info@brazouky.com prior to the event, or when requested by the organisation.
• False information about competitor’s age or professional/amateur status will result in disqualification.
• If the competitor makes a mistake during the performance, the competitor cannot start from the beginning or start the performance over.
• Couple and Team divisions will always be in alphabetical order. Jack and Jill finals will be in random order.
• It’s up to competitor’s judgement to use other movements or figures as long as the performance meets the minimum zouk content requirements.
• It’s not allowed to request any production features such as lighting, special effects or use of props.
• It is not allowed to show the same choreography in different competition division.
• When the performance is over, the stage must be left without any obstacles. Competitors MUST NOT add oils, powder on their shoes or stage, this will result in points deduction by discretion of the judges.

 

Rules for Brazilian Zouk World Championships

| Competition Divisions |

• Jack n’ Jill & Strictly
  • Novice
  • Intermediate
  • Advanced
  • All Star / Champions

• Choreography Couple
  • Professional
    • Originals
    • Showtime
  • Amateur Rising Stars
  • Pro/Am
• Teams

First place winners of choreography competitions at BraZouky will go straight to Brazilian Zouk World Championships Finals

| Division Restrictions |

• Couple consists of one leader and one follower
• A competitor may not dance in the same division twice, even with a different partner.
• Competitors may compete in Originals, Showtime, but with a different partner and a different routine.
• Any competitor may dance in one Jack and Jill level division.

| Judging Criteria |

The relative placement system will be used to judge all BZWC competitions.

| Judging Criteria – Timing (20%) |

Timing as a judging category is defined as the relationship between the dancers and the music. Timing includes:

• Dancing on-time
• Musicality
• Musical interpretation (how the dancer hears and applies the song)

Dancers begin the competition with the full 20% for timing.

Beyond the basic 20% of the score allotted for timing, BZDC recognizes that timing also affects the judging of all other categories. Therefore, judges should also be lowering scores for technique, teamwork, difficulty, and showmanship when elements in those categories are not danced on time. The approach for this is discussed under each of those headers

Dancing on-time

Brazilian Zouk can be danced to any 4/4 time signature music. The pulse is on the downbeat (1, 3, 5, 7), when counting the 8 beats in 2 measures (dancers count).

BZDC competitors must accent the downbeat (Lamba timing is not permitted, and constitutes an error in timing). However, competitors are permitted to dance Lamba movements as long as they have the pulse on the downbeat.

| Judging Criteria – Technique (40%) |

Competitors begin the dance with a 0% score for technique. Judges add to the score as the competitors display appropriate technique. Keep in mind that poor teamwork and timing should reduce the amount of credit given for technique, as this is considered improper technique.

Technique can be divided into two types: Individual and Partnership.

Individual technique

Individual technique is how a competitor uses his or her own body. It includes:

• Footwork (how the competitor places and uses the feet)
• Body Lines (how the competitor places and controls their free hand or foot)
• Posture (how the competitor stands and holds their body)
• Balance (whether the competitor is stable, including entering, maintaining, and exiting turns)
• Quality of Movement (Body movement in Zouk movements)
• Ability to dance on time

Partnership technique

• Centering (the ability to not take their partner off balance)
• Lead / Follow (the action and reaction between partners to create a Zouk flow and dance on time)
• Body Leading/Following (the ability of leaders to use their body to lead, and ability of followers to express through their body while following without breaking connection)

Brazilian Zouk Content

• Brazilian Zouk foundational movements, including Basic, Lateral, Simple turns, Soltinho, Lunges, Elastic with contraction, Bonus or boomerang, and Io – Io(and variations on these basics, according to level).
• Proper use of head movements and cambres (according to competitor’s level)
• Proper use of body waves, isolations, and other body manipulations (according to competitor’s level)
• Proper use of pre-movement and preparations (according to competitor’s level).
• Proper use of turns and spins, including horizontal and vertical axis turns (according to competitor’s level).

| Judging Criteria – Team Work (20%) |

Competitors begin the dance with 20% score for Teamwork. Connection is judged the same way at all levels.

Teamwork is divided into three components:

• Partnership technique (Partner centering | connection | lead/follow)
• Partner communication (Compatible musical interpretation | partner awareness)
• Partner compatibility (Compatible musical interpretation | adjusting personal styles to compliment the partnership | adjusting to a partner’s limitations or strengths)

| Judging Criteria – Difficulty (10%) |

Competitors begin the dance with 0% score for difficulty. Difficulty refers to the level of technical or musical difficulty in the dance. Movements such as advanced turn patterns, counter balances, continuous spins and one leg spins with or without head movements will increase the level of difficulty in the dance. All levels are judged the same way with regards to difficulty.

In Order to get credit for any of these, the movements must be successfully executed.
The choreography is the couple or teams’ interpretation of the music.

• Routine must flow easily from one movement to the next
• Good choreography should contain clever turn patterns
• A few creative tricks will help with your score.
• Competitors should creatively demonstrate lifts and tricks, and also smooth transitions
• All choreography should be musical, and dancers should show a good usage of the space itself
• Originality

| Judging Criteria – Appearance/Artistic/Costumes & Dance Etiquette (10%) |

• How professional and polished did the couple appear
• How did they project to the audience and capture their attention
• Contestants will show etiquette during the competition by refraining from distracting others while competing couple is dancing.

| Routine Competition Rules |

Professional Original Division

• Must have 80% Brazilian Zouk content (recognizable syllabus, timing/rhythm, body movement). It is at the discretion of the judges to determine that the Zouk content has been met.
• Drops, leans, circular and linear movements and other partner weight support moves are allowed as long as both partners keep at least one foot on the floor.
• No lifts allowed. Lifts (when both feet of one partner leave the floor and the partner’s weight is supported) are not permitted in this division, and result in an immediate disqualification (non-finals) or last place (finals).
• Contestants must be 18 years or older
• Competitors may also dance in Showcase or Teams with a different dance partner.
• Dance costumes are required.
• Separate entrances are permitted but the couple must physically join within 16 beats of music.
• Performance time is a minimum of 2 minutes and maximum of 3 minutes.
• A minimum of 5 entries is required to run this division to be awarded.

Professional Showtime Division

• Must have 60% Brazilian Zouk content (recognizable syllabus, timing/rhythm, body movement). It is at the discretion of the judges to determine that the Zouk content has been met.
• Drops, leans, circular and linear movements and other partner weight support moves are allowed.
• There is a minimum of 3 lifts.
  There is no lift maximum.
• Contestants must be 18 years or older
• Competitors may also dance in Originals or Teams with a different dance partner.
• Dance costumes are required.
• Separate entrances are permitted but the couple must physically join within 32 beats of music.
• Performance time is a minimum of 2 minutes and maximum of 3 minutes.
• A minimum of 5 entries is required to run this division to be awarded.

Amateur Rising Star Division

• Must have 70% Brazilian Zouk content (recognizable syllabus, timing/rhythm, body movement). It is at the discretion of the judges to determine that the Zouk content has been met.
• Drops, leans, circular and linear movements and other partner weight support moves are allowed.
• Lifts are allowed.
• Contestants must be 18 years or older.
• Competitors may also dance in Pro/Am or Teams with a different dance partner.
• Dance costumes are required.
• Separate entrances are permitted but the couple must physically join within 32 beats of music.
• Performance time is a minimum of 2 minutes and maximum of 3 minutes.
• A minimum of 5 entries is required to run this division to be awarded.

Team Division

• Must have 60% Brazilian Zouk content (recognizable syllabus, timing/rhythm, body movement). It is at the discretion of the judges to determine that the Zouk content has been met.
• Drops, leans, circular and linear movements and other partner weight support moves are allowed.
• Lifts are allowed but not compulsory.
• Minimum of 4 couples per team.
• Contestants must be 18 years or older
• Competitors may also dance in Amateur, Pro/Am, Showcase or Originals with a different dance partner.
• Dance costumes are required.
• Separate entrances are permitted but all couples must physically join within 32 beats of music.
• Performance time is a minimum of 3 minutes and maximum of 4 minutes.
• A minimum of 5 entries is required to run this division to be awarded.

Pro/Am Division

• Defined as 1 professional dancer (Instructor) dancing with 1 amateur dancer (student)
• Must have 70% Brazilian Zouk content (recognizable syllabus, timing/rhythm, body movement). It is at the discretion of the judges to determine that the Zouk content has been met.
• Drops, leans, circular and linear movements and other partner weight support moves are allowed.
• Lifts are allowed.
• Contestants must be 18 years or older.
• Competitors may also dance in Originals, Amateur or Teams with a different dance partner.
• Dance costumes are required.
• Separate entrances are permitted but the couple must physically join within 32 beats of music.
• Performance time is a minimum of 2 minutes and maximum of 3 minutes.
• A minimum of 5 entries is required to run this division to be awarded.

Strictly Division

• This division is designed to highlight social Brazilian Zouk dancing skills.
• Drops, leans, circular/linear movements, splits and other partner weight support moves are allowed.
• Lifts are not allowed.
• Contestants must be 18 years or older
• Contestant’s Strictly level is the same as the individual’s BZDC’s Jack ‘n Jill level, but petitions to increase participating level may be accepted at organiser’s discretion
• Competitors may also dance in Teams, Amateur, Showcase or Originals with the same dance partner.
• Dance costumes are NOT PERMITTED.
• A minimum of 5 entries is required to run this division to be awarded.
• Your competition clothing should be able to catch a judge’s attention, provide you with freedom of movement, and be something you feel confident in. You should also try to wear something that allows judges to see your lines and technique. However, there are some rules and guidelines regarding what is considered appropriate clothing for competitions.
• Clothing is expected to cover private areas (butt, groin, and breasts) at all times. Men must wear shirts. Judges are allowed to lower the Presentation score if parts/all of these areas are shown, but it will not disqualify you.
• Competitors are encouraged to “dress up” (for example, classic or trendy jeans/pants/shorts, skirts with booty shorts, dresses or tops that securely cover the chest for women).
• We suggest that you not wear bodysuits or other gym wear, cargo shorts, sweatpants, etc. While bodysuits are a popular clothing choice in some areas and can be very intricate or sexy, they are still considered gym wear.
• Please note that this is a guideline – not a rule; you will not be judged on this. We want competitions to reflect professionalism – which is what this guideline is aimed to achieve.

Props are not allowed in any division and shoes are compulsory

For more information, visit BZWC’s website

 

 

Rules for Jack & Jill Division

| CRITERIA DEFINITION | JUDGING ITEMS for JACK AND JILL |

Judging Jack and Jill competitions is a skill that needs to be developed to ensure judging is done accurately, consistently, and fairly.

Judging is never intended to punish a competitor for weaker skills. Rather, the spirit is to recognize competence in the different categories explained in this training, for the purpose of supporting and growing a strong, healthy Zouk community.

With this in mind, the Brazilian Zouk Dance Council recognizes five distinct areas for judging. These include the Three T’s, plus a few additional categories. The Three T’s are:

• Timing (20%)
• Technique (40%)
• Teamwork (20%)

In addition, judges will also consider:

• Difficulty (10%)
• Presentation (10%)

Timing & musicality (20%)

• All styles of Brazilian Zouk dance to 4/4 time music.
• The timing defined as “Tum-Tic-Tic” where in a full 8 counts the “Tum” step must be on the down beat.
• It is accepted that your long step may be on any down beat on a full 8 count phrase.

Key points to remember

• Timing must be consistent.
• Competitors should take care in the manner they interpret the selected song.
• Use appropriate breaks and holds, being rhythmically in sync with the music.
• Competitors must demonstrate basic timing for a minimum of 60% of each song. This can be reflected in foundation movements, turn patterns and others.

NOTE

1. DJs will play medium (80bpm or 85bpm) speed songs with a clear Zouk beat for Novice. Traditional Zouk songs, Kizomba songs or Top 40 remixed songs are allowed.
2. DJs will play slow 75bpm (150bpm), medium 80bpm or 85bpm (170bpm) and/or fast 90bpm (180bpm) speed songs with a Zouk beat for Intermediate & Advanced competitors. Traditional Zouk songs, Kizomba songs, Top 40 remixed or New Zouk songs are allowed.
3. All songs for all levels must have a Zouk beat.

Technique (40%)

• Brazilian Zouk motion and posture – How well the competitors execute the movements
• Proper use of Brazilian Zouk Foundation movements: Basic – “Lateral” – Simple turns – Lunges (prep for turns) – “Soltinho” – Elastico “Rau” – “Bonus” – “Io Io”
• Correct footwork in all foundation movements and good footwork during turn patterns
• Fundamental dance technique (e.g footwork placement, frame, balance, how well spins are executed and control of arms and hands)
• Proper use of head movements and Cambrés (accordingly to competitors level)

Team Work (20%)

• How well the couple work together
• How Appearance of lead/follow or action/reaction between the partners
• Ability to work together as a team. One partner ignoring or out-dancing the other indicates poor teamwork.

Difficulty (10%)

• The complexity of the foot work
• The complexity of overall improvisation
• Originality of turn patterns

Appearance (10%)

• Wear Shoes (Dance shoes or other comfortable shoes for dancing are allowed)
• High heels are not mandatory however judges will favourably take into account the additional complexity this introduces to the dance
• Wear clothes as one would wear to a social dance party – you want to stand out to the judges

| BZDC Points Registry Information for JACK AND JILL |

The ‘Brazouky Brazilian Dance Festival’ is a Brazillian Zouk Dance Council (“BZDC”) Registry Event. As such, points are awarded to the winners and place getters (and possibly finalists) of our Jack n Jill Competitions.

The BZDC records and tracks points for every competitor and these points are used to identify the category a person should compete in. There must be a minimum number of five couples per category for points to be recorded.

As a competitor, you can gain points and level up through Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and All-Star divisions at BZDC Registered Jack and Jill competitions. Non-registered competitions or competitions that do not follow our event rules will not give you points in the database.

You can level through Newcomer, Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and All-Star as follows:

Tiers are calculated by role – not by couple. For example, a competition with 15 Leads and 20 Follows would be a Tier 1 competition for Leads and Tier 2 for Follows.

The BZDC recognises three Tiers with the following associated points:

No points are ever awarded for non-final rounds. Scratched (no-show) competitors are not counted towards the total number of competitors. For example, a competition with 16 registered follows where only 15 attend preliminaries would still be a Tier 1 competition.

In some cases, a competition final may have an imbalance between leads and follows. In these cases, some dancers will be required to dance twice. If a dancer gets more than one placement that should result in points, only the higher placement will get the points. For example, if a competitor gets both 1st and 3rd place, they will only get points for the 1st place finish.

We will consider your petition and approve or deny your petition based on your reasons and dance history. Please note, if you have petitioned to dance at a higher division at one event you may still need to petition at future events. The guidelines for each category are set out on this page. If you want to enter a category for which you do not meet the entry requirements stated or want to change categories, you may submit a petition by sending us an email with a brief explanation of the reason(s) for your request.

For a complete detailed Rules and Guideline for J&J competitions, please check out BZDC website

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