Competition Rules/Code of Practice

(Updated March 2010)

 

Core Rule: Respect for all Competitors

 

1. The use of flash, video, digital or motion picture cameras is strictly prohibited except during presentations. This includes the use of mobile/cell phones.
2. Under NO circumstances is there to be any smoking or alcohol in the hall. When smoking outside please place waste in the bins provided.
3. Parents will be held responsible for the behaviour of their children. Children should not be allowed to run around the hall or have raised voices.

 

Non Sporting Behaviour

 

Cumann Rince Dea Mheasa is saddened to have to include the following in their rules

 

4. When results are being called dancers must applaud every competitor.
5. No shouting, booing or catcalling up to the stage.
6. No bullying by fellow competitors or their supporters. The following procedure will take place if a person is found to be bullying a dancer.
• For a 1^st offence a verbal warning will be given and said person will be asked to leave the venue.
• For a 2^nd offence a written warning will be given.
• If it happens for a 3^rd time the offender will no longer be welcome to participate or attend any Feiseanna run by Cumann Rince Dea Mheasa.

 

At all times, Cumann Rince Dea Mheasa requires all competitors and their supporters to conduct themselves in a manner befitting the class they represent, the organisation they represent and the culture they represent.

 

Adjudicators/Musicians

 

7. Only the Feis committee may approach an Adjudicator.
8. In matter pertaining to the dance, the Adjudicators decision is final.
9. Bumps and bombarding will be judged at the Adjudicators discretion.
10. Musicians employed for a Feis will be solely under the direction of the Feis Committee.
11. Feis organisers retain the right to employ additional Adjudicators on the day of the Feis if the Feis is running behind schedule or for any other reason.

 

General Rules

 

12. Feis organisers will provide a safe floor for children to dance on. No responsibility will be held should injury occur while competing or at any other time.
13. Feis organisers are not responsible for loss or damage to personal property in the venue.
14. Feis organisers should make the syllabus for the Feis available a minimum of 4 weeks prior to the Feis being held. Entries should be sent to the organiser 2 weeks prior to the Feis being held. (The exception to this rule is the All Ireland Championships, which will have a strict closing date. All entries received after the closing date will be subject to a late fee of €10 per dancer).  Entries fees must be made when sending entries.  No entries will be accepted without payment.
15. From 1^st September 2008, all competitors taking part in the beginners A & B grades are not permitted to wear a solo costume. They must wear either a class costume or a skirt and top.

 

Dancers Rules

16. Dancers may be asked to provide proof of age at any time. Dancers should ensure they have a copy of their passport or birth certificate with them at every Feis.
17. Dancers are advised to use the changing rooms provided at each Feis to change in and out of costumes.
18. Full costumes must be worn at all times while dancing and for presentations. Dancers must wear either a costume or a skirt and top. Costumes/skirts must be of an appropriate length so as not to cause offence or embarrassment.
19. Dancers must wear appropriate footwear when they are dancing. Pumps for light dances and treble shoes for heavy dances.
20. Dancers should ensure that wigs, shawls, hair bands and shoelaces are securely in place before they step on the floor to dance. (Marks will be deducted)
21. Please note that as of the 1^st April 2009 any persons who have undertaken any part of the Irish Dancing Teachers Diploma (regardless of organisation) may not take part in any Feiseanna (solo or team dancing) that is run by Cumann Rince Dea Mheasa.
22. Cumann Rince Dea Mheasa does NOT allow re-grading.  If you win a dance, no matter what organisation you are with, the new grade stands in Cumann Rince Dea Mheasa

 

 

Competition Rules

 

23. Once a competition has been called ALL dancers must go to the side of the stage. Dancers must report on time to compete (Penalty: disqualification from said event).
24. Once a competition is closed no dancer is permitted to dance for any reason.
25. Teachers and team captains are responsible for their teams and should ensure that they are in position when the competition is announced.
26. Dancers must dance under the age they are on the day of the Feis. If their age is not on the syllabus they dance up in the next age group.
27. Dancers are to ensure that they are competing in the correct grade.
28. Dancers must be ready to dance 30-40 minutes prior to the scheduled time of their competition.
29. If a dancer falls, they will be allowed to re dance. They will be marked again on their second performance.
30. If a dancer slips, they should continue dancing and are marked on this performance.
31. The Feis committee have the right to merge or cancel competitions on the day of the Feis.
32. Feis organisers will display a clear sign indicating the number of the competition currently in progress.
33. All Under 4 or Tiny Tots competitions are non- graded.
34. From 1^st September 2008 all Feiseanna will be run on the “pick up “ system (regarding music-see below for details) The amount of bars to be danced are as follows:
• Solo Competitions (except A Slip Jig) -          32 bars
• A Slip Jig                                              -          24 bars
• Traditional Set Dances                        -          Lead (right & left) & Set (right foot only)
• 2 & 3 Hand Figures                              -          40 bars
• A, B, & INTERMEDIATE Awards      -          32 bars
• NCH                                                    -           32 bars
• Open Championships                          -          40 bars           
35. If a dancer stops at the correct amount of bars and the music continues then the dancer will obviously not have any marks deducted.
36. If a dancer stops before dancing the required amount of bars, the adjudicator will mark the dancer up to the point where they stopped.
37.  Unless there are 6 competitors in solo and figure competitions, the grade of the 1^st prize winner will not be affected. The Feis organiser will reflect this on their result sheet.
38. All dancers performing in the A grades must dance basic A steps
39. All dancers performing in the B grades must dance B steps i.e. skips, 123’s, sevens, hop, jump over, rocks, front clicks, points, quarter turns, single heels, jumps, stamp, toes (at the back no weight), kick/tip heel. No twirls, split jumps, pivots or clicks (other than front/through clicks) are allowed.
40. Light Jig must be of a basic standard.
41. Dancers are only permitted to enter one age group for each dance in each grade (e.g. If you dance the A Reel under 9 then you may not dance the A Reel in any other age in this grade). However you may enter the Reel in another grade at the same Feis, still complying with the “only 1 age group per grade” rule.
42. The rally reel will be danced as “one step down the line” – right and left foot. Freestyle is not permitted unless otherwise stated on the syllabus.
43. No block, En Pointe, toe walking movements either stationery or moving are allowed to be performed by dancers until they reach the under 12 age group.
44. If a dancer enters and wins a competition that they should not have entered the prize will have to be returned and will be awarded to the correct dancer.
45. Dancers are allowed to double up only once in figure dancers. The guidelines are as follows:
• 2 & 3 Hand Reels        ~ 1 dancer may double up
• 4 & 6 Hand Figures     ~ 2 dancers may double up
• 8 Hand Figures           ~ 3 dancers may double up
• Céilí  & Show Dance   ~ 33% of the team may double up

 

46. Adult Beginner :

An adult beginner is competitor who is over 21 years of age and has never taken Irish dancing lessons as a juvenile.

 

Awards and Championships

 

47. Please note that in order to compete in any awards or championships, dancers must take part in the solo competitions first.
48. From 01/09/2009 - A, B, INTERMEDIATE Awards and NCH Championships are confined to dancers of Cumann Rince Dea Mheasa.
49. If a Cumann Rince Dea Mheasa Feis is running behind of time the Feis Organiser can decide NOT to put the marks up on the scoreboard but to just call out the final result.  The Feis Organiser will then send out a copy of the points awarded for each championship with the results.
50. A, B & INTERMEDIATE solo and figure awards will be danced in front of 1 adjudicator.
51. The A Award is for any dancer who has 3 or more solo dances in the A grades.
52. The B Award is for any dancer who has 2 or more solo dances in the B grades.
53. The INTERMEDIATE award is for any dancer that has never won 1^st place in an INTERMEDIATE Award, NCH or Open Championship.
54. If a dancer is awarded 1^st place in the A, B or INTERMEDIATE Award they are not permitted to compete in that award again and must move up to the next grade. However, if there are less than 6 dancers in the competition the winner is not moved out of the grade for the solo version of that dance.
55. If a dancer obtains 1^st place in the A, B or INTERMEDIATE Awards where there are fewer than 6 competitors the dancer will be allowed to compete in the Award at the next Championship Feis (provided they still meet the eligibility criteria)
56. The NCH Championship will be danced in front of 3 adjudicators.  Two NCH Championships will be run at the same time.  The dancers will dance one round on the floor and the other on the stage.   Results will be removed after each round and judges will be given a new sheet for the next round. 
57. The NCH Championship is for any dancer who has never won an Open Championship.
58. Dancers may win the NCH Championship 3 times before being deemed ineligible to participate in it again.  If a Dancer wins a NCH Championship REGARDLESS of the number of competitors taking part in the competition this still counts as a win. 
59. The results for the NCH Championship will not be put on the board. The result will be called out in reverse order. The points will be sent out to teachers with the results.
60. Open, Céilí Figure and Show Dance Championships will be danced in front of a minimum of 3 Adjudicators. Open Championships will consist of a minimum of 2 rounds.
61. Championships under 6, 7, 8 & 9 will be Open Awards. If a dancer obtains 1^st place they will be Open for the 2 dances of the Championship only.
62. Championships from the age of 10 upwards are Open Championships. If a dancer obtains 1^st place in an Open Championship they will be open for all their dances.
63. If a Dancer wins an OPEN Championship REGARDLESS of the number of competitors taking part they will automatically be knocked out of the INTERMEDIATE and NCH Championships.
64. Modern Set Dances may be danced from the age of 13 upwards.
65. Results will be removed after each round and judges will be given a new sheet for the next round. 
66. A solo result will be given out for the Reel and Hardshoe dance from the OPEN championships.
67. In the case of a tie for 1^st place in a 3 or 5 Adjudicator Championship, the marks will be put on the board and the dancer or teams who tied for 1^st place will compete in a “Dance Off “to determine the 1^st place winner. The dance will be the Adjudicators choice.
68. Dancers may compete in more than 1 Award or Championship as long as they are not of the same grade.
69. If there are enough male competitors a Boys/Men’s Championship may be added to the syllabus.
70. Any entrants in the Open or Céilí Championships must specify their choice of Modern Set Dance or Céilí Dance when they are sending their entries to the Feis organiser.
71. Céilí Dances are to be from the book Ár Rincí Foirne.
72. All schools entering Teams into the Figure Invention Championships MUST also enter Teams into the Figure Ceili Competitions. 
73. All Schools are eligible to enter teams into the OPEN Show Dance Championship.
74. The guidelines for the Teachers Figure Invention are as follows:

• The invention should be a modern interpertation of a céilí dance
• Footwork - only movements found in the figure book Ár Rincí Foirne are permitted
• All hand and body movements are allowed
• Music must be of Irish orientation with no vocals throughout (to be sent in with entries)
• Time frame - must not exceed 5 minutes
• Minimum of 6 and maximum of 20 dancers may be in a team

(if any of these rules are broken marks will be deducted)

 

75. The guidelines for the Show Dance are as follows:
• The Show Dance should portray a story through dance. A Short story should be told at the beginning of the performance.

• All foot, hand and body movements are permitted
• The emphasis of the piece should be Irish Dancing
• Music of any orientation is permitted (to be sent in with entries)
• Time frame – must not exceed 5 minutes
• Minimum of 6 and maximum of 25 dancers may be in a team.

(There will be a new marking system for the Show Dance which will be available on the website shortly)

 

Please note that ALL music for the Teachers Invention and Show Dances must be sent to the All Ireland Co-ordinator 4 weeks prior to the competition being held as the music needs to be downloaded on to an MP3 player. Music can be sent either by post on a CD or by email.

 

• Cumann Rince Dea Mheasa have a number of points systems for Championships. The system used at any Feis will be determined by the number of entrants at the Feis.

 

Open Platform Guidelines

 

Cumann Rince Dea Mheasa does not wish to go against the rules and regulations of other organisations and urge dancers to check with their teacher or organisation before taking part in our Feiseanna. If your organisation does not allow you to compete in Feiseanna run by other organisations we urge you not to do so as ignoring their advice may cause upset between you and your school/organisation.

 

76. Cumann Rince Dea Mheasa runs their Feiseanna on an “Open Platform” basis. Meaning that any child from any organisation worldwide can take part. However, some Feiseanna may be by invitation only or completely confined to Cumann Rince Dea Mheasa.
77. Please note the correct fees when entering for any Feis. Dancers will be charged non Dea Mheasa fees.
78. There is a standard registration fee of €5.00 per dancer per Feis.
79. A, B, INTERMEDIATE Awards and NCH Championships are confined to dancers of Cumann Rince Dea Mheasa. However, if there a sufficient numbers, Feis organisers will add Visitors Awards to the syllabus.
80. Open Awards and Championships are open to all dancers to compete in.
81. Please note that in order to take part in the Visitors Award or Open Championships dancers must compete in the solo dances first.
82. Cumann Rince Dea Mheasa does not permit re grading of dancers. A dancers grades carry over from the organisation they are in.

 

Please note that a breach of any of the above rules will result in disqualification. Consistent breach of rules may result in suspension.

 

Pick up System

 

The pick up system is performed as follows. All dancers for each competition stand in a line while the Adjudicator notes their numbers. The first 2 dancers step out to perform their dance. They will dance a certain number of bars (see rule 31 for details). While those dancers are performing their last 8 bars the next two dancers stand out ready to start their performance. As soon as the first dancers finish their dance the next set of dancers begin theirs. There will be no break in music. This continues until all dancers have performed their dance.

 

(Please note that at all Feiseanna a person will be assigned to each floor to help dancers.)