Competition Rules/Code of Practice

(Updated September 2011)

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 1st offence a verbal warning will be given and said person will be asked to leave the venue.
• For a 2nd offence a written warning will be given.
• ?If it happens for a 3rd 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 will be judged at the Adjudicators discretion.
10.       Dancers found to be bombarding (deliberately bumping) another competitor on the stage will be marked down considerably by the adjudicator.
11.       Musicians employed for a Feis will be solely under the direction of the Feis Committee.
12.       Set speeds will be provided to Musicians.
13.       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
14.       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.
15.       Feis organisers are not responsible for loss or damage to personal property in the venue.
16.        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. All entry fees are to be paid in advance. Any changes to your entries should be lodged with the Feis committee 1 week prior to the Feis taking place. A late fee of €10 (per dance/dancer) will apply for entries that are received on the day of a Feis. (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.
17.       All competitors taking part in beginner A & B grades are not permitted to wear a solo costume. They must wear either a class costume or a skirt and top.
18.       Parents are not allowed to approach the Feis Committee to query results.  Their query must be made through their own dancing teacher who can then approach the Feis Committee.

Dancers Rules
18.       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.
19.       Dancers are advised to use the changing rooms provided at each Feis to change in and out of costumes.
20.       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.
21.       Dancers must wear appropriate footwear when they are dancing. Pumps for light dances and treble shoes for heavy dances.
22.       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)
23.       Please note that as of the 1st 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.
24.       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
25.       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).
26.       Once a competition is closed no dancer is permitted to dance for any reason.
27.       Teachers and team captains are responsible for their teams and should ensure that they are in position when the competition is announced.
28.       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.
29.       Dancers are to ensure that they are competing in the correct grade.
30.       Dancers must be ready to dance 30-40 minutes prior to the scheduled time of their competition.
31.       If a dancer falls, they will be allowed to re dance. They will be marked again on their second performance.
32.       If a dancer slips, they should continue dancing and are marked on this performance.
33.       The Feis committee have the right to merge or cancel competitions on the day of the Feis.
34.       Feis organisers will display a clear sign indicating the number of the competition currently in progress.
35.       All Under 4 or Tiny Tots competitions are non- graded.  Under 5’s are graded.
36.       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
• Preliminary Championships - 32 bars
• Open Championships - 40 bars

37.       If a dancer stops at the correct amount of bars and the music continues then the dancer will obviously not have any marks deducted.
38.       If a dancer stops before dancing the required amount of bars, the adjudicator will mark the dancer up to the point where they stopped.
39.       Unless there are 6 competitors in solo and figure competitions, the grade of the 1st prize winner will not be affected. The Feis organiser will reflect this on their result sheet.
40.       All dancers performing in the A grades must dance basic A steps
41.       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.
42.       Intermediate Light Jig and Single Jig must be of a basic B standard.
43.       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.
44.       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.
45.       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. If you are 11 and competing under 12 you may do en point but if you are competing in under 11 you may not do en point.
46.       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.
47.       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

48.       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
Qualifying for All Irelands
From September 2011 Dancers will be required to qualify to complete in the All Irelands.

• CRDM Dancers within Ireland must compete in a minimum of 1 Championship and 2 Feiseanna.
• CRDM Dancers overseas must compete in a minimum of 1 Feiseanna.
• Visiting Dancers must compete in a minimum of 1 Feiseanna.
• Schools wishing to put Teams into competition at the All Irelands must compete in either the Leinster or the Dublin Championships.
• Teachers who have dancers who start late in the year can write to the Executive Committee regarding qualifying for the All Irelands.

49.       Please note that in order to compete in any awards or championships, dancers must take part in the solo competitions first.
50.       NCH Championships will now be called Preliminary Championships.
51.       A, B, INTERMEDIATE Awards and Preliminary Championships are confinedto dancers of Cumann Rince Dea Mheasa.
52.       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.
53.       A, B & INTERMEDIATE solo and figure awards will be danced in front of 1 adjudicator.
54.       The A Award is for any dancer who has 3 or more solo dances in the A grades.
55.       The B Award is for any dancer who has 2 or more solo dances in the B grades.
56.       The INTERMEDIATE award is for any dancer that has never won 1st place in an
INTERMEDIATE Award, Preliminary or Open Championship.
57.       If a dancer is awarded 1st 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.
58.       If a dancer obtains 1st 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)
59.       The Preliminary Championship will be danced in front of 3 adjudicators. Two Preliminary 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.
60.       The Preliminary Championship is for any dancer who has never won an Open
Championship.
61.       Dancers may win the Preliminary Championship 3 times before being deemed ineligible to participate in it again. If a Dancer wins a Preliminary Championship REGARDLESS of the number of competitors taking part in the competition this still counts as a win. This also applies to Visitor Preliminary Championships.
62.       The results for the Preliminary 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.
63.       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.
64.       Championships under 6, 7, 8 & 9 will be Open Awards. If a dancer obtains 1st place they will be Open for the 2 dances of the Championship only.
65.       Championships from the age of 10 upwards are Open Championships. If a dancer obtains 1st place in an Open Championship they will be open for all their dances.
66.       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 Preliminary Championships.
67.       Modern Set Dances may be danced from the age of 13 upwards.
68.       Duplicate sheets will be provided to Adjudicators for all Awards and Championships.
69.       A solo result will be given out for the Reel and Hardshoe dance from the OPEN
championships.
70.       In the case of a tie for 1st place in a 3 or 5 Adjudicator Championship, the marks will be put on the board and the dancer or teams who tied for 1st place will compete in a “Dance Off “to determine the 1st place winner. The dance will be the Adjudicators choice.
71.       Dancers may compete in more than 1 Award or Championship as long as they are not of the same grade.
72.       If there are enough male competitors a Boys/Men’s Championship may be added to the syllabus.
73.       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.
74.       Céilí Dances are to be from the book Ár Rincí Foirne.
75.       All schools entering Teams into the Figure Invention Championships MUST also enter Teams into the Figure Ceili Competitions.
76.       All Schools are eligible to enter teams into the OPEN Show Dance Championship.
77.       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 and those danced in A Grades are permitted.
• All hand and body movements are allowed.
• No gymnastic movements are allowed, e.g. splits, cartwheels, handstands.
• 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)
78.       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.

79.       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.
80.       All competitors who wish to compete in CRDM feis on open platform basis, must be registered with a school of dancing.
81.       Please note the correct fees when entering for any Feis. Dancers will be charged non Dea Mheasa fees.
82.       There is a standard registration fee of €5.00 per dancer per Feis.
83.       A, B, INTERMEDIATE Awards and Preliminary 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.
84.       Open Awards and Championships are open to all dancers to compete in.
85.       Please note that in order to take part in the Visitors Award or Open Championships dancers must compete in the solo dances first.
86.       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 35 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.)

 

 

 

Transfer Rule
Procedure
Any teacher of Cumann Rince Dea Mheasa who is approached by a dancer from another dancing school in the organisation requesting a transfer must use the following procedure.

• If a dancer or a parent contacts you to inquire if they can transfer into your class the first thing you should do is to encourage them to stay with their present teacher.
• Should this be impossible you must then contact said teacher and make them aware of the situation as a matter of courtesy.
• You will need to notify the Executive Committee in writing of the transfer noting the date when the dancer transferred to your class. Application forms are available from the Executive Committee.
• The dancer, parent(s) and new teacher must agree to sign the following items:
  • Six month re-styling period – in this time the dancer will not be allowed to participate in any Feiseanna run by Cumann Rince Dea Mheasa.
  • Dancers are not permitted to participate in any Championship Feis for a period of 12 months.
  • If a dancer leaves a school in CRDM and joins a visiting school, the above transfer rule in points 4(a) and (b) will still apply.
  • If a dancer leaves an existing school and does not join another school, they must still comply with the transfer rule above in points 4(a) and 4(b). Please also note rule (80) under Open Platform guidelines.
• Rule 4 will not apply to any dancer who receives a free transfer. (See below for rule regarding free transfers).
• Any queries arising from the above should be forwarded to the Executive Committee.

Free Transfer
Any dancer may obtain a “Free Transfer” under certain circumstances.

• If a dancer moves location and finds it impossible to attend classes with their present teacher because the distance is too great they may be offered a Free Transfer.
• If a teacher closes their school and does not wish to continue teaching, their pupils may be given a Free Transfer.
• Should a teacher decide that their relationship with a dancer is not working and they cannot continue to work together they may offer the dancer a Free Transfer.
• If the dancer is a raw beginner.

Please note that any dancer who transfers to a new class must perform their new teacher’s steps at Feiseanna.

 

Competition rules are available in a downloadable format from the Downloads section.