RULEBOOK

The Show Competition brings urban dance culture and show competition culture together on one stage. The goal is to foster exchange, mutual respect, foundation, creativity and high-quality showmaking. All crews are expected to act fairly, professionally and with a positive attitude toward all participants, judges, staff and guests.

Juniors: dancers aged 12 to 17.

Adults: dancers aged 18 and over.

A crew must consist of at least five (5) dancers.

For classification into an age category, the dancer's age in the calendar year of the competition applies, unless the event management states otherwise.

Junior Team (75/25 rule): a crew may compete in the Junior Team division if at least 75% of its dancers are between 12 and 17 years old. Up to 25% of the crew may be 18 or older. If a crew exceeds that 25%, it competes in the Adult Team division instead.

Adult Team: there's no minimum age quota for the Adult Team — dancers of any age may take part, as long as the crew's overall roster doesn't meet the Junior Team's 75/25 ratio. A crew whose roster does meet that ratio must register as Junior Team instead.

Deviations or special cases must be agreed and approved with the event management in writing in advance.

A crew consists of at least five (5) actively performing dancers.

All performing members must be registered by the deadline.

Unregistered members may not take part in the performance.

The intended performance duration is at least 2 minutes 30 seconds (2:30) and at most 4 minutes (4:00).

Timing starts with the first audible sound or the recognisable start of the performance.

Exceeding or falling short of the allowed time window may lead to a point deduction. Clear or deliberate violations may lead to disqualification.

Each crew is assigned a fixed staging slot according to the official schedule.

Each crew has one (1) minute on stage for staging.

This time is used to check starting positions, spacing, orientation and entrances/exits once on the actual stage.

Staging is not a full rehearsal and not a run-through of the show.

Instructions from the stage and event management must be followed. The stage must be cleared immediately once the allotted time has elapsed.

If a crew misses its assigned staging slot, there is no automatic right to a replacement slot.

The performance area is expected to be approximately 10 × 12 metres. Final stage dimensions and technical conditions will be communicated ahead of the event if applicable.

There is no crossover behind the stage at the venue. Switching from one side of the stage to the other via a path behind the stage is not possible during the show.

Crews must take this into account in their choreography, formations, entrances/exits and costume or position changes.

A backstage area is set up for participating crews.

Each crew is assigned its own area there.

A deposit of €50 in cash must be left at check-in for the crew area.

The area is inspected jointly after the event. If it is left clean and undamaged, the deposit is returned immediately.

Escape routes, technical areas and general walkways must be kept clear at all times.

Crews are generally responsible for their own personal belongings.

All props must be registered by the deadline stated in the registration process.

Props are only allowed following prior consultation and approval by the event management.

Unregistered or unapproved props may not be brought on stage.

Props must be safe and must not damage or soil the stage, nor pose a danger to dancers, staff or the audience.

The event management may reject props for safety, timing, technical or venue reasons.

The crew is responsible for setting up, removing and timely clearing of its approved props.

Music must be submitted in the specified format and within the deadline communicated by the event management.

The music used must be a clean version. Swear words and clearly offensive, discriminatory, sexually explicit or otherwise inappropriate content are not permitted.

Obscene, vulgar, discriminatory, threatening or deliberately offensive gestures and depictions are not allowed.

Violations may — depending on severity, frequency and context — lead to point deductions up to disqualification.

Each crew is responsible for checking its complete music cut before submission.

A backup file should also be available on the event day.

At official check-in, only the registered team director, coach or a previously named responsible person for the crew should check in, unless the event management requires otherwise.

The responsible person confirms the presence of the crew and its registered dancers on the crew's behalf.

This is intended to enable an efficient, orderly check-in without unnecessary waiting times for full teams.

The event management reserves the right to request proof of age or identity from individual participants.

All performing dancers must be officially registered.

Dancers can be added after the initial registration, provided this happens within the communicated deadline and the age, capacity and participation conditions are met.

Changes to the crew list must be communicated through the official channel provided.

Unregistered dancers may not take part in the performance.

Registration becomes binding once it is completed and the registration fee has been paid.

If an already registered and paid crew is unable to take part in the competition, a refund of the registration fee is generally excluded.

A withdrawal should nonetheless be communicated to the event management as early as possible.

Exceptions, credits or transfers can only be granted at the event management's discretion and are not guaranteed.

The Show Competition is judged by an international jury of five (5) judges. The jury is deliberately composed of experienced figures from both urban dance culture and show competition culture. It is essential that judges do not only represent their own side, but bring understanding and appreciation for both worlds.

Each performance is scored by an international five-person jury across five equally weighted main categories. Each category contributes 20% to the overall score.

Performance — 20%. Assessed: the crew's overall impact, synchronisation, charisma, energy, stage presence and the ability to convincingly deliver the performance to the audience. Deliberate use and command of the stage also factor into this category.

Foundation — 20%. Assessed: the understanding and quality of the dance fundamentals used. This includes groove, basics, movement principles, authenticity and a recognisable understanding of the styles performed and their cultural origins.

Image & Concept — 20%. Assessed: the visual and conceptual impact of the show. This includes formations and imagery, use of space, storytelling, dramaturgy, concept development, and the clarity and coherence of the overall picture.

Creativity & Choreography — 20%. Assessed: originality, creative ideas, choreographic structure, transitions, variety and innovative choices. The Personal Note — the crew's recognisable own signature and identity — plays a particularly important role here.

Musicality & Technique — 20%. Assessed: timing, sense of rhythm, musical interpretation and the deliberate handling of accents, dynamics, lyrics and musical layers. Technical control, precision, cleanliness, movement quality and the convincing execution of the chosen material also count.

Each judge scores the performance based on the official judging sheet and the defined criteria. The final placement results from the combined jury result after accounting for any point deductions.

Artistic decisions by the jury are generally final. Demonstrable calculation or transcription errors can be reviewed and corrected by the event management.

Depending on the type and severity of a rule violation, the event management or the judging team may issue a warning, deduct points, prohibit individual elements, or disqualify a crew. This includes, in particular:

Exceeding or falling short of the allowed performance time.

Swear words, explicit or otherwise prohibited content in the music.

Obscene or clearly inappropriate gestures or depictions.

Use of unregistered or unapproved props.

Unsafe behaviour or deliberate damage to the stage, venue or equipment.

Involvement of unregistered dancers or dancers not eligible to participate.

Serious unsportsmanlike conduct, harassment, discrimination or disrespect toward other crews, judges, staff or guests.

Failure to follow essential safety or event instructions.

This competition sees itself not only as a contest, but as a platform for exchange between different dance cultures and communities. Healthy competition and ambition are explicitly welcome — disrespectful behaviour is not. All participants, coaches and companions contribute to a positive, open and professional atmosphere. Other crews, judges, organizers, venue staff and the audience are to be treated with respect before, during and after the competition.

Crews are responsible for ensuring that choreography, tricks, lifts, acrobatics, costumes and props match the abilities of those involved and can be performed safely.

The event management may prohibit elements or interrupt a performance if there is immediate danger or venue requirements are violated.

Safety, technical, backstage and emergency instructions from the organizer and the venue must be followed at all times.

The event management reserves the right to make necessary organisational or safety-related adjustments to the schedule, staging process, technical conditions or the course of the competition. Material changes will be communicated to registered teams as early as possible. For situations not explicitly covered by these rules, the event management will make a decision in the interest of fairness, safety and the integrity of the competition.