DNL

Dance National League RULES & REGULATIONS

Rules & Regulations for Competitive Program

The main components of these Rules include:

  • Age Division
  • Dance Levels
  • Athlete’s Individual Score Book

The Age Division and Dance Level are integral for the construction of training and approach in the DNL. The age category and dance level define two types of competitions in the DNL:

  • Open Class Tournaments (challenge cups), in which athletes of the same age category only but different dance skill levels can compete together;
  • Tournaments of Certain Class, in which athletes of the same skill class only and the same age category can compete together.
  • Age groups: Juvenile-1 and Juvenile-2, Junior-1 and Junior-2, Youth, Under 21, Adults and Seniors.
  • Dancers may compete in their current age division and dance level, as well as one age division and/or one dance level higher.

Age Division in Canada:

Juvenile-1 (7-9 years old)
Juvenile-2 (10-11 years old)
Junior-1 (12-13 years old)
Junior-2 (14-15 years old)
Youth (16-18 years old)
Under 21 (16-21 years old)
Adults (18 years and older)
Seniors-1 (30 years and older)
Seniors-2 (40 years and older)
Seniors-3 (50 years and older)
Seniors-4 (60 years and older)

  • The athlete is obliged to compete in his/her age category or in competitions in his dance level or on one age division and dance level higher, depends on the rang of competition (check rules and regulations of competition when you register).
  • Dance Level is defined as a certain level of physical development, psychological and musical-aesthetic fitness of an athlete, providing him the ability to perform figures and dances of a certain degree of complexity in technical and choreographic terms at various stages of the training process related to the age of the athlete.
  • Classes have the following designations in competitive level: “Newcomer”, “Pre-Bronze”, “Bronze”, “Silver”, “Gold”, “Pre-Championship” and “Championship”. Regional affiliates are allowed to introduce a recreational, pre-competitive program “Dance Sport to Enjoy” for beginners who have not reached the level of class “Newcomer” (the so-called dance levels “N1,2,3,4,5,6”) and develop rules for conductions competitions for them.
  • Combining the Age Division and Dance Levels as described above determines 11 classifications groups.
  • A classification group is an allowed list of dance level for the relevant age division and represents “average”, exceptions may be possible. In other words, the classification group determines the maximum allowable upper class of skill for an athlete in a given age category.

Classifications groups are as follow:

Age Division Dance Level
Juvenile-1 (7-9 years old) “Newcomer”, “Pre-Bronze”, “Bronze”
Juvenile-2 (10-11 years old) “Newcomer”, “Pre-Bronze”, “Bronze”, “Silver”
Junior-1 (12-13 years old) “Newcomer”, “Pre-Bronze”, “Bronze”, “Silver”, “Gold”
Junior-2 (14-15 years old) “Newcomer”, “Pre-Bronze”, “Bronze”, “Silver”, “Gold”, “Pre-Champ”
Youth (16-18 years old) “Newcomer”, “Pre-Bronze”, “Bronze”, “Silver”, “Gold”, “Pre-Championship” and “Championship”
Under 21 (16-21 years old)
Adults (18 years and older)
Seniors-1 (30 years and older)
Seniors-2 (40 years and older)
Seniors-3 (50 years and older)
Seniors-4 (60 years and older)
  • A dance skill level is assigned based on the results of DNL dance competitions and/or Provincial and National competitions.
  • An athlete who does not have a Dance skill level may be assigned a class “Newcomer”if he/she has completed the initial course of study in the precompetitive program “Dance Sport to Enjoy” and received a Score Book on the basis of the coach’s application.
  • In the age division of Juniors-2 (from 14 years old) and older, dance level “Bronze” may be assigned, based on the coach’s application.
  • Assignments of the next Dance levels “Pre-Bronze”, “Bronze”, “Silver”, “Gold”, “Pre- Championship”, Championship” is made by the main coach on the basis of pointing scored.
  • Scoring is calculated separately for each athlete in a couple in accordance with his/her skill dance level and the taken place of each of the athletes at the competition.
  • Assignment of Dance Level classes is carried out separately in the Standard and/or Latin American programs.
  • Scoring, is the method that determine when competitor can move from one dance level to another.

The method of collecting points:

  • Dancer will get 1 point for participating in a competition.
  • Dancer receives an extra 1 point when placed 1st out of minimum of 3 competitors in their current dance level and age group; or placed in the top 25% of all dancers in a category.
  • Points will be recorded only for the current dance level and age division (i.e.,points for category up will not be recorded) and Open Class Tournaments (i.e.,challenge cups) current age division.

*Extra entries are needed for dancers to gain competitive experience and improve dance skills faster.

Total points required.

The minimum number of points for one of the programs:

from “Newcomer” to “Pre-Bronz e”: minimum 10 points, maximum 25
from “Pre-Bronze” to “Bronze”: minimum 10 points, maximum 25
from "Bronze" to "Silver": minimum 12 points, maximum 27
from "Silver" to "Gold": minimum 12 points, maximum 27
from "Gold" to "Pre-Championship": minimum 15 points, maximum 30
from "Pre-Championship" to «Championship»: min 20points, max 40.

  • When competitor is moving from one age group to another, as well as creating a new dance couple, the points received from previous results will be carried forward.
  • The class in the new created dance couple is determined by the class of the male partner.
  • Couple or single competitors immediately ensure the transfer to the next dance level as soon as he has scored the maximum number of points necessary for this.

BALLROOM / SMOOTH

BOY BALLROOM / SMOOTH
All levels
COSTUME - GENERAL NOT ALLOWED: International costume
SHIRT Plain white or black shirt with long sleeves, with black tie or black bow tie; White or black turtleneck is permitted
PANTS Black trousers (pants); High waist black trousers (pants) are permitted
Plain black belt is permitted
NOT ALLOWED: Jeans and leather pants
ACCESSORIES & MAKE-UP NOT ALLOWED: Jewelry, Face make-up, Any form of body make-up
GIRL BALLROOM / SMOOTH
All levels
DRESS - GENERAL Simple dress; Leotard with skirt or wrap-around skirt
The whole dress must be made of the same material, either one-color or printed; Must have sleeves
NOT ALLOWED: International costume
NOT ALLOWED: Slash-neck leotard or dress with one sleeve; Leotard or dress with shoe string straps or straps of any description; Sleeveless leotard or dress with frills on shoulder; Pants, jeans, shorts
DRESS - SKIRT Length between knee and mid-calf; Uniform length
NOT ALLOWED: Openings in the skirt; Feathered trim, Fringe, Fringe trim, Frill; Skirt made up of strips; Split up front
DRESS - OPENINGS NOT ALLOWED: Bare midriffs; Cut-out bodices front or back
DRESS - DECORATION NOT ALLOWED: Sequins, Diamantes, Rhinestones, Feathers, Metallic thread, Fringe, Lace, Bow, Frill, Fluorescent paint, or any other similar decoration or trimming
DRESS - MATERIAL NOT ALLOWED: See-through material, Body stocking material, Skin tone material, Lace material
DRESS - OTHER NOT ALLOWED: Slashed thighs
UNDERWEAR Buttock of the female partner must be covered all the time
NOT ALLOWED: Skin tone underwear; Tangas
FOOTWEAR Ankle level white socks optional; Flat dancing shoes must be worn
ACCESSORIES & MAKE-UP NOT ALLOWED: Arm bands, chokers or headbands; Decoration on dress; Fake eyelashes; Fake fingernails; Colored or glitter hair spray; Face make-up; Any form of body make-up
HAIR Long hair must be attached in a bun

LATIN / RHYTHM

BOY LATIN / RHYTHM
All levels
COSTUME - GENERAL NOT ALLOWED: International costume
SHIRT Plain white or black shirt with long sleeves, with black tie or black bow tie; White or black turtleneck is permitted
PANTS Black trousers (pants); High waist black trousers (pants) are permitted
Plain black belt is permitted
NOT ALLOWED: Jeans and leather pants
ACCESSORIES & MAKE-UP NOT ALLOWED: Jewelry, Face make-up, Any form of body make-up
GIRL LATIN / RHYTHM
All levels
DRESS - GENERAL Simple dress; Leotard with skirt or wrap-around skirt
The whole dress must be made of the same material, either one-color or printed; Must have sleeves
NOT ALLOWED: International costume
NOT ALLOWED: Slash-neck leotard or dress with one sleeve; Leotard or dress with shoe string straps or straps of any description; Sleeveless leotard or dress with frills on shoulder; Pants, jeans, shorts
DRESS - SKIRT Length no higher than mid-thigh; Uniform length
NOT ALLOWED: Openings in the skirt; Feathered trim, Fringe, Fringe trim, Frill; Skirt made up of strips; Split up front
DRESS - OPENINGS NOT ALLOWED: Bare midriffs; Cut-out bodices front or back
DRESS - DECORATION NOT ALLOWED: Sequins, Diamantes, Rhinestones, Feathers, Metallic thread, Fringe, Lace, Bow, Frill, Fluorescent paint, or any other similar decoration or trimming
DRESS - MATERIAL NOT ALLOWED: See-through material, Body stocking material, Skin tone material, Lace material
DRESS - OTHER NOT ALLOWED: Slashed thighs
UNDERWEAR Buttock of the female partner must be covered all the time
NOT ALLOWED: Skin tone underwear; Tangas
FOOTWEAR Ankle level white socks optional; Flat dancing shoes must be worn
ACCESSORIES & MAKE-UP NOT ALLOWED: Arm bands, chokers or headbands; Decoration on dress; Fake eyelashes; Fake fingernails; Colored or glitter hair spray; Face make-up; Any form of body make-up
HAIR Long hair must be attached in a bun

BALLROOM / SMOOTH

BOY BALLROOM / SMOOTH
Beginners, Pre-Bronze, Bronze Silver, Gold, Pre-Championship, Championship
COSTUME - GENERAL NOT ALLOWED: International costume Black tail suit with white shirt, with white bow tie; Black suit, with white shirt, with black bow tie or black tie; Black jacket without sleeves is permitted, with black or white shirt, with long sleeves, with black bow tie or black tie
SHIRT Plain white or black shirt with long sleeves, with black tie or black bow tie; White or black turtleneck is permitted
PANTS Black trousers (pants); High waist black trousers (pants) are permitted
Plain black belt is permitted
NOT ALLOWED: Jeans and leather pants
OTHER NOT ALLOWED: Jewelry
GIRL BALLROOM / SMOOTH
Beginners, Pre-Bronze, Bronze Silver, Gold, Pre-Championship, Championship
DRESS - GENERAL Simple dress; Leotard with skirt or wrap-around skirt
The whole dress must be made of the same material, either one-color or printed; Must have sleeves
NOT ALLOWED: International costume
NOT ALLOWED: Slash-neck leotard or dress with one sleeve; Leotard or dress with shoe string straps or straps of any description; Sleeveless leotard or dress with frills on shoulder; Pants, jeans, shorts		 Competition style dress
DRESS - SKIRT Length between knee and mid-calf; Uniform length
NOT ALLOWED: Openings in the skirt; Feathered trim, Fringe, Fringe trim, Frill; Skirt made up of strips; Split up front		 NOT ALLOWED: Jeans, shorts
DRESS - OPENINGS NOT ALLOWED: Bare midriffs; Cut-out bodices front or back
DRESS - DECORATION NOT ALLOWED: Sequins, Diamantes, Rhinestones, Feathers, Metallic thread, Fringe, Lace, Bow, Frill, Fluorescent paint, or any other similar decoration or trimming
DRESS - MATERIAL NOT ALLOWED: See-through material, Body stocking material, Skin tone material, Lace material
UNDERWEAR Buttock of the female partner must be covered all the time
NOT ALLOWED: Skin tone underwear; Tangas		 Buttock of the female partner must be covered all the time
NOT ALLOWED: Skin tone underwear; Tangas
HAIR Long hair must be attached in a bun

LATIN / RHYTHM

BOY LATIN / RHYTHM
Beginners, Pre-Bronze, Bronze Silver, Gold, Pre-Championship, Championship
COSTUME - GENERAL NOT ALLOWED: International costume Competition style outfit; No restriction on color combinations
SHIRT Plain white or black shirt with long sleeves, with black tie or black bow tie; White or black turtleneck is permitted
PANTS Black trousers (pants); High waist black trousers (pants) are permitted
Plain black belt is permitted
NOT ALLOWED: Jeans and leather pants		 High waist trousers (pants) are permitted
NOT ALLOWED: Jeans and leather pants
OTHER NOT ALLOWED: Jewelry
GIRL LATIN / RHYTHM
Beginners, Pre-Bronze, Bronze Silver, Gold, Pre-Championship, Championship
DRESS - GENERAL Simple dress; Leotard with skirt or wrap-around skirt
The whole dress must be made of the same material, either one-color or printed; Must have sleeves
NOT ALLOWED: International costume
NOT ALLOWED: Slash-neck leotard or dress with one sleeve; Leotard or dress with shoe string straps or straps of any description; Sleeveless leotard or dress with frills on shoulder; Pants, jeans, shorts		 Competition style dress
DRESS - SKIRT Length no higher than mid-thigh; Uniform length
NOT ALLOWED: Openings in the skirt; Feathered trim, Fringe, Fringe trim, Frill; Skirt made up of strips; Split up front		 NOT ALLOWED: Jeans, shorts
DRESS - OPENINGS NOT ALLOWED: Bare midriffs; Cut-out bodices front or back
DRESS - DECORATION NOT ALLOWED: Sequins, Diamantes, Rhinestones, Feathers, Metallic thread, Fringe, Lace, Bow, Frill, Fluorescent paint, or any other similar decoration or trimming
DRESS - MATERIAL NOT ALLOWED: See-through material, Body stocking material, Skin tone material, Lace material
DRESS - OTHER NOT ALLOWED: Slashed thighs
UNDERWEAR Buttock of the female partner must be covered all the time
NOT ALLOWED: Skin tone underwear; Tangas		 Buttock of the female partner must be covered all the time
NOT ALLOWED: Skin tone underwear; Tangas
HAIR Long hair must be attached in a bun

BALLROOM / SMOOTH

GENTLEMAN BALLROOM / SMOOTH
Beginners, Pre-Bronze, Bronze Silver, Gold, Pre-Championship Championship
COSTUME - GENERAL NOT ALLOWED: International costume Black tail suit with white shirt, with white bow tie; Black suit, with white shirt, with black bow tie or black tie; Black jacket without sleeves is permitted, with black or white shirt, with long sleeves, with black bow tie or black tie Black tail suit with white shirt, with white bow tie; Black suit, with white shirt, with black bow tie or black tie
SHIRT Plain white or black shirt with long sleeves, with black tie or black bow tie; White or black turtleneck is permitted
PANTS Suitable black trousers (pants)
NOT ALLOWED: Jeans and leather pants
LADY BALLROOM / SMOOTH
Beginners, Pre-Bronze, Bronze Silver, Gold, Pre-Championship, Championship
DRESS - GENERAL Afternoon dress; Skirt and blouse; Leotard with skirt or wrap-around skirt
NOT ALLOWED: International costume
NOT ALLOWED: Pants, jeans, shorts		 Competition style dress
DRESS - SKIRT Length between knee and mid-calf
NOT ALLOWED: Openings in the front, side or back
DRESS - OPENINGS Cut at the back must not be lower than the waist; Sides and breast area must be covered
DRESS - DECORATION NOT ALLOWED: Sequins, Diamantes, Rhinestones, Feathers, Metallic thread, Fringe, or any other similar decoration or trimming
DRESS - MATERIAL NOT ALLOWED: Body stocking material, Skin tone material, Lace material
UNDERWEAR Buttock of the female partner must be covered all the time
NOT ALLOWED: Tangas		 Buttock of the female partner must be covered all the time
NOT ALLOWED: Tangas

LATIN / RHYTHM

GENTLEMAN LATIN / RHYTHM
Beginners, Pre-Bronze, Bronze Silver, Gold, Pre-Championship, Championship
COSTUME - GENERAL NOT ALLOWED: International costume Competition style outfit; No restriction on color combinations
SHIRT Plain white or black shirt with long sleeves, with black tie or black bow tie; White or black turtleneck is permitted
PANTS Suitable black trousers (pants); High waist black trousers (pants) are permitted
Plain black belt is permitted
NOT ALLOWED: Jeans and leather pants		 High waist trousers (pants) are permitted
NOT ALLOWED: Jeans and leather pants
OTHER NOT ALLOWED: Jewelry
LADY LATIN / RHYTHM
Beginners, Pre-Bronze, Bronze Silver, Gold, Pre-Championship, Championship
DRESS - GENERAL Afternoon dress; Skirt and blouse; Leotard with skirt or wrap-around skirt
NOT ALLOWED: International costume
NOT ALLOWED: Pants, jeans, shorts		 Competition style dress
NOT ALLOWED: Jeans, shorts
DRESS - SKIRT Length no higher than mid-thigh
NOT ALLOWED: Openings in the front, side or back
DRESS - OPENINGS Cut at the back must not be lower than the waist; Sides and breast area must be covered
DRESS - DECORATION NOT ALLOWED: Sequins, Diamantes, Rhinestones, Feathers, Metallic thread, Fringe, or any other similar decorations
DRESS - MATERIAL NOT ALLOWED: Body stocking material; See-through material for the breast area and the sides; Skin tone material, Lace material
UNDERWEAR Buttock of the female partner must be covered all the time
NOT ALLOWED: Tangas		 Buttock of the female partner must be covered all the time
NOT ALLOWED: Tangas
  • The athlete’s Individual Score Book (“Score Book”) is the main document of the athlete and must contain all the necessary information about the athlete: registration number, First and Last name, the studio and coach’s name, date of birth, athlete’s dance level, name of the partner, information about competitions, in which the athlete performance, the place and number of participants and the number of points scored at each competition.
  • At every competition where an athlete participates, information on the competition, the result of the athlete, and points scored must be recorded in the Score Book.
  • Points for couple or single dancer will be recorded in the Score Book only if at least three dance studios participated in the competition.
  • When need to replace the Score Book, all previous results and achievements will be recorded in the new Score Book.
  • Couple or single dancer immediately ensure the transfer to the next dance level as soon as he has scored the maximum number of points necessary for this.
  • Points will be recorded only for the current dance level and age division (i.e.,points for category up will not be recorded) and Open Class Tournaments (i.e.,challenge cups) current age division.
  • Registration takes place by providing a score book of DNL in accordance to the starting category of athlete.
Download Rules & Regulations PDF Document Download Dress Code PDF Document

Have a questions? Call: 905.597.3362