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2024 Wildcat Dance Off

Competition Rules

Team Performances
 
Only High School Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Middle School (Intermediate) teams are eligible to compete in the Wildcat Dance Off. Teams may be varsity, club, extracurricular, or other dance teams, provided they are sponsored by a recognized, established school. Each team may register for up to (2) competitive performances.
 
Fee: $140 per team for the first category, $50 for each additional category.
 
Event Timing and Scheduling
 
The event timing, schedule, and order of appearance for the Wildcat Dance Off will be determined by the Master of Ceremonies, whose decision is final. The order of appearance may be changed at any time by the Master of Ceremonies. Teams will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.
 
Exhibition Performances
 
Teams may register for up to two exhibition performances on a first-come, first-served basis. Exhibition performances offer flexibility depending on your team’s goals:
 
  • Exhibition with Judges Feedback: Receive critiques and scoring from our panel of judges to help your team grow and improve within the Wildcat Dance Off. 
    • Fee: $25 per routine, limit (2) exhibition performances per team.
  • Exhibition Performance Experience (Free): Perform without judges’ feedback to gain performance experience in a competition setting. Limit (2) exhibition performances per team.
Please note: Exhibition slots are limited and not guaranteed due to scheduling constraints.
 
Soloist Division
 
Any dancer on a team may compete for the Soloist title: Wildcat Dance Off Champion! Soloists can compete in any style listed above and must demonstrate proper technique for that genre. Performance time is limited to 60-90 seconds per soloist. All safety and music rules apply. Coaches must register varsity soloists. Teams do not need to compete for a soloist to enter; however, the soloist must be a member of the Varsity team. 
 
Fee: $50 per soloist. Limit (5) varsity soloists per team.
 
Judging and Rules
 
Teams and soloists in the Wildcat Dance Off will be judged according to the current National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Spirit Rules and CIAC State Championship rules. These rules include safety infractions, which may result in point deductions. In addition to the rules set forth in the 2025–2026 NFHS High School Spirit Rules Book (Dance Teams), the following specific guidelines will be in effect for this year’s Wildcat Dance Off:
 
ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
 
Aerial Cartwheels
Front/Back Walkovers
Forward/Backward Rolls
Cartwheels
Headstands
Handstands
Backbends
Headsprings (with hands)
Stalls/Freezes
Head Spins
Windmills
Kip Ups
 Round Offs (with or without hands) 
Shoulder Rolls
Front Handsprings
Front Aerials
Side Somi
       Back Handsprings     
Layouts
Dive Rolls
Front Tucks
Back Tucks
 No handed headsprings 
Toe Pitch Back Tucks
Shushunova
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wildcat Dance Off Competition Rules and Regulations
 
The Wildcat Dance Off, hosted by the NFA Dance Team, follows the rules and safety guidelines below to ensure a fair, professional, and family-friendly competition environment for all participants.
 
Tumbling & Skills (Executed by Individual)
 
  • Hip-over-head rotation skills with hand support are not allowed while holding poms in the supporting hand. Exception: Forward and backward rolls are allowed. The proper use of hands-free poms for hip-over-head skills is permitted; please reference the “Hands-Free Poms” section for more details.
  • Tumbling skills with hip-over-head rotation may be airborne in descent if the approach is non-airborne (e.g., a roundoff is allowed). Airborne skills with or without hand support that land in a perpendicular inversion may not have backward momentum in the approach. Tumbling skills with hip-over-head rotation are limited to three consecutive skills. 
  • Airborne hip-over-head rotation skills without hand support are not allowed, with the exception of front aerials and aerial cartwheels/side somis, which are permitted if they are not connected to any other hip-over-head rotation skill. These skills may not include twisting motion or blind landings, except for roundoffs without hands. It is recommended that if non–hands-free poms are used in front aerials, aerial cartwheels, or side somis, dancers place both poms in the non-dominant hand. If a dancer bears weight on a hand holding a pom during the skill, a penalty will be assessed.
  • Simultaneous tumbling over or under another dancer involving hip-over-head rotation by both dancers is not allowed. 
  • Choreographed drops to the knees, thigh, back, front, head, shoulder, or seat onto the performance surface are not allowed unless the dancer first bears weight on the hands or feet. 
  • Landing in a push-up position is allowed from a standing, kneeling, or jumping position with forward momentum; all variations of a Shushunova are not allowed. 
  • Airborne skills without hip-over-head rotation may not jump backward from a standing or squatting position onto the neck, head, back, shoulder, or hands. Any kip-up motion must begin from the back or shoulder area touching the ground.
Dance Lifts & Partnering (Executed in Pairs or Groups)
 
  • During the Wildcat Dance Off, the executing dancer must receive support from a supporting dancer who remains in direct contact with the performance surface throughout the skill, except for kick line leaps.
  • At least one supporting dancer must maintain contact with the executing dancer(s) throughout the entire skill. Lifting with poms is allowed; extensions, pyramids, and basket tosses are not allowed.
  • Swinging in and out of lifts or tricks is allowed when the executing dancer is in prone or supine position; however, swinging forward, backward, or completing a full circular rotation is not allowed when the executing dancer is prone (facing the floor). 
  • Hip-over-head rotation of the executing dancer(s) may occur only if a supporting dancer maintains contact until the executing dancer returns to the performance surface or an upright position.
  • Vertical inversions are allowed only if the supporting dancer(s) maintain contact until the executing dancer returns to the performance surface or upright position, and when the executing dancer’s shoulders rise above shoulder level of the supporting dancer, there must be at least one additional non–weight-bearing spotter.
Release Moves & Unassisted Dismounts

An executing dancer may jump, leap, step, or push off a supporting dancer if the highest point of the release does not elevate the executing dancer’s feet above the supporting dancer’s head level (exception: toe touches off a dancer’s back and leapfrog jumps are allowed), the executing dancer does not pass through a prone or inverted position during or after the release, and toe-pitch back tucks are not allowed. A supporting dancer may release or toss an executing dancer if the highest point of the release or toss does not elevate the executing dancer’s hips above the supporting dancer’s head level, the executing dancer is not supine or inverted when released, and the executing dancer does not pass through a prone or inverted position during or after release. Toe-pitch back tucks are not allowed.
 
Choreography & Costuming
 
  • All elements of a Wildcat Dance Off routine—including choreography, costuming, and music—must be appropriate for a family audience. Inappropriate choreography includes, but is not limited to:
    • vulgar or suggestive movements
    • offensive or sexual content
    • acts of violence
    • or lewd gestures.
  • Music containing offensive or explicit language, or references to sexual acts, drugs, or violence is prohibited. Replacing explicit words with sound effects or alternate words may still be deemed inappropriate. When in doubt, coaches should remove questionable content to avoid penalties. 
  • Costumes must be secure and appropriate for a family-friendly environment. Shoes must be worn on both feet; dance paws are permitted, but shoes with wheels are not. Socks or footed tights alone are not acceptable footwear. When standing at attention, costumes must fully cover the midriff from the bra line down in the front. Nude body liners are acceptable. Male dancers’ costumes must include a fastened shirt, though sleeveless styles are permitted.
Props

Props are not allowed at the Wildcat Dance Off, except for poms, which must be used by teams in the Pom Division. A prop is defined as any object used in performance that is not attached to the costume. Articles of clothing such as jackets, hats, or sunglasses may be removed and discarded, but once danced with, they are considered props. Items brought onto the performance surface but not worn are also considered props.
 
Hands-Free Poms

The use of hands-free poms is allowed. Hands-free poms are defined as poms designed to attach to the performer’s hands without requiring a grip. Proper use means that bars cannot rest in the palm, and only an elastic band may connect the supporting hand to the performance surface. Hair ties, rubber bands, or tied pom strings do not qualify as hands-free poms.
 
Music Guidelines
 
  • In accordance with NFHS Spirit Group Music Guidelines, all Wildcat Dance Off music must be submitted via the official Wildcat Dance Off Music & Roster upload form by January 30, 2026, for verification.
  • Music must be legitimately purchased, unaltered, and properly licensed. Mixed or edited tracks require proof of licensing. Coaches must comply with the USA Cheer Music Copyrights Educational Initiative and obtain written licenses for all sound recordings used. Teams must be able to provide proof of licensing upon request. Complaints about music use may require coaches to present receipts or proof of licensing. Teams must bring two backup copies of their music on a USB drive or device with an auxiliary output. 
  • Norwich Free Academy (NFA) is not responsible for playback issues. Each team will receive (4) minutes of practice time per routine before the competition begins, with optional sound system use. Teams will be called in order: “On Deck,” “In the Hole,” and “Take the Floor.” Coaches are responsible for ensuring teams are ready when called. Teams have 30 seconds to take position once called.
  • Performances may not exceed two minutes and fifteen seconds, timed from the first movement, sound, or note until the team is motionless or signals completion. Timing disputes will be resolved by the timing judge, whose decision is final.
  • In case of sound system failure, the Master of Ceremonies (M.C.) may allow a restart. If music issues result from coach error, restarts will not be permitted. If a dancer is injured during a performance, the routine may be paused and restarted after removal of the dancer. Restart order and timing will be determined by the M.C., whose decision is final.
  • The M.C. 's decision is final in all Wildcat Dance Off competition matters.
Conduct & Sportsmanship

Coaches must ensure good sportsmanship and appropriate conduct at all times. Booing, taunting, or unsportsmanlike behavior from dancers, coaches, or spectators will not be tolerated and may result in point deductions. Spectators must remain in designated seating areas and away from the performance and judging zones. Coaches and spectators may only record their own teams’ performances.
 
Safety, Supervision & Facilities
 
  • Dancers may not compete in the Wildcat Dance Off without the presence of their head coach, assistant coach, or a designated adult (age 21+) with written authorization from the school’s principal or athletic director.
  • Each dancer must submit a completed medical release form signed by a parent or guardian prior to competition. Forms are submitted electronically; coaches must maintain confirmation records. 
  • Teams are responsible for their assigned prep areas and must clean up before departure. Teams that damage the facility or fail to clean up will not be invited to return. Locker rooms must be supervised by a coach or designated adult.
  • Cameras and recording devices, including cell phones, are strictly prohibited in locker rooms. 
  • Violations will result in disqualification and possible disciplinary action.
  • A certified trainer or medical personnel will be on-site for emergency needs. Teams may bring their own trainer if desired.
Awards & Results
 
Coaches should remain with their teams during the awards presentation. Only designated dancers may accept awards. Score sheets and judges’ comments will be available for head coaches following the conclusion of the Wildcat Dance Off. Participating schools are responsible for their own transportation and expenses. All fees must be paid in advance. No refunds will be issued after the registration deadline. Team dancers and up to two coaches per team are admitted free; additional staff must pay general admission.