Hip Hop Dance Competition Rules and Guidelines

The Official Rules and Regulations Manual of CRITICAL BREAKDOWN JAMS - HIP HOP DANCE
COMPETITION contain the participant eligibility/entry requirements, standard procedures and the rules
and regulations.

CRITICAL BREAKDOWN HIPHOP DANCE COMPETITION is a competitive dance event that provides
performers with opportunities to showcase the artistry and technique of Hip Hop dance and street dance,
for media exposure and championship titles. Crews showcase their ultimate works of art in a two (2)
minute routine. Creativity, showmanship and artistic freedom are always rewarded provided integrity,
good taste and safety are not compromised. The most captivating hip-hop routines contain a variety of
dance styles, original moves, showmanship and engaging music.

Hip Hop Dance Defined

There is no one definition to describe hip-hop dance. Hip-hop dance is a fusion of street dance disciplines
and cultural interpretations from around the world. A hip-hop dance routine incorporates the look, music,
attitude, posture and street dance style to make it uniquely hip-hop. The most real routines showcase a
variety of hip-hop dance styles, signature moves and choreography conveying the character and energy
of the street.

ENTRY CRITERIA
1. Crews must abide by the eligibility rules of Critical Breakdown Jam - Hip Hop Dance Competition.
2. This is an “open” category.
3. Crews have to undergo series of auditions or submit videos of dance piece.
4. Each entry should have a minimum of 10(ten) members and a maximum of fifteen (15) who may either
composed of all male or female or a combination of both.
5. You can request Entry/Registration form from this email address rhythmnblu@yahoo.com
6. Waiver & Release of Liability: Each group must submit a Release of Liability Form and Waiver prior to
the competition from liability for any accident or injury occurring to a group member prior to, during, or
after the competition.
7. Crews are required to complete the registration form, crew’s achievements after the semifinal final.
Failure to comply with all the necessary requirements before the imposed final deadline by the
coordinators will automatically cancel their participation.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
1. Any kind of hip hop dance is allowed (krumping, break dance, locking, popping, c-walk, etc) or any kind
of dance with the hip hop as their focal thought of choreography, provided that the choreographers of the
group have the proper knowledge or background to execute it properly.
2. Avoid copying other dance group’s steps, routine, ideas and concept even they are not in the
competition and/or you are not permitted to do so. The Hip Hop National Team and the selected judges
are one of the most knowledgeable and experienced people who look for performances that are different,
new and original. Be yourself and express your group’s diversity with passion, intensity and style.

STAGE RULES
1. Each groups will be given the opportunity to practice (block) their routine to their music on the
competition performance area (stage) at least once prior to the start of the competition. The group is
responsible for coming to the practice round on time or it may be forfeited. Each group is given ten
(10mins) for blockings. There will be no blockings on stage before the contest start. The group who
violate this rule will be deducted 2 points from its total score.
2. Confirmation of attendance/presence of dancers must be made to the dance Committee at least 2
hours before the schedule of the competition.
3. Attire/Costume Attire may include accessories such as hats, caps, gloves, scarves, jewelry, etc.
Removing pieces of clothing during the performance is permitted provided it is not offensive or out of
character. Discarded clothing should be placed outside the competition area and never thrown off the
stage into the audience. Substances applied to the body or clothing that may affect the clean dry surface
of the stage and the safety of fellow competitors is prohibited. Group members may wear jazz shoes,
dance boots, sneakers, athletic sport shoes or plainly feet. All footwear must have clean, non-scuff soles.
4. Props are not allowed (i.e. canes, chairs, tambourines, musical instruments). Kneepads, helmets, or
any other performing apparatus to aid in the safety and proper execution of a move is allowed but
concealed, when possible, so as not to detract from the performance or the judges’ concentration on the
performance. Using of pyro technics and fire crackers are prohibited, the crew who violate this rule is
automatically disqualified.

EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES
1. An extraordinary circumstance is an occurrence beyond the control of a group that affects the group’s
ability to perform at the beginning or at any time in a routine. An extraordinary circumstance is not limited
to the examples listed below and may be declared at the discretion of the Head of the board of judges.
a) Incorrect music is played or cued.
b) Music problems due to equipment malfunction.
c) Disturbances caused by general equipment failure, i.e. lighting, stage, venue or sound.
d) The realization of or introduction of any foreign object or disturbance into the performance
area, just before or during a performance, by an individual or means other than the groups(s).
2. It is the responsibility of the groups to immediately stop the routine if an extraordinary circumstance
occurs.
3. The competition organizer, Head of the board of judges will review the situation, and upon a confirming
decision and correction of the problem, the groups will be reintroduced, return to the stage and restart
their routine. If the group’s claim is determined to be unfounded by the Head of the board of judges, the
groups will not be allowed to restart the performance resulting in a default.
4. Claim of an extraordinary circumstance presented by the groups after the routine has been completed
will not be accepted or reviewed.

MEDICAL ATTENTION
1. It is the responsibility of the group members, manager or choreographer to report a group member’s
injury or illness to the event organizer(s).
2. If at any time prior to or during competition a group member is ill, injured, or his/her physical or
emotional condition is at risk by participating, he/she may be declared ineligible to compete, or
disqualified from competing further. The competition organizer(s) reserves the right to withdraw any
competitor who appears to have such serious disability or injury or needs medical attention.
3. The competition organizer(s) reserves the right to request the submittal of a physician’s written
authorization for a group member to compete that is deemed medically or emotionally at risk by the
competition organizer.

MUSICAL REQUIREMENTS
1. The group must perform in a two (2) minute routines. One (1) point shall be deducted from each judge
for every five (5) seconds short or five (5) seconds exceeding the time limit. Timing of performance will
start from the first note of the music and ends at the last note of music.
2. The participating group must submit their music to the organizer three (3) days before the contest date.
3. The competition music must be the only piece of music and recorded 3x on the CD (track 1-3).
4. The group name and title of the performance/musical piece must be printed on the CD. There is no
maximum or minimum number of songs or recordings that may be used in the routine. The songs may be
edited to enhance choreography and personal performance.
5. The competition music must not contain inappropriate, lewd or offensive language.

PERFORMANCE ORDER
1. Performance order is determined by drawing of lots conducted by the competition organizer.

WALK OVER
1. A crew who fails to appear on the stage and initiate the starting position within sixty (60) seconds after
being called will be declared a “no show” and disqualified.

CRITERIA FOR JUDGING and POINT VALUE

CHOREOGRAPHY = 2 points
(dance arrangements, concept)

THEME & MUSIC = 2 points

(musicality, beat technique/syncopation,timing, moves related to the music)

ORIGINALITY = 2 points
(incorporating unique and original/creative moves)

PERFORMANCE = 4 points
(entertainment value/crowd appeal, staging, spacing formations and level/ changes, synchronization,
execution showmanship and variety of hip hop routines)

A total score of ten (10) points.

The following are a list of Street Dance Styles from early foundation to present*:
Locking
Popping
Bboying/Bgirling (breaking)
Wacking
Punking
Vogueing
House Dance
Party Dances or Club Dances (popular or trendy dances)
Hip Hop Dance/Choreography
Krumping

JUDGES PANEL

1. A panel of judges will consist of five (5)) persons.

2. All judges must meet the eligibility, training, judge skill level and certification requirements set forth by
Critical Breakdown Jam Organizers.
3. Judging shall be carried out to utilizing the “Ranking System” and in case of a tie, the Point System
shall be applied to break the same. Should there still be a tie after applying the point system the judges
led by their chairman shall agree on the means on how to break it.
4. Judges decision is FINAL and IRREVOCABLE.

PROTEST
Protests are prohibited and will not be accepted regarding any score or result of a decision.

Discrepancies in the Rules and/or Competition

Any problem or discrepancy during a competition will be brought to the attention of the competition
organizer who will address it with the Head Judge, and/or event committee, and the respective
decision(s) made will be final.