COMPETITION CATEGORIES
&
DESCRIPTIONS
Dance/Drill in Oregon observes a category style format for DDCA sanctioned competitions and OSAA State Championship. The categories offered are also defined in the DDCA manual for local competitions and in the OSAA manual for the State Championship. During part of the season DDCA sanctioned competitions often have additional categories available that are not offered at the OSAA State Championship.
From time to time, the categories offered may have adjustments, or may not be offered for the current season. Be sure to verify that the category you want to compete is an option for the current season.
The DDCA and OSAA manuals can be found on the Membership Resources page.
OSAA STATE CATEGORIES
Jazz Category
All DDCA Local Competitions
OSAA State Championships
Rooted in African traditions, Jazz movement originates from African rhythms and music (drums) that inspired movement with physical isolations, low center of gravity, and social interaction/communication. This lineage includes traditional Black social dances and their various ballroom offshoots (Swing, Jitterbug, the Charleston, Boogie-Woogie, etc.). In the mid 1900’s these evolving movement origins began to incorporate the technical rigor and vocabulary of ballet and some modern dance forms, leading to the Jazz techniques we see and study today. Jazz techniques include a variety of unique movements that incorporate isolation of the hips, torso, and limbs, extension, balance, turns, jumps, and leaps and may have an emphasis on theatrics. Jazz category entries will emphasize a cohesive display of musicality within the choreography, a variety of movement qualities, and a structured technique.
The “one prop” rule applies to Jazz Category entries.
Required time limits without penalty and to qualify for State Championship - two (2) to three (3) minutes
OSAA STATE CATEGORY
Historical Jazz references & personalities:
● Jack Cole ● Bob Fosse ● Katherine Dunham ● Gus Giordano ● Luigi
Hip Hop Category
All DDCA Local Competitions
OSAA State Championships
Hip-hop dance emerged during the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, originally inspired by the movements of African dance and embracing the freedom of improvisation. Hip-hop incorporates aspects of other 20th century dance forms and social dances, and often has a raw physicality that diverts from the Appendix B: Page | 2 Updated 9.8.2022 formal vocabulary of techniques like Jazz, Modern, and Ballet. Also sometimes referred to as “street dance,” common forms or styles of Hip Hop have connections to urban culture and evolved with the rise of rap and hip hop music. Styles include: B-boying (Breakdancing), Locking and Popping, Funk, Up rock, Liquid Dance, Boogaloo, Reggae, Lyrical, Krumping, Tutting, and Stepping.
The “one prop” rule applies to Hip-Hop entries.
Required time limits without penalty and to qualify for State Championship - two (2) to three (3) minutes
OSAA STATE CATEGORY
Current & Historical Hip Hop references, personalities, and groups:
● Boogaloo Sam ● Don Campbellock ● Safi Thomas ● Napoleon & Tabitha (Nappy Tabs) ● Shandon Perez ● Carson Rowe ● University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) Dance Team ● University of Memphis Pom ● Cincinnati Dance Team ● Louisiana State University (LSU) Tiger Girls
Pom Category
All DDCA Local Competitions
OSAA State Championships
Pom Category focus is on use of Poms and should demonstrate synchronization, sharp motions and visual effect. Choreography should be upbeat and fast paced. Routines incorporate precise and tight arm motions showcasing Poms, as well as technical dance skills, stunts, acrobatics, and/or tricks. Emphasis should be on creating visual effects with the Poms and entertaining and engaging the audience.
Currently, Poms are the only prop that may be used in the Pom Category.
Required time limits without penalty and to qualify for State Championship - two (2) to three (3) minutes
OSAA STATE CATEGORY
Notable Pom groups commonly include many Cheer and Collegiate/Pro Game-dance styles, such as the following:
● University of Minnesota Dance Team ● The Ohio State University Dance Team ● University of Iowa Dance Team ● Millard North High School ● Lake Forest High School ● Floyd Central High School
Kick Category
All DDCA Local Competitions
OSAA State Championships (Status of Kick at State is Pending)
A Kick Category routine must contain at least fifty (50) waist-high kicks (a total of 50 kicks performed by at least half of the team).
A kick is defined as one foot remaining on the floor while lifting the other foot from the floor at least waist height. The movement performed as an extension of the leg from the hip or knee is considered a kick.
A variety of kicks, group work, effective floor patterning, and the use of levels are common in a kick routine. A variety of styles may be combined, or a single style may be used. Kick routine styles may be Dance-oriented or Drill (precision) oriented. Kick routines incorporate the basic “grand battement” movement performed as an extension of the leg from the hip or knee.
Kick lines were used in the early 1900s as an entertaining halftime performance, a means for entertainment at nightclubs and vaudeville shows, and has remained popular due to groups like the Radio City Rockettes and some variety show/Vegas-type productions.
The “one prop” rule applies to Kick Category entries.
Required time limits without penalty and to qualify for State Championship (if offered) – one and half (1:30) to two and a half (2:30) minutes
OSAA STATE CATEGORY
Notable Kick References:
● Radio City Rockettes ● Can-Can style ● Texas and Minnesota State Kick Categories
Traditional Category
Select DDCA Local Competitions
OSAA State Championships
Traditional Category is one of the OSAA State Championship categories offered as of 2023;, however "Traditional" routines have been seen in Oregon for many years in different forms. Traditional category has the flexibility to fuse all the elements and variables of Modern and Contemporary categories (see below) into one category for the OSAA State season. A Traditional Category routine may be of any style, or combination of styles (e.g. lyrical, modern, contemporary) that is not primarily defined by another DDCA Category represented at the OSAA State Championships (i.e. Kick, Hip Hop, Jazz, etc.). There may be a bit of fusion with various dance styles, but most often utilize Modern/Contemporary elements.
Dances that originated from the Modern or Contemporary categories (DDCA Categories) will need to re-qualify for the OSAA state championship as a Traditional Category entry, but can be a continued development of a Modern or Contemporary category routine, if desired. See descriptions for Modern and Contemporary for further explanation of what the Traditional Category routine may be based upon.
The “one prop” rule applies to Traditional entries.
Required time limits without penalty and to qualify for State Championship - two (2) to three (3) minutes
OSAA STATE CATEGORY
Show Category
Select DDCA Local Competitions
OSAA State Championships
The Show Category has roots in the pageantry arts (winterguard and drum corps) as well as the more theatrical presentations of entertainment dance (broadway and commercial productions) and concert dance (ballet and modern dance productions). Show division can utilize any of the other dance category guidelines within its presentation in a variety of ways, but like Novelty, Show also incorporates the elaborate integration of backdrops, sets, and/or props. Not a requirement, but the Show Division allows portable dance floors or “tarps” to cover the court floor, which helps create an immersive environment with the other design elements. In the Show division, there is a heavy emphasis on conceptual design and thematic points of view, which may be an entertainment approach that connects directly with the audience, or an abstract approach that uses presentation elements to evoke an indirect emotional or thoughtful response from the audience. Either way, a successful Show routine will acknowledge the performative aspects of the routine; integrate the props, sets, music, and choreography; and connect to the viewer in an intentional and crafted way. There should be a balance of how the visual, emotional, and intellectual concept merges with technically sound movement techniques. *Note: Novelty routines could become a Show category routine for the OSAA State Championships, if desired, but must qualify as a Show routine.
Many options and potential for prop and set use, but must follow all NFHS safety guidelines and rules
Required time limits without penalty and to qualify for State Championship:
Two (2) to six (6) minutes of dance time.
At the State Championships, the Show Division may have an additional set-up/tear-down time limit set by the OSAA. The set-up/tear-down time limit would also include your dance time. Please note: You can be penalized for going over or under your dance time as well as for going over your set-up/tear-down time at the OSAA State Championships.
OSAA STATE CATEGORY
Possible SHOW influences or references:
● WGI (Winterguard International) groups ● Large-scale stage productions of ballet, modern dance, and/or broadway work.
Possible dance/choreographer references: Pina Bausch, Shen Wei, Momix, Cloudgate Dance Theater, Netherlands Dance Theater, and other large scale dance work.
ADDITIONAL DDCA CATEGORIES
Not Currently Offered at OSAA State Championships
Modern Category
Select DDCA Local Competitions only.
Modern Category is offered until DDCA Invitational each season - After DDCA Invitational, Modern style can be utilized in the Traditional Category
Modern Dance was born in America during the turn of the 20th century as a rebellion against the rigid and imperialistic nature of ballet. Established modern techniques vary considerably but have a strong technical base that may or may not connect to elements of ballet vocabulary and have been clearly and uniquely established as individual movement techniques on their own. Established modern techniques can appear vastly different from one another; however, most have a foundational movement vocabulary or physicality that is rigorously practiced and clearly rooted in its form. Martha Graham based techniques (contraction and release) will look wildly different from Doris Humphery based techniques (fall and recovery), which will look different from Merce Cunningham based techniques (balletic appearance with complex use of back and torso). Essentially the techniques utilized in the various modern vocabularies were a timely deviation from the norm when developed but have found their way into mainstream dance forms of today. This "deviation from the norm" approach will and should be evident in a Modern Category routine in some format. Generally, it is best to reference modern techniques and movement qualities in terms of the personalities that established them as fundamental in their own techniques, rather than generalize what Modern Dance is. Modern Dance innovators are also drawn to fuse its varied styles into the cultural dances of Asia, Africa, and other cultural dance forms.
The “one prop” rule applies to Modern entries.
Required time limits without penalty - two (2) to three (3) minutes
ADDITIONAL DDCA CATEGORY
Additional Historical Modern and Post-modern dance references & personalities:
● Ted Shawn ● Mary Wigman ● Hanya Holm ● Charles Weideman ● Agness de Mille ● Paul Taylor ● Katherine Dunham ● Pearl Primus ● Anna Halprin ● Twyla Tharp ● Yvonne Rainer ● Pilobolus ● Moses Pendleton ● Akram Khan ● Tao Dance Theater
Contemporary Category
Select DDCA Local Competitions only.
Contemporary Category is offered until DDCA Invitational each season - After DDCA Invitational, Contemporary style can be utilized in the Traditional Category
Contemporary is a continuously evolving movement style that is grounded in traditional technical training. Contemporary techniques tend to find themselves within the center of a triangle with Ballet, Modern, and Jazz at its points. With a tendency to hold on to a base in ballet language and vocabulary, contemporary styles may fluctuate between a modern approach or a jazz approach, but also have unique characteristics that help define contemporary as a category on its own. Often, Ballet will present itself as “contemporary ballet” because of the current stylistic influences upon the more rigid classical forms. Just as Jazz and Modern have a wide variety of influences from the past and present, Contemporary also embraces the ever changing trends of dance persuasions and will occasionally incorporate aspects beyond just the blended trilogy of Modern, Jazz and Ballet. Especially as the dance world continues to evolve into a shared, global perspective.
The “one prop” rule applies to Contemporary entries.
Required time limits without penalty - two (2) to three (3) minutes
ADDITIONAL DDCA CATEGORY
CONTEMPORARY references & personalities (this list may be ever-changing and evolving):
● William Forsythe ● Mark Morris ● Pina Bausch ● Crystal Pite ● Mia Michaels ● Travis Wall ● Camille A. Brown ● Bill T. Jones ● David Parsons ● Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker ● Alonzo King ● Complexions Contemporary Ballet ● Stacey Tookey ● Sonya Tayeh
Novelty Category
Select DDCA Local Competitions only.
Novelty Category is offered until DDCA Invitational each season - After DDCA Invitational, Novelty style can be adapted for other OSAA Categories (following prop usage rules)
Novelty Category is the presentation of creative entertainment or a clever concept by use of clear theme, music, characters, costumes, backdrops/props/sets, choreography and communication with the audience. One primary aspect of the Novelty category that often separates it from other categories is the use of props and sets in its thematic development. “Novel” means “new or unusual in an interesting way,” so the Novelty routine may be a presentation of something new or unusual, and expressed using an entertaining, witty, or thoughtful approach. *Note: Novelty routines may be represented in the SHOW Category at the State Championships (after competing and qualifying in the Show Category), and may or may not be combined/blended with the Show Category tendencies.
Required time limits without penalty - two (2) to three (3) minutes
ADDITIONAL DDCA CATEGORY
Possible Novelty influences:
● Broadway, Disney, Movie, Pop Culture - or other influences from the Entertainment industry. ● Songs/music that lend themselves to an interpretive or entertaining presentation. ● Trends in social media, television, or current events.
Solo - Duo - Trio
Category
Select DDCA Local Competitions only.
Solo, Duo, Trio - Coming soon