USA Dance
USA Dance is the governing body for the National Collegiate Championships. As such, we need to comply with their rules at that competition. A full copy of the competition rules is available in the USA Dance Rulebook, found here. Other competitions may follow other rules.
Allowed Steps
At all USA Dance Competitions, certain steps are allowed at each level in addition to those included in the choreography routines. These can be found in the USA Dance Syllabus Guidebook.
Dress Code
The dress code for collegiate athletes competing at syllabus levels is found in the USA Dance Rulebook: Appendix A.
Team-Specific Dress Code
The University of Minnesota team has some requirements in addition to those for specific events. Glasses should not be worn on the dance floor. Leads should have their hair slicked back and secured to their head. Follows should have their hair secured with hairspray.
Leads – Standard: For Standard, Leads are required to wear a white, long-sleeved shirt with a black, midnight blue, or white tie, and black or midnight blue pants, socks, and shoes. Long hair must be in a ponytail or bun.
Leads – Smooth: For Smooth, Leads may wear a white, black or midnight blue shirt and a one-color tie, but are still required to wear black or midnight blue pants, socks, and shoes. Long hair must be in a ponytail or bun.
Leads – Latin and Rhythm: For Latin and Rhythm, Leads are required to wear a white, midnight blue, or black sleeved shirt and black or midnight blue pants, socks, and shoes. They are allowed to wear a solid colored tie, and the shirt may be open to mid-chest. Long hair must be in a ponytail or bun.
Follows – All Styles: For all styles, Follows are required to wear a one-piece dress or a blouse and skirt combination. In all cases, the skirt must cover the Follow’s dance shorts when they are standing still.
Jewelry: Neither Follows nor Leads are allowed to wear decorative jewelry with light reflective qualities at the Newcomer or Bronze levels – this includes all beads, sequins, rhinestones, etc. that are a part of the costume. Personal jewelry, defined as any body jewelry that is not part of the costume itself and would be normally worn off of the dance floor, is allowed – this includes simple necklaces, earrings, and wedding rings.