Rules
Season 6
October 2026 to June 2027
Creating dance competitions that are fair, fun and inclusive for all.
Keep it simple
The Basics
Important for Teachers: Our brochure gives a useful overview of the event, but it does not include the full technical rules. Before entering, teachers should also read our full rules for detailed information on scoring, point deductions, restricted movements, acro stack heights and guidance on placing routines in the correct ability level.
Teams
Team Guidelines
- Teams must have a minimum of 5 dancers and a maximum of 35 dancers.
- Dancers may only compete in one team per section.
Team Time Limits for regular events in Acrobatics, Contemporary & Street Dance
- Intro / Beginner: 2 minutes
- Intermediate: 2 minutes 30 seconds
- Advanced: 3 minutes
Age Category Rules: For all team and group sections:
At least 75% of the team must fall within the stated age category or lower, Up to 25% of the team may be above the age category.
Category Adjustments: CUO reserves the right to merge categories where there are fewer than 3 teams entered.
Groups Only Events
Groups-Only Events: These rules apply only to Groups-Only events and not to our regular competitions.
- For Groups-Only events: Dancers can compete in as many teams as they wish
- Team size: 5–35 dancers
Styles include:
- Acrobatics
- Contemporary
- Street Dance & Commercial
- Jazz
- Open sections excluding Tap
Groups-Only Routine Time Limits
- Beginner: 3 minutes
- Open: 3 minutes 30 seconds
MegaCrew, SuperGroups & ParentTeams
Mega Crews and Supergroups
Street Dance Mega Crews and Contemporary/Acrobatics Supergroups:
- Time limit: 3 minutes
- Group size: 15–50 dancers
Parent Teams
Our Parent Teams are judged using the same criteria as our regular teams to ensure consistency across performances.
- Team size: minimum of 5 parents, maximum of 40 parents
- Performance time: maximum of 2 minutes 30 seconds
-
There are no restrictions on movements or content, provided performances follow our standard event guidelines and are suitable for the event environment. Parent Teams are scored using Beginner-level criteria.
Solos & Set solos
Our solo sections give dancers the opportunity to perform individually in a fun, supportive and competitive environment. We offer both Freestyle/Improv Solos and Set Solos, depending on the style and event.
Freestyle / Improv Solos
Dancers perform their own choreography to a random track played by our DJ on the day, sharing the floor with other dancers in their section.
Set Solos
Dancers perform a set routine specific to the style and level. These sections are judged on choreography, technique and performance.
Ages & Abilities
Solo sections are split by both age and ability to help keep competition fair and enjoyable for all dancers (See below)
Ability Levels:
- Intro ( Introduction )
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
- SEN (where applicable)
Duos and Set duest
Our duo sections give two dancers the chance to perform together in a fun, exciting and supportive competition setting.
Duos are available at selected events and are split by age and ability to help keep competition fair and enjoyable for all dancers.
In Freestyle/Improv Duos, dancers perform their own choreography to a random track played by our DJ on the day.
In selected styles, we also offer Set Duets, where dancers perform a set routine.
Ability Levels:
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
- SEN (where applicable)
Unique Sections
As well as our main team, solo and duo categories, Calling U Out also offers a range of unique sections that add something extra to the event experience.
These may include:
Across the Floor, Battles, Contact by Chance / Improv Duets, Mega Crews, Supergroups, Parent Teams, Parent Solos and Parent/Child Duos.
These sections are designed to bring variety, excitement and fun to our events, while giving dancers, parents and schools even more ways to get involved. Some unique sections are only available at selected events, so please check each event’s information before booking.
OUR SERVICES
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AGE AND ABILITY CATEGORIES
Note: We reserve the right to merge sections - E.g for teams Intro/Beginner & Inter / Advanced
(PLEASE NOTE that Under 6, Under 8 is equivalent to 5&under, 7&under, etc.)
Age Sections may be added
| Teams | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level | Under 18 | 18 & Over | ||||||
| Intro/Beginner | Under 6 | Under 8 | Under 10 | Under 12 | Under 14 | Under 16 | Under 18 | 18 & Over |
| Intermediate | - | Under 8 | Under 10 | Under 12 | Under 14 | Under 16 | Under 18 | 18 & Over |
| Advanced | - | - | Under 10 | Under 12 | Under 14 | Under 16 | Under 18 | 18 & Over |
| Parent Teams | OPEN | |||||||
| SEN | OPEN |
| Solos & Set Solos | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level | |||||||||
| Intro | Under 4 | Under 6 | Under 8 | Under 10 | Under 12 | Under 14 | Under 16 | Under 18 | 18 & Over |
| Beginner | Under 6 | Under 8 | Under 10 | Under 12 | Under 14 | Under 16 | Under 18 | 18 & Over | |
| Intermediate | Under 8 | Under 10 | Under 12 | Under 14 | Under 16 | Under 18 | 18 & Over | ||
| Advanced | Under 10 | Under 12 | Under 14 | Under 16 | Under 18 | 18 & Over | |||
| SEN ( Option to merge) | Under 6 | Under 8 | Under 10 | Under 12 | Under 14 | Under 16 | Under 18 | 18 & Over | |
| Parent | Open |
| Duos & Set Duets | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level | ||||||||
| Beginner | Under 6 | Under 8 | Under 10 | Under 12 | Under 14 | Under 16 | 16&Over | Parent |
| Intermediate | Under 8 | Under 10 | Under 12 | Under 14 | Under 16 | 16&Over | - | |
| Advanced | Under 10 | Under 12 | Under 14 | Under 16 | 16&Over | - | ||
| PARENT & CHILD | OPEN |
| Unique Sections | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Across the floor | |||||||
| Introduction | Under 6 | Under 8 | Under 10 | Under 12 | Under 14 | Under 16 | 16&Over |
| Beginner | Under 8 | Under 10 | Under 12 | Under 14 | Under 16 | 16&Over | |
| Intermediate | Under 8 | Under 10 | Under 12 | Under 14 | Under 16 | 16&Over | |
| Advanced | Under 8 | Under 10 | Under 12 | Under 14 | Under 16 | 16&Over | |
| Contact improv duets | |||||||
| Open | Under 10 | Under 14 | 14 & Over | ||||
| Battles | |||||||
| Beginner 1v1 | Under 12 | 12 & Over | Beginner 5v5 | All Ages | |||
| Open 1v1 | Under 12 | 12 & Over | Open 5v5 | All Ages |
