Classic Line Dance

Competitive Line Dance has grown far from its roots in social line dance and developed into a dance sport. It uses motions from Country, Ballroom, Latin, Street, and Stage dance. The choreography and music are chosen by the Line Dance committee, pre-released, and changed every dance season. In Classic Line Dance competition, dancers are evenly spaced in lines and required to dance the step descriptions, as written, on the first dance-through. Then, in Novice and above divisions, competitors can vary from the step descriptions using their own choreography to highlight the music, as long as the steps follow the original flow of the dance. Classic rules are quite strict and do not allow any floor work or acrobatics. You can compete from Newcomer through Advanced, and then must win points to graduate to the top Star divisions. Download the complete line dance rules for more information.

Showcase Line Dance

Music is chosen and released based on musicality. story line, and used for two dance seasons. Dancers choose their own choreography based on the repetitive phrasing of the music and the spatial structure and flow of the dance. They are not required to stay in lines. The most successful showcase programs have choreography that tells a story and accents all aspects of the music. Jumps, splits and other tricks are allowed. There are several dances per motion and these rotate usage. For example, smooth would have Nightclub for two dance seasons, then change to West Coast Swing for two dance seasons. Dancers must be Intermediate or Advanced level, as these division winners receive graduation points towards the Star divisions.

To graduate to ascension Star divisions, you must have points from both Classic and Showcase divisions.

A and B Classic Dances for Stars

This is a Classic Line Dance division that follows Classic rules referenced above. However, Star competitors have slightly more relaxed rules. These dances change every dance season by the called motions used. Dance A is always a slower dance, and Dance B is a faster dance.

Solo Medley for Stars

In this division, competitors choose their own music and follow UCWDC Line Dance rules. Dancers present a theme or story around a medley of music while dancing in a solo format. A solo medley is more showcase than classic. Successful medleys use a variety of dances, and musicality is of utmost importance. Download the complete line dance rules on the UCWDC website for more information.

Pro/Am Line Dance

This division was designed to give newer line dance competitors the opportunity to be on the floor with their instructor dancing in front of them. There are two divisions, Newcomer/Novice and Intermediate/Advanced and the instructor chooses the dances to be competed. Placements are not given in these divisions, only medal grades and there are no overall titles awarded. Dancers are allowed to do variations, however, the instructor cannot.

Teams Line Dance

There are seven categories in the Teams division. Teams select their own music and assemble a medley. Teams must be three or more people. There are no age divisions. Team Line Dance Classic Country must use 100% country music and 100% line dance. Team Line Dance Open can use any music, 100% line dance, and may use props. Team Combo must show at least 90 seconds each of both line and couples dancing to any music and may use props. Team Cabaret is any music, any combination of line and/or couples dancing, has more relaxed movement limitations and are allowed props. Team International is for demonstration of dancing indigenous to a country. There are no costume, music, or movement limitations. In Teams, synchronization, musicality, and formation changes are all of importance.

Choreography Line Dance

In this division, a competitor choreographs their own dance, chooses music, and creates a step sheet. The choreography itself is judged, not the dancers. The steps should match the motion given in the step sheet and the choreographer must be present in the room when the dance is performed. The possible divisions are Newcomer/Novice and Intermediate/Advanced in both country and non-country music. The final division is ABC where the dance has multiple parts and is executed to match the repetitive phrasing of the music.

All recorded music is protected by US and other patent and copyright laws. It is unfair and illegal to copy or use music for which the authors have not been compensated for their intellectual property.

UCWDC Showcase, Masters, SuperStars, Crown and RisingStars Division competition dance routines are required to be choreographed to specific songs or music medleys. In order to enhance the duration, showmanship and musicality of those competition dance performances, Special Cut competition music was created by the United Country Western Dance Council Music Committee. All of the music used in the creation of the Special Cut competition music was assembled and edited by the committee from legally obtained sources.

Before downloading and opening the file and using this Special Cut track of music for the creation of dance choreography, practice, competition, or any other purpose, the downloader must expressly agree that he or she understands his or her obligation under US and other patent and copyright laws to first legally obtain and purchase, from any music track provider of their choice, the original track(s) or CD(s) that were used in the creation of the Special Cut needed for dance competition.

By downloading this Special Cut, the downloader stipulates to the United Country Western Dance Council®, with intent to be legally bound, that he or she is already the owner of a legally obtained copy of all of the original source music used in its creation and further indemnifies the UCWDC against all blame and responsibility for any failure on the part of the downloader to obtain and use legally purchased music.

If the downloader prefers to edit and cut his or her own practice music from his or her personal copy of the original track(s), the UCWDC will gladly provide a compilation of the edits and cuts the dancer needs to make the tune usable as a Showcase competition number.

Suggest Music

There’s so much great country music available that we can’t keep track of it all! If you find a song that you think would be great for UCWDC competition, please suggest it to us:

To contact the music committee: music@ucwdc.org