Chairmens Handbook

WDSF
CHAIRPERSONSs
REFERENCE
HANDBOOK
Marco Sietas
WDSF Sports Director
Wolfgang Eliasch
Member, Sports Department, WDSF Technical Commission
Version 1.72, January 2016
Editor:
Jim Fraser
Chair, WDSF Legal Commission
WDSF Office C. Oriente 78-84, Floor 1, Office 14 08172 Sant Cugat SPAIN
TEL: +34 93 544 23 92 FAX: +34 93 583 11 04 office@idsfspain.com www.worlddancesport.org
Legal Address: Zinggentorstrasse 4, CH-6000 Luzern 6, Switzerland
Preamble
In the interests of WDSF, Athletes, Officials and Organizers and the whole WDSFDanceSport family, it is necessary to produce DanceSport competitions of the
highest possible quality which preserve and support the constructive
developments produced by others in the past.
In order to do so, a close and effective cooperation and working relationship
between Chairpersons, Organizers and other people in a competition, is vitally
important.
Development and improvement of WDSF DanceSport is only possible if every
inadequacy is reported honestly and objectively regardless of the closeness of
personal relationships between Chairpersons and Organizers, because only an
impartial, objective approach to errors, development and governance will assist
future Chairpersons and Organizers to avoid the same problems which are
discovered and solved elsewhere.
It is also in the interests of the WDSF DanceSport family that all WDSF
Chairpersons make clear, objectively consistent decisions in all WDSF-granted
competitions in accordance with the rules and regulations of WDSF and the
Operating Policies of the WDSF Presidium, in cooperation with the WDSF Sports
Director.
Purposes of this Handbook
This Handbook describes historical incidents, sets some rules which Chairpersons
should always be followed, and also suggests practical solutions to many
problems, all to promote better decisions and to avoid unpleasant situations.
It also sets out some policies which provide more information and assistance to
Chairpersons to help deal with subjects which are not explicitly covered by the
WDSF Competition Rules.
This Handbook is intended to be a living document which will grow and change
regularly to include guidance about problems reported by WDSF Chairpersons
from competitions all over the world, as well as suggestions made by Athletes,
Officials, Organizers and anyone else who can add valuable advice and
interpretations. Accordingly, anyone in DanceSport who has comments, hints,
reports of incidents and their solutions, is encouraged to forward them to the
WDSF Sports Commission for review.
Marco Sietas
WDSF Sports Director
Wolfgang Eliasch
Member, Sports Department, WDSF Technical Commission
2
WDSF Chairpersonss Handbook, Version 1.72, January 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.
INCIDENTS INVOLVING COUPLES

1.1.
1.2.
1.3.
1.4.
1.5.
1.6.
1.7.
1.8.
1.9.
1.10.
1.11.
1.12.
1.13.
1.14.
1.15.
1.16.
1.17.
1.18.
1.19.
1.20.
1.21.
2.
INCIDENTS INVOLVING OFFICIALS

2.1.
2.2.
2.3.
2.4.
2.5.
2.6.
3.
An athlete loses part of her or his competition costume

Two or more athletes change partners (including in the last dance of a final)
A Couple has no contact for some time in Standard
A couple or athlete changes dress without giving prior notice to the Chairperson
Music stops unexpectedly during a competition
Music is not played at the correct tempo speed
Lost results
A couple is unable to finish a dance
An athlete interrupts his or her solo performance
An Athlete is injured
More than one couple must be placed last in a final round
A couple dances in the wrong heat
More than eight couples qualify for the final round
A couple arrives too late for the first round
A couple arrives too late for later rounds or the final round
A couple or official makes a complaint against another athlete(s)
A couple leaves the floor unnecessarily
A couple declines to accept a Star exemption
A couple finishes a dance too early
Rules for publishing names of exempted (Star) couples***
Number cards fixed with magnetic buttons***
An adjudicator uses notes during judging

An adjudicator is missing
An adjudicator reports that s/he cannot continue during competition round
Checking an Adjudicators status on the WDSF Web page
Behaviour of an Adjudicator
Explanation to the dress regulations for officials***
MISCELLANEOUS
3.1.
3.2.
3.3.
3.4.
3.5.
3.6.
3.7.
3.8.
3.9.
3.10.
3.11.
3.12.
3.13.
The Revised Competition Format - Solodances

Incidents regarding published information
The wrong couples are called for, and dance in, a competition round
The wrong couples are called for, and dance in, the final
Competition number cards not legible
The wrong number of marks has been assigned
When Adjudicators may leave the competition floor, venue or hall
Categories of World Ranking Competitions
Documents
Interruption of an event due to technical reasons
Selection of Couples for next round
Amount of intended marks is bigger than couples showing up for a re-dance round
Management of competition rounds, general look***
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4
5
5
5
6
7
7
8
8
9
10
10
10
11
11
11
12
13
13
13
14
15
15
15
16
17
17
17
19
19
19
20
21
21
22
22
23
23
23
24
24
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*** Revised in this issue

3
1. INCIDENTS INVOLVING COUPLES
1.1. An athlete loses part of her or his competition costume

Solution:
The Chairperson has the discretion to decide how to continue the
competition, depending on the specific circumstances and the expected
level of risk for injuries, unfairness or disruption.
Examples:
o
A lost shoe: it is easy for an athlete or the Chairperson to remove the

shoe from the floor, either during or after the dance.
A lost decoration:
o Single items: as long as there is no apparent danger of accident,
no immediate action is required. The Chairperson should remove
the item from the competition surface or arrange removal after the
dance has finished.
o Chain of pearls breaks: pearls on the floor can be very dangerous!
The Chairperson should order that the competition floor be
thoroughly swept immediately after the dance is finished, provided
always that if in the Chairpersons opinion the danger of an
accident is too great, then the Chairperson should stop the music
immediately. The Chairperson has the discretion to stand at the
affected area to obstruct couples from using the affected part of
the floor, depending on the size and position of the affected part of
the floor.
o Feathers: action by the Chairperson is usually not required.
Feathers are not usually dangerous, as motion of a dancers body
usually causes them to blow away before a step is completed.
Additional Remarks:
If an incident is not a couples fault, but it results in their being unable to
finish a dance, then the Chairperson should give them the chance to
repeat the dance if there is a subsequent heat. If the Chairperson has
any doubt about fault, s/he should permit the couple to dance and then
consider action against the couple later.
4
1.2. Two or more athletes change partners (including in the last

dance of a final)
Solution:
During a competition, couples or athletes may not change partners at any
time while the music is playing or before the heat or final is finished.
If a couple or athlete disregards this rule, the affected couple or couples
must be disqualified from further participation in the competitive event,
provided always that the affected couple or couples must be placed last
in the dance if the change of partners happened in the final, and for this
purpose the Chairperson has the discretion to overrule any Adjudicators
decision.
For greater clarity, after the last dance in the final is finished, changing
partners as a kind of show for the audience is allowed.
1.3. A Couple has no contact for some time in Standard
Example:
A couple releases their hold intentionally to circle another couple.
Solution:
The couple must be placed last in the dance, and for this purpose the
Chairperson has the discretion to overrule any Adjudicators decision. The
Chairperson has to take in consideration, that releasing the hold could
have been an appropriate action to avoid an accident with another
couple.
1.4. A couple or athlete changes dress without giving prior notice to

the Chairperson
Solution:
If the new dress complies with the WDSF Dress Regulations no
immediate action is needed, but if it does not comply then the
5
Chairperson must disqualify the couple immediately, provided always that

if the change of dress occurs immediately before the final round in an
important event like a WDSF World Championship or a televised
recording, the Chairperson shall not disqualify the couple until the final is
finished, but shall disqualify the couple before the results are announced.
Additional Remarks:
The correct method for amending the results in case of a disqualification
before the final round is to advance to the next-higher place all couples
who were previously placed behind the disqualified couple in the
competition, provided always that a couple or couples may not be
advanced to actual competition in the relevant round.
The correct method in case of disqualification after the final round is to
calculate the results using all couples marks and then to delete the result
of the disqualified couple in each dance so that all couples placed behind
the disqualified couple advance to the next-higher place, and then to
calculate the sum of all dances according to the rules of the WDSF
Skating System. The deleted results must not be published but must be
saved in the Chairpersons records, so that the full results are available in
case the decision of the Chairperson is overruled on an Appeal.
1.5. Music stops unexpectedly during a competition

Solution:
If the duration of the music was shorter than 1:30, the Chairperson must
order the music to resume and then the same heat must resume dancing
only for the duration of time required to complete the minimum duration
of 1:30.
If the music cannot be resumed quickly, then the Chairperson may
permit the couples to leave the floor for their own convenience while any
problem with the music is being resolved.
If it was intended to play the music longer than 1:30, e.g. due a large
number of couples in the subject heat, the Chairperson must order the
music to resume and then the same heat must resume dancing for the
duration of time required to complete the originally-intended duration,
provided always that each heat in the round must dance for the same
6
duration unless the Adjudicators indicate that the have had enough time
to make their decision.
1.6. Music is not played at the correct tempo speed
Solution:
The music must be stopped immediately. The track must be changed to a
track with correct speed or the speed of the same track must be
increased to the correct speed. The duration of the music played during
the repetition of the heat must be the full original planned time per heat.
Additional Remarks:
In the interest of the couples tempo speed should always be monitored
by a digital metronome so that an incorrect speed is detected as soon as
possible in a dance.
Note: CDs and computer programs often dont indicate the correct tempo
speed so they should not be used as exclusive references. Several free
metronome applications are available for nearly all types of smart
phones.
1.7. Lost results

If parts of judges marks, or all judges marks, are destroyed or lost (e.g.
by computer failure):
o
Check with the scrutineering team to make sure that marks are really
lost and cannot be reproduced within an acceptable time.
The subject round of the competition must be repeated.
All marks for the subject round must be destroyed if on paper, or fully
and finally deleted if on digital devices.
Check the timetable with the organizer to decide when to schedule the
repeating round.
Call all affected couples to a meeting (if possible in a separate room)

and inform them about the incident in the presence of the organizer,
to inform them fully and to demonstrate fairness.
Take all possible precautions to avoid repeated loss of marks (e.g. use
paper marking cards instead of electronic devices which may fail
again)
7
If an Adjudicators card or marks record is lost, the affected round or

final must be cancelled, the affected dance or round must be
repeated, and all Adjudicators must mark it. The Chairperson must
destroy the Adjudicators cards or records from the cancelled round
immediately.
1.8. A couple is unable to finish a dance

Solution:
o
The couple must leave the floor regardless the reasons for being
unable to finish the dance.
The couple must not be marked if they are unable to finish the dance,
or must be marked in last place if they are unable to finish a dance in
the final and the Chairperson must check with the scrutineer to
supervise correct recording of the results of the affected dance.
The Chairperson must permit

performance in the next dance.
the
couple
to
continue
their
Additional Remarks:
If the couple cannot finish a solo dance in a final under the Revised
Competition Format, the couple is not permitted to take part in the
related group dance, because the solo dance and the group dance result
in one combined marking.
If the couples performance is interrupted in the group dance in a final
under the Revised Competition Format, the couple must leave the floor,
is not permitted to return to the floor, and must be placed last in that
dance!
1.9. An athlete interrupts his or her solo performance

An athlete interrupts his or her solo performance in a final round
conducted with solo dances under the Revised Competition Format or
under the New Judging System used for Grand Slam Series.
Solution:
If a couple stops performing due an unexpected event (e.g. a technical
problem with shoes or dress) the Chairperson must decide, if this incident
8
is of minor importance (e.g. due to short interruption) or of fundamental

importance (e.g. in the Chairpersons opinion, the couples performance
stopped and restarted after a significant period of time).
In a case of fundamental importance, the couple must be placed last in
the relevant dance.
In any such case, minor or fundamental, the Chairperson must not stop
the music before the required duration of time has been reached.
1.10. An Athlete is injured

Solution:
The couple must leave the competition floor to avoid any more accidents
to other participants.
It is not acceptable to wait for more than a few moments to decide if the
athletes can continue.
If the injury is so serious that the injured athlete cannot leave the
competition floor without assistance, the Chairperson must stop the
music and order all other couples to leave the floor.
Additional Remarks:
In some cases an accident can be so serious that moving the injured
athlete in any way could cause more serious injury, e.g. injuries to the
head, spine or hips.
For both sporting and legal reasons, if first aid or medical treatment must
be performed on the competition floor the Chairperson should order that
staff arrange for privacy by holding large sheets or blankets to obstruct
the publics view of treatment.
WDSF Chairpersons are responsible to check in advance for the presence
of medical or first aid staff at the competition hall and in case of an injury
the Chairperson is responsible to take all reasonable steps to seek
immediate first aid or medical treatment.
WDSF Chairpersons must not allow any athlete to compete with any
bleeding cut or nosebleed.
9
1.11. More than one couple must be placed last in a final round
In rare situations it might be necessary to place more than one couple
last in a final round, e.g. due to injuries or disqualification.
Additional Remarks:
Most scrutineering software will not permit the operator to place more
than one couple last in the final, and when such a problem is encountered
the Chairperson must direct the scrutineer to calculate placings manually
on paper.
1.12. A couple dances in the wrong heat

Solution:
The couple must not dance more than once per dance, per heat.
The Chairperson or Master of Ceremonies shall inform the judges after
the heat as follows:
Notice to judges: couple number xx danced in the wrong heat. If
you wish to mark the couple please scroll to heat number yy.
It is in the interest of all participating couples to dance in the correct
heat. When using PDA electronic devices judges see only the numbers
of the current heat on the PDA. If there is a large number of mixed heats
it is impossible for the judges to find the relevant couple without losing
valuable judging time.
The Chairperson is responsible to ensure that all of the correct couples
are on the floor in each heat, round or final.
1.13. More than eight couples qualify for the final round
Solution:
There cannot be more than 8 couples in a final. If more than 8 couples
qualify for the final, the Chairperson must order that only the best 5
couples, i.e. the 5 couples with the top marks, be advanced to the final.
10
1.14. A couple arrives too late for the first round

Solution:
A couple who is late is not generally permitted to compete in the
intended round or to start the competition in the subsequent redance
round.
However, if the couple arrives in time to dance the last dance of the first
round, in which case the Chairperson may decide in his or her absolute
discretion, after having considered all of the circumstances, to permit
them to enter the competition at that point, and, provided they do enter
at that point and dance the full last dance of the first round, the
Chairperson may then in his or her absolute discretion, after having
considered all of the circumstances, promote them to the subsequent
redance round.
1.15. A couple arrives too late for later rounds or the final round
Solution:
The Chairperson must permit the couple to continue the competition even
if they have missed one or more dances. In the final round such a couple
must be placed last in all dances which they have missed.
The Chairperson is responsible to check that no Adjudicator has given a
mark to a couple for the dances which they missed. The Chairperson
must also not wait very long for couples who are late; the Chairpersons
more important responsibility is to keep the competition running on
schedule.
1.16. A couple or official makes a complaint against another athlete(s)

If a couple or official complains about unsportsmanlike behaviour (e.g.
blocking, kicking, placing other couples in dangerous situations) or
broken rules, the Chairperson:
o
o
must consult any applicable code of conduct for athletes

must contact all couples who may have any relevant information, to
ask for their observations about the situation
11
must take reasonable steps to determine whether the complaint was

placed for tactical reasons
If a Chairperson witnesses unsportsmanlike behaviour s/he must

immediately call the athlete or couple alleged to have committed that
behaviour, to immediately confer with and warn him or her or them not
to repeat that behaviour or to engage in any other unsportsmanlike
behaviour. If in the Chairpersons opinion the same athlete or couple
commits another act or acts of unsportsmanlike behaviour, s/he must
immediately disqualify that athlete or couple from further competition in
the event.
1.17. A couple leaves the floor unnecessarily

If a couple leaves the floor during any round in the competition before
the music stops, the couples marks must be cancelled for the specific
dance (in the final round the couple must be placed last in the specific
dance). The Chairperson must overrule any adjudicators decision to the
contrary if necessary.
In final rounds generally couples are not allowed to leave the floor
between the dances without prior consent from the Chairperson, except
in finales performed in a format where leaving the floor is mandatory,
e.g. revised competition format.
If a couple leaves the floor without the prior consent of the Chairperson,
the Chairperson must warn the couple first.
If the couple leaves the floor again, the Chairperson must disqualify the
couple with immediate effect.
The only acceptable reasons for leaving the floor without prior notice are
(a) serious injury or other health problems (e.g. nosebleed, vomiting)
and (b) serious problems with the competition dress.
The Chairperson must not allow any athlete to compete with any bleeding
cut or nosebleed.
[Note also paragraphs 1.8, 1.9., 1.10. and 1.11. of this booklet.]
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1.18. A couple declines to accept a Star exemption

If a couple declines to accept a Star and start to dance in the first round,
the Chairperson must accept that couples decision, and the Chairperson
may then offer the next-ranked couple that exemption star, if that Star
exemption was declined before the final list of exemptions has been
published. See also 1.20.
1.19. A couple finishes a dance too early

Because all couples must perform each dance for the full duration of the
music, if a couple stops their performance intentionally before the music
stops, the Chairperson must warn the couple immediately.
If the same couple finishes too early again, the Chairperson must
disqualify the couple immediately.
1.20. Rules for publishing names of exempted (Star) couples
The rules for assigning star couples are defined in the document
Management of WDSF World Ranking Tournaments in detail.
The chairperson is obliged to make a decision about star couples the
night before the competition, appr. 08:00 evening local time according to
the below described ranges.
In case more couples show up than expected additional exemptions have
to be given according to the above Management Rules after the closure of
registration at the competition day.
It is not allowed to take away exemptions published the night before
even if the minimum of couples for the amount of exemptions given is
too low at the competition day.
Organizers are not allowed to
confirmation of the chairperson.
publish
any
exemptions
without
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1.21. Number cards fixed with magnetic buttons

Some couples are using the newly invented magnetic buttons to fix their
number card at the competition dress.
Using e.g. black buttons at white number cards or white buttons at black
number cards is a significant change of the shape of the number cards,
which is not allowed by WDSF Competition Rules (D.4.4). The usage of
white buttons at white number cards (or black on black) is acceptable.
Hint: do not cover the sponsors logos (also not partly)
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2. INCIDENTS INVOLVING OFFICIALS
2.1. An adjudicator uses notes during judging

Solution:
If a Chairperson receives notice about any irregular behaviour by an
adjudicator, then the Chairperson must immediately:
1.) Acknowledge receiving notice about the incident and check any
oral or documentary evidence
2.) Speak with the relevant adjudicator if the allegation has been
verified
3.) Immediately disqualify and dismiss the adjudicator if the
adjudicators responses are unsatisfactory or if the adjudicator
does not change her or his behaviour immediately.
2.2. An adjudicator is missing
Solution for short or innocent absences:
Examples: An adjudicator is lost or fails to inform the Chairperson about
leaving the hall.
The Chairperson must try to find the missing Adjudicator with the
assistance of the organizer and the Master of Ceremonies as soon as
possible.
If in the opinion of the Chairperson the Adjudicator has not returned
within a reasonable amount of time the Chairperson may appoint a
substitute adjudicator until the missing adjudicator is present again or
alternatively reduce the number of adjudicators to the next-lowest odd
number by eliminating one adjudicator by random draw.
The Chairperson has full discretion to decide whether to permit the
missing adjudicator to rejoin the adjudicating panel if s/he returns to the
competition hall.
15
Solution for long absence:

Examples: Adjudicator did not arrive due travel problems, or illness.
The Chairperson may appoint a substitute adjudicator until the missing
adjudicator is present again or alternatively reduce the number of
adjudicators to the next-lowest odd number by eliminating one
adjudicator by random draw, taking into consideration to the possible
reduction of ranking points for the participating couples due fewer
judges, fewer represented countries, etc.
The Chairperson must check with the scrutineering team before using any
of these procedures to ensure in advance that these procedures can be
managed successfully.
2.3. An adjudicator reports

competition round
that
s/he
cannot
continue
during
Solution:
o
The Chairperson may substitute the adjudicator with another one

present at the venue.
Alternatively the Chairperson may continue the round with the

remaining judges.
If the indisposition occurs before all heats of a dance are finished, all
marks made by the relevant Adjudicator must be deleted to be fair to
all couples.
Alternatively the Chairperson may reduce the number of adjudicators

to the next-lowest odd number by eliminating one adjudicator by
random draw, taking into consideration the possible reduction of
ranking points for the participating couples due fewer judges, fewer
represented countries, etc..
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2.4. Checking an Adjudicators status on the WDSF Web page

The WDSF Office confirms all panels of Adjudicators to the organizer prior
the event, so it is not necessary for the Chairperson to check the status
of Adjudicators.
By contrast, for all changes of Adjudicators arranged by the Chairperson
it is mandatory to check the status of the designated Adjudicators by
referring to the WDSF Web page. Adjudicators without a valid WDSF
Adjudicators license with Active status are not permitted to judge.
Solution:
If an Adjudicator does not have Active status, the Chairperson must not
permit the Adjudicator to judge and must replace him or her with another
Adjudicator by appointing a substitute Adjudicator or alternatively may
reduce the number of Adjudicators to the next-lowest odd number by
eliminating one Adjudicator by random draw, taking into consideration
the possible reduction of ranking points for the participating couples due
fewer judges, fewer represented countries, etc.
2.5. Behaviour of an Adjudicator

The Chairperson observes that an adjudicator has finished his judgement
in a dance, but the music is still playing and the adjudicator doesnt pay
attention about what is happening at the floor.
Solution:
The Chairperson must order the adjudicator to look at the floor the whole
time the music plays and must check if the adjudicators marks reflect
the performance of the whole dance in a rational way.
2.6. Explanation to the dress regulations for officials
The dress regulations for officials are defined in the WDSF Competition
Rules under rule C.6 as follows:
Men: black business suit, white dress shirt, WDSF necktie, black shoes
without decoration;
Explanation:
Dress shirt: wing collars are not allowed. Bow ties are not allowed.
17
Women: black business suit with either skirt (covering the knees) or
trousers, white dress blouse, WDSF scarf or tie.
Explanation:
If a black one-piece dress is worn, a black jacket is mandatory, but then
wearing a white blouse is not mandatory. Women are allowed to wear a
necktie like men. The scarf has to be worn around the neck. It is allowed
to shorten the scarf if necessary providing, that the intended design and
look of the scarf is not interfered. Long evening dress is not allowed.
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3. MISCELLANEOUS
3.1. The Revised Competition Format - Solodances

A solo dance performance in the Revised Competition Format is not a
show dance, so the conditions for all couples performing solo dances shall
be as equal as possible.
The Chairperson must ensure that the Master of Ceremonies manages
the solo dances by calling each couple promptly after the last couple has
finished their performance and encouraging each couple to leave the floor
quickly after they have finished their performance.
In WDSF World and WDSF Continental Championships the same track of
music shall be played for each solo performance to comply with legal
contracts with WDSFs contractor IEC in Sports, but a different track of
music shall be used for the subsequent group dance.
In all other competitions the music maker may change the music track
from couple to couple for solo dances in the Revised Competition Format,
provided that in that case the music maker must use the same character
of music for each track.
The one-minute duration of a solo dance starts with the first step danced
by either member of the couple.
3.2. Incidents regarding published information

Sometimes staff at competitions do not understand how to use the
software or manage the flow of documents which is needed or used at
that competition, so a Chairperson must take all reasonable steps
necessary to carefully check and approve all lists, results and other
published documents.
The Chairpersons responsibilities include:

o
ensuring that the correct number of couples is called for the next
round
19
ensuring that couples with exemptions (stars) are on the list for the
round, must start to compete
ensuring that unqualified couples are not swapped with the

qualified couples
ensuring that no preliminary results or detailed results (e.g. marks

for the first round) are published before the whole competition is
finished
ensuring that if an incorrect draw has been published, s/he collects

and puts away all copies of the incorrect draw.
Solution when incorrect lists have been published:

The Chairperson must publish an accurate correction and make all
reasonable efforts to communicate the corrected list to all couples in the
competition.
Additional Remark:
Particularly in big competitions, an incorrect announcement about couples
being either promoted or eliminated may result in couples leaving the
competition venue. If all missing couples cannot be located, the
Chairperson must continue the competition with the couples who
are present, but may not add any other couples regardless of
requests or pressure by teachers or other couples. Adding more incorrect
couples makes the original mistake worse and can create additional
problems.
3.3. The wrong couples are called for, and dance in, a competition
round
By mistake the wrong couples are called for a competition round.
Solution:
The round must be cancelled, the marks must be cancelled, and the
round must be repeated with the correct couples.
Any subsequent round must be stopped immediately after the problem
has been discovered.
20
It is possible that the mistake is recognized so late that two subsequent

rounds have been run with incorrect couples.
Alternate Solution:
Try to find all couples, and if that is not possible continue only with those
who are still present and correctly in the competition
3.4. The wrong couples are called for, and dance in, the final
Example: 6 couples have been called for a final. The final is finished or
nearly finished. The Chairperson recognizes that one of the couples
should not have danced the final, and that another couple in the semifinal
should have been recalled for the final.
Solution:
The final must be repeated with the correct couples only. Any other
solution (e.g. allowing 7 couples to dance the final) could distort the
result and could lead to an Appeal or other legal consequences.
3.5. Competition number cards not legible

Depending on the font used on competition number cards, there are
some digits that could be misread, e.g. 1 and 7, 3 and 5, 5 and 6, 6 and
8, 8 and 9.
Solution:
o
ask the organizer for other number cards (e.g. some could be printed
on paper short term)
allocate new numbers to the couples in accordance with check-in

team and scrutineers
remind the organizer to the Appendix of the WDSF Competition Rules

Competition Number Cards
Report full details of this incident in the Chairpersons report
If it is not possible to produce the number cards according to the

Competition Number Cards Appendix of the WDSF Competition
Rules within a reasonable amount of time the Chairperson shall
21
accept the number cards as is, provided always that incidents

regarding possible misreading must be solved with highest priority.
3.6. The wrong number of marks has been assigned

First example:
By an error in the computer system, e.g. 2 Adjudicators were asked for a
different number of marks than the other 7 Adjudicators.
Solution:
o Continue without any corrections, as the conditions for all couples are
equal
Second example:
Paper marking cards are used; one judge did not assign the correct
number of marks
Solution:
The Chairperson must contact and advise the Adjudicator as soon as the
mistake is recognized, but the adjudicator must not be asked for any
changes after the adjudicators card have been collected or the electronic
judging systems has been technically closed for input.
3.7. When Adjudicators may leave the competition floor, venue or

hall
The Chairperson is responsible to ensure that the Adjudicators do not
leave the competition floor or the competition venue or hall too early
after a round, because in some cases the Chairperson must contact or
meet with an Adjudicator to discuss a problem, e.g. too few marks,
illegible writing, missing signature, missing PDA device.
Accordingly, at the beginning of every day or every period of
adjudicating, Chairpersons should inform all Adjudicators that they may
not leave the competition floor or venue or hall unless discharged or
otherwise authorized to do so by the Chairperson.
22
3.8. Categories of World Ranking Competitions

Only the WDSF Presidium and the WDSF Sports Director is allowed to
change the category of a competition. The Chairperson does not have
any authority to change the category of a World Ranking Competition e.g
from WDSF International Open to WDSF Open, for any reason.
All rules given for the relevant category of World Ranking Competitions
are mandatory without any exception.
3.9. Documents
The Chairperson is responsible to have available at the venue, copies of
the most recent versions of all documents published by WDSF for
immediate reference, e.g. on paper or on a tablet. Because it may be
necessary to make decisions without delay and to refer relevant people to
a printed copy of a rule or policy, the Chairperson should take care that
printed materials are instantly available and computers do not need to be
started, booted, etc. in order to display reference materials.
3.10. Interruption of an event due to technical reasons

In some unexpected cases it might occur that an event has to be
interrupted immediately (e.g. power blackout, fire alarm, music break
down, ...).
The Chairperson must contact the responsible organizer immediately and
order appropriate action depending on the case. For instance the
Chairperson may order the couples to leave the event hall completely for
emergency reasons. In this case the Chairperson must careful regarding
all couples and adjudicators at and around the floor and follow the
instructions given by the local security staff.
In case the interruption is not of a serious kind (e.g. false alarm) and the
competition can be continued its the obligation of the Chairperson to
take all of the circumstances into consideration in order to make the best
possible decisions. Depending on the duration of the interruption,
conditions for competitors (did they have to leave the hall, how were the
weather conditions, ...) it might be possible to give the athletes extra
time for warming up, finding back to the competition attitude, etc.
It is very important to know exactly, which heat/dance/round was
running when the unexpected interruption occurred. The competition
must be continued with exactly the same heat/dance/round.
Of course this incident has to be reported in the Chairpersons report.
23
3.11. Selection of Couples for next round

The amount of couples to be promoted to the next round is strictly
governed by the document Management of the World Ranking
Tournaments. In case of a tie the Chairperson must promote all couples
in the tie to the next round.
If the number of couples intended to be qualified for the second round is
already achieved due to a tie after the first round, the redance round
must be cancelled.
3.12. Amount of intended marks is bigger than couples showing up for

a re-dance round
If the amount of marks intended to be given in a re-dance round is
higher than the number of couples who appear to compete, the re-dance
round must be cancelled. The competition then continues with the second
round with all directly qualified couples including those who appeared to
compete in the cancelled re-dance round.
3.13. Management of competition rounds, general look
Situation:
In some cases, the amount of participating couples is much smaller than
at the time the schedule was approved and published. In some special
cases this situation would lead to the fact that couples might possibly
only dance one single competition round, although the organizer had
originally published at least two rounds, including or excluding the redance.
Solution:
To minimize the impact to the couples, the chairperson shall always try to
run at least two rounds, if at least two rounds have been published
previously. In case two rounds are impossible (e.g. less than 6 couples),
a general look can be run. The general look shall contain all mandatory
dances, but the time of the music shall be reduced to approx. 1:15. All
judges have to be present at the floor.
24

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WDSF

INCIDENTS INVOLVING COUPLES

INCIDENTS INVOLVING OFFICIALS

An athlete loses part of her or his competition costume

An adjudicator uses notes during judging

The Revised Competition Format - Solodances

*** Revised in this issue

1. INCIDENTS INVOLVING COUPLES

1.1. An athlete loses part of her or his competition costume

A lost shoe: it is easy for an athlete or the Chairperson to remove the

1.2. Two or more athletes change partners (including in the last

1.3. A Couple has no contact for some time in Standard

1.4. A couple or athlete changes dress without giving prior notice to

Chairperson must disqualify the couple immediately, provided always that

1.5. Music stops unexpectedly during a competition

1.7. Lost results

The subject round of the competition must be repeated.

Call all affected couples to a meeting (if possible in a separate room)

WDSF Chairpersonss Handbook, Version 1.72, January 2016

If an Adjudicators card or marks record is lost, the affected round or

1.8. A couple is unable to finish a dance

The Chairperson must permit

1.9. An athlete interrupts his or her solo performance

is of minor importance (e.g. due to short interruption) or of fundamental

1.10. An Athlete is injured

1.12. A couple dances in the wrong heat

1.14. A couple arrives too late for the first round

1.16. A couple or official makes a complaint against another athlete(s)

must consult any applicable code of conduct for athletes

WDSF Chairpersonss Handbook, Version 1.72, January 2016

must take reasonable steps to determine whether the complaint was

If a Chairperson witnesses unsportsmanlike behaviour s/he must

1.17. A couple leaves the floor unnecessarily

1.18. A couple declines to accept a Star exemption

1.19. A couple finishes a dance too early

1.21. Number cards fixed with magnetic buttons

2. INCIDENTS INVOLVING OFFICIALS

2.1. An adjudicator uses notes during judging

Solution for long absence:

2.3. An adjudicator reports

The Chairperson may substitute the adjudicator with another one

Alternatively the Chairperson may continue the round with the

Alternatively the Chairperson may reduce the number of adjudicators

2.4. Checking an Adjudicators status on the WDSF Web page

2.5. Behaviour of an Adjudicator

3.1. The Revised Competition Format - Solodances

3.2. Incidents regarding published information

The Chairpersons responsibilities include:

WDSF Chairpersonss Handbook, Version 1.72, January 2016

ensuring that unqualified couples are not swapped with the

ensuring that no preliminary results or detailed results (e.g. marks

ensuring that if an incorrect draw has been published, s/he collects

Solution when incorrect lists have been published:

It is possible that the mistake is recognized so late that two subsequent

3.5. Competition number cards not legible

allocate new numbers to the couples in accordance with check-in

remind the organizer to the Appendix of the WDSF Competition Rules

Report full details of this incident in the Chairpersons report

If it is not possible to produce the number cards according to the

accept the number cards as is, provided always that incidents

3.6. The wrong number of marks has been assigned

3.7. When Adjudicators may leave the competition floor, venue or

3.8. Categories of World Ranking Competitions

3.10. Interruption of an event due to technical reasons