Divisions and Levels
Divisions:
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Men/Women's Competitive- This division is for participants wanting to compete with a traditional competitive program. Routines can be whatever style of dance you like (sport, lyrical, contemporary, sexy, etc) however heels are not allowed. You may wear footwear that is not a high heeled shoe. Routines will be scored based on the competitive judging criteria.
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Heels- This category is for competitors wanting to perform in heels. Routines can be whatever style of dance the participant likes, but should include more basework and low flow than a competitive routine. The heels division will be judged based on the artistic judging criteria.
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Doubles- Each participant in a duo must register separately. Routines will be scored based on the doubles judging criteria.
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Showcase- This division is for participants who want to perform, but do not want to compete against others. You will receive judges' feedback on your routine, but you will not receive scores or placements.
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Levels:
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Women's Competitive Levels:
Novice- The novice level is for the beginner pole dancer and new competitor. In this level, you are not allowed to be in an inverted position when your body is fully supported by the pole. If you have previous competition experience, you are not eligible for this level.*
Specifications:
1) When the body is fully supported by the pole, your hips must be lower than your head at all times (ie-inverts are not allowed). Floor based inversions like headstands or rolls are permitted.
2) The competitor must be new to competition. If you've previously competed, you are not eligible for the novice level.*
*The event organizer may possibly allow exceptions to this rule. Please reach out with your request for exception.
3) Extreme demonstrations of flexibility are not allowed. Some examples of extreme demonstrations of flexibility include rainbow marchenko (and other needlescale skills with leg extended >120 degrees), bird of paradise, and spatchcock.
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Amateur 1- The amateur 1 level is for the competitor who is comfortable with inverts from the floor. Aerial inversions are not allowed.
Specifications:
1) Inverts (including shoulder mounts) from the floor are allowed. You are not allowed to invert aerially. You are, however, allowed to descend into an inverted position from up the pole.
2) While inverted, you must maintain 3 points of contact with the pole. As such, ayeshas are not allowed. The only exception to this rule is figure 4/cross ankle release which are both allowed at the amateur 1 level.
3) Flips and tips off the pole are not allowed at this level as they pass through 2 points of contact while inverted.
4) Extreme demonstrations of flexibility are not allowed. Some examples of extreme demonstrations of flexibility include rainbow marchenko (and other needlescale skills with leg extended >120 degrees), bird of paradise, and spatchcock.
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Amateur 2- The amateur 2 level is for the competitor who is comfortable with aerial inversions but who is not yet strong with ayeshas/inverted moves with 2 points of contact.
Specifications:
1) Aerial inverts, including aerial shoulder mounts, are allowed.
2) While inverted, you must maintain 3 points of contact with the pole. As such, ayeshas are not allowed. Exceptions to this rule include figure 4/cross ankle release and suicide spin which are both allowed at the amateur 2 level.
3) Flips and tips off the pole are not allowed at this level as they pass through 2 points of contact while inverted.
4) Extreme demonstrations of flexibility are not allowed. Some examples of extreme demonstrations of flexibility include rainbow marchenko (and other needlescale skills with leg extended >120 degrees), bird of paradise, and spatchcock.
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Amateur 3- The amateur 3 level is for the competitor who is comfortable with both aerial inversions and 2 points of contact inversions like ayeshas.
Specifications:
1) There is no rule for points of contact while inverted. As such, ayeshas and other 2 points of contact moves are permitted.
2) Flips and tips off the pole are permitted.
3) Deadlifts into an ayesha position are not allowed at this level.
4) Power spins into an ayesha positions (phoenixes) are not allowed at this level.
5) Aerial ayeshas ARE allowed at this time. Handsprings (jumping off the floor into an ayesha position) ARE allowed at this level. However, handsprings must be performed from the floor. Handsprings from up the pole (ie- pushing your foot off the pole to kick into an ayesha or using a cast into handspring) are NOT allowed.
6) Extreme demonstrations of flexibility are not allowed. Some examples of extreme demonstrations of flexibility include rainbow marchenko (and other needlescale skills with leg extended >120 degrees), bird of paradise, and spatchcock.
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Semi-Pro- The semi-pro level is for the competitor who is comfortable with aerial inversions and 2 points of contact inversions like ayeshas. Competitors at this level should also demonstrate a high level of flexibility as well as more impressive combinations and choreography than at the amateur levels. Dynamic/power moves like phoenixes and fonjis are also permitted. If you have previously competed at the elite/level 5 levels at other competitions, you are not eligible for the semi-pro division, and you must compete at the professional level.*
Specifications:
1) There are no move restrictions at this level.
2) Competitors must not have previously competed in level 5/elite divisions at other competitions.*
*The event organizer may possibly allow exceptions to this rule. Please reach out with your request for exception.
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Professional- The professional level is for the competitor who is comfortable with aerial inversions, 2 points of contact moves, as well as dynamic/power moves like phoenixes and fonjis. Competitors at this level should also demonstrate high levels of flexibility and execution.
Specifications:
1) There are no move restrictions at this level.
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Heels Levels:
Novice- The novice level is for the beginner pole dancer and new competitor. In this level, you are not allowed to be in an inverted position when your body is fully supported by the pole. If you have previous competition experience, you are not eligible for this level.*
* The event organizer may possibly allow exceptions to this rule. Please reach out with your request for exception.
Specifications:
1) When the body is fully supported by the pole, your hips must be lower than your head at all times (ie-inverts are not allowed). Floor based inversions like headstands or rolls are permitted.
2) The competitor must be new to competition. If you've previously competed, you are not eligible for the novice level.*
*The event organizer may possibly allow exceptions to this rule. Please reach out with your request for exception.
3) Extreme demonstrations of flexibility are not allowed. Some examples of extreme demonstrations of flexibility include rainbow marchenko (and other needlescale skills with leg extended >120 degrees), bird of paradise, and spatchcock.
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Amateur 1/2- The heels amateur level is for intermediate polers who are comfortable with inversions. In the amateur level, inverts are allowed both from the floor an aerially. While the body is inverted on the pole, you must maintain 3 points of contact with the pole.
Specifications:
1) Inverts are allowed from the floor and aerially.
2) While inverted, you must maintain 3 points of contact with the pole. As such, ayeshas are not allowed. The only exception to this rule is figure 4/cross ankle release which are both allowed in the amateur level.
3) Flips and tips off the pole are not allowed at this level as they pass through 2 points of contact while inverted.
4) Extreme demonstrations of flexibility are not allowed. Some examples of extreme demonstrations of flexibility include rainbow marchenko (and other needlescale skills with leg extended >120 degrees), bird of paradise, and spatchcock.
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Amateur 3- The heels amateur 3 level is for the competitor who is comfortable with both aerial inversions and 2 points of contact inversions like ayeshas.
Specifications:
1) There is no rule for points of contact while inverted. As such, ayeshas and other 2 points of contact moves are permitted.
2) Flips and tips off the pole are permitted.
3) Deadlifts into an ayesha position are not allowed at this level.
4) Power spins into an ayesha positions (phoenixes) are not allowed at this level.
5) Extreme demonstrations of flexibility are not allowed. Some examples of extreme demonstrations of flexibility include rainbow marchenko (and other needlescale skills with leg extended >120 degrees), bird of paradise, and spatchcock.
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Semi-Pro/Professional- The heels semi-pro/professional level is for the competitor who is comfortable with aerial inversions and 2 points of contact inversions like ayeshas. Competitors at this level should also demonstrate a high level of flexibility. Dynamic/power moves like phoenixes and fonjis are also permitted.
Specifications:
1) There are no move restrictions at this level.
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Men's Competitive Levels:
Amateur- The men's amateur level allows inverted moves with 2 points of contact (ayeshas). However, deadlifts to ayesha, fonjis, iron-x/flags, and phoenixes are not allowed
Specifications:
1) There is no rule for points of contact while inverted. As such, ayeshas and other 2 points of contact moves are permitted.
2) Flips and tips off the pole are permitted.
3) Deadlifts into an ayesha position are not allowed at this level.
4) Power spins into an ayesha positions (phoenixes) are not allowed at this level.
5) Extreme demonstrations of power/strength are not allowed at this level. Some examples of extreme demonstrations of power/strength include iron-x/flag, fonji, flips that land back onto the pole rather than landing on the floor
5) Extreme demonstrations of flexibility are not allowed. Some examples of extreme demonstrations of flexibility include rainbow marchenko (and other needlescale skills with leg extended >120 degrees), bird of paradise, and spatchcock.
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Professional- The men's professional level is for the competitor who is comfortable with aerial inversions, 2 points of contact moves, as well as dynamic/power moves like phoenixes and fonjis. Competitors at this level should also demonstrate high levels of flexibility and exquisite technique.
Specifications:
1) There are no move restrictions at this level.
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Doubles, Showcase- These divisions do not have level delineations.
Deductions
- 20 points per judge:
- Competitor is disrespectful to equipment, staff, judges, or other competitors
- Competitor jumps off front of stage rather than exiting to the sides
-10 points per judge:
-Including tricks that are not allowed based on level restrictions
-Including props that are not approved
-Throwing props into the audience
- Props take >30 seconds to set up or remove
- Serious falls- a serious fall is defined as a fall that lands on the back or buttocks with significant impact
- Music does not adhere to the rules
- Sandbagging
- 5 points per judge:
- Minor falls- a minor fall is defined as a fall that lands on the feet or hands with minor impact
- 5 points per day:
- If music, props, waiver, or bio are not submitted by deadline the competitor will lose 5 points per day for each day these items are late
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Rules
Registration:
- All competitors, judges, volunteers, and human props are required to sign a liability waiver prior to their participation in Memorial Pole Championship (MPC).
- Entry fees are not refundable and not transferrable.
- The event organizer reserves the right to permit late entry on a case by case basis as well as refuse entry if a competitor is deemed to be incapacitated or intoxicated in any way or is deemed to be a disruption to the event.
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General:
- Good sportsmanlike conduct is expected of all competitors, spectators, and coaches
- Competitors must be prepared to perform up to 30 minutes ahead of schedule.
- Competitors must check in with the backstage crew no later than 30 minutes before their scheduled performance time.
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Poles:
- General pole set up is two 45mm 12 feet chrome X-poles on a truss. The poles will be 8 feet apart. There will be 8 feet between the pole and the side of the truss. The pole on stage right will spin. The pole on stage left will be static.
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Performance:
- Competitors must enter and exit the stage from the intended stairways or wings. Jumping onto or off of the front of the stage is not allowed.
- All levels are required to use both poles.
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Music:
- Music must be submitted by the deadline in order to avoid deduction.
- It is recommended that competitors bring a USB with a backup copy of their music in case of technical issues with the song file submitted. This USB should be blank aside from the competition music file.
- Music can be one song or a mix.
- There are no restrictions as far as profanity within your music.
- There is no minimum length requirement. The maximum music length for every level is 3:30 minutes. Any music that is longer than 3:30 minutes will not be accepted.
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Costume:
- All intimate body parts must be covered.
- Jewelry is limited to stud style earrings, small facial piercings, and barbell style naval rings. Naval rings that hang down, dangling earrings, or any other jewelry (specifically bracelets, waist chains, and rings) is not permitted.
- Competitive division participants can perform in bare feet or in shoes that do not have a high heel. Heels division participants must wear heeled shoes.
- If clothing is fully removed from your body at any time during your performance, it is considered a prop and must be submitted as a prop.
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Props:
- A prop is anything on stage that is not attached to your body throughout the entirety of your performance.
- If clothing is removed from your body at any point during your performance, it is considered a prop.
- You cannot attach a prop to the pole to support your whole body weight- ie pole straps and pole silks are not allowed.
- All props must be submitted by the deadline.
- Human props are allowed. Human props can touch the performer but may not touch the poles. All human props are required to sign a liability waiver and must also buy a spectator ticket in order to enter the event. Human props must adhere to the remainder of the competition rules.
- Prop set up and removal must take a maximum of 30 seconds each
- No harmful substances/materials are allowed as props (ie knives, guns, glass, fog machines, fire, fireworks)
- Live animals are not allowed
- Nothing that is difficult to clean or could harm the following performer can be used as a prop (ie- glitter, confetti, liquids, gels, creams).
- Fake guns need to have an orange or red tip visible on them which is federal law in the United States.
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Grip aids:
- All grip aids are allowed.
- Grip can be applied to the body and hands. It may not be applied directly to the pole prior to the performance.
- Gloves and grippy clothing/leggings are allowed
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Photography/Video:
- Competitors and human props must sign a waiver that includes a photo/video release form. As such, competitors and human props agree that all photography and footage can be used for promotional and advertising purposes.
- Filming and photography (no flash) from the audience is permitted provided the device is held no higher than shoulder height. This ensures other spectators' view is not obstructed and the device is not in the way of the professional photographer/videographer.
- Flash photography is not allowed as this is a danger to the performer on stage.
- Photography and filming are not allowed backstage or in the competitor changing/warm up areas.
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Sandbagging:
- In any competition, there will be overlap between the highest performing competitors in a lower level and lower performing competitors in the next level up. This natural overlap between levels does not constitute sandbagging. We define sandbagging as intentionally entering a lower level in order to achieve a higher placement. Sandbagging undermines the legitimacy of amateur competitions. As such, MPC will make every effort to ensure sandbagging does not happen. Firstly, we've instituted clear level delineations. If there is any question as to what level is appropriate for you, please reach out for guidance. Secondly, upon registration we ask for either your Instagram handle or a recent training video to ensure you've signed up for the appropriate level. If there is question of sandbagging during competition, this issue can be brought up by any member of the judging staff. The judging panel will vote on whether or not they believe sandbagging occurred. If 3 out of 4 judges agree that sandbagging occurred, the competitor will incur a deduction.
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Transgender policy:
- You may enter the competition as the gender you most identify with and are currently living as.
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Terms and Conditions
- MPC reserves the right to disqualify or bar entry to future competition if rules are breached.
- MPC reserves the right to modify rules and terms of the competition at any time.
- MPC is not liable for any expenses, injuries, damages, or losses you incur through participation.
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