• The dance must mostly be recognisable as SILC i.e. as taught during SILC classes or workshops & via the syllabus where relevant. However, the organisers recognise that your freestyle will incorporate a wealth of other dance styles as dictated by the music.  

• The lead and follow aspect of the dance must be clearly demonstrated.  

• Partners must not release hand hold or break contact for more than eight beats.  

• Understanding Rules: Competitors are responsible for reading and comprehending both the general competition rules and the specific rules for their category.  

• Category Eligibility: Competitors must be aware of which categories they are eligible to enter.  

• Number Display: Competitors must display their number clearly.  

• Number Visibility: At the end of each song, competitors must rotate to ensure judges can easily see their number.  

• Punctuality: Competitors must be ready to start their heat on time. If not there, their name will be called a maximum of 3 times, after which there will be an instant disqualification.  

• Floorcraft: Competitors are required to demonstrate effective floorcraft by utilising the slot method. This involves making efficient use of the dance floor space while maintaining alignment with other dancers and avoiding disruption. All participants must ensure they are slotting in the same direction to uphold smooth and coordinated movement across the floor, as directed by the Compere. 

• Participants must maintain good sportsmanship.  

• Any form of misconduct or disrespect towards judges, organisers, or other competitors will result in disqualification.  

• Participants must adhere to the venue’s rules and regulations.  

SILC organisers reserve the right to change the program and competition rules if necessary, without consultation.  

The event will be recorded by film, video, and photograph. These materials may be used for Ceroc/SILC promotional purposes without any obligation.

• The organisers accept no responsibility for loss or injury to persons or possessions in relation to this event.  

• Participants compete at their own risk.  

Advanced  – Judged as a fixed couple partnership 

• The Advanced Category is open to amateurs only.  
• Both you and your partner must be amateurs.  
• Dance teachers/professionals, and competitors from Foundations or Open level categories, are not allowed to enter this section. 
• If the judges think entrants are of an Open standard, they will be asked to move up to the Open Freestyle category or be disqualified.   
• Aerials (Lifts, Jumps, Major Aerials, Minor Aerials and Acrobatic Moves) are not permitted. Attempting these moves will result in penalisation or automatic disqualification.  
• Drops are permitted, provided that the ball of one of the follow’s feet remains in contact with the ground. If this condition is not met, the move will be classified as an airstep and may result in a penalisation or disqualification. 
• Judging criteria is focused on still showing the basic SILC techniques covered within Foundation & Progressive Syllabus to show a clear understanding of the technical aspect of this dance, other areas judges will be looking at include:
  • Freestyle – No choreography
  • Foundations & Progressive skills demonstrated
  • Move complexity whilst still sticking to the SILC techniques
  • Ability to adapt to tempos ranging from 90bpm – 110bpm
  • Connection with your partner 

Please always refer to the official videos on www.hub.ceroc.com for technique and move inspiration.
Foundation: https://hub.ceroc.com/product/silc-foundation-2025/
Progressive: https://hub.ceroc.com/product/silc-progressive-2025/
Developmental: https://hub.ceroc.com/product/silc-developmental/

Open  – Judged as a fixed couple partnership 

• The Open Category is open to professionals and Open level dancers.  
• Competitors or partnerships from the Foundations & Advanced level categories are not allowed to enter this section.  
• Drops are permitted.  
• Aerials (Lifts, Jumps, Major Aerials, Minor Aerials and Acrobatic Moves) are not permitted. Attempting these moves will result in penalisation or automatic disqualification. 
• Judging criteria is focused on still showing the basic SILC techniques covered within Foundation & Progressive syllabus to show a clear understanding of the technical aspect of this dance, other areas judges will be looking at include:
  • Freestyle – No choreography
  • Foundations, Progressive & Developmental skills demonstrated
  • Move complexity whilst still sticking to the SILC techniques
  • Performance & Presentation marked
  • Ability to adapt to tempos ranging from 80bpm – 115bpm
  • Musicality
  • Connection with your partner
  • Dynamic Variation – Combining standard SILC timing with moments of speed/acceleration/freezes etc. 

Please always refer to the official videos on www.hub.ceroc.com for technique and move inspiration.
Foundation: https://hub.ceroc.com/product/silc-foundation-2025/
Progressive: https://hub.ceroc.com/product/silc-progressive-2025/
Developmental: https://hub.ceroc.com/product/silc-developmental/

SILC Stars – Elite 

In this section no-one knows who their partner will be! We aim to discover who are the best individual dancers at this level.   

In SILC Stars Elite, individuals are randomly paired in each round and judged on their dancing. It is the individuals who go through to the final, again to be randomly paired for the next heat. This means that each entrant may have a different partner for each round.  

• Dance teachers/professionals, and competitors from the Advanced and Open level categories, are allowed to enter this section so long as they are not competing in the Masters category. 
• Competitors from Foundations level category are not allowed to enter this section.  
• Aerials (Lifts, Jumps, Major Aerials, Minor Aerials and Acrobatic Moves) are not permitted. Attempting these moves will result in penalisation or automatic disqualification.  
• Drops are permitted, provided that the ball of one of the follow’s feet remains in contact with the ground. If this condition is not met, the move will be classified as an aerial and will result in a penalisation or disqualification. 
• Judging criteria is focused on still showing the basic SILC techniques covered within Foundation & progressive syllabus to show a clear understanding of the technical aspect of this dance, other areas judges will be looking at include:
  • Freestyle – No choreography
  • Foundations & progressive skills demonstrated clearly
  • Move complexity whilst still sticking to the SILC techniques
  • Ability to adapt to tempos ranging from 90bpm – 110bpm 
  • Musicality
  • Connection with your partners throughout each heat 

Please always refer to the official videos on www.hub.ceroc.com for technique and move inspiration.
Foundation: https://hub.ceroc.com/product/silc-foundation-2025/
Progressive: https://hub.ceroc.com/product/silc-progressive-2025/
Developmental: https://hub.ceroc.com/product/silc-developmental/

SILC Stars – Masters 

In this section no-one knows who their partner will be! We aim to discover who are the best individual dancers in the Masters category.      

In SILC Stars Masters, individuals are randomly paired and judged on their dancing. It is the individuals who go through to the final, again to be randomly paired for the next heat. This means that each entrant may have a different partner for each round.  

• The SILC Stars Masters Category is by invitation only by the SILC organisers.  
• Aerials (Lifts, Jumps, Major Aerials, Minor Aerials and Acrobatic Moves) are not permitted. Attempting these moves will result in penalisation or automatic disqualification.  
• Drops are permitted, provided that the ball of one of the follow’s feet remains in contact with the ground. If this condition is not met, the move will be classified as an aerial and will result in a penalisation or disqualification. 
• Judging criteria is focused on still showing the basic SILC techniques covered within Foundation & progressive syllabus to show a clear understanding of the technical aspect of this dance, other areas judges will be looking at include:
  • Freestyle – No choreography
  • Foundations & progressive skills demonstrated clearly
  • Move complexity whilst still sticking to the SILC techniques
  • Performance & presentation marked
  • Ability to adapt to tempos ranging from 80bpm – 115bpm 
  • Musicality
  • Connection with your partners throughout each heat 
  • Dynamic Variation – Combining standard SILC timing with moments of speed/acceleration/freezes etc. 

Please always refer to the official videos on www.hub.ceroc.com for technique and move inspiration.
Foundation: https://hub.ceroc.com/product/silc-foundation-2025/
Progressive: https://hub.ceroc.com/product/silc-progressive-2025/
Developmental: https://hub.ceroc.com/product/silc-developmental/

Judging Criteria Points will be awarded for: Musicality, Synergy & Spirit.

These three groups are shown in a pyramid to suggest Musicality, including timing and musical interpretation, is an important base and must exist in some measure or the other tiers will topple.  

Synergy includes partnership and technique, vital elements for two people creating a dance that is greater than what either of them could do on their own.  

Spirit emphasises the attitude that the dancers bring and being fully present in the moment.

>> Musicality  

Musicality represents the dancing, i.e. moving with music. 
There are many definitions of musicality, musicality for this purpose can be broken down into a few areas:  

Timing 
Timing is about how we match our movements to the music. Dancers are expected to show they understand moving with the music rather than despite it. 
At lower levels, dancers are expected to move to the music’s beat, at higher levels other rhythms may also be used to inspire variety in the speed of movements.  

Musical Interpretation 
Dancers can use many aspects of the music besides the beat such as: lyrics, melody, mood and genre to inspire their movements. 
At higher levels, dancers might also aim to reflect the phrasing in the music and changes within the song’s structure, such as verse, chorus and bridge. Also consider the emotion, ambience or theme of the song; how does this affect the dynamic and quality of your movement?

Move Choice 
At lower levels, dancers must SILC moves that they feel confident to execute stylishly. Hard moves done badly never create a good impression. 
At higher levels dancers should be able to select which moves in their repertoire are appropriate to dance to the music being played. Higher level dancers are expected to exhibit a higher complexity of movement.  

BPM (Beats per minute)
At all levels, dancers must demonstrate the ability to adjust their speed to match the tempo of the track being played, which may range from 80 BPM to 115 BPM. Points will be awarded to those who show a clear understanding of how to adapt their technique to remain in time with the music. For instance, competitors who consistently dance in double time to a slow track may be subject to penalties.  

>>>Synergy  

Synergy represents the partnership when dancing SILC. 
Synergy is where dancers can work together in a partnership to create something that is greater than the sum of each dancer separately. 
Judges will be considering the following:  

Partnership 
The aim is for a couple to dance with a common aim and be able to connect and communicate well with each other. At lower levels, Leads should lead moves at a level appropriate for their Follows and Follows need to respond accurately accordingly to SILC techniques. 
At higher levels, the conversation becomes more multidirectional. Leads must allow space for their partners to flourish, and Follows must bear in mind the level, position and intention of the Lead when adding to the dance conversation.  

Technique 
All techniques of the individuals from the SILC syllabus (Opposition, Invitation, Momentum, Footwork, Shadowing, Frame), contribute to the synergy of a partnership. This enables good lead and follow technique, controlled movements and accurate execution of moves.  

Freestyle & Moves 
At the lower levels judges want to see the partnership dancing the SILC techniques well, the moves you choose to compliment the techniques can vary but the Foundations & Progressive syllabus can help with these for inspiration.
At higher levels judges want to see what the dancers can create together, and we expect to see moves that are more complex requiring better understanding of the SILC techniques. 
Dancing should be freestyle or ‘off-the-cuff’ where moves/movements are danced in any order and not in a choreographed sequence. (except Showcase). 

Dress 
SILC places a greater emphasis on technique rather than the specific moves performed. As such, we encourage participants to carefully consider their choice of attire to ensure that judges can clearly observe the techniques being executed. For example, it is important for judges to see the Follows footwork distinctly. Therefore, wearing long, flowing dresses that may obscure footwork could potentially hinder the judges’ ability to evaluate technique accurately. Sequins & stiletto heels for example may not be the best choice to showcase your dancing to SILC music. 

Specific Footwork 
At the lower levels, competitors are required to adhere strictly to the SILC-specific footwork for followers. Deviations from the correct footwork will result in penalties.
At the higher levels, while it remains essential to demonstrate an understanding of the correct footwork patterns for Follows, the complexity of moves may occasionally necessitate adjustments. In such cases, Follows must demonstrate their ability to return seamlessly to fundamental dance techniques. 

Orientation / Presentation 
All competitors are required to dance within the designated slot assigned to them by the compere on the day of the competition. Throughout all heats, participants must prioritise floorcraft, adhere to proper dance etiquette, and ensure health and safety are maintained at all times. 

Performance & presentation
For Masters Level dancers only:

• Demonstrates an awareness of the audience’s presence and engages with them effectively without compromising the connection with their partner.  
• Projects clear intention and energy toward the audience, potentially involving them in the performance.
• May include elements of improvisation and theatrical expression to enhance the overall impact. 

 >>>Spirit 

Spirit aligns to your attitude and personality when dancing.

Character
Be yourself. You’re the best person at being you, be true to yourself and your true spirit will shine forth. You can always use the music to take on a different character or persona and express that with the same spirit you would express yourself.
Smiling isn’t always necessary/appropriate but remember that you are creating a performance for the judges, so show them how you are feeling through your movement. 

Audience and Performance
Be aware that the audience – including the judges – want to get the best view of what you can do so they can connect with you and live vicariously through your performance!
We also expect dancers to exhibit positive freestyle etiquette (such as floorcraft, teamwork, support and empathy) as well as appropriate social behaviours (such as inclusivity, consent and personal hygiene). 

Major Aerials 
An aerial in SILC constitutes any move where one partner is lifted off the ground and involves aerial manoeuvres. These can include spins, flips, jumps, or other dynamic lifts where the feet leave the floor.  

Drop 
A drop in SILC constitutes a move where one partner is lowered towards the ground in a controlled manner, resulting in that one partner relying on the other to regain their own weight control.  

Baby aerials 
A Baby Aerial is any aerial where one of the follow’s feet remains below the leader’s waist (belt line) at all times.  

Professional 
Someone teaching any form of partner dancing, OR have done in the past 5 years OR intend to in the next 6 months.  

Amateur  
Someone who has never been paid to teach partner dance of any type, and is not planning to.  

Breach of Rules 
If a judge witnesses an incident in which a competition rule has been breached, they will make comments on their scoring sheets, however, will continue judging without said breach affecting the scores. That judge is then required to inform the head judge of the breach as soon as possible. Breaches of rules identified by competitors, audience and video replay will not be addressed.  

It is the head judge’s responsibility to identify the rule/s being breached and severity of the breach.  

Taking into consideration the following:  

• Did the incident give the competitor an unfair advantage. 
• Did the incident interfere with any other competitors. 
• Has the competitor been informed of the breach of rules previously (where applicable). 

The head judge may then choose to:  

• Warn the competitor, and identify the incident and rule/s that it breached. 
• Penalise the competitor by loss of place/placings, and identify the incident, rule/s that it breached and outcome to the competitor. 
• Disqualify the competitor from that category, and identify the incident, rule/s that it breached, and outcome to the competitor.