North American Irish Dance Federation, LLC (NAIDF)

Download the NAIDF 2010 Rulebook (PDF) for easy printing.

Hosting Competitions

1. All NAIDF-sanctioned competitions must be hosted by an NAIDF member teacher.
2. The member teacher is also subject to a $100.00 fee per feis to host an NAIDF- sanctioned event, and this must be made payable to NAIDF, LLC. This fee includes use of the NAIDF name, mention of the event on the NAIDF website, and the initialization of the event in Feis Keeper, NAIDF’s custom feis software.
3. If a hosting school utilizes the Feis Keeper program, there is an automatic $3.00 administration fee per dancer. The hosting school must then submit the total collected administration fees to NAIDF, LLC no later than the day of the event.
4. In addition, if a hosting school would like an official for Feis Keeper support and scoring on the day of the event the cost is $100.00 per individual per day.
5. Hosting schools must cover adjudicator’s airfare, car, and hotel as well as a $100.00 fee per adjudicator per day.
6. All NAIDF feiseanna must be insured events.

 

General Competitions

1. Feiseanna are open to all interested dancers no matter their organization affiliation. However, non-members are typically subject to higher rates to enter competitions offered by NAIDF.
2. Age groups are determined by age as of January 1st of the current year.
3. One feis year or season runs from June 1st to May 31st.
4. NAIDF school, regional, and national feiseanna must have levels broken into age categories in increments of two years for those ages 20 and under. There will then be a recommended age category of 21 and up for each level. 
5. NAIDF or those hosting school competitions may combine, cancel or add age groups prior to or on the day of the feis, based on entries received. 
6. Toe stands are not permitted under prizewinner level and may not be performed by any dancer under 14 years of age.
7. Dancers must be in full costume, including shoes, when receiving awards.
8. Dancers and teams must dance in numerical order.
9. Those who register for NAIDF competitions agree that by participating, their images may be used at the discretion of NAIDF on the official NAIDF website or in promotional materials.
10. In matters pertaining to dance the adjudicator’s decision is final.
11. If someone wants to object to an adjudicator's decision, the objection has to be presented in writing the day of the feis to the hosting school.
12. The use of flash photography and videos are prohibited during competition. However, it is permissible during the awards ceremony.
13. Adjudicators may only be approached by feis officials.
14. Teachers and/or parents are not permitted to give instruction or direction to dancers while they are dancing.
15. Dancers are subject to a three-month suspension from competition upon transferring to another school.
16. Stages must be an appropriate size, and only one competitor may dance per judge at a time.
17. Competitors are judged on timing, placement, execution, technique, and presentation.
18. If a competitor or school transfers from another dance organization into NAIDF, then dancers must enter the NAIDF level that is most comparable to the level they came from. If dancers are uncertain about what constitutes an appropriate level, then they should consult their teacher or NAIDF for an accurate assessment.
19. If a dancer leaves competition for longer than two calendar years, then they may enter only one level lower than when they left. A dancer may not, at any time, enter a higher level than their former level.
20. For those dancers who were competing in multiple levels, a video of the dancer must be submitted to the leadership for evaluation of correct placement.
21. If a dancer or teacher decides their level and it’s evident at competition that they should be placed lower or higher, it will be at the discretion of the adjudicator to place the dancer appropriately. If it is determined a dancer purposefully enters an incorrect level, they face possible disqualification.
22. A solo dancer may start over or resume where they were dancing if they fall or if they suffer a bad slip that made them stop.
23. An adjudicator may use discretion with very young beginners who stop within the first 8 bars of dancing because of nerves and allow them to dance again.
24. Teachers may compete in solos at NAIDF competitions, but once their MIDT Grade 3 is earned they must refrain from further competition. Also, teachers may only dance in one of the following: two-hand, three-hand, ceili, freestyle solo, and freestyle group, and they will be placed in the teacher’s Open Category by doing so.

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Dress Code & Appropriate Attire

1. Dancers are expected to wear appropriate attire to competition.
2. Ladies and girls are required to wear bloomers or dance trunks under their skirts.
3. Girls may wear solo dresses, school dresses, or a blouse and skirt. Skirts and dresses may not be shorter than three inches above the knee. Pants are not acceptable for females unless worn during the freestyle categories.
4. Girls may only wear white poodle socks, white ankle socks at the beginner and advanced beginner levels, or dance tights, or they face possible disqualification.
5. Midriffs will not be exposed at any time, unless as deemed necessary by the costume demands of a freestyle choreography for a group, but they must be covered by sheer fabric.
6. The neckline of girls and ladies costumes will be conservative and modest. At no time is cleavage to be visible.
7. Boys may wear a collared shirt and pants or kilts. Vests, ties, and cummerbunds are acceptable clothing items. If a kilt is worn, suitable undergarments will be worn in conjunction with the item, or the dancer faces disqualification.
8. Girls will wear their hair neatly pulled back from their faces and held in place during the course of their performance. If wigs are worn, they must remain properly pinned and remain away from the eyes. Boys with long hair will also have hair neatly pulled back.
9. Self-tanners are discouraged by NAIDF. However, if a teacher or dancer deems them necessary, then they are acceptable but are not required.
10. Black ballet slippers are acceptable for beginner and advanced beginner. Jazz shoes for boys are acceptable for beginners and advanced beginners.

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Levels & Steps

1. Levels are broken into Beginner, Advanced Beginner, Novice, Prizewinner, Preliminary Championship, and Open Championship.
2. Dancers are subject to the following requirements concerning standard dance lengths. Dancers must dance 32 bars for beginner-prizewinner and 48 bars for preliminary and open. For traditional sets, dancers must dance both the first step and first set on the right and left foot. For non-traditional sets, dancers will dance the first step on both the right and left foot and the first set on the right foot only. Two Hand and Three Hand Figures must be no more or less than 48 bars in length, and must contain traditional ceíli elements. 
3. All traditional set dances must be performed as taught on the Olive Hurley DVDs. This enables the NAIDF to establish a single standard language for these specific dances. In competition, all competitors must dance the right and left foot of both the first step and the first set. Competitors not performing these elements will be disqualified.
4. Dancers have the following dance choices for school competitions:

Beginner

• Reel
• Slip Jig
• Light Jig
• Single Jig

Advanced Beginner

• Reel
• Slip Jig
• Light Jig
• Single Jig
• Traditional Treble Jig

Novice

• Reel
• Slip Jig
• Traditional Treble Jig
• Traditional Hornpipe
• Treble Reel
• Traditional Set

Prizewinner

• Reel
• Slip Jig
• Treble Jig
• Hornpipe
• Treble Reel
• Traditional Set
• Non-traditional Set

Preliminary Championship

• Reel
• Slip Jig
• Treble Jig
• Hornpipe
• Treble Reel
• Traditional Set
• Non-traditional Set

Open Championship

• Reel
• Slip Jig
• Treble Jig
• Hornpipe
• Treble Reel
• Traditional Set
• Non-traditional Set

Other Competitive Dances

• Two-Hand Figure
• Three-Hand Figure
• Four-Hand Ceilí
• Six-Hand Ceilí
• Eight-Hand Ceilí
• Freestyle Solo
• Freestyle Group
• Dance Drama
5. At regular school feiseanna, competitors may dance any number and any type of dances within their level.
6. To qualify for Nationals, a dancer must compete in a minimum of one school feis or digital feis, dance the number of dances listed below, and score a minimum of 60 percent in each of those dances.

The list of the number of dances required to qualify for the NAIDF Nationals is listed by level below:

• Beginner — 3 softshoe dances
• Advanced Beginner — 3 softshoe dances
• Novice — 4 dances (2 soft shoe and 2 hard shoe dances, all of contrasting tempo)
• Prizewinner — 4 dances (2 soft shoe and 2 hard shoe dances, all of contrasting tempo; Traditional Set required)
• Preliminary Championship — 4 dances (2 soft shoe and 2 hard shoe dances, all of contrasting tempo; Non-traditional Set required)
• Open Championship — 4 dances (2 soft shoe and 2 hard shoe dances, all of contrasting tempo; Non-traditional Set required)
7. To participate in the NAIDF Nationals, dancers must dance the required dances as outlined by NAIDF, and they must be of contrasting tempo. For championship and national competitions, all levels will perform 3 predetermined dances, which must be announced no less than six months prior to the event.
8. In addition, a competitor must qualify for nationals between June 1st of the previous year and May 31st of the current year. For example, for Nationals 2010 a dancer must qualify between June 1st, 2009 and May 31st, 2010.
9. Dancers may enter only one two-hand, one three-hand, one four-hand ceíli, one six-hand ceíli, one eight-hand ceíli, one freestyle solo, one freestyle group, and one dance drama per competition. They may not, for example, complete a four-hand ceíli dance and return to the stage for another. If a dancer becomes sick or is injured, then a replacement dancer can fill in.
10. Two-hand figure, three-hand figure, four-hand ceíli, six-hand ceíli, eight-hand ceíli, solo freestyle, group freestyle, and dance drama categories will be minimally broken into the following age groups:
• 8 and Under
• 16 and Under
• 17 and Over
11. Proper placement in age categories in the two-hand figure, three-hand figure, four-hand ceíli, six-hand ceíli, eight-hand ceíli, solo freestyle, group freestyle, and dance drama categories will be decided based on the average age of the dancers.
12. Ceíli dances will be done in accordance with Ar Rinci Foirne (blue cover 2003 edition) as published by An Comisiun. The ceíli must only include the lead round, the body and the first time through the first figure. All progressive ceíli dances must be danced once through and conclude with the movement that would be the progression to the next group or couple. For Sweets of May dancers must perform up to the end of the second figure, and for The Three Tunes dancers must dance up through the hook and chain. Teams deviating from these established ceíli forms will be disqualified in competition. Adaptations and performance variations of these forms are acceptable only in the group freestyle categories.
13. The expected parts to be performed in competition will be published as part of the syllabus of the hosting school's feis requirements.
14. Solo freestyle dances must be a minimum length of one and a half minutes (1:30) and a maximum length of two and a half minutes (2:30).
15. Group freestyle dances must be a minimum length of two and a half minutes (2:30) and a maximum length of five minutes (5:00).
16. For those competing in dance drama, a minimum of six dancers and maximum of 24 dancers may participate. The dance drama piece must be a minimum length of seven and a half minutes (7:30) and a maximum length of fifteen minutes (15:00), which should include setup and breakdown. A school may only enter one dance drama group per feis.
17. It is the responsibility of those participating in the freestyle and drama categories to provide their own music.
18. Music and steps in the freestyle categories must be appropriate. Offensive language and steps will result in disqualification.

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Dance Tempos

Tempos, counted in Beats Per Minute (BPM), should be as follows.

Dances	Beginner & AB	Novice	Prizewinner	P&O Championship
Reel	112–118	112–116	112–116	112–116
Light Jig	112–116	—	—	—
Single Jig	116–124	—	—	—
Slip Jig	112–120	112–116	112–116	112–116
Treble Jig	—	92–96	80–85	72–76
Hornpipe	—	138–144	130–138	112–116

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Traditional & Non-traditional Sets

1. Traditional sets are highlighted.

Treble Jigs

• The Blackthorn Stick
• The Drunken Gauger/The Funny Tailor
• Humours of Bandon
• The Hurling Boys
• Hurry the Jug
• Is the Big Man Within? (Slip Jig/Treble Jig)
• Jockey to the Fair
• Miss Brown’s Fancy
• The Orange Rogue
• Planxty Drury
• Rub the Bag
• St. Patrick’s Day
• The Three Sea Captains

Hornpipes

• Ace & Deuce of Pipering
• The Blackbird
• The Blue Eyed Rascal
• Bonaparte’s Retreat
• The Deep Green Pool
• The Downfall of Paris
• Fiddler ’Round the Fairy Tree
• The Four Masters
• The Garden of Daisies
• The Hunt
• The Job of Journeywork
• Kilkenny Races
• King of the Fairies
• The Lodge Road
• Madame Bonaparte
• The Piper thro’ the Meadow Straying
• Planxty Davis
• The Rambling Rake
• Rodney’s Glory
• The Roving Peddler
• A Sprig of Shillelagh
• The Storyteller
• The Wandering Musician
• The White Blanket
• Youghal Harbour

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Digital Feis

1. NAIDF will hold digital feis every quarter, which is open to any dancer regardless of affiliation.
2. Digital Feis is broken into the following sessions:
• Session 1: January 1–March 31 (Must be received by March 1)
• Session 2: April 1–June 30 (Must be received by June 1)
• Session 3: July –September 30 (Must be received by September 1)
• Session 4: October 1–December 31 (Must be received by December 1)

Due dates may be modified by the hosting school, but shall not be any later than ten days before the end of the session.

3. Scores and results will be made available no later than the last day of each session.
4. All applicants for Digital Feis must submit a scorecard, which is available at NAIDF.com, with their entry. The scorecard must be filled out with the dancer’s name, date of birth, school, number, level, and dances prior to being sent. Entries will be returned to the teachers.
5. If a school participates in Digital Feis, a list of all the participant’s names and numbers must be submitted, or the teacher can simply fill out the scorecards for each dancer and send them and the video as a packet.
6. All DVDs and videos received for NAIDF Digital Feis become the property of NAIDF and will not be returned to the participant.
7. By agreeing to participate, you allow the submitted images and video to be used at the discretion of NAIDF.
8. All dancers must line up by level and dance in numerical order. The preferred order of dancers is reel, slip jig, light jig, single jig, hornpipe, treble jig, treble reel, and set dances.
9. Dances must be done in one session at a time per level. For example, all beginners must dance their reels and then move on to slip jig.
10. Numbers must be visible on camera, or dancers can face possible disqualification.
11. For beginners and advanced beginners, the teacher must be in the frame to assist the dancer with starting on time.
12. Cameras must be set so that the dancer’s entire body from the top of the head to the bottom of the feet is visible at all times.
13. The rate for digital feis is $10.00 per dance for members, and $12.50 per dance for non-members.
14. Digital feis competitors can qualify for nationals through digital feis participation.
15. Entries can be mailed to:

• NAIDF, LLC
  2317 Peppermill Pointe Court
  Springfield, IL 62712

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Level Advancement

1. A competitor may advance to the next level of competition once achieving the required percentage and only after dancing the required number of dances per level. The required number of dances for advancement is the same as those required to qualify for nationals. Beginner and advanced beginner must dance three and novice-preliminary must dance four. A competitor does not necessarily need to place first, second, or third to advance. Rather, for all levels an 80% must be obtained in each dance.

Example: If a beginner dances three dances, the reel, slip jig, and light jig, they are eligible to move up if they earn the proper percentage per dance. So a competitor has the opportunity to earn 100 points per dance and must therefore score 80 points or higher. If any one of these dances is below 80 points, the competitor may not advance to the next level.

2. In addition, if a competitor participates in several competitions within the feis calendar year, their highest scores will be acknowledged for advancement even if achieved at different events. 
3. It is mandatory to advance to the next level once a competitor earns high enough scores to do so. They may not remain at the same level once placing out and must then re-qualify for nationals at their new level.

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