Interesting. I think the rules need some editing, though:
Some of the rules are currently contradictory. For example:
4.5.3.1. The eligibility to compete in a classification is determined by the proficiency point sum of the partnership as of the start of a particular competition.
4.5.3.16. The proficiency eligibility of a partnership is determined by the sum of the individual athlete’s proficiency points. A partnership may dance at the lowest level for which they have proficiency points available and for which they are age eligible. They may also dance up in proficiency level, provided that they dance no more than 2 consecutive proficiency levels in a single style and age category.
4.5.3.22. Partnerships are ineligible to dance in proficiency levels where the sum of the individual member’s points is 300 or greater.
Note that in the first paragraph it's the sum of the partnership's points. However, in the second paragraph it's based on the athletes separately (note the singular "individual athlete's"). I think the apostrophe is in the wrong place in the second paragraph. It's probably meant to be "the sum of the individual athletes' proficiency points." That apostrophe makes quite a difference. The third paragraph further compounds this, probably because of an apostrophe error. 300 points makes an individual ineligible, but we have no idea how many points makes a couple ineligible. So, Avab, I think you got the intention right, but according to the rules the 300 is for an individual, not a couple.
Some of the rules are needlessly complex. For example:
4.5.3.2. A partnership is only eligible to compete in a classification if BOTH members still have available proficiency points at that level and are both age-eligible.
4.5.3.17. When an individual athlete has accumulated half (1/2) the points necessary for a partnership to move into a higher proficiency level, he/she is considered to be moved into the higher proficiency level as an individual; the higher proficiency level would now be that athlete’s ‘true proficiency level’. The athlete may continue to dance at the lower proficiency level if he/she is in a partnership that still has available points for the lower proficiency level. However, the individual athlete dancing below his/her true proficiency level will accumulate points at double the earned rated (quadrupled where they would have been doubled previously).
What is the point of the "still have available proficiency points" part of the first paragraph? (I am assuming Avab is right and the rule book is wrong about the 300 points.) If A>300 or B>300, then A+B>300. Or can we earn negative proficiency points? Needless complexity makes rules more confusing.
The only thing I can find about styles or dances is this:
4.5.3.19. Proficiency points are earned in each style of dance separately from all other styles
This brings about some interesting oddities. For example, let's say two couples dance four single-dance bronze events. Let's say all the events start with a quarter-final of 24 couples and all of the semi-finals have 12 couples. Couple A places 12, 12, 12, 12. Couple B places 15, 15, 15, 11. If this had been a multi-dance event, Couple A would be ranked higher. But Couple B earns more proficiency points (which also count toward the first three dances). These oddities are probably going to be rare enough and worth few enough points that they won't matter much, but they do exist.
Much worse is the case of couples in two competitions with different syllabus events. Couple A places 2/12 in both bronze two-dance events at one site. Couple B places 4/12
in each of the four one-dance events at a different site. (Refer to page 7, where it says "one or more dances.") Couple A members each get 20 points towards that style, while Couple B members each get 32 points towards that style. These oddities are far worse.
I really hope I missed something about points recorded by individual dances.
The whole age category/proficiency category thing is hard to read, but I'll take my best short at these.
4.5.3.12. Proficiency points awarded for a result in a particular competitive event will also be awarded in all higher age categories in that style and proficiency level (whether or not the athlete is currently age-eligible for those higher age categories)
4.5.3.13. Proficiency points awarded for a result in a particular competitive event will also be awarded in all lower age categories in the next lower proficiency level.
4.5.3.14. Proficiency points awarded for a result in a particular competitive event will also be awarded in all lower proficiency levels in that style and at all higher age categories at double the rate earned.
Let's take an example of a Junior II couple dancing Junior II Pre-Champ and Youth Pre-Champ Latin. What happens if they earn 75 points in each of those. Their points are (earned from Junior II listed first, Youth second):
Junior II Novice = 150+75=225
Junior II Pre-Champ = 75+0=75
Youth Pre-Champ = 75+75=150
Adult Pre-Champ = 75+75=150
So our Junior II couple is still eligible for Junior II Pre-Champ but is too good for Adult Pre-Champ? Does that make sense to any of you?
I think I have to read more before I even understand why this one is there:
4.5.3.23. An Athlete may petition to be:
b) elevated to a higher classification on the grounds of proficiency and inability to participate in qualifying events. This petition shall be sent to the DanceSport Eligibility Committee Chair for assessment.
Everything I've seen says you can dance up without restriction. However, I haven't found anything else about "qualifying events" that pertains to this yet.
(And in the time I wrote this there were a lot more posts. I'll have to read those.)
Christopher
