Online Meetings On-line meetings are now available in basketball and wrestling; and this spring for track, baseball and softball.

Plan to have all sports on line next year

We hope you will find this to be a great alternative to attending meetings in person.

Complete Online Registration Now Available!If you took advantage of this option THANKS!Easy and ConvenientSaves MSHSL time and $$Give it a try!

Check Officials Directory Associations must only assign registered judges Schools must only used registered judges Non-registered = no contest Contest cannot be made up Be sure to check the officials directory after the test deadline of November 3.

Coaches Rating JudgesChange in rating systemCoaches will rate from 1-7 in five separate areasThe overall score will be the average of the five categories. Several adjustments in descriptions

Rating JudgesJudges thanks for entering schedules!Coaches thanks for rating!For being fair and objective!Remember that this is a ratingCompare to other judges who you see

Judges Rating Schools Popular and useful! Only rate site mgmt for home team Comments will be tied to the events Will make these more useful for schools Objective comments not editorials Comments that will help the school

Judges Rating Schools File Incident reports any rating of 1 Thanks Judges! Fair and objective!

School Ratings Composite scores available to schools Use for comparisons! Use for incentives! Use for recognition! We are making a difference!

Tournament Card Benefit now available to Judges $25 -- good at most section & state events Get to games and watch other officials! Deadline to purchase is November 24

Recruit! Shortages are a challenge Judges Recruit Coaches Recruit Former athletes/dancers

Retain! Key to shortage of judges! Coaches treat judges with respect! Give positive, constructive feedback Lower levels

State Tournament is February 13 & 14atTARGET CENTER!!Reminder . . .

Rules & Policies Be aware of the official Bylaws for Dance Team

Be aware of the official Rules and Policies for Dance Team

Both are included at the end of the Dance Team Rule Book

Rule Interpretations The MSHSL is the sole and exclusive source of binding rule interpretations for contests involving member schools.

Questions concerning rules and their official interpretations should be directed to one of the Dance Team Rule Interpreters as listed on your handout.

Minimum and Maximum Number of Competitors Applies to number on the performance floor not to roster/team

Minimum:HK and Jazz is 5

Maximums:HK = 34 Jazz = 26

Minimum/Maximum Number of Contests, continued Varsity Only

Same for all three classes

If not in compliance routine is not scored- does not count toward the 3-contest minimum needed for post season.

Penalties for Timing Violations 1 10 Seconds = 1 point

11 20 Seconds= 2 points

21 30 Seconds= 3 points

31 Seconds & above = 5 points

Jazz Requirement Minimum of one pirouette must be performed in a jazz routine, by the entire team, at the same time.

Penalty routine is not scored and does not count as a meet

Pirouette -- DefinedA complete turn of the body on one foot in releve`

The working leg must be in passe`

Minimum of a single OK to do more rotations

Performed by the entire team all at the same time!

2nd Jazz RequirementOne leap or jump must be performed by the entire team at the same time.

Penalty routine is not scored and does not count as a meet

Scoring Systems In meets using four (4) or fewer judges, the C rank system will apply.

Tie Breaker with four or fewer judges add all points of the judges. If there is still a tie, the tie stands.

Page 41 needs to be corrected

Tab Room Personnel Need to have complete working knowledge of - each step of tabulating process- all forms- procedures to execute accurate and complete results- rules and that govern tabulators, tab room, and the tabulating process Computer programs must follow the rule book process.

Judges Area Judges area must be secured by a raised barrier (theater rope), to keep spectators separated from judges

Crepe paper, signs, tape, etc. is not sufficient

Procedural Changes Kick Counter/Timers will count the number of competitors on the performance floor

C Rank System

Try-Outs Only sport that does this causes confusion 1 week after state -- until June 15 Not Required You can/should have additional try-outs when the season starts Try-outs are for winter comp team not for fall group

Summer Waiver Months of June and July File waiver with your school Allows contact with your dancers during this time Can request a waiver to have one public performance during the summer CANNOT work on choreography/winter dance during the summer.

Undue Influence Bylaw 307 You CANNOT have any type of out of season requirements as a condition for membership on your team- Go to a camp or clinic- Go to a specific studio or any studio- Participate in fundraisers- Attend summer practices- Attend conditioning sessions- Participate in fall program

Undue Influence, continued ... Penalty to the coach:- Censure- $500 fine, 1st Offense- $750 fine, 2nd Offense- $1000 fine, 3rd Offense MSHSL Board could apply additional penalties for example suspension from coaching.

Fall Programs/GroupsYou MAY NOT: Have direct contact with your dancers Plan and organize programs other than conditioning Select the fall team Set requirements for fall team members Attend practices Tell the fall coaches what to do

Fall Programs, continuedYou MAY: Watch team perform Plan, organize and conduct conditioning programs -- open to anyone Train fall team coaches

Same rules as all other sports!

Choreography Cannot work on Choreography outside of the 2-week time frame Rule: May work with up to 1/3 of your team to develop choreography beginning 2 weeks prior to the first day of practice. October 6, 2008 This is an exception for Dance Team dont abuse this opportunity.

Competitive Season They may attend studio & participate Dancers can PARTICIPATE, but cannot COMPETE on a non-school team They may compete in a form of dance significantly different from Jazz or HK Cant be required to attend studio You could have your own rule to not allow them to participate at a studio

Coaching You or a member of your staff cannot coach any dancer who is part of your grade 10-12 program outside of the competitive season. Can work at a studio, but not with those dancers Can work with them on dances that are significantly different from Jazz or HK

More Information A new FAQ will be developed to provide updated information in these areas.This information will also be available to your Activities DirectorAdditional Information will be posted in the Dance Team area of the League website.

Final Comments When you have questions in any of these areas work with your Activities Director There needs to be compliance continued problems could lead to changes in rules If it looks like a coaching, acts like coaching and sounds like coaching it is coaching!

Know the Score Sheet and Improve as a Coach!

Purpose of the Score SheetTo provide black and white tools to judges: A scale which assists in remaining consistent MSHSL-specific criteria to develop a score A scoring system to determine a teams rank Provides 10 categorical areas of feedback from judges to coaches, which can be used to improve the routines.

Tools of the Score SheetTool 1: The Scale Minnesota Average

Tool 2: The Format

Tool 3:The Criteria

Tool #1 The ScaleThe Minnesota Average is used to keep judges consistent meet to meet, class to class and location to location. It is based on CURRENT routines of ONLY Minnesota State High School League teams. Out of date routines and/or teams that do not participate in the MSHSL dance team program, when using the scale, skews the average and does not allow all judges in all areas to stay consistent, one to the other.

The First Team PerformsJudges write comments on their tally sheet detailing the components of the routine and how they are being performed while watching the teamKCTs are timing the routine, counting kicks, watching to see if teams run on or off the floor and this year, will start counting the # of competitors on the floor

ScoringThe judges look over their notes and record each category score and the final score on their tally sheet. This can take one to two minutes.

First Team AverageExample: 53 43 55 50 49 = average score of 50

Range of Scores: 43 55 or 12 Points

Optimal Range: 5 points on either side of the average or 45 -55

It is recommended that judges consider bringing their scores within a recommended range of the average to start the meet on scale.

Second Team PerformsJudges record each category score and final score on their tally sheet. They check to make sure that their scores for the 1st two teams are on scale and reflect what they saw.The 1st and 2nd teams score sheets are filled out and turned in to the runner. The runner checks to see if the teams name on the bottom of the sheet is correct & that the judge signed the sheet. They run the 1st two sheets for all judges to the tab roomAfter the 1st two teams, score sheets are taken to the tab room after each team is scored.

Score and Rank TallyAfter the score sheets are turned in, each judge records her/his scores on a separate tally. At the end of the meet, the judge ranks each team on this tally, based on the score. They turn this tally sheet into the superior judge at the end of the meet. The superior uses it to double check that each judges scores and ranks match up with the scores on the score sheet and are reflected on the ranking sheet. NOTE: Judges are not allowed to change their scores once the score sheet has gone to the tab room unless a score has been transposed incorrectly.

Timing & Judges ConferencesOn average, the process of scoring takes approx. 2 minutes. Occasionally, a judges conference will be called to discuss a potential violation or clarify a rule. Teams scores and placements are not discussed. Most of the time, these conferences take less than 10 seconds, but when necessary, the process could take longer. Making the correct ruling is the ultimate goal, even if it takes a little longer.

Tool #2 The Format

THE HEADINGS

THE CATEGORIES

THE CRITERIA

The HeadingsJazz - Encompasses all styles of JazzREQUIREMENTS OF A JAZZ ROUTINE:-No more than 5 kicks above the waist performed by the entire team while linked (connected)-A minimum of 1 pirouette performed by entire team at the same time. Definition of Pirouette: A complete turn of the body on one foot in relev. For the purposes of this requirement, the working leg must be in pass -A minimum of 1 leap or jump performed by the entire team at the same time NOTE: 0 has been removed from score sheet because of new rule

Video Clip #13 pirouettes by 4 team members; this would NOT meet requirements

High KickDefinition of Precision: Exactness - not allowing for any variationREQUIREMENTS:- 50 75 kicks above the waist performed by all of the team membersNOTE: There are no other requirements in High Kick precision (a style of hair, splits, movements or skills, specific styles of uniforms, etc.)

The CategoriesTen, 10-point categories = 100 pointsPercentages are easy to understand and compute.Each category is 10 points and the scale does not change. Balance: The routine that has the greatest balance is rewarded in this score sheet. A team cannot be proficient in just one area.

The CriteriaSpecific to MSHSLCategories have specific criteria elements

Balance of Objective and Subjective Criteria-Objective criteria rewards proficiency-Subjective criteria allows for creativity

What is NOT on the Score Sheet?Any criteria that isnt already written on the sheetWritten feedback The scores are the teams feedback.The uniform only the following items should be considered:- Are the uniforms in compliance? (This is not judged in the score sheet.)- Have the uniforms stayed in place? If not, they are scored down in Presentation.(continued on next slide)

What is NOT on the Score Sheet? (cont.)- If the uniforms are designed for visual effectiveness, i.e., color blocking or thematic, have they been utilized effectively? (If this is a consideration, it is a SMALL consideration under visual effectiveness.)The uniform is not judged in any other respectIndividual value systems or moral guidelines: There are no criteria for appropriate moves, song choices or uniforms. The requirement for teams is to have the music, lyrics, routine and uniform approved by their AD.

Jazz Category HighlightsCriteria elements are not listed in order of performance

JAZZ SKILLS:

TECHNIQUE OF TURNS TECHNIQUE OF LEAPS/JUMPSDIFFICULTY OF SKILLS

Video Clip #2Turn Segment

ExecutionPLACEMENT, CONTROL & UNIFORMITY:Criteria to Remember:Consistent strength behind movementsUse of proper technique

DEGREE OF ACCURACY: Timing - Memory - Spacing

ChoreographyIncludes two separate categoriesFirst 2 Categories:Visual, Creative and Practical

Second 2 Categories:Difficulty

ChoreographyDEFINITION FROM WEBSTERS DICTIONARY:Choreography - art of planning or executing dancesChoreography is an ART, thus more subjective allowing for greater creativity

Video Clip #3Arm/Block Formation

ChoreographyVISUAL EFFECTIVENESS & CREATIVITY

PRACTICALITY OF CONTENT

Video Clip #4Good use of ripple

DifficultyDEFINITION FROM WEBSTERS DICTIONARY:Things that are hard to do or understand; hard to deal with or satisfy

DEFINITION OF DANCE TEAM DIFFICULTY:Level of skill in which choreography is planned and executed

High Kick HighlightsKICK TECHNIQUE:No kick difficulty considered in this categoryNo height considered in this category

HEIGHT, PLACEMENT & TIMING:All three criteria items are equally weighted

DIFFICULTY OF KICKS: A difficulty category - technique is only a small element (continued on next slide)

High Kick Highlights, continuedMore Difficult kicks:Kicks that require a quick rotation of hips, i.e., full fans, screw, x-over, reverse fansKicks that require different muscle use, strength & control hinge, reverse hinge, battements (note: battements in place are harder than moving forward)

(continued on next slide)

High Kick Highlights, continuedElements that can increase difficulty are:- Movement: moving the kicks (harder kicks are harder to move)- Fill between kicks: Footwork, Leaps/jumps, Turns - Arms: unconnected kicks, change in arm positions (arms over head, rockettes)- Combinations: Combining difficult kick elements- Pace of kicks - Long segments of kicks, distribution of kicks, variety of kicks

ChoreographyPRACTICALITY OF CONTENT:Two differences in practicality HK vs. Jazz Precision Style Used Elements that cannot be executed in precision style are a practicality error Height Line/formations are balanced Varying heights, especially in kick segments, are a practicality mistake. (This can also signal a lack of intricacy in transitioning)

Difficulty of Formations and Transitions DEFINITION OF INTRICATE:With many parts artfully combined; complex and difficult; having many interrelated elements, parts or factors

HELPFUL ANALOGIES: Corn maze cant get from here to there without following a logical path Kaleidoscope effect changing the look with a minimum of movement or a logical blending of one look to another

Difficulty of Formations and Transitions(continued)SIGNS OF LACK OF INTRICACY IN TRANSITIONS/ FORMATIONS: Dancer(s) drag attention as they are transitioning Height line or formations are not balanced height variances are obvious

THIS IS A THOUGHT CATEGORY

PresentationCOMMON PRESENTATION ERRORS:Loss of Stamina posture, timing and placement suffersOver projecting to the ceiling or under projecting to the coach, etc.Facial and Vocal breaks in unityOpen mouths, making faces, winking, sticking out tongue, head shakingSinging, screaming, talking to each other, swearing

Presentation, continuedGood recovery from mistakes does not gain points Bad recovery could lose them

NOTE: Presentation should be choreographed just as the rest of the routine is

Video #5Presentation

Score Sheet Training DisclaimersAll video excerpts of routines are used for the purposes of illustrating specific examples. They do not, in any way, define the proficiency of a team and are a small excerpt of one section of one routine at one given meet. Routine video was selected based on its ability to illustrate specific criteria and not for any other reason.

This is a brief overview of the score sheet. The training is not all encompassing. Dance team is an art form, thus, there are objective AND subjective criteria. Coaches should make choreography decisions based on their knowledge of the score sheet criteria, their teams strengths and weaknesses and the feedback they receive via the scores rendered by officials.

Reminders Coaches Coach Judges Judge Respect the difficult job you each have Not adversaries You are on the same side! To serve kids!

Keep Working to Improve!

We are Making Progress!

All events a positive experience!

UploadSchedule& Roster

PostResultsImmediately

Tuesday, February 3

DEADLINETo CertifyProgramInfo

E-Mail Team Photo Certify Roster, Season Record, Photo ID

Its all on the WEBwww.MSHSL.orgon yourAdministrative Pages

Judges Remember to pick up your Test Codefrom the Rules Clinician before you leave! You must have this code in order to take the on-line test! Tests must be completed by November 3!!

Coaches You MUST pick up an attendance code! Go on line and register your attendance! Deadline is Nov. 3! Remember to pick up the sheet!

Welcome to the 2008 Dance Team Rules meetingWe are moving to on-line meetings. As these meetings are added, the number of in-person meetings will be decreased. We trust that this will be a positive addition to our program we had very positive feedback from those who did the soccer and football meetings on-line this fall.Many of you took advantage of the new complete, on-line registration. Thanks for giving this a try. We had a tremendous response to this option and it has proven to be very easy and convenient for both officials and League Staff. We hope that all officials can use this method to register in the future.Associations must check to make sure all assigned officials are currently registered. Schools must check to make sure that only fully registered officials are working their contests. Use the MSHSL on-line officials directory. If officials are not listed in the directory they are not eligible to work varsity contests.

In order to count as a game, a varsity game must have registered officials, unless a waiver has been obtained prior to the game.Coaches we need your continued efforts in rating officials. Look for several adjustments in the rating system, including more options to give reasons for Ds and Es. Language for some rating descriptions have also been changed.Officials we need you to enter your schedules this must be done to be rated, in order to rate schools and in order to be selected to work at the state tournament. Coaches thanks in advance for taking the time to rate, be fair and objective as you rate the officials in comparison to other officials that you see.Last year we started the program of officials rating schools in the area of sportsmanship. That has proven to be popular and also seems to make a difference. The form has been changed slightly. Only rate site management for the home team. We will also now tie the comments directly to the games this will be helpful to ADs as they monitor their program. Remember to still file incident reports for serious issues automatically anytime there is a rating of 1. Officials please be honest and fair in your ratings.

Coaches, work with your schools in the use of these ratings. They can be a great tool to provide incentives to athletes and spectators. Most ratings are positive use that for positive feedback and recognition. Sportsmanship is improving!Officials now have the opportunity to purchase a tournament card that can be used to attend section and state tournament events. This may be purchased on-line. We hope that you will attend events you can always learn by watching other officials.We always need more officials. Shortages continue to present challenges. Find someone that you can encourage to be an official and help them get started. Coaches, you can help by encouraging former athletes to become officials!While we always need to recruit new folks we also have to do a better job of keeping officials once they get started. Treat officials with respect, give constructive feedback this is especially important for new officials working at the lower levels. Both coaches and officials aware of Minnesota Rule Modifications. These can be found in the Officials Manual, and also in the Athletic Rules and Policies Manual. There are other rules and policies that coaches need to be aware of at a minimum review these rules and policies prior to each season. Just a reminder that when you have questions on rules or rules interpretations, contact the rules clinician in your area. They will be listed at the end of this meeting and can also be found on the MSHSL web site. As necessary the Rule Clinician will contact the League Office for official interpretations.Im Kevin Merkle, an Associate Director with the MSHSL. One of my responsibilities is to direct the Dance Team Program. The following slides provide a quick review of key rules for Dance Team. In the past year we have had more questions and violations concerning these rules. Your AD and you as the coach are responsible to know these rules and abide by them. Continued problems at the current level could lead to more restrictive rules.Try-outs in the spring are unique to dance team and as a result cause some confusion. You have up to one week in which to prepare, try-out and select your team between the end of State and June 15. Work with your AD to schedule this week and be aware of obligations dancers have to other sports and activities. Try-outs are not required. You may have additional try-outs when the season begins and/or you could allow other dancers to be on your team at any time. Try-outs are for winter competitive team not for fall.

During the months of June and July you may obtain a waiver to work with your athletes you may also apply for a waiver to have one public performance during the summer.

Choreography for the current season cannot be worked on until 2 weeks prior to the start of the season you cannot work on your winter competitive dance during the summer coaching waiverUndue influence seems to be a problem in Dance Team. Coaches are either directly or indirectly requiring dancers to attend camps/studios and even specific studios in order to be on the team. That is in directly violation of Bylaw 307. You cannot have such requirements that are a condition for membership on your competitive team. When in doubt of what you can or cannot do, check with your AD. Violation of this bylaw is a serious offense. As a coach you will be censured and the school is fined. A school could pass this fine on to the coach and/or this also could lead to dismissal.After August 1st you may not have any contact with your dancers. You may conduct strength training/conditioning but this must be open to any students and must be general conditioning not teaching or practicing the skills and fundamentals of dance.

There seems to be a problem with coaches becoming more and more involved in the fall. While it is impossible to cover every thing that you can and cannot do here are some basics. Winter coaches cannot plan and organize programs for dancers out side of the above.You cannot be involved in the selection of the fall teamYou cannot set requirements for members of the fall team fund raising, etc.You cannot work with the fall performance team that means you cannot attend practices and give advice to either kids or the coach.

Here are some of the things that you can do Watch your team perform talk to kids after performance, but cant coach themPlan, organize and conduct conditioning programs must be open to anyone and cant be requiredTrain fall team coaches teach them skills and drills to use as they coach in the fall

One of the main purposes of these rules is to give you and your dancers a break this also helps to maintain a level playing field and are the same rules as for all other sports.Some coaches/schools are violating the rules for choreography you may not work directly with any of your team members one or 101, prior to the two week period that immediately proceeds the start of the competitive season. This means that during the summer coaching period you are not allowed to work with your dancers on choreography that will be used during the winter competitive season.

Be reminded that you cannot obtain the assistance of a professional to help with your choreography anyone who works directly with your dancers must be a member of your coaching staff.Once again dance team is different from other sports dancers may participate at a studio and practice with a studio team during the season. However they may not compete unless it is a dance form that is significantly different from Jazz or HK.

You may not require students to attend studio, but you could have your own rule not to allow dancers to participate at studios during the competitive season

Also coaches cannot coach their athletes out side of the regular season unless it is in a dance form that is significantly different form HK or Jazz except during the summer waiver period.A new Frequently Asked Questions in regard to these issues is being developed and will be shared with schools and posted on the League web site in the dance team area. Additional information will also be posted.Be sure to work with your Athletic Director when you have questions in this this area. Make them aware of what you are doing.

Continued problems could lead to a need to tighten the rules.

Remember that if it looks like coaching, sounds like coaching and acts like coaching it is coaching.An old, but always relevant reminder to do only your job. Respect each other and the job and pressures that you each must deal with you are on the same side to make for great educational experiences for our student-athletes.We are getting better in the area of sportsmanship, but there is always room for improvement by all who are involved.The next few slides are for coaches onlyAll coaches need to make sure that their schedule and roster are on the MSHSL web siteBe sure to post your results after each game this is something that can easily be assigned to an Asst Coach or team managerThe deadline to certify state tournament program information is Wednesday, October 15 -- easy to have that all set up in advance.That includes team photo, photo ID, roster and season resultsCheck with your AD if you dont already have access to the Administrative side of the MSHSL web site.Officials be sure to pick up your test code! You must have the code in order to take the on-line test. The deadline for submitting your test is November 3 be sure to allow a couple of extra days in case you have problems.Welcome to the 2008 Dance Team Rules meeting and welcome to our new on-line format. We hope that you will find that this is a viable alternative to attending a rules meeting in person. While there are certainly advantages to meeting in person, there are also many advantages to going on-line. We can deliver consistent informative meetings, while saving significant time and money for all involved.