The 2009 NDCA Age Group Classifications are as follows:
NOTE: For All Rules for Pre-Teen, Juinior & Youth see 2009 NDCA Rules
1. AGE CATEGORY CLASSIFICATIONS
a. Age classifications, "a" through "f-(3)", will become effective on January 1st of the year in which the
individual's classification age is attained, regardless of the actual birth date.
i. Pre-Teen I: 9th birthday or less
ii. Pre-Teen II: 10th or 11th birthday
iii. Junior I: 12th or 13th birthday
iv. Junior II: 14th or 15th birthday
v. Youth: 16th, 17th or 18th birthday
vi. Adult: 19th birthday or greater
(1) Senior I: 35th birthday or greater
(2) Senior II: 45th birthday or greater
(3) Senior III: 55th birthday or greater
b. Organizers may combine age classifications as follows:
i. Pre-Teen I and Pre-Teen II into a single Pre-Teen classification.
ii. Junior I and Junior II into a single Junior classification.
iii. Senior I, Senior II, and Senior III into a single Senior classification.
iv. Organizers may combine classifications not listed above by obtaining written permission from the
Ballroom Director.
c. Organizers may offer additional age category competitions, such as "Under 21", etc.
d. Competitors may dance "up" or "down" as follows:
i. Pre-Teen I competitors may dance up one age classification to "Pre-Teen II".
ii. Pre-Teen II competitors may dance up one age classification to "Junior I".
(1) Pre-teen II couples who elect to dance up to junior must remain in the approved pre-teen
costumes.
iii. Junior I competitors may dance up one age classification to "Junior II".
iv. Junior II competitors may dance up one age classification to "Youth".
v. Youth competitors may dance up to the Adult classification.
vi. When an organizer combines age classifications (Pre-Teen I & II, Junior I & II or Senior I, II &
III) competitors may dance up or down as follows:
(1) Only Pre-Teen II age category competitors may dance up into the combined Junior age
category.
(2) Combined Juniors may dance up into the combined Youth age category.
(3) Combined Seniors may dance down into the adult age category.
e. The following rules apply to competitors age 18 and under:
i. For Youth, Junior I and Junior II partnerships, one of the individuals may be no more than two
age classifications younger.
ii. If one of the individuals in the partnership is two age classifications younger, then the younger
member of the partnership must request permission in writing from the NDCA Ballroom
Department and in turn receive written approval prior to being allowed to compete. (example - a
"Pre-Teen II" girl wishing to compete with a "Junior II" age boy)
(1) If written permission is given for the individual to dance up two age classifications, then that
person may not return again to dance in the original younger age classification that they "gave
up".
iii. Under no circumstance will a Pre-Teen I, Pre-Teen II, or a Junior I competitor be allowed to
compete in the Adult age classification.
iv. A Junior II competitor may not apply for permission to dance up as an Adult until they are 15
years old, at which time they would need to apply to the Ballroom Department as noted above.
v. Youth competitors turning 19 years of age in the calendar year may still dance as youths until they
have graduated from "High School".
f. A couple's age classification eligibility is defined as the age of the older partner for the Pre-Teen I,
Pre-Teen II, Junior I, Junior II, Youth and Adult classifications, while it is defined as the age of the
younger partner for the Senior classifications.
g. Any amateur competitor dancing in a Pre-Teen I, Pre-Teen II, Junior I, Junior II, or Youth "open
singles event" may only be partnered by another amateur competitor aged eighteen years or younger.
