1. When is membership due?
2. If a coach has questions about some moves in a routine, what should be done?
3. Where do I send my membership?
4. Must every coach attend a rules interp meeting?
5. I do not understand some illegal moves!
6. What is the rule concerning jewelry?
7. What is the rule concerning fingernails?
8. I do not understand the prop rules!
9. What is meant by "redeclaration"?
10. What is an "eligibility list"?
11. If I have alternates on my team, must I count them?
12. What happens if a coach or representative does not sign the penalty judge sheet?
13. What if a coach or representative fails to attend the pre-contest meeting?
14. What do I do if I want to attend a particular contest?
15. If a coach has questions about some moves in a routine, what should be done?
16. If a coach has questions about a routine being in the proper category, what should the coach do?
17. Who do I call with questions about "All Stars", "Miss Dance Drill Team", or "IDTA Scholarships"?
18. I need information regarding music for competition!
19. The timing of my music changes at various contests. Why?
20. If something goes wrong while my team is performing, what do I do?

When is membership due?

• The Varsity membership fee of $75.00 and forms must be postmarked by November 30.
• The Junior Varsity membership fee of $50.00 and forms must be postmarked by November 30.
• The Junior High membership fee of $50.00 and forms must be postmarked by November 30.
• However, in order to qualify for the post-season competitions, ALL fees and forms must be in at a minimum of two (2) weeks prior to your first contest. 

If a coach has questions about some moves in a routine, what should be done? 

The best thing to do is to video tape the moves and send the video to the Judging Coordinator.

Where do I send my membership?

Membership Officer - Toni Royster - Email varmem@idta.org

Must every coach attend a rules interp meeting?

YES! The IHSA requires a coach from each school to attend an IHSA Spirit Rule Interp. As for the IDTA, you must attend a Rules Interp in order to be eligible for qualification to JH/JV Finals, Super Sectionals and State Competition

I do not understand some illegal moves!

• Knees: A) One may always go to one (1) knee without the use of hand or hands. B) One may never go to Two (2) knees without the use of hand or hands first.
• Spilts: A) One may NEVER perform a jump split. B) A slow, controlled split may be performed with the use of hand or hands first.
• Seat: A) One may NEVER drop or sit hard without the use of hand or hands first. B) One may "sit" from a stationary squad position with the use of hand or hands first. The magic word is "SIT".
• Thigh: A) One may NEVER drop or land hard without the use of hand or hands. B) NEW: One may "go down easy" to a thigh from being on one (1) or two (2) knees without the use of hand or hands first. The magic words are "go down easy".

What is the rule concerning jewelry?

• The answer is NONE! No Jewelry may be worn during a performance!
• The exception is a medical or religious medal that may be "taped to the body." These medals may not be on a chain.

What is the rule concerning fingernails?

The fingernails may be 1/8 of an inch above the end of the tip of the finger. There is no penalty for polish.

I do not understand the prop rules!

• The only rule is that any and all props must be set up and the team ready to perform within five (5) minutes.
• All props must be able to fit through regular sized doors.
• Anyone may assist in set up but only prop handlers should remain on the floor for performance.
• Prop handlers must remain in bounds throughout the performance.
• Prop handlers must be high school students

What is meant by "redeclaration"?

This means that the coach has the opportunity to change any team member names or the number of team members via the Re-Declaration Form. Each Team is allowed one change before the first Friday in February at no charge. Any additional Re-Declarations, the school will be assessed at $25.00 fee. NO changes will be made after the first Friday in February. Any and all changes must be done two (2) weeks prior to the contest that team is attending.

What is an "eligibility list"?

This is a signed statement by any school administrator that lists each team members' name, date of birth and year in school. This is to be sent along with the membership application. This list is stating that the names that appear are team members (including alternates) and that they attend that particular high school.

If I have alternates on my team, must I count them?

• Yes, all alternates are counted as part of the "team" and must be listed on the eligibility list.
• A team must floor 75% of its membership, including alternates, in order NOT to receive penalty points.

What happens if a coach or representative does not sign the penalty judge sheet?

Nothing actually happens! The Head Judge will try to explain any penalties that were assessed if the coach stops to sign the penalty sheet after the performance. Most Head Judges try to remember and will try to explain later on; however, if it is a large contest, this may be impossible! There is no penalty for not signing the penalty sheet, HOWEVER if a coach does not sign the penalty sheet then he/she would not be eligible to appeal any penalty.

What if a coach or representative fails to attend the pre-contest meeting?

• At invitationals, the coach is assessed $15.00 which is to be collected by the Head Judge prior to the team taking the floor.
• At Super Sectionals, the coach will be assessed $25.00 which is to be collected by the Contest Coordinator prior to the team taking the floor.
• There is no Pre-Contest meeting at State

What do I do if I want to attend a particular contest?

Call, Email or Fax (or all three) the contest host so that your name is placed on their mailing list. This should be done as soon as possible! It is NEVER too soon!

If a coach has questions about some moves in a routine, what should be done?

The best thing to do is to video tape the moves and send the video to the Judging Coordinator Cyndi Kraemer or email judge@idta.org. Some moves can be explained via email.

If a coach has questions about a routine being in the proper category, what should the coach do?

Video tape the team (not one or two members) and send it to the Judging Coordinator.

Who do I call with questions about "All Stars", "Miss Dance Drill Team", or "IDTA Scholarships"?

Contact the Special Events Officers

I need information regarding music for competition!

• Have two (2) CD's or two tapes or one of both for competition for each category entered.
• Have all tapes 100% rewound so that the leader shows.
• Carry two (2) music media with you to the music table for each category entered.
• Only one song per CD or Tape.
• Don't let your team practice with your competition tape!

The timing of my music changes at various contests. Why?

• All tape players will play your music at a different speed.
• CD are a bit more stable.
• In order not to get timing penalty points, don't stop your music too close to the minimum or too close to the maximum time frame for your performance.
• Take the time to check the music, if at all possible, before the start of the contest.

If something goes wrong while my team is performing, what do I do?

ONLY THE COACH may stop the music if there is a problem. The Head Judge CANNOT make that decision for you - it is the coach's decision. You may stop the music if there is something wrong with your tape/CD or if there is a performer who is sick or injured. You, THE COACH, may also take the floor at any time if there is a sick or injured performer. If you remove a performer from the floor, there would be an out of bounds penalty assessed. If you decide to stop the music, then the Head Judge would decide if your team starts over again right then or if they will be rescheduled to perform later in the day.