Rules & Procedures

The Official Rules Book for the 2022-2023 CCA Regional Competitions and the 2023 Showdown of Champions

TEAM CATEGORIES, DIVISIONS & QUALIFICATIONS FOR"SHOWDOWN OF CHAMPIONS"

All regional competitions will use the same rules and age divisions.

Contemporary Amateur / Challenge Team Qualifying Categories: 

1. Artistic Expression
2. Exhibition Large Team
3. Exhibition Small Team
4. Moving Line
5. Precision
6. Standing Line

‍Traditional Amateur/ Challenge Team Qualifying Categories: 

1. Traditional Standing Line
2. Traditional Moving Line
3. Traditional Freestyle Couple Categories: Hoedown, Country Hoedown, Running Set Hoedown, Southern Appalachian.  
4. Traditional Precision Couple Categories: 4, 6, or 8 Couple Precision, Running Set Precision, Smooth Mountain Square Dance, Traditional Precision

TEAM DIVISIONS:‍

There will be two (2) Divisions of competitions for teams: Amateur and Challenge.

Amateur: This team division will be open to any new teams to CCA, who have never earned 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place in any CCA competition, or have never competed in the Challenge CCA division.  Dancers on these teams will be allowed to compete in the Amateur division for three consecutive calendar years.   

This category is also open to team dancers on existing CCA teams that have not completed their 3 consecutive calendar years in the Amateur division of team competition and have never competed in the CCA Challenge division.  *** Please note that rules regarding Amateur solo dancers are completely separate than those for Amateur team dancers. 

Up to 25% of dancers (rounded down) on an Amateur team dancers may be Challenge dancers. This will be monitored, and disqualification will result if more than 25% of the team is Challenge dancers.

If an Amateur team or dancer competes in the Challenge Division; they may no longer dance in Amateur as an Amateur team or dancer.  If a team moves from Amateur status to Challenge status within the same qualifying year, that team’s Star Points will transfer from Amateur to Challenge.  The team must still comply with the 50% Rule (see below).

A Challenge dancer is defined as a clogger that has competed in the Challenge division of CCA competition, or who has completed his/her three-year run in the Amateur team categories. Once a dancer moves to the Challenge division, they will always be considered a challenge dancer, even if they move prior to finishing their allotted three years in Amateur.

Challenge: This team division is open to any team, regardless of past winnings. 

The Overall Amateur Team National Champions at the Showdown of Champions must compete in Challenge in the following year, regardless of whether it is the first year to compete the routine in Amateur.

TEAM QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE SHOWDOWN OF CHAMPIONS:

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General Team Qualifications, Rules & Guidelines (Amateur, Challenge, Traditional):

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1. This CCA season is August 2022  to November 2023, with 2024 following the calendar year.
2. A team only needs to qualify once per category during the qualifying competition season to advance to the Showdown of Champions. Qualification is by Star points, not by placement in each category at a regional event.
3. Once a team has qualified in a particular category, that team is NOT prohibited from competing in that same category at other regional qualifying competitions.  A special incentive has been designed for those teams who compete at remaining regional competitions.

             - See notes below on “Star Points”
            - Each regional qualifying competition is independently hosted and operated.

4. Showdown of Champions qualifiers are subject to the Showdown of Champions Category Competition Rules and Guidelines.
5. The Showdown of Champions 50% Rule applies for all teams and team categories.
6. A team will be disqualified if the team doesn’t comply with the 50% Rule.
7. One (1) point will be deducted from the Overall Average Score if the team has a category rules infraction (i.e. body contact in line routines, exceeding time limit, less than minimum number of dancers).
8. The judges at the Showdown of Champions have the final determination of a category rule(s) infraction(s).
9. Any dancer that does not meet the requirements for qualification as listed in the general rules will not qualify for the Showdown of Champions.
10. At regional competitions, teams must compete in their age group determined by their average age.  Teams will not be allowed to dance up or down in age groups.

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Contemporary and Traditional Amateur Team Qualifications:

The Amateur qualifying procedure is divided into 4 Team Age Divisions – Elementary, Junior, Senior, and Adult, each consisting of different age groups.  Teams must dance in their respective age group at each regional competition.

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Team Age Divisions – Amateur

Junior:Elementary6 & Under
7-9

Junior10-12

‍Senior:

Senior
13-15
16-19
20-29

Adult
30 and over

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Once a team has placed in the top 5 in a particular category and Team Age Division (Elementary, Junior, Senior, or Adult) of a regional competition, they are officially qualified for the Showdown of Champions for that category.  In addition, the top 5 scoring teams in each category and Team Age Division at each regional competition will receive “Star Points” (see below).  The “Star Points” system for Amateur Teams is awarded to age division winners as follows:

• 1^st Place 5 *****
• 2^nd Place 4 ****
• 3^rd Place 3 ***
• 4^th Place 2 **
• 5^th Place 1 *

See below for more information on “Star Points”.

If a team qualifies in a category in only one Division (Junior or Senior) of Amateur throughout the regional qualifying season, they must compete in that Division at the Showdown of Champions.  Examples:  A team only qualifies in a category in the Senior Division during the regional qualifying season.  On the date of the Showdown of Champions, the team must compete in the Senior Division regardless of their average age.  If a team qualifies in a category in the Junior Division throughout the regional qualifying season, their age must not exceed an average age of 13.5 on the date of Showdown.

If a team qualifies in a category in both the Junior and Senior Divisions of Amateur, they have the option to select one division to compete in at the Showdown of Champions, but not both.  The “Star Points” (see below) that are accumulated in each division will be totalled and the two criteria listed below will apply:

1. The team must comply with the 50% Rule (see below) which means that, at the Showdown of Champions, the team must consist of dancers of which 50% qualified in that category at one of the regional competitions.
2. If the team chooses to dance in the Amateur Junior Division, the team average age must not exceed 13.5. This means that on the date of the Showdown of Champions, the team’s average age must be 13.5 or below.

If two different qualified teams within a studio choose to combine into one team for a category at the Showdown of Champions, the two teams must have earned “Star Points” (see below) in the same category to be combined. In addition, if the two teams earned “Star Points” at the same regional competition for that category, only the team with the highest number of earned“Star Points” can be used. Example; one of the combined teams earned 3 “Star Points” in a category at a competition and the other team earned 5 “Star Points” in the same category at the same competition. Only 5 “Star Points” can be used, not a combined total of 8. In addition, the two criteria listed below will apply:

1. The combined team must comply with the 50% Rule (see below) which means that, at the Showdown of Champions, the combined team must consist of dancers of which 50% qualified in that category at one of the regional competitions.
2. If the combined team has qualified in both the Junior and Senior Divisions of Amateur and the combined team chooses to dance in the Amateur Junior Division, the team average age must not exceed 13.5. This means that on the date of the Showdown of Champions, the team's average age must be 13.5 or below.

Amateur Teams are allowed to compete for three (3) consecutive CCA calendars years (August to July). Dancers on these teams become Challenge Dancers once they have completed their maximum of three years in the Amateur team division, or they win grand champion Amateur Team National Champion at the Showdown. A specific team/team name (i.e. Lil’ Taps In Motion) may remain in Amateur indefinitely as long as the individual dancers are rotated off after their three year Amateur period has expired. 25% of the team may consist of Challenge Dancers, as stated previously.

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Contemporary and Traditional Challenge Team Qualifications:

The Challenge qualifying procedure is divided into 4 Team Age Divisions – Elementary, Junior, Senior, and Adult, each consisting of different age groups. Teams must dance in their respective age group at each regional competition.

Team Age Divisions – Challenge

Junior: Elementary6 & Under
7-9

Junior10-12
13-15

Senior:Senior16-19

20-29

‍Adult30 & Over

Once a team has placed in the top 5 in a particular category and Team Age Division (Elementary, Junior, Senior, or Adult) of a regional competition, they are officially qualified for the Showdown of Champions for that category.  In addition, top 5 scoring teams in each category and Team Age Division at each regional competition will receive “Star Points” (see below).  The “Star Points” system for Challenge Teams is awarded to age division winners as follows:

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• 1^st Place 5 *****
• 2^nd Place 4 ****
• 3^rd Place 3 ***
• 4^th Place 2 **
• 5^th Place 1 *

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See below for more information on “Star Points”.

If a team qualifies in a category in only one Division (Junior or Senior) of Challenge throughout the regional qualifying season, they must compete in that Division at the Showdown of Champions.  Examples:  A team only qualifies in a category in the Senior Division during the regional qualifying season.  On the date of the Showdown of Champions, the team must compete in the Senior Division regardless of their average age. If a team qualifies in a category in the Junior Division throughout the regional qualifying season, their age must not exceed an average age of 16.5 on the date of Showdown.

If a team qualifies in a category in both the Junior and Senior Divisions of Challenge, they have the option to select one division to compete in at the Showdown of Champions, but not both. The “Star Points” (see below) that are accumulated in each division will be totalled and the two criteria listed below will apply:

1. The team must comply with the 50% Rule (see below) which means that, at the Showdown of Champions, the team must consist of dancers of which 50% qualified in that category at one of the regional competitions.
2. If the team chooses to dance in the Challenge Junior Division, the team average age must not exceed 16.5. This means that on the date of the Showdown of Champions, the team’s average age must be 16.5 or below.

If two different qualified teams within a studio choose to combine into one team for a category at the Showdown of Champions, the two teams must have earned “Star Points” (see below) in the same category to be combined.  In addition, if the two teams earned “Star Points” at the same regional competition for that category, only the team with the highest number of earned “Star Points” can be used.  Example; one of the combined teams earned 3 “Star Points” in a category at a competition and the other team earned 5 “Star Points” in the same category at the same competition.  Only 5 “Star Points” can be used, not a combined total of 8.  In addition, the two criteria listed below will apply:

1. The combined team must comply with the 50% Rule (see below) which means that, at the Showdown of Champions, the combined team must consist of dancers of which 50% qualified in that category at one of the regional competitions.
2. If the combined team has qualified in both the Junior and Senior Divisions of Challenge and the combined team chooses to dance in the Challenge Junior Division, the team average age must not exceed 16.5. This means that on the date of the Showdown of Champions, the team’s average age must be 16.5 or below.

Age Division Category Awards: Contemporary and Traditional:

At the Showdown of Champions, 1st, 2nd and 3rd place age division winners will be awarded in all team qualifying categories (contemporary and traditional) for the following age divisions:

6 & Under
7-9
9-11
10-12
13-15
16-19
20-29
30 and Over

‍Team Grand Champion Category Awards: Contemporary and Traditional:

At the Showdown of Champions the following Grand Champion Awards will be given in both Amateur Team Divisions (Junior and Senior) and Challenge Team Divisions (Junior and Senior). Awards are based on the highest score in each of these groups:

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Contemporary: 

- Grand Champion Artistic Expression

- Grand Champion Exhibition Large Team

- Grand Champion Exhibition Small Team

- Grand Champion Moving Line

- Grand Champion Precision

- Grand Champion Standing Line

Traditional:

- Grand Champion Traditional Standing Line

- Grand Champion Traditional Moving Line

- Grand Champion Traditional Freestyle Team:  Highest Scoring Team from the following Categories- Hoedown, Country Hoedown, Running Set Hoedown, Southern Appalachian  

- Grand Champion Traditional Precision Team:  Highest Scoring Team from the following Categories- 4, 6, or 8 Couple Precision, Running Set Precision, Smooth Mountain Square Dance, Traditional Precision

Team National Title Awards:

At the Showdown of Champions the following National Title Awards will be given:
‍Contemporary Teams:- National Champion Amateur Junior Contemporary Team - Awarded from Dance-Off of GrandChampion Amateur Junior Teams (12 and Under)
- National Champion Amateur Senior Contemporary Team - Awarded from Dance-Off of GrandChampion Amateur Senior Teams (13 and Up)
- National Champion Challenge Junior Contemporary Team - Awarded from Dance-Off of GrandChampion Challenge Junior Teams (15 and Under)
- National Champion Challenge Senior Contemporary Team - Awarded from Dance-Off of GrandChampion Challenge Senior Teams (16 and Up)

Traditional Teams:- National Champion Amateur Junior Traditional Team - Awarded from the highest score of allAmateur Junior Grand Champions (12 and Under)
- National Champion Amateur Senior Traditional Team - Awarded from the highest score of allAmateur Senior Grand Champions (13 and Up)
- National Champion Challenge Junior Traditional Team - Awarded from the highest score of allChallenge Junior Grand Champions (15 and Under)
- National Champion Challenge Senior Traditional Team - Awarded from the highest score of allChallenge Senior Grand Champions (16 and Up)

The 50% Rule:

The team that competes at the Showdown of Champions must compete with a group of dancers of which 50% (rounded down) qualified in that category at one of the regional competitions. Therefore, the team that competes at the Showdown of Champions may add or change 50% of its original qualifying dancers.  A dancer may move to any team within the studio without affecting the 50% rule.  The intention of the 50% rule is to make certain that teams compete at the Showdown of Champions with a majority of the dancers who qualified in that particular category at one of the regional competitions.  CCA recognizes that teams do change throughout the year and may add new dancers.  In fairness to all qualifying teams, CCA intends to make sure that the team that qualifies is also the team which competes at the Showdown of Champions.  The 50% rule only applies to team dances, not duo/duets.  If you have questions about how to determine if your team is in compliance, please contact a CCA Board Member.

“Star Points”:

A special incentive has been designed for those teams, who travel and compete at other regional qualifying competitions throughout the year, which have already qualified for the Showdown of Champions.  This “Star Points” system is designed to select the order of dance per category at the Showdown of Champions.

The “Star Points” will be accumulated throughout the entire CCA qualifying season.  At the completion of the season, the “Star Points” achieving teams will be ranked in order of the number of “Star Points” that each received.  The team receiving the most “Star Points” in each team category will be placed last in the order of dance at the Showdown of Champions.  The 2^nd highest “Star Points” achieving team will be placed second to last in the order of dance, and so forth.  If two or more teams have the same amount of “Star Points,” a random drawing will determine their placement of dance.

The “Star Points” system for Amateur and Challenge teams is awarded to Team Age Division (Elementary, Junior, Senior, and Adult) winners as follows:

• 1^st Place 5 *****
• 2^nd Place 4 ****
• 3^rd Place 3 ***
• 4^th Place 2 **
• 5^th Place 1 *

“Star Points Champion – Team of the Year”:

As part of the Showdown of Champions, CCA will announce a “Star Points Champion –Team of the Year” in all divisions for both Amateur and Challenge.  The  Star Points Champion – Team of the Year” will be awarded to the teams with the highest number of “Star Points,” accumulated across all team categories in the divisions listed below, that are earned throughout the year at all CCA regional qualifying competitions.  The division for each team is determined by the average age of dancers.

Each year at the Showdown of Champions, there will be a “Star Points Champion – Team of the Year” awarded to each of the following Team Divisions:  

• Amateur / Challenge:  Elementary, Junior, Senior, and Adult

Should there be a tie in the number of “Star Points” earned within a division, both teams will share the title of “Star Points Champion – Team of the Year.”

Showdown of Champions Grand Champion Dance-Off Line Up Determination:

The scorekeeper will determine the dance-off line up based upon the number of routines per studio and score as follows:

1. Determine if any routines will be scratched (not danced) and remove them from the dance-off list.  
2. The qualification of several dances by a team/studio is reviewed.  The purpose is to minimize/eliminate back-to-back dances by dancers.  A team/studio that would have potential “double dancers” and has qualified more than one routine is given preference.  These routines are spaced out as evenly as possible.  For the team/studio with the most qualified routines involving potential “double dancers”, when 3 or more routines qualify in this scenario, those routines are placed 1st, middle, and last.  For the team/studio with the most qualified routines involving potential “double dancers”, when 2 routines qualify, one routine will dance last and the other routine will be spaced as evenly as possible, depending upon the number of routines in the dance off.  The team/studio has the right to pick which routine is danced in the allocated slots.
3. In the event of multiple teams/studios qualifying more than one routine involving “double dancers”, the team/studio with the most qualifications will be given priority.  The team/studio with the second highest amount of qualifying routines involving potential “double dancers” will dance one routine prior to the team/studio that qualified the most routines involving potential “double dancers”.  In the event 2 or more teams/studio qualify that same number of routines involving “double dancers”, the team/studio with the highest scoring qualified routine will be given priority.  If the scores are the same between these multiple studios, a random drawing will determine priority.
4. If there are no teams/studios qualifying more than one routine involving “double dancers”, then the dance off will be determined by the routines’ qualifying scores.  Routines will be placed first to last with the lowest qualifying score dancing first and the highest qualifying score dancing last.

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SOLO DIVISIONS & QUALIFICATIONS FOR “SHOWDOWN OF CHAMPIONS”

‍Solo Divisions:

There will be four (4) Divisions of competition for solo dancers:

Amateur Freestyle:   Dancers may compete as amateur for three (3) calendar years.  Amateur dancers may compete in the Challenge division but must move out of Amateur if placing in the Challenge Division.    

Challenge Freestyle: This solo division is open to any dancer, regardless of past winnings.

Traditional:  This solo division is open to any dancer, regardless of past winnings.

a Capella:  This solo division is open to any dancer, regardless of past winnings.

*Note: If an Amateur solo dancer competes in the Challenge Division and places, they may no longer dance in the Amateur Solo Division.

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Solo Age Divisions:‍Amateur:

Elementary Junior Senior

6 & under 10-12 16 & Over

7-9 13-15

‍Challenge:

Elementary Junior Senior Adult

6 & under 10-12 16-19 30 & Over

7-9 13-15 20-29

‍Traditional:

6 & under, 7-9, 10-12, 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30 & OVER

‍a Capella:

11 & under, 12-14, 15-18, 19 & OVER

General Solo Qualification Rules & Guidelines (Amateur & Challenge):

1. A Solo dancer competing at the Showdown of Champions will compete in the age division appropriate to their current age at the time of the Showdown.  With this ruling, if a solo dancer has an age change between the time they qualify and the Showdown of Champions, they will compete in the age division appropriate to their current age at the time of the Showdown.

2. A Solo dancer only needs to qualify once per Division during the CCA Season (August to July) to advance to the Showdown of Champions.  First, second, or third place winners per age division category at each regional competition qualifies for the Solo competition at the Showdown of Champions.

3. Once a Solo dancer has qualified for the Showdown of Champions, they are not prohibited from competing at other regional qualifying competitions.

4. If you qualify in Amateur Freestyle, you will dance in Amateur Freestyle at the Showdown of Champions. It is possible for a Solo dancer to qualify in both Amateur Freestyle and Challenge Freestyle during a competition season, and thus, compete in both Divisions at the Showdown of Champions.

5. Clogging Champions of America, with the assistance of the regional competition coordinators, will attempt to monitor dancers from inappropriately competing in the Amateur Division.

6. If a Solo dancer is found inappropriately competing in Amateur at any regional competition(s), either a representative of CCA or the regional competition coordinator(s) will address the violation and that dancer will NOT advance to the Showdown of Champions. The regional competition coordinator(s) have the decision whether to award the inappropriately competing Solo dancer at that particular competition.

Solo Awards and Titles for the Showdown of Champions:

Amateur and Challenge Freestyle Age Division Winners:  Age division winners will be determined by competing the qualifying Solo dancers from each of the regional competitions. The three (3) highest scoring Solo dancers per age division at the Showdown of Champions will be announced and then will move on to compete for the Elementary, Junior, Senior and/or Adult Division Title.

Amateur and Challenge Freestyle Division Title Winners:  Division Title Winners will be determined by dancing off the three (3) highest scoring solo winners from each age division. The Amateur Division Title Winners will consist of the three (3) highest scoring solo winners in the Elementary, Junior, and Senior division categories, and the Challenge Division Title Winners will consist of the three (3) highest scoring solo winners in the Elementary, Junior, Senior, and Adult division categories.  The Division Title Winners will then compete for the Overall Grand Champion Titles.

‍Traditional and a Capella Solo Age Division Winners:  Age division winners will be determined by competing the qualifying Solo dancers from each of the regional competitions. The highest scoring Solo dancers per age division at the Showdown of Champions will be announced and then will move on to compete for the Overall Grand Champion Titles.

OVERALL GRAND CHAMPION:  Males and Females will compete separately for the amateur and challenge freestyle overall grand champion titles.  Males and Females will compete against each other for the traditional and a Capella overall grand champion titles. 

CHOREOGRAPHED SOLOS:‍

7 & under

8-9

10-11

12-13

14-15

16-17

18-25

26 & over

1. A Choreographed Solo dancer competing at the Showdown of Champions will compete in the age division appropriate to their current age at the time of the Showdown.  With this ruling, if a solo dancer has an age change between the time they qualify and the Showdown of Champions, they will compete in the age division appropriate to their current age at the time of the Showdown.

2. A Solo dancer only needs to qualify once per Division during the CCA Season (August to July) to advance to the Showdown of Champions.  First, second, or third place winners per age division category at each regional competition qualifies for the Solo competition at the Showdown of Champions.  

3. Once a Choreographed Solo dancer has qualified for the Showdown of Champions, they are not prohibited from competing at other regional qualifying competitions.

4. Overall Choreographed Solo will be determined by high score.

General Duo/Duet Rules and Guidelines:

1. A Duo/Duet couple competing at the Showdown of Champions will compete in the age division appropriate to their current average age at the time of the Showdown.

2. A Duo/Duet couple only needs to qualify once per CCA Season (August to July) to advance to the Showdown of Champions.

3. Once a Duo/Duet couple has qualified, that couple is NOT prohibited from competing at other regional qualifying competitions.

4. Showdown of Champions qualifiers are subject to the Duo/Duet Category Competition Rules and Guidelines.

Traditional, Contemporary, Show and Short Duo Duet Qualification Process:

The 1st, 2nd and 3rd place Traditional, Contemporary, Show and Short duo/duet division will receive an invitation to compete in the Duo/Duet competition at the Showdown of Champions.

A Duo/Duet couple competing at the Showdown of Champions will compete in the age division appropriate to their current average age at the time of the Showdown. Ages of the two dancers will be averaged to determine the appropriate age division the couple should compete in at the Showdown.

**Note: All of the above will compete separately at the Showdown of Champions and separate titles and awards will be given accordingly.

Traditional, Contemporary, Short and Show Duet Dance-Off Process at the Showdown of Champions:

1. In Traditional Duo/Duet, couples will compete against each other for the Grand Champion Traditional Duo/Duet Title.

2. In Contemporary Duo/Duet, couples will compete against each other for the Grand Champion Contemporary Duo/Duet Title.

3. In Show Duo/Duet, couples will compete against each other for the Grand Champion Show Duo/Duet Title

4. Each Grand Champion will then dance off for the Overall Duo/Duet Championship Title.

Short Duos:

1. Each couple will compete against each other in their respective age division calculated on the day of the Showdown of Champions.

2. First place couples will then compete against each other for the Grand Champion Short Duo/Duet Title.

Traditional, Contemporary, Short and Show Duo/Duet Age Divisions:

8 & under

9-11

12-14

15-18

19-25

26 & over

‍Regional Competition Errors and Additional Awards:

Should there occur the announcement of erroneous or additional awards in age division placement for any category at any regional qualifying competition, CCA will only honor the actual top three scoring age division winners for all sanctioned categories for the Showdown of Champions.  Example 1; a first place age division winner for a sanctioned category is announced and awarded incorrectly at a regional qualifying event.  The event director chooses to award both the correct and incorrect winners out of respect for the error.  Ultimately, CCA will only honor the actual top three scoring winners of that age division.  Example 2; an event director chooses to award an age division of a sanctioned category with more than the top three scoring winners; such as fourth place, fifth place, and so forth.  Ultimately, CCA will only honor the top three scoring winners of that age division.

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SPECIAL “SHOWDOWN OF CHAMPIONS” AWARDS:

The CCA “All-Pro Team and All-Pro Director

The Clogging Champions of America “All-Pro” team will consist of 16 dancers, any number of males and females as determined by the All-Pro Selection Committee. The “All-Pro” team will recognize the best all-around cloggers, both individual and team dancers based on the following criteria:

• Clogging Skills
• Sportsmanship
• Attitude
• Outstanding effort
• Portrays effort and dedication
• Any additional criteria set forth by the Board of Clogging Champions of America.

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Members receiving this honorable and prestigious award may be chosen for 3 years.  After being a member of the All-Pro Team for 3 years, dancers are no longer eligible to be a member of the All-Pro team, and become a CCA Legend.

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Revision Date: August 13, 2022

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