The official site of
TEAMDance Illinois
TDI abides by the rules and regulations of the IHSA and NFHS and follows the
IHSA Spirit Rules
Click on the logos below to learn more:
TDI COMPETITION CATEGORIES
Click on the Division logo for specific information
Below are the descriptions of the TDI Competition categories.
POM ~ Time Range: 1:45 – 3:00 minutes
The Pom category emphasizes the use of poms being featured with visual effects and creative color work. The poms are considered “props” and should be manipulated and highlighted as such.
- Poms used as the emphasis throughout the performance.
- Featured pom work includes but is not limited to; exchanges to create an effect, tosses, passes, tricks, color opposition, creative pictures etc.
- Pom work highlights the musical composition of the performance concept.
- No props or flags permitted.
OPEN POM ~ Time Range: 1:45 – 3:00 minutes
Open Pom is a blend of any style of dance and pom work.
- Choreography highlights both the pom element and the dance element at different points or in unison during the performance.
- Pom work highlights the musical composition of the performance concept.
- No props or flags permitted.
OPEN DANCE ~ Time Range: 1:45 – 3:00 minutes
The Open Dance category allows all dance styles.
- Routines may include elements of Lyrical and Hip Hop, but should not be predominately Lyrical or Hip Hop.
- Combinations and dance movement with an emphasis on body placement, style control, extension, flow, and continuity should be demonstrated.
- Flexibility, proper technique and proper posture are all elements of a successful routine.
- No props, flags or poms permitted.
HIP HOP ~ Time Range: 1:45 – 3:00 minutes
Hip Hop is a trendy style of current dance form that emphasizes style, attitude, rhythmic movement, athleticism, strength, body control and creative, non-traditional musical interpretation that allows the rhythm of the music to be seen through the movement of the body.
- Hip Hop includes but is not limited to; Street Style, Funk, Popping, Locking, Isolations and Break Dancing.
- No flags, props or poms permitted.
LYRICAL ~ Time Range: 1:45 – 4:00 minutes
Lyrical is an interpretive dance style and is one of the purest forms of self-expression. The term "lyrical" transcends the style of movement (ie., does not have to be ballet) and instead defines the relationship between the emotional composition of the music and/or literal interpretation of the lyrics and the emotional appeal and movement portrayed through the choreography. Each gesture “speaks” to the audience. The performers portray a particular mood or tell a story as the choreography ‘spills’ from one musical phrase to the next.
Emphasis is on extension and stretching of the body, dancing from the inside out. General expression, body dynamics and flow of movement are all important elements of a successful Lyrical performance.
- Technical dance elements incorporated throughout the routine.
- Flexibility, balance, control and extension demonstrated.
- No props, flags or poms permitted.
KICK ~ Time Range: 1:45 – 3:00 minutes
A Kick routine consists of visually effective kick combinations, dance work and utilization of the floor. Emphasis is on the variety of kicks, kick combinations, and creative connections. Body alignment, flexibility, kick height, proper posture, proper kick technique, maintenance of the line connection, and team stamina are all important elements of a successful kick routine.
- Performance must incorporate kicks/kick combinations.
- No less than 50 kicks must be performed by at least half the team.
- Eligible kicks need to be 90º or above and unassisted to be counted.
- Lifts, control moves and leaps are not considered kicks.
- No props, flags or poms permitted.
TALL FLAG ~ Time Range: 1:45 – 3:00 minutes
A Tall Flag routine consists of visually effective flag combinations that may include a variety of tosses, free-arm expression, three-dimensional use of spatial planes, and phrase sharing of equipment and body. Footwork and/or dance presence are strongly recommended BOTH in movement of form AND within equipment phrases. Visually effective placements of equipment, body, and formations must complement the musicality of the show.
- Tall Flags used as the emphasis throughout the performance.
- Rifles, sabers, and short flags are permitted on a minimal scale to enhance the performance.
- Ballet movement can be utilized without risk of being interpreted as Lyrical Flag.
SHORT FLAG ~ Time Range: 1:45 – 3:00 minutes
A Short Flag routine consists of visually effective flag combinations that may include a variety of tosses, free-arm expression, three-dimensional use of spatial planes, and phrase sharing of equipment and body. Footwork and/or dance presence are strongly recommended BOTH in movement of form AND within equipment phrases. Visually effective placements of equipment, body, and formations must complement the musicality of the show.
- Short flags used as the emphasis throughout the performance.
- Lyrical elements can be utilized
- No poms or props permitted.
LYRICAL FLAG ~ Time Range: 1:45 – 4:00 minutes
Emphasis on more advanced levels of dance technique and movement with the use of flags (tall or short). The term "lyrical" transcends the style of movement (ie., does not have to be ballet) and instead defines the
relationship between the emotional composition of the music and/or literal interpretation of the lyrics and the emotional appeal and movement / equipment use portrayed through the choreography. The performers portray a particular mood or tell a story as the choreography ‘spills’ from one musical phrase to the next.
Successful elements include, but are not limited to, a variety of toss combinations, free-arm placement, three-dimensional use of spatial planes, and movement of form.
- Flags (Tall or Short) used continuously throughout the performance.
- Rifles and sabers are permitted on a minimal scale to enhance the performance.
- Some technical dance elements incorporated throughout the routine
- Flexibility, balance, control and extension demonstrated.
OPEN DRILL ~ Time Range: 1:45 – 3:00 minutes
Presentation may be more traditional along the form of precision/drill and marching/maneuvering. Must include form movement and the synchronization of body movement or equipment and/or props across the floor. Visually effective placements of body movement or equipment and/or props that complement the musicality or cadence of the show are strongly recommended.
- The transitions within form movement do NOT need to utilize dance movement.
- Equipment and/or Props are optional .
- Equipment or prop can be but not limited to: flags (all lengths of silk or staff ), rifles, sabres, banners, hooplas, streamers, batons, etc.
- This category is open to the following types of teams: Flag, Short Flag, Color Guards, Winter Guards, Rifle Guards, Military Guards, Dance, Drill or Pom.
TDY OPEN FLAG ~ Time Range: 1:45 – 3:00 minutes
Please see TDY Categories for definition.
OPEN POM ~ Time Range: 1:45 – 3:00 minutes
Open Pom is a blend of any style of dance and pom work. It can combine both Pom and Open Pom elements or be purely Pom or purely Open Pom (based on TDI category descriptions), with poms being featured with visual effects and creative color work. The poms are considered “props” and should be manipulated and highlighted as such.
- Choreography highlights both the pom element and the dance element at different points or in unison during the performance.
- Featured pom work includes but is not limited to: exchanges to create an effect, tosses, passes, tricks, color opposition, creative pictures, color massing etc.
- Pom work highlights the musical composition of the performance concept.
- No props or flags permitted.
OPEN DANCE ~ Time Range: 1:45 – 3:00 minutes
The Open Dance category allows all dance styles. Full lyrical routines are accepted in TDY Open Dance.
- Routines may include elements of Hip Hop, but should not be predominately Hip Hop.
- Technical dance elements, combinations and transitional movement should be present with an emphasis on body placement, style control, flow, and continuity.
- Flexibility, balance, control, extension, proper technique, proper posture and spatial awareness are all elements of a successful routine.
- Emotional appeal should be evident
- Choreography should highlight the musical composition of the performance concept.
- No props, flags or poms permitted.
HIP HOP ~ Time Range: 1:45 – 3:00 minutes
Hip Hop is a trendy style of current dance form that emphasizes style, attitude, rhythmic movement, athleticism, strength, body control and creative, non-traditional musical interpretation that allows the rhythm of the music to be seen through the movement of the body.
- Hip Hop includes but is not limited to; Street Style, Funk, Popping, Locking, Isolations and Break Dancing.
- Choreography is expected to be family friendly and age appropriate!!!
- Choreography should highlight the musical composition of the performance concept
- No flags, props or poms permitted.
KICK ~ Time Range: 1:45 – 3:00 minutes
A Kick routine consists of visually effective kick combinations, dance work and utilization of the floor. Emphasis is on the variety of kicks, kick combinations, and creative connections. Body alignment, flexibility, proper posture, proper kick technique, maintenance of the line connection, and team stamina are all important elements of a successful kick routine. Technical emphasis in TDY Kick is on maintenance of proper kick technique, and team’s ability to match kick heights throughout the kick combinations themselves, as opposed to emphasis on HIGH kicks and extended flexibility.
- Performance must incorporate kicks/kick combinations.
- No less than 35 kicks must be performed by at least half the team.
- Eligible kicks need to be 90º or above and unassisted to be counted.
- Lifts, control moves and leaps are not considered kicks.
- Choreography should highlight the musical composition of the performance concept.
- No props, flags or poms permitted.
TDY OPEN FLAG ~ Time Range: 1:45 – 3:00 minutes
Emphasis is on the use of flags (tall and/or short). TDY Open Flag routines consist of visually effective flag (tall and/or short) combinations that may include a variety of tosses, free-arm expression, three-dimensional use of spatial planes, movement of form, and phrase sharing of equipment and body. Footwork and dance presence are a necessity BOTH in movement of form AND within equipment phrases. Visually effective placements of equipment, body, and formations must complement the musical composition of the performance concept.
- Tall Flags and/or Short Flags may be used as the emphasis throughout the performance.
- Rifles and sabres may be used on a minimum scale to enhance the performance.
