Scoring Hub

UDA + NDA + State

School dance scoring

UDA is the most authoritative high school dance team body — their National Dance Team Championship is the only event endorsed by NFHS. NDA is the sister organization. Both use a similar two-scoresheet rubric. State athletic associations often use their own systems on top.

UDA scoring rubric (120 total per judge)

Two scoresheets, 60 points each. Judges' scores are averaged for team total.

Execution Scoresheet (60 pts)

  • Execution of Movement (10 pts)
  • Execution of Technical Elements (10 pts)
  • Synchronization / Uniformity (10 pts)
  • Spacing (10 pts)
  • Communication / Projection (10 pts)
  • Overall Effect (10 pts)

Choreography Scoresheet (60 pts)

  • Musical Interpretation (10 pts)
  • Routine Staging (10 pts)
  • Movement Composition (10 pts)
  • Difficulty of Technical Elements (10 pts)
  • Communication / Projection (10 pts)
  • Overall Effect (10 pts)

NDTC Division Structure

  • Division I (D1): schools with 1,300+ enrollment
  • Division II (D2): schools with 1,299 or less
  • Within each, sizes split: Small / Medium / Large Varsity
  • JV and Junior High / Middle School separate
  • Spirit Program Game Day Division (cheer + dance + band) — new format

UDA categories

Jazz · Pom · Hip Hop · Kick · Game Day Dance · Spirit Program Game Day · Game Day LIVE (Dance + Band) · Intermediate divisions of Pom/Jazz/Hip Hop.

NDA scoring

Similar two-scoresheet framework. Held in Daytona Beach in April. Many schools compete at BOTH UDA and NDA — must be recognized as separate teams by the school per UDA rules.

State athletic associations

Each state runs its own high school dance team competition under NFHS frameworks. Notable examples:

MSHSL (Minnesota)

High Kick and Jazz divisions. Classes A, AA, AAA by enrollment. 1-10 per category totaling 100. Lowest rank wins (figure skating-style judging).

UIL (Texas)

Texas drill team and dance scoring varies by region.

Other active states

Iowa (IHSDTA), Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, New York, California, and others each have their own scoring.

Where to find the official documents

UDA scoring: varsity.com/uda/school/competitions/divisions-rules-scoring/. NDA: varsity.com/nda. State athletic associations: search by state name. KC Exclusives links only — defer to the official documents.

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