Help & Guides — 2 of 4
Reading What Comes Back
An answer comes back in two parts, and they are not equal. Knowing which is which is the single most useful thing on this page.
1. The summary at the top
A short plain English answer, written for you, with rule numbers in brackets. It is there to save you reading four clauses to find out that none of them applies to you.
It is written from the rules listed underneath it and from nothing else. It cannot invent a rule, and it will tell you when the rules do not answer your question rather than guessing.
2. The rules underneath
The actual clauses, word for word, with their numbers. Each one is a link that opens that exact clause in the rules wiki.
Why several rules come back
Most real questions touch more than one rule. A question about what to wear may pull in the dress restrictions for the age group, the definition of competition attire, and the rule about sponsor logos. They are listed best match first, but the second or third may be the one that actually decides your case - it is worth reading past the first.
Understanding the labels
| Rules of DanceSport 41.5 | A numbered clause. This is the usual form and the one to quote. |
| Rules of DanceSport - Designer Label | A defined term. The rules give certain words a specific meaning, and this is one of them. |
| Rules of DanceSport - DRESS STYLE | A section of one of the dress appendices, which set out restrictions by age group rather than by numbered rule. |
| Code of Conduct / Para Dance Sports | Separate rule books, searched at the same time. Check which book your answer came from. |
When the answer depends on something
You will sometimes be told that the answer depends on your age group, your division, or whether the competition is registered with DSA. That is not the search being unhelpful - it is the honest answer, because the rule genuinely differs. Search again with that detail included.