Your Step-by-Step Guide to NDCA College Dance Recruitment
If you're a high school dancer (or parent/coach) and have questions regarding dance team recruiting video tips or the new NDCA Common Dance Team Recruiting Video guidelines, you've found the right place! We’re here to help clear up the noise and break down the college dance team video submission process.
The National Dance Coaches Association (NDCA) launched the Common Dance Team Recruiting Video, a standardized college dance video audition format that’s reshaping the way collegiate programs recruit talented dancers. Let’s help break it down:
What is the Common Dance Team Recruiting Video?
A standardized video template inspired by the Common Application for college admissions, designed for high school dancers to film once and submit to multiple college dance teams
Includes essential technical skills, genre-specific combinations, and performance segments.
Released with updated guidelines each May 1, with unified deadlines on September 1 (early decision) and January 1 (final submission)
College dance programs love it because it promotes consistency, saves time, and lets schools request supplemental materials as needed. It is always important to check with each school you are submitting to to ensure there are not supplemental requirements specific to the school.
What is required in the Standardized Video?
To prepare for the Common Dance Team Recruiting Video, here are the NDCA guidelines:
*Introduction (30 sec–3 min)
Name, age, hometown, current studio/team, and a brief dance background
Dance experience highlights + answers to:
Why do you want to be on a college dance team?
Why do you think would be a good candidate for a college dance team?
What’s your intended major?
*Required Skill Demonstration (filmed continuously in one take)
Turns: Triple (3) Parallel Pirouette (Right), Quadruple (4) Parallel Pirouette (Right), Quintuple (5) Parallel Pirouette (Right), Triple (3) Parallel Pirouette (Left) A la seconde turn combination: (showcasing a la seconde turns, changing spots, floats, variation in pom and leg position, speed, pirouette and other technical elements) -minimum 3 counts of 8 in length
Jumps/Leaps: Right open second leap, Right calypso or Turning Jete Attitude, Switch leaps - minimum 2 (any variation - regular switch leap, switch tilt, switch arabesque, switch open, either side), Single toe touch, Double toe touch
Flexibility: Side tilt, Penche, Leg turn (any variety)
Acro: Walkover (front or back), Side aerial (right and left)
*Required Style Combinations (30–45 sec each style)
One combination each in Jazz, Pom, and Hip‑Hop styles.
*Optional Skill Demonstration (3 minute maximum):
Optional elements demonstrating your skill range which could include: Front aerial, Standing back tuck, Back Handspring, Headspring, Kip up, Rubberband, Scorpion, Advanced technical elements or specialty skills of choice
*Optional Solo Entry (3 minute maximum)
Solo performance filmed in studio or from a competition within 6 months of submission.
Filming Best Practices
Shoot in landscape, use 1080p+ video quality, with subject well lit, against a neutral background, and stable framing. Videos do not need to be professionally edited. Subject should be filmed straight on for the best angle. Females should wear Black Sports Bra or Tank Top and black shorts. Males should wear all black attire. For skills demonstration, filming should be continuous in one take, but the dancer may repeat the skill if necessary up to two attempts.
NDCA and common recruiting video timelines:
May 1: NDCA releases updated annual Common College Dance Team Recruitment Video requirements
June 1: Colleges publish any supplemental requirements
Sept 1: Early universal submission deadline
Jan 1: Standard universal deadline
Using the Common Video as a Training Roadmap
Now is the perfect time to evaluate your dance skills and put together a plan for your future submission. You don’t need to be a high school senior to start thinking about your videos. In fact working on it as a Sophomore or Junior will give you ample time to perfect your skills.
Assess your current level — Review the requirements and pinpoint which required skills you’ve mastered and which need work
Set a training game plan with your coach or studio dance instructor, focusing first on required elements, before polishing optional standout moves. This where your studio work comes in! Maintain a regular attendance in your studio technique classes and don’t neglect your Ballet foundation- professionals can always tell who has been going to their ballet classes!
Choose your submission window — early or final — based on readiness and school-fit. Always check with the specific school(s) you are applying to to ensure you submit by the proper deadline.
Studio J Dance Collective
College Recruit Video Filming
Need help in preparing and filming what’s needed for the Common Dance Team Recruiting video?
Do you need a space to film your video with proper equipment and lighting?
Book a filming session at our studio!
What’s Included:
✔ Video Equipment : DJI Osmo Pocket 3, 4k resolution video camera with auto subject tracking
✔ Mic: DJI Mic for filming any spoken or Introduction segment.
✔ Lighting: Two photography soft boxes and overhead video lighting
✔ Film Assistant: A filming assistant to operate the equipment and camera, and provide cues and prompts while filming.
✔ Studio Space: Use of “The Set” studio, a quadruple sprung 36’x45’ dance floor with black Marley, white walls, bluetooth speaker, and plenty of natural lighting.