Dance FAQs

By studying and learning the unique language of dance, you will develop your skills faster and more completely. While the language is not the dance, improved fluency in the language greatly enhances all aspects of the learning process.

Now, in an easy-to-use A-Z format, Diane Jarmolow presents a glossary of over 300 allroom, Latin and Swing terms. This text will explain the words and concepts ommonly used by professionals in all aspects of Ballroom Dancing, including terms elated to the music, movement, technique, history, and profession. It will enable ou, whether you are a pure beginner, a serious hobbyist or a professional teacher
or competitor, to quickly and easily learn the language skills to accelerate the evelopment of your dancing technique and pleasure.

General Dance Terms

Amalgamation
A combination of two or more patterns or movements.
Amateur Dancer
A person for whom dancing is a hobby and who does not seek financial gain from the eaching or performing of dancing.
American Style
A type of ballroom dancing, which evolved from social dancing and is now a fully ecognized competitive style of dance. The Smooth style allows the dancers to be n open positions allowing for a very “Fred and Ginger” style. The nine dances are ivided into two groups:
(1) Smooth style consisting of: Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango and Viennese Waltz
(2) Rhythm style consisting of: Cha Cha, Rumba, East Coast Swing, Bolero and Mambo
Arm Styling
Positioning and movement of the arms, reflecting the character and style of the ance.
Associate
(1) The first complete level of dance figures in the International Style and some merican Style syllabi representing the foundation of movements and basic dance oncepts. (2) A degree attained by a Professional Dancer as a result of passing a
certifying teaching exam covering the Associate Syllabus.
Basic Figure
A standardized step pattern which together with other patterns constitute the asis of a dance.
Bronze Level
The first complete level of the Medalist System, representing the foundation of ovements and basic dance concepts. Also used in Competitions, representing a evel above Newcomer and below Silver danced by Amateurs.
Choreography
A creation or compilation of steps, patterns and movements which make up a dance r a dance routine.
Closed Division
A category at a DanceSport event, which requires that competitors may only dance igures that are specific to a certain level and syllabus and may not dance ariations and choreography outside of the syllabus.
Closed Figure
A dance figure where the feet close on the last step. Examples are Left and Right ox Turns in the American Style and Reverse And Natural Turns in the International tyle.
Combination
A group of consecutive patterns and choreography. Similar to Amalgamation but ometimes involving a slightly more advanced set of patterns.
Continuity Movement
The continuous passing of the feet from one step to the next. This action is used rom Silver Level on in American Style Waltz, Foxtrot and Viennese Waltz and is also characteristic of the International Foxtrot and is used greatly in nternational Waltz and Quickstep.
DanceSport
The official name given to the sport of competitive Ballroom Dancing. Relates to he more athletic form of Ballroom Dancing as recognized by the Olympic Committee.
Drop
A theatrical type of movement in which the follower’s body weight is partially or ompletely supported by the leader while at least one part of the follower’s body emains in contact with the floor.
English Style
The Internationally recognized style of ballroom dancing synonymous with nternational ,Style Ballroom Dancing.
Exhibition Ballroom Dancing
Also called Demonstration Dancing, this represents the performing of dance outines for an audience in a stylized, theatrical way.
Fellow
(1) The final complete level of dance figures in the International Style and some  American Style syllabi representing the most advanced movements and dance oncepts.
(2) A degree attained by a Professional Dancer as a result of passing a certifying eaching exam covering the Fellowship Syllabus.
Figure
A standardized step pattern that, together with other patterns, constitute the ance.
Floor Craft
The ability of the leader to maneuver around the dance floor in a skilled and
controlled manner as to avoid colliding with other dancers.
Following
The ability of the follower to react correctly to the signals given by the leader
through physical and visual connections.
Formation Team
A group of three or more dancers who perform ballroom style routines.
Freestyle
(1)Dancing done on the dance floor in an apart where each person dances to the
music doing steps of their own creation without a particular pattern or sequence
(2) Dancing with a partner in any kind of hold where the leader improvises steps.
May be danced by inexperienced dancers who have never taken dance lessons or, by
very advanced dancers who are so well trained in leading and following that
improvisation is creative and natural.
Freestyle Division
A division of competition with one or more couples on the floor, designed for the
leaders to lead the follower without memorized dance routines. Also, the ability
to change a predetermined routine when necessary.
General Dancing
The portion of the program when the dance floor is open to the audience for social
dancing.
Gold Level
The third complete level of the Medalist System, representing the most advanced
figures and dance concepts. Also used in Competitions, representing a level above
Silver danced by Amateurs.
Hip Motion
A very general term to mean any type of hip movement used in Latin Dancing.
Similar to Cuban Motion and Latin Motion.
International Style
The Internationally recognized style of ballroom dancing. Couples must remain in
closed dance position throughout the dances. The 10 International Style dances are
divided into two categories:
(1) Standard, consisting of: Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot and uickstep.
(2) Latin, consisting of: Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive. atin- American Style
The category of dances in the International Style that consist of Cha Cha, Samba, umba, Paso Doble and Jive.
Leading
Effective communication of intended actions by the leader through the use of
leader’s own body movements and through one or more physical or visual connections
to the follower.
Line Dancing
A type of non-partner dancing where everyone starts in a line and learns a set
pattern that repeats over and over again throughout the music. Used in Country
Western and Disco Dancing and is fun and easy to learn.
Lift
A theatrical type of movement in which the follower’s body weight is completely
supported by the leader and held aloft.
Medalist System
A system of testing used by dance schools to measure a student’s progress in their
dancing. It provides structure in a dance program of a school and serves to give
students’ a sense of accomplishment in their dancing.
Member
(1) The second complete level of dance figures in the International Style and some
American Style syllabi representing the next set of movements and basic dance
concepts. (2) A degree attained by a Professional Dancer as a result of passing a
certifying teaching exam covering the Member Syllabus.
Mirror Image
When one partner’s steps will be matching the other partner’s steps, as if viewed
in a mirror.
Modern Style Ballroom
The term used to describe the Ballroom dances of the International Style: Waltz,
Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz, Tango and Quickstep. This term has largely been replaced
by the term “Standard”.
Movement
(1) A shift in position or space. (2)Used to describe a dancer or couple’s
advancement through space on the dance floor.
Natural Opposite
A term used in teaching to say that one’s partner will be dancing the same foot
positions in a particular dance pattern except in the opposite direction and on
opposite feet.
Natural Turn
Any dance pattern that turns to the right.
NightClub Dances
Dances designed to be danced in a club or on a small dance floor.
Open Division
A dance category at a dance competition where the dancers are permitted to dance
figures not normally included in a standard syllabus for that particular level.
(i.e. Open Gold Foxtrot).
Open Figure
A very general term that can have several meanings.
(1) Not in normal dance hold
(2) Use of continuity instead of closing feet
(3)Ending in Promenade Position (i.e. Open Telemark, Open Impetus)
(4) A pattern not in a Syllabus,
Open Turn
Refers to a figure where the feet do not close on any of the steps.
Patterns
The term we use to mean a series of specific steps that comprise a figure. Means
the same as “Figure”.
Picture Line
A dance figure (e.g. Oversway, Contra Check) characterized by changing shapes in
stationary position. Also known as Line.
Professional Dancer
A dancer who teaches, performs or competes for a living. A dancer who receives
financial compensation for their work as a dancer and would be ineligible to
compete as an Amateur.
Progressive Movement
Any dance steps that are designed to move the couple down the line of dance.
Reverse Turn
(1) Any turn that turns to the left.
(2) A turn used in Waltz, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz, and Tango that turns to the
left over six steps.
Rhythm Category
A category of dancing that include the following American Style dances danced at
competitions: Rumba, Cha Cha, Bolero, Mambo and Swing
Rumba Walk
Highly stylized Forward or Backward Walks done in the Rumba, characterized by
stepping onto a straight leg.
Showcase
An unjudged dance exhibition.
Silver Level
The second level of dance patterns in a syllabus following Bronze and before Gold.
Silver Level is the first time a dancer may use continuity (open steps) in the
American Style Waltz and Foxtrot.
Scrutineer
A certified dance official who tabulates the judges’ scores from the competitive
events.
Slot
Used as a concept in certain dances (i.e. West Coast Swing) where the goal is for
the follower to dance on a track, turn around, and then come back on the same
track in the opposite direction. The leader’s job is to move slightly out of the
track (slot) to allow the follower a clear path.
Slow Dancing
A general term meant for dancing to very slow, romantic music where the couple
rocks from foot to foot, improvising their own moves, with a very close, cuddly
hold. No dance lessons required.
Smooth Style Ballroom
The term used in Dancesport events and in general to mean American Style Waltz,
Foxtrot, Tango and Viennese Waltz.
Social Dancing
Ballroom, Latin, Swing and Nightclub dances done in dance halls, dance schools,
etc. where the dancing is more relaxed and meant for the enjoyment of the dancers
and not for show.
Standard Style Ballroom
The name that replaced the term “Modern” to mean The International Style Ballroom
dances- Waltz, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz, Tango and Quickstep.
Step
Frequently used to mean the same as Figure or Pattern.
Syncopate
To add or subtract steps within a specific number of beats performed by dancers to
vary the normal step and to allow for personal expression and creativity.
Theater Arts/Cabaret Division
A division at DanceSport Events that involve dramatic lifts and drops usually
performed by strong, highly trained dancers requiring unusual flexibility and
balance.
Variation
A varied or more advanced pattern than the corresponding basic figure which still
contains the same main element.
Yes!
The appropriate response when someone asks you to dance.