Ballroom Dance Guide: 4 Types of Ballroom Dance

Ballroom dance is a coordinated partner dance between two performers using a predetermined step pattern. Posture and technique are some of the most important elements of ballroom dance, which can be performed both socially and competitively. Ballroom dance involves a great degree of skill and mastery, and plenty of studios offer both public and private lessons for people who are interested in learning the various styles of ballroom dancing.

Sometimes, ballroom dance can function as a general term for nontraditional or social dances such as salsa, bachata, merengue, the hustle, Argentine tango, and West Coast swing dance (though in some regions they can also be danced competitively). Popular dance styles like the nightclub two-step, the jitterbug, and the polka are also technically considered types of ballroom dances, even if they’re more popular outside the competition scene.

There are two main schools of ballroom dance: the American style, and the International style, each with its own types of dances and competitions.

• The International School: This school of dance, regulated by the World Dance Council (WDC) and the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) is popular in Europe, and contains both Standard and Latin categories. Originally developed in England, this school of dance emphasizes the connection and closeness between partners and does not feature moves like turns, dips, or side-by-side choreography.
• The American School. The American School of dance, regulated by USA Dance and Canada Dancesport (CDS) is more popular in the United States and North America. Rather than Standard and Latin categories, the American School contains its own equivalent—Smooth and Rhythm styles. American ballroom dancing is more open and allows separate moves between dance partners.

There are over 20 styles of ballroom dance that are performed in competitions all around the world. Many of these dances fall within four main ballroom dance styles:

1. 1. American Smooth: The American Smooth style of dancing typically focuses on fluid movements and graceful execution across the dance floor, often performed to Western music. This style of dance is similar to International Standard dance, but the partners dance in a way that allows one partner to break free for turns, dips, and footwork. The types of dances in this style are the waltz, tango, foxtrot, and Viennese waltz.
2. 2. American Rhythm: Rhythm ballroom dancing is a more energetic style of dance than American Smooth dances, often performed to more upbeat music. This style of dance is typically performed in the US and Canada with Latin American music, and includes dances like the cha-cha, bolero, mambo, rumba, and East Coast swing.
3. 3. International Standard: These traditional routines are often danced “in frame”—when the dancers upper bodies are positioned to allow one partner to lead and another to follow—and involve smooth and slow movements. This style of dance includes the tango, waltz, Viennese waltz, quickstep, and slow foxtrot.
4. 4. International Latin: International Latin dance is similar to American Rhythm dance, but in the competition world, it’s performed everywhere other than the US and Canada. These Latin dances show off long leg lines and involve a more intimate style emphasizing the passionate connection between the partners. The dances included in this style are the cha-cha, samba, rumba, paso doble, and jive.

Unlike social dancing, competitive ballroom dancing is performed in front of judges who evaluate the routine based on precision and appearance. Points are deducted for missteps, poor shapes, and other mistakes, so it’s important to follow the standardized steps. With the exception of the Lindy hop, West Coast swing, and Jack and Jill dances—where partners are randomized—ballroom dance competitors choreograph and rehearse their routines to produce the best possible performance. Typically, competitive ballroom dance in the United States uses the American School style, whereas international ballroom competitions use the International Ballroom Dance style.

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