DanceSports

• Dance Sport is a combination of art and sport, also known as competitive ballroom dancing in the past.
• In Dance Sport, partners (male and lady) compete against other partners dancing on the floor at once.
• Dance Sport provides an avenue to gain the discipline of the body and mind of dance athletes.
• The World Dance Council (WDC) and the World Dance Sport Federation (WDSF) are the governing bodies in the Dance Sport.
• Posture in Dance Sport enables a dancer to stand out on the floor, showing sophistication and confidence.
• Timing in Dance Sport means dancing on time with the music.
• Line in Dance Sport enables a dancer to stand out on the floor, which shows sophistication and confidence.
• Hold in Dance Sport is the correct position of the body with the partner in a closed position.
• Togetherness in Dance Sport is the dancing of two people as one on the dance floor.
• Musicality and Expression in Dance Sport is the basic characterization of the dance with the music being played and the choreographic adherence to musical phrasing and accents.
• Foot and Leg Action in Dance Sport is a use of lower extremities that creates balance, beauty, and strength.
• Timing is Dancing on time with the music
• Shape is the combination of turn and sway to create a look or a position
• Floor craft is the ability to avoid bumping into other couples and continue dancing without pause when boxed in
• Intangibles is how a couple “look” together in performing their dances
• 1st is the Highest Level dancing skill in dance sports
• 2nd - Intermediate level dancing skill in dance sports
• 3rd - starting level dancing skill in dance sports
• International Standard dance: slow waltz, tango, slow foxtrot, quick step, vienesse waltz; Latin-American dance: cha cha cha, rumba, samba, pasodoble, jive,
• Slow Waltz Was introduced in England in 1874 but it was 1922 that it became as fashionable as Tango. 3/4 time and is characterized by its graceful rise and fall motion
• Tango It was first danced in Europe before World War I. It originates from Buenos Aires (Argentina) where it was first danced in “Barrio de Las Rañas”, the ghetto of Buenos Aires. A close hold, a low center of gravity and an emphasis on Contra Body movement. Movement is stealthy, almost cat-like
• Slow Foxtrot Was named after an American performer Harry Fox, which was premiered in 1914. W.C. Handy (Father of the Blues). Characterized by long, flowing strides and gentle curves, the body moves smoothly and continuously. Slow slow quick quick dance step
• Quickstep Was developed during World War I in New York and became popular in ballrooms. It has a common origin as that of the Foxtrot. A light-hearted dance of the standard ballroom dances. The movement of the dance is fast and powerfully flowing and sprinkled with syncopations
• Vienesse Waltz Characterized by sweeping, graceful turns that rotate quickly around the floor. Danced at a much faster tempo—twice the speed of the slow Waltz
• Cha Cha Cha A newcomer in Latin American dances with origin only in the fifties, but it became popular shortly after Mambo was introduced. The feet stay close to the floor throughout the dance, with slower steps on the first two beats and a quick, compact action for the triple step
• Samba National dance of Brazil, which originated in Africa. Characterized by simple forward and backward steps and tilting, rocking body movements. 4/4 time with syncopated rhythm
• Rumba Known as dance of love. Ballroom dance of Afro-Cuban folk-dance origin. Best known for the dancers' subtle side to side hip movements with the torso erect, the rumba is danced with a basic pattern of two quick side steps and a slow forward step
• Jive Influence by Boogie, Rock & Roll, African/American Swing and Lindyhop. A very fast, happy, boppy, energetic dance with plenty of knee-lifting, and rocking of the hips; lots of kicks and flicks
• Pasodoble “Double step”, which originated from Spain and is inspired by bullfighting. One of the most dramatic of all the Latin dances • Strong progressive steps, often using stomps and flamenco type footwork for dramatic effects; actions are sharp, quick, and chest is held high and proud