Ballroom Dance Terms

Figures - A combination of two or more patterns of movements.

Lead - The partner responsible for “directing” the dance and giving cues
Amalgamation - It refers to the list of recognized figures for each dance.
Line of Dance - It is the path traveling around the perimeter of the dancers in a counterclockwise
direction.
Frame - It refers to the upper body position of a partnership, encompassing the arm, shoulder, and neck
line.
Closed position - It is the standard position in ballroom in which partners are facing near each other.
Follow - The partner executing on and maintaining the movement initiated by the lead
Commence - A closed position in which the front of the man’s body in contact to the front of the lady’s
body
Syllabus - A standardized series of steps that create a recognized pattern or movement.

International Latin Ballroom Dances

Paso Doble - It refers to the stirring and dramatic dance based on the Spanish bull fight.
Rumba - It is known as the dance of love because of its romantic and sensual movements.
Jive - It is characterized by lots of energetic leg movements which portray pumping action
Samba - This dance is characterized by the slight downward bouncing and dropping action.
Cha-cha - It is a Cuban authentic type of dance characterized by complex rhythms and step patterns.

International Standard – all dances are progressive and always in the closed ballroom position
- there is no hip action
- It is characterized by smooth and free flowing movements with distinct
figures or series of steps.

International Latin - There's so much more freedom in choreography doing Latin, you can easily
change one figure to another.
- it is characterized by hip actions
- complexity of movements are evident and endurance of the dancers are
being test
- movements are romantic and sensual.
 BALLROOM DANCE
The term 'ballroom dancing' is derived from the word ball which in turn originates from
the Latin word “ballare” which means “to dance”
a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially competitively around the world. 
The earliest ballroom dances was recorded at the end of the 16th century, when Jehan
Tabourot, under the pen name "Thoinot-Arbeau", published in 1588 his Orchésographie,
a study of late 16th-century French renaissance social dance.
Arrival of dance Minuet in 1650 France was a very important point in the early history of
ballroom dance. Set to music by Jean-Baptiste Lully and danced in public by King Louis
XIV himself, this dance popularized ballroom dance all across France, and continued to
be used in European ballrooms until the end of the 18th century.

TYPES OF BALLROOM DANCES

International Standard
• Waltz • Tango • Viennese Waltz

• Foxtrot • Quickstep

• WALTZ
• The term "Waltz" originates from the old German word "walzen" which means to roll, turn,
or to glide.
• It is the “backbone dance” of the ballroom and is the basis for many dances
• Characterized by its “rise and fall” action, the Waltz includes a step, slide, and step in 3/4
time.
• A progressive dance that travels along a path known as the line of dance.
• TANGO
• Movements are sometimes slow and sharp such as a quick foot flick or a sharp head snap to
promenade position.
• actions must always be staccato.
• 4/4 time signature
• FOXTROT
• The Foxtrot is a smooth, progressive dance characterized by long, continuous flowing
movements across the dance floor.
 • Foxtrot has smooth gliding steps with a heel lead
• It has less rise and fall than the Waltz as the emphasis is on progression. 
• closed ballroom dance position
• 4/4 time signature
• step pattern: Slow, slow, quick, quick
• QUICKSTEP
• The movement of the dance is fast and powerfully flowing with a lot of movement on the
dance floor including hops, runs, quick steps and rotation.
• The dancers are energetic but should appear to be very light on their feet.
• 4/4 time signature
• Step pattern: slow, quick, quick, slow