 Dance sport is a combination of art

and sport. It was called ballroom

dancing in the past. This goes with
partners(male and lady) competing
against other partners dancing on
the floor at one time. Dance sport
provides an avenue to gain
discipline of the body and mind of
the dance athletes.
 SAMBA

 CHA-CHA-CHA

 RUMBA

 PASO DOBLE
 JIVE
 WALTZ
 TANGO

 VIENNESE WALTZ

 SLOW FOXTROT

 QUICK STEP
1. POSTURE- enables a dancer to stand out on
the floor, which shows sophistication and
confidence.
2. TIMING- dancing on time with the music
3. LINE- the stretching of the body
4. HOLD- the correct position of the body
with the partner in closed position.
5. POISE- the stretch of the woman’s body
upwards and outwards and leftwards into the
man’s right arm to achieve balance and
connection with his frame, as well as to
project outwards to the audience.
6. TOGETHERNESS- dancing of two people
as one on the dance floor.
7. MUSICALITY AND EXPRESSION- the
basic characterization of the dance with the
particular music being played and the
choreographic adherence to musical phrasing
and accents.
8. PRESENTATION- how the couple presents
their dancing to the audience as well as the
proper costuming and grooming.
9. POWER- the energy that is controlled and
not wild
10. FOOT AND LEG ACTION- the use of
lower extremities that creates balance, beauty,
and strength.
11. SHAPE- the combination of turn and sway
to create a look or a position.
12. LEAD AND FOLLOW- the non-verbal
communication of the man and lady through
shape, visual, and body weight.
13. FLOORCRAFT- the ability to avoid
bumping into other couples and continue
dancing without pause when boxed in.
14. INTANGIBLES- how a couple “look”
together in performing their dances.
 In learning the skills, stages were
introduced to better understand the
actions, steps, and figures of each
dance. Medals are usually the starting
point to fully grasp the fundamental
elements of dance sport. Medals may
be:
 BRONZE- starting level
 SILVER- intermediate level
 GOLD- highest level
1.WALTZ
- Introduced in England in 1874 but it was
in 1922 that it became as fashionable as
Tango.
TIME SIGNATURE- ¾ with the 1st beat
accented.
EACH STEP= 1 BEAT
COUNTING IN BEATS AND BARS – 1 2
3, 2 2 3,3 2 3,4 2 3 ,etc.
2. TANGO
- Was first danced in Europe before World War
I
- Originates from Buenos Aires (Argentina)
where it was first danced in “Barrio de Las
Ranas”.
TIME SIGNATURE- 2/4 with both beats
accented
“SLOW” COUNT= 1 BEAT
“QUICK” COUNT ½
COUNTING IN BEATS AND BARS- 1 & 2 &
, 2 & 2 , 3 & 2 & , 4 & 2 &, etc.
3. FOXTROT
- Was named after an American
performer Harry Fox, which was
premiered in 1914.
TIME SIGNATURE- 4/4 with the first
and third beats accented.
“SLOW” COUNT= 2 BEATS
“QUICK” COUNTS= 1 BEAT
COUNTING IN BEATS AND BARS:
1 2 3 4, 2 2 3 4, 3 2 3 4, 4 2 3 4, etc.
4. 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(Dance
Universe)
TIME SIGNATURE- 4/4 with the first and
third beats accented
“SLOW” COUNT= 2 BEATS
“QUICK” COUNTS= 1 BEAT
COUNTING IN BEATS AND BARS: 1 2 3 4,
2 2 3 4, 3 2 3 4, 4 2 3 4, etc
5. Viennese Waltz
- A controversial dance with so many
claims about its origin but known to
be born in the modest outskirts of
Australia and Bavaria
TIME SIGNATURE- 6/8 with the first
beat accented
COUNTING IN BEATS AND BARS-
1 2 3, 2 2 3, 3 2 3, 4 2 3, etc.
1. CHACHACHA
- Newcomer in Latin American dances with origin only
in the fifties but it became popular shortly after
Mambo was introduced.
TIME SIGNATURE- 4/4 with accented beat on the first
and fourth of each bar.
COUNT IN BEATS 2 3 4 and 1.
Count 2 = 1 BEAT.
Count 3= 1 BEAT.
Count 4= half beat. Count and= half beat.
Count 1= 1 beat.
 2. SAMBA
- National dance of Brazil, which
originated in Africa. It is danced
during carnival time.
TIME SIGNATURE- 2/4 with musical
accent on the first beat and percussive
accent on the second beat
CONTRASING RHYTHMS: 1 2, 1 a 2,
1 a 2 a 1 a 2, 1 2 3, SQQ S QQQQQQ,
QQS, SSQQS
2. RUMBA
- Originates primary form Cuba in the sixteenth
century, which has its roots in African rhythms
brought to America by the slaves.
- Composed of three rhythms: The Guaguanco,
Yambu, and Columbia
TIME SIGNATURE- 4/4 with an accent on the
first beat and fourth beat of each bar.
COUNTING IN BEATS 2 3 4 1.
COUNT 2= 1 BEAT
COUNT 3= 1 BEAT
COUNT 4 1= 2 BEATS half beat.
4. PASO DOBLE
- Means “double step” which originated from
Spain and is inspired by bullfighting.
- Most dramatic of all Latin dances

TIME SIGNATURE- 2/4 with an accent on

the first beat of each bar.
COUNTING 1 2.
COUNT 1= 1 BEAT
COUNT 2= 1 BEAT
5. JIVE
- Developed from the dance “jitterbug” from
America
TIME SIGNATURE- 4/4 with accent on
the first beat, second beat, and forth beat of
each bar.
COUNTING 1 2 3a4 3a4.
COUNT 2= 1 BEAT
COUNT 3= ¾ BEAT
COUNT a= ¼ BEAT
COUNT 4= 1 BEAT
 NAME OF FIGURE- identification of a figure in
a dance style.
 STEP NUMBERS- number of steps in a figure
 ALLIGNMENT- the position of the feet in
relation to the room
 AMOUNT OF TURN- this is measured
between the feet
 FOOTWORK- refers to the part of the foot in
contact with floor.
 TIMING- the synchronization of actions with the
beat of the music
 LINE OF DANCE(LOD)- the counter
clockwise around the dance floor.
 WALL- means the direction perpendicular to the
LOD pointing towards the wall of the
room(possibly imaginary)
 CENTER- means the direction perpendicular to
the LOD pointing the center of the room.
 OPEN FACING POSITION. A variation of
open position where man and lady stand apart,
facing each other, usually with a one-or two-hand
connection.
 OUTSIDE PARTNER POSITION. A variation
of the closed position where the tracking of the
man and lady’s feet slightly offset.
 PROMENADE POSITION. A V-shaped
dance position where both man and lady
move forward and in the same direction,
toward the open end of the “V”
 CLOSED POSITION. The normal hold
where partners stand facing each other in
body contact slightly offset to the left. In
the Latin dances, partners stand a few
inches apart, either directly in front of each
other or very slightly offset.
 OPEN POSITION. Any dance position
where man an d lady stand apart or slightly
apart, without taking a closed position
dance hold.