What Is Competitive Dancing?

Competitive dancing is a style of dance in which dance competition is the main focus. Couples perform several different dances in front of judges who evaluate and score each routine. In recent years, this style of dance has come to be viewed as a sport, demanding high levels of strength, stamina and flexibility.

DanceSport is the official name for competitive ballroom dancing. Dancesport is a stylized form of ballroom dancing in which the main emphasis is on performance and appearance. In a dancesport competition, couples dance together on the same floor while being judged on their speed, elegance, body action, and dramatic movements.

In a dance competition, dancers show off and compare their skills with other dancers of the same level. The competitors are required to perform at least one dance from a particular division. As competitors move up in skill level, they are required to perform more dances in the category level.
The United States recognizes the following amateur skill levels for competitiion:

• Championship
• Pre-Championship
• Novice

United States DanceSport competitions are divided into the following age levels:

• Pre-Teen I: 9 years and under
• Pre-Teen II: 10 and 11 years
• Junior I: 12 and 13 years
• Junior II: 14 and 15 years
• Youth: 16-18 years
• Adult A: 19-34 years
• Adult B: 35-49years
• Senior: 50 and older

Judges of competitive dancing are usually former professional dancers. They sit at the front of the dance floor and watch all competitors at once. The judges have scarecards for each couple and award points based on skills, presentation, and showmanship. The couple with the most points is declared the winner.

The following is a list of events offered at a dance competition:

International Style Standard

• Waltz
• Tango
• Viennese Waltz
• Foxtrot
• Quickstep

• Cha Cha
• Samba
• Rumba
• Paso Doble
• Jive

• Waltz
• Tango
• Foxtrot
• Viennese Waltz

• Cha Cha
• Rumba
• East Coast Swing
• Bolero
• Mambo

• Cabaret
• Night Club
• West Coast Swing
• Salsa
• Hustle
• Night Club Two Step

_{Source: USA Dance, DanceSport Division. Guide to Competitive Dancing. 25 Sep 2007.}