A Guide to Ballroom Dance Competitions

(a.k.a. What to Expect from a Collegiate Dancesport Competition)

Whether you plan on competing out onto the floor with your partner, or just attend to cheer on the BLDC and your friends, what follows is an introductory yet comprehensive explanation of all that goes on regarding ballroom competitions.

1. Offered Dances & Skill Levels
2. Team Formation Events and Fun Dances
3. Dress for Success: Personal Presentation
4. Controlled Chaos: What to Expect When You Arrive at a Competition.
5. The Character of the Dance
6. What Judges Look For

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Offered Dances & Skill Levels

There are several dances in the ballroom dance world. Here are the categories into which they’re all broken down:

American Rhythm - EC Swing, Cha-Cha, Rumba, Bolero, Mambo, Peabody
American Smooth - Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Viennese Waltz
International Latin - Cha-Cha, Rumba, Jive, Samba, Paso Doble
International Standard - Waltz, Quickstep, Foxtrot, Tango, Viennese Waltz
Nightclub - Merengue, Salsa, Argentine Tango, NC 2-step, Hustle, WC Swing

The two styles (American & International) are organized into skill brackets (Bronze, Silver, Gold) according to syllabus (a set list of steps). There are also the Nightclub dances (the 5th category) that are offered in competitions, which are set aside as “non-ballroom dances”, because they are not formally recognized by the ballroom community, despite their presence in these comps. Although each category has a distinct style, they also have their similarities. The International style is known to be faster and more technique-oriented (in essence, more competitive), but the more social American style is highlighted with moves that allow the man to lead more effectively and the lady to follow more easily on impulse.

Below is a table summary of how the skill levels are roughly arranged and separated, reflective of beginner/intermediate/advanced levels:



Open (no syllabus): The open levels are characterized by open-ended choreography in the dances (no syllabus restrictions, almost anything goes.) The open dances (pre-novice, novice, pre-championship, championship) typically consist of more advanced dancers than those in the closed syllabi categories.

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Team Formation Events & Fun Dances

In addition to the individual couple events, most competitions include formation team events, where 4+ couples are scored together, representing their school or studio. Team events are divided into American and International. There are no syllabus or experience restrictions. It can all be open choreography.

Fun dances are often the highlight of the comp. Examples include: Tacky Tango, Same Sex Samba, Balloon-popping Foxtrot. The rules and dances for these vary but you can guarantee on having a good time. Each school/studio is informed beforehand as to what the fun dances will be. This is also the time to relax during a comp. and have fun.

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Dress for Success: Personal Presentation

What you wear, of course, is not as important as how you dance. However, certain things are expected and required. It’s up to you but note that some dances just don’t look the same without the right clothes. Below is a summary of expected competition wear:

Men:

Standard/Smooth Dances:

Hair - Long hair should be tied back, looking neat. Go for a slicker, more refined look. Aim for a clean-cut appearance.
Shirt - White dress shirt & tie, or even better, a tuxedo shirt & black bow tie. (Advanced and up wear tuxedo tails especially made for dancing.)
Pants - Black dress slacks or tux pants.
Accessories - Black vest or buttoned sweater perpetuates the formal look.

Latin/Rhythm Dances:

Hair - Loose hair is okay, but cannot be in your eyes. A refined look is ok.
Shirt - Dark-colored (preferably black) shirt. Dress shirt or club shirt will suffice. (Advanced and up wear black, usually long-sleeved, that catch the eye in some way, shape, or form.)
Pants - Again, black dress slacks. (A narrow cut is complimentary to the dances.)
Accessories - Belts with shiny accents attract attention to hips. Avoid wearing watched, long chains, large rings, or anything loose that may catch your partner unintentionally.

Women:

Standard/Smooth Dances:

Hair - Long hair should be put up neatly – bun, French braid or twist, etc. Use lots of gel/spray and bobby pins.
Makeup - As if on stage, wear more than usual, especially on eyes on lips.
Dress - More formal. Wear something that is around ankle length but not touching the floor and something that flows. Many wear a skirt & blouse. The important thing is that you can move easily. Remember your partner steps between your feet! (Advanced dancers wear winged gowns with huge, feathered skirts and/or shawls.)
Accessories - Nice, elegant jewelry. Pearls or pearl-like glittery earrings are fine. Sparkles can attract the eye as well.

Latin/Rhythm:

Hair - Neat & slicked back, tight ponytail, bun or French twist, long braid okay too.
Makeup - As if on stage, wear more than usual. Go bright, festive-like. False eyelashes are common.
Dress - Cocktail/party dress or two piece. Shorter skirts with flare and/or fringe for spinning are common. Sequins and stones are encouraged. Avoid restrictive clothing. Also, black drowns you out, so wear something bright. A revealing dress is fine, but don’t overdo it (consider investing in “dance pants” if this is going to be the case.)
Accessories - Large glittery earrings are good as long as they stay on. Bracelets, watches and rings are not recommended. Get creative! Nude or flesh-tone nylons can elongate your legs. Avoid wearing control tops. Overall, be sexy and comfortable.

Shoes:

Ballroom dance shoes are a serious investment, with both men’s and women’s shoes being at about the $100 range. Although not required, they do enhance your ability on the dance floor. Our recommendation: buy ballroom shoes if you’re looking to do ballroom dance on a fairly frequent basis (especially if you’re looking to do comps.) and have the money to spare.

- Regular shoes (men & women): If you don’t plan to get ballroom dance shoes, the best alternative for men are flat, non-rubber soled dress shoes. Rubber soles are too sticky and seriously restrict your movement. Ladies should wear heels, as long as they are flexible and allow you to stay on the foot while dancing. They also shouldn’t be the abrasive kind that could potentially damage or puncture holes on the dance floor.

- Dance shoes (men): Both men and women’s ballroom shoes have gray or black suede soles, for easy traction and slide. Shoes for Standard and Smooth are different than shoes for Latin and Rhythm.
Latin shoes for men have a larger heel. If planning on purchasing one pair of shoes for now and you do all styles, get the standard shoes (without the larger heels); it’s a lot easier to do Latin/Rhythm in Standard/Smooth shoes than doing Standard/Smooth in Latin shoes.

- Dance shoes (women): Any women’s shoes made for ballroom dancing are fine, though there are closed-toe pumps (usually for Standard/Smooth) and open-toe heels (Latin/Rhythm).

If you plan on buying just one pair for now and plan to compete in both Standard/Smooth and Latin/Rhythm, then buy the Latin/Rhythm shoes (open-toe heels). It’s too difficult and painful to do Latin or Rhythm in a closed toe shoe. Dancing Standard/Smooth in Latin shoes is perfectly acceptable.

Moreover, ladies & gentlemen, consider purchasing a shoe brush with your ballroom dance shoes, as they are used to remove dust that collects on the suede sole, to keep your traction on the hardwood dance floor at an optimum level.

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Controlled Chaos: What to Expect When You Arrive At a Competition

- Comps (collegiate) are always on weekends, either on Saturday or Saturday and Sunday.

- Professional/Amateur competitions also include Fridays in most cases.

- Most comps are scheduled to begin around 8:30 or 9:00 in the morning, which means we will arrive no later than 8:00am.

- Competitions in general rarely run on-schedule as the day progresses, with some running hours behind.

- Once there, it’s ultimately your responsibility that you’re checked in and registered with your number; however, the BLDC comp. coordinator will ensure that the group as a whole is organized and good to go.

- Whether you’re just a spectator or an idling dancer on break, those not dancing a particular event sit and root others on. Everyone cheers and yells for those out on the floor, screaming the numbers of other couples, helping to direct the judges’ attention ;-)

- After all the dancing and awards, comps. finish up close to 11:00pm or midnight (overall, it is a very long day, so get a lot of sleep the night before.)

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Selling It: The Character of the Dance

Competitors are judged (explicitly or otherwise) from the moment they set foot on the dance floor to the second they get off. That includes walking on, waiting for the music, and walking off the floor. Needless to say, you’re “on stage” the whole time. During the individual dances, there are characteristics and expressions you should be showing, and a brief summation is as follows:

Overall: Smile! Make it seem as if you’re enjoying yourself in all dances (with exception to tango, paso doble, rumba, and in some cases bolero, where "fun" is not entirely appropriate.)

Swing & Jive: Big, big smiles. Look like you’re having the most fun you have ever had in your entire life.

Cha-Cha: Sensual & Flirtatious. Partners should be teasing each other. It’s like a game of “now you have me, now you don’t.” (also works for samba as well to a lesser extent.)

Rumba: Steamy and romantic.

Waltz & Viennese Waltz: Elegant and graceful. Float across the floor angelically.

Foxtrot: Smile and look pleased. Get a relaxed, non-chalant, no-problem look about yourself and feel the music, like taking a stroll in the park.

Tango & Paso Doble: Serious and dramatic, hence the “no fun” attitude. You’re tough, and you dare anyone to say otherwise. Bastard/bitch personae apply here.

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What Judges Look For

The criteria that a judge might choose to consider are actually too numerous to examine individually in the brief time allotted to a dance event, since at least six couples are being judged simultaneously. Therefore, the judges must rely on the impression each couple makes relative to the others. The experienced judge can quickly assess these factors collectively, and are summarized by (but not limited to) the items as follows:

Posture/Presentation - one of the most important aspects. Good posture makes you look elegant and exude confidence. It improves balance and control, and allows your partner to connect well to your body in the smooth dances. Body shaping and leg/foot lines affect one’s posture and dance execution as well, which are also directly proportional to a couple’s ranking in the end. "Persistent practice of postural principles promises perfection."

Musicality & Timing - if a couple is not dancing on time with the music, no amount of proficiency in any other aspect can overcome this. In other words, you can have the best technique and most awe-inspiring routine on the floor, but you’ll still rank dead-last if your moves aren’t properly timed with the music.

Power/Energy - Energy is exciting to watch. In a jive, it always seems to be the most energetic couple that wins this dance. But the energy must be controlled, not wild. For instance, powerful movement is an asset in waltz or foxtrot, but only if it is channeled into the correct swing of the body, and not just by taking big steps. The lift of the music must be synchronized with the mirroring body action (pertaining to rise-and-fall movement.) So the release of power into the beginning of a figure must be controlled and sustained during the rise at the end of the figure (i.e. the box step.)

Lead and Follow - Does the man lead with his whole body instead of just his arms? Does the lady follow effortlessly or does the man have to assist her? The melding of two people's body weights must appear in sync, so that leading and following look effortless, and that the dancers are in total synchronization with each other.

Line - The length and stretch of the body from head to toe. Attractive and well executed lines, either curved or straight, enhance the shapes of the figures.

Shape - Shape is the combination of turn and sway to create a look or a position. (Waltz/Foxtrot: does the man use the appropriate shape in all the steps to enable body contact to be maintained?)

Hold - The correct and unaffected positioning of the body parts when in closed dancing position. For instance, the line of the man's arms should be unbroken from elbow to elbow. Also, there should be symmetry of the man's and woman's arms coming together to form a circle, which, although changing in size, should remain constant in shape so that the dancers remain in correct body position.

Floorcraft - This refers not only to avoidance of bumping/colliding into other couples while dancing, but also (should it happen) how smoothly you recover and keep going. It shows the command of the couple over their dancing and the ability of the man to choose and lead figures extrinsic to their usual work when the necessity presents itself.

Intangibles – Intangibles include how a couple "looks" together, how they "fit" (emotionally and aesthetically), their neatness of appearance, their costuming, the flow of their technique/choreography, and basically whether they look like dancers in the right category. All of these have an effect on a judge's perception and marking.

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Downloads

To get a printer-friendly format of our guide, please select the link below:

Competition Guidelines: What to expect (PDF Format)

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