• Cha Cha
• Rumba
• Swing
• Bolero
• Mambo

1.	Side Basic		6.	Outside Breaks Forward
1b.	Passing Basic		6a.	Outside Breaks Backward
2.	Open Break		7.	Peek-a-boo
3.	Open Break with Arch Turn		8.	Single Cuddle
4.	Simple Cross-overs		8b.	Double Cuddle
4b.	Cross-over with Arch Turn		9.	Cross Body Lead
5.	Cross-over with Apart Turn		10.	Half Turn Chase
			10b.	Cross-over Chase
			10c.	Full Turn Chase

Music Sample
Newcomer Collegiate Competition
Professional Competition

Perhaps the most popular Latin dance, the Cha-Cha is a Cuban dance which originated from Mambo.

1.	Box Step (Basic)		6.	Open Break from Box Step
1b.	Slow Arch Turn		6b.	Open Break from Side Basic
2.	Breaks in 6 Directions		7.	Cross Body Lead
3.	Forward Rocks		8.	Open Cuban Walk
3b.	Backward Rocks		9.	Forward Spot Turn
4.	Outside Breaks Forward		9b.	Backward Spot Turn
4b.	Outside Breaks Backward		10.	Arch Turn
5.	Promenade Breaks		10b.	Loop Turn

Music Sample
Newcomer Collegiate Competition
Professional Competition

The Rumba, which originated in Cuba, is supposed to highlight the lady.  It is a slow dance, often called "the dance of love".  The Rumba is slow and sensual with some quick spins and turns.

1.	Basic		6.	Lindy Basic
2.	Throwaway		6b.	Whip
2b.	Link Rock		6c.	Whip Throwaway
3.	Arch Turn		7.	Peek-a-boo
3b.	Loop Turn		8.	Simple Sugar Push
4.	Man's Turn		8b.	Turning Sugar Push
5.	Tuck-in with Arch Turn		9.	Circle Swivel
5b.	Tuck-in with Free Turn		10.	Sugarfoot
5c.	Double Tuck-in

Music Sample
Newcomer Collegiate Competition
Professional Competition

There are many forms of Swing including Lindy Hop, Jitterbug, and East and West Coast Swing.  Due to its many forms, Swing can be danced to a broad range of music: big-band, country, pop, or oldies.

1.	Basic		6.	Lady's Underarm Turn
2a.	Open Break (Forward)		7.	Right Side Pass
2b.	Open Break (Back)		8.	Open Cuban Walks
2c.	Open Break (Flex Point)		9.	Rock Steps
3.	Fifth Position Breaks		10.	Back Spot Turn / Natural Top
4.	Cross-Over Breaks
5a.	Cross-Body Lead (Closed)
5b.	Cross-Body Lead (Open)
5c.	Cross-Body Lead (Open Counter Promenade)

Music Sample
Professional Competition

Bolero is similar to Rumba and Waltz, it is slower than the Rumba and involves very quick spins and turns followed by slow and sustained streches. It also includes the rise and fall characterstic to Waltz.

1.	Preparation		6.	Forward Spot Turn
1b.	Closed Basic		6b.	Backward Spot Turn
1c.	Passing Basic		7.	Cross Body Lead
2.	Basic Breaks Forward & Back		8.	Loop Pass
2b.	Side Breaks		9.	Cuddle
2c.	Promenade Breaks		10.	Half-Turn Chase
3.	Open Break		10b.	Full-Turn Chase
3b.	Open Break with Arch Turn
4.	Cross-over Breaks
5.	Outside Breaks Forward
5b.	Outside Breaks Backward

Music Sample
Newcomer Collegiate Competition
Professional Competition

The Mambo is a Cuban dance and was featured in the movie "Dirty Dancing".  It is a fast dance and some of the basic steps are very similar to Salsa.

Both American Rhythm and International Latin include Cha-Cha and Rumba with the American version of Rumba being faster. American Rhythm also includes Swing, Bolero, and Mambo whereas the other dances in International Latin are the Samba, Paso Doble, and Jive (a faster version of the swing).

• Waltz
• Tango
• Viennese Waltz
• Foxtrot
• Quickstep

Pre-Bronze

Closed Changes Natural Turn Reverse Turn

Natural Spin Turn Whisk Chasse from Promenade Position

Bronze

Closed Imeptus Hesitation Change Outside Change Reverse Corte Back Whisk

Basic Weave Double Reverse Spin Reverse Pivot Backward Lock Progressive Chasse to Right

Silver

Weave from Promenade Position Closed Telemark Open Telemark and Cross Hesitation Open Telemark and Wing

Open Impetus and Cross Hesitation Open Impetus and Wing Outside Spin Turning Lock Drag Hesitation

Gold

Left Whisk Contra Check Closed Wing

Turning Lock to Right Fallaway Reverse and Slip Pivot Hover Corte Fallaway Whisk

Music Sample
Newcomer Collegiate Competition
Professional Competition

The Waltz developed in Vienna in the 18th century.  The Waltz is probably the most graceful of all the smooth dances.

Pre-Bronze

Walk Progressive Side Step Progressive Link Closed Promenade

Rock Turn Open Reverse Turn, Lady Outside Back Corte

Bronze

Open Reverse Turn, Lady in Line Progressive Side Step Reverse Turn Open Promenade

Left Foot and Right Foot Rocks Natural Twist Turn Natural Promenade Turn

Silver

Promenade Link Four Step Back Open Promenade Outside Swivels

Fallaway Promenade Four Step Change Brush Tap

Gold

Fallaway Four Step Oversway Basic Reverse Turn The Chase

Fallaway Reverse and Slip Pivot Five Step Contra Check

Music Sample
Newcomer Collegiate Competition
Professional Competition

The Tango originated in Spain in the mid-nineteenth century and was modified when it was introduced in Argentina.  The Tango is a powerful dance which stays level in the body, rather than having rise and fall like the other smooth and standard dances.

Pre-Bronze

Natural Turn Reverse Turn

Forward Change Backward Change

Silver

Reverse Fleckeryll

Gold

Natural Fleckeryll

Contra Check

Music Sample
Professional Competition

This form of Waltz is danced much faster and includes rapid turning down the floor.  It is one of the more difficult dances to learn for beginners due to the speed of the dance and technique of turning.

Pre-Bronze

Feather Three Step Natural Turn

Reverse Turn Closed Impetus & Feather Finish

Bronze

Natural Weave Change of Direction

Basic Weave

Silver

Closed Telemark Open Telemark and Feather Ending Top Spin Hover Feather Hover Telemark

Natural Telemark Hover Cross Open Telemark, Natural Turn, Outside Swivel and Feather Ending Open Impetus Weave from Promenade Position Reverse Weave

Gold

Natural Twist Turn Curved Feather to Back Feather Natural Zig-Zag from Promenade Position

Fallaway Reverse and Slip Pivot Natural Hover Telemark Bounce Fallaway with Weave Ending

Music Sample
Newcomer Collegiate Competition
Professional Competition

The Foxtrot originated in 1914 by the actor Harry Fox.  The Foxtrot is a slow and casual dance, characterized by long smooth steps.

Pre-Bronze

Quarter Turn to Right Natural Turn Natural Turn with Hesitation Natural Pivot Turn Natural Spin Turn

Progressive Chasse Chasse Reverse Turn Forward Lock Heel Pivot

Bronze

Closed Impetus Backward Lock Reverse Pivot Progressive Chasse to Right Tipple Chasse to Right

Running Finish Natural Turn and Backward Lock Double Reverse Spin Zig-Zag Back Lock, Running Finish Cross Chasse Change of Direction

Silver

Quick Open Reverse Fishtail Running Right Turn

Four Quick Run V6 Closed Telemark

Gold

Cross Swivel Six Quick Run Rumba Cross

Tipsy to Right and Left Hover Corte

Music Sample
Newcomer Collegiate Competition
Professional Competition

Quickstep is derived from the Foxtrot and the Charleston, a form of swing.  The Quickstep is danced with flowing smooth steps followed by quick hops, skips, and kicks down the floor.  The Quickstep is a difficult dance to learn at first because of the speed of the music.

The American Smooth and International Standard dances could be considered "classic dances".  Both American Smooth and International Standard include Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, and Viennese Waltz. International Standard includes a fifth dance, Quickstep. All the dances are danced counterclockwise around the dance floor.  American Smooth allows couples to break apart and do side-by-side or open choreography, whereas in International Standard the couple must remain in contact or closed dance position at all times.

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

Pre-Bronze

Basic Movement Whisks Samba Walks Rhythm Bounce

Volta Movements Traveling Bota Fogos Criss Cross (Shadow) Bota Fogos

Bronze

Bota Fogos to Promenade Position and Counter Promenade Position Criss Cross Voltas Solo Spot Volta Foot Changes

Shadow Traveling Bota Fogos Reverse Turn Corta Jaca Closed Rocks

Silver

Open Rocks Back Rocks Plait Rolling off the Arm

Argentine Crosses Maypole Shadow Circular Volta

Gold

Contra Bota Fogos Roundabout Natural Roll Reverse Roll

Promenade and Counter Promenade Runs Three Step Turn Samba Locks Cruzados Walks and Locks

Music Sample
Newcomer Collegiate Competition
Professional Competition

The Samba is a Brazilian dance and is one of the more difficult Latin dances due to the poly-rhythmic nature of the dance.

Pre-Bronze

Basic Movements New York Spot Turns Left and Right Shoulder to Shoulder Hand to Hand Three Cha Cha Chas

Side Steps There and Back Time Steps Compact Chasse Alternative Compact Chasse

Bronze

Fan Alemana Hockey Stick

Natural Top Natural Opening Out Closed Hip Twist

Silver

Open Hip Twist Reverse Top Opening out from Reverse Top Aida Spiral Turns: Spiral, Curl, Rope Spinning

Cross Basic Cuban Breaks Chase Ronde Chasse Twist Chasse Slip Chasse

Gold

Advanced Hip Twist Hip Twist Spiral Turkish Towel Sweetheart

Follow My Leader Foot Changes Runaway Chasse Shadow: Three Cha Cha Chas, Runs, Cuban Breaks, Time Steps

Music Sample
Newcomer Collegiate Competition
Professional Competition

Perhaps the most popular Latin dance, the Cha-Cha is a Cuban dance which originated from Mambo.

Pre-Bronze

Basic Movement Cucarachas New York Spot Turns Left and Right Shoulder to Shoulder

Hand to Hand Progressive Walks Forward & Back Side Steps Cuban Rocks

Bronze

Fan Alemana Hockey Stick Natural Top

Opening Out Right and Left Natural Opening Out Closed Hip Twist

Silver

Open Hip Twist Reverse Top Opening out from Reverse Top

Aida Spiral Turns: Spiral, Curl, Rope Spinning

Gold

Sliding Doors Fencing Three Threes

Three Alemanas Advanced Hip Twists Kiki Walks

Music Sample
Newcomer Collegiate Competition
Professional Competition

The Rumba, which originated in Cuba, is supposed to highlight the lady.  It is a slow dance, often called "the dance of love".  The Rumba is slow and sensual with some quick spins and turns.

Pre-Bronze

Sur Place Basic Movement Appel Chasse to Right and Left Drag

Deplacement Promenade Link Promenade Ecart Separation Separation with Lady's Caping Walks

Bronze

Fallaway Ending to Separation The Huit Sixteen

Promenade and Counter Promenade Grand Circle Open Telemark

Silver

La Passe Banderillas Twist Turn Fallaway Reverse Turn

Coup de Pique Left Foot Variation Spanish Lines Flamenco Taps

Gold

Syncopated Separation Travelling Spins from Promenade Position Travelling Spins from Counter-Promenade Position

Fregolina (Farol) The Twists Chasse Cape

Music Sample
Newcomer Collegiate Competition
Professional Competition

The Paso Doble depicts the man as a matador and the lady as his cape.  The Paso is not danced very often in social settings, but is used often in competitions.

Pre-Bronze

Basic in Place Fallaway Rock Fallaway Throwaway The Link: Flick, Ball Change, or Hesitation Ball Change

Change of Places Right to Left Change of Places Left to Right Change of Hands Behind the Back Hip Bump (Left Shoulder Shove)

Bronze

American Spin The Walks Stop and Go

Mooch Whip Whip Throwaway

Silver

Reverse Whip Windmill Spanish Arms Rolling Off the Arm

Simple Spin Miami Special Overturned Fallaway Throwaway

Gold

Curly Whip Shoulder Spin Toe Heel Swivels Chugging

Chicken Walks Catapult Stalking Walks, Flicks into Break Overturned Change of Places Left to Right

Music Sample
Newcomer Collegiate Competition
Professional Competition

Jive is a form of Swing, but is faster and has more of a bounce in the footwork. It is also stylized by fast kicks.

Both American Rhythm and International Latin include Cha-Cha and Rumba with the American version of Rumba being faster. American Rhythm also includes Swing, Bolero, and Mambo whereas the other dances in International Latin are the Samba, Paso Doble, and Jive (a faster version of the swing).

Here are some additional dances that you will find at social ballroom dances and sometimes as addtional competition events.

Hustle - The Hustle is a modern dance and originates from the age of disco.  The Hustle is a relatively fast dance although the dancers should look smooth and not bouncy.
Music Sample
Hustle Steps

Merengue - The Merengue is a Domincan dance and is probably the easiest of all Latin dances to learn.  The Merengue is a moderately fast dance, often danced in Latin clubs.
Music Sample
Merengue Steps

Salsa - The Salsa is also a very popular Latin club dance and there are many different styles. It is very similar to the Mambo
Salsa social dancing

Bachata - The Bachata originated in the Dominican Republic and is a popular Latin club dance.
Bachata Social Dancing

West Coast Swing - West Coast Swing evolved from Lindy Hop and is a slotted dance.  West Coast Swing has a lot of variety, based mostly on the music that it is danced to, which can range from slow country to faster pop music.
West Coast Swing Steps

Argentine Tango - As the name implies, the Argentine Tango originated in Argentina. The music is slightly different than the music used for American and International tango and the style of dancing is different as well.
Argentine Tango Demo