Glossary

This glossary defines common terms used in ballroom dance showcases and competitions.

Competition Terms

Age Category - Grouping of competitors by age range (e.g., A1: Under 16, B: 16-35, C: 36-50, etc.)

Agenda - The master schedule showing when each heat, solo, and formation will be performed during the event

Back Number - The number worn by dancers for identification during competition

Ballroom - A designated dance floor area where competitions take place. Large events may have multiple ballrooms running simultaneously

Category - A combination of age group and skill level (e.g., “B-Bronze” means age 16-35 at Bronze level)

Entry - A registration for a specific dance by a specific couple or individual

Heat - A competitive dance event where multiple couples dance the same dance simultaneously, typically lasting 1-2 minutes

Multi - A competition where dancers perform multiple dances in sequence (e.g., a 3-dance Latin multi)

Package - A pre-defined set of dances offered at a bundled price

Scratch - To withdraw from a scheduled dance or competition

Scrutineer - The person who tabulates judges’ scores and determines placements

Walk-on - A last-minute entry added after the initial registration deadline

Dance Types

Pro-Am - Professional-Amateur partnership where a professional instructor dances with an amateur student

Am-Am (Amateur Couple) - Amateur-Amateur partnership where both dancers are students

Scoring Terms

Callback - Selection of couples to advance to the next round in multi-round competitions

Placement - A judge’s ranking of couples in order (1st place, 2nd place, etc.)

Point-based Scoring - Numeric scores (typically 1-100) given for technical merit and artistic impression

Adjudicator - Another term for judge

Dance Styles

Standard/Smooth - Ballroom dances performed in closed position (Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz, Quickstep)

Latin/Rhythm - Dances with Latin American origins (Cha Cha, Rumba, Samba, Jive, Paso Doble)

Country - Country-western style dances (Two-Step, Triple Two, Polka, Waltz, Cha Cha)

Cabaret - Another term for formation dance in this context

Skill Levels

Newcomer - Entry level for dancers with less than one year of experience

Bronze - Beginner level covering fundamental patterns and techniques

Silver - Intermediate level with more complex patterns and styling

Gold - Advanced level with sophisticated choreography and technique

Heat Styles

Solo - An individual performance, often a showcase routine choreographed to specific music

Formation - A solo performance with additional partner dancers. Two types: - Student Formation - Invoiced to the individual student - Studio Formation - Invoiced to the studio

Open Freestyle - Heat style where participants may use any choreography they desire

Closed Freestyle - Heat style where participants must follow the studio syllabus

Event Organization

Studio - A dance school that brings students to compete

Host Studio - The studio organizing and running the showcase event

Vendor - Companies selling dance-related merchandise at the event

Social Dancing - Non-competitive dancing sessions during the event

Scholarship - Special competitive events, often with prize money

Technical Terms

Lead/Follow - The traditional roles in partner dancing, though modern competitions may use “Leader/Follower”

Floorcraft - The skill of navigating around other couples while dancing

On-deck - Dancers waiting in the staging area for their heat to begin

General Dancing - Practice time on the competition floor before events begin

This documentation is a work in progress

Have a term that needs defining? Contact the event organizer to suggest additions to this glossary.