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.