NDCA American Smooth
Ballroom Dance
Syllabus

Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz

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Waltz

BRONZE
- Forward Basic
- Backward Basic
- Forward and Backward Hesitation
- Sideward Hesitation
- Right Box Turn
- Promenade Hesitation
- Side Cross Hesitation
- Simple Twinkle
- Progressive Twinkles Forward
- Progressive Twinkles Backward
- Promenade Walk-around
- Advanced Left Turn
- Promenade Pivot
Not Permitted at Bronze
- Parallel Finishes (continuity endings)
- Consecutive pivots left or right; one (1) pivot is allowed
- Open left or right box turns
- Fallaway reverse turn or slip pivot from fallaway
- Any picture lines or figures (i.e., contra check, chair, oversways, lunges, etc.)
- Any solo, shadow, or same foot lunges
- Any syncopations other than the chasses
- Open work is limited to single or double hand hold and must be finished by the end of the sixth (6th) measure of music with the feet closed
- Progressive Twinkles must finish by the end of the sixth (6th) measure of music with the feet closed
- Both feet must remain close to the floor at all times (no aerial ronde, develope, etc.)
SILVER
- Running Steps
- Open Progressive Twinkles
- Cross-Body Lead
- Promenade Cross to Quick Chasse
- Pivots to Spin
- Hesitation Left and Right
- Contra Check
- Open Right Turn to Fan
- Quick Fallaway to Rock
- The Oversway
Restrictions for Silver
- Apart work for no more than 4 measures of music.
- Basic picture lines: oversway but not throwaway, contra check, not same foot lunge
- No runarounds in place
- No side by side or shadow (parallel) position work
- Anything choreographic will be disqualified -- this distinction will be determined by the judges
Restrictions for Gold
- Advanced figures are allowed (e.g., throwaway, same foot lunge, hinge to runaround)
- Apart work for no more than 8 measures of music.
- Obvious choreography is not permitted. If the partners can dance the material together (lead and follow) it is permitted. If the partners are clearly dancing material on their own it is choreography.

Tango

BRONZE
- Closed Basic
- Outside Position Basic
- Promenade Basic
- Promenade Basic to Back Tango Close
- Argentine Walk -- Running Steps
- Closed Promenade (i.e., int'l)
- Open Promenade (i.e., int'l)
- Forward Rocks
- Turning Rock
- Rock Changes -- Contra Rocks
- Simple Corte
- Rock with Corte
- Rock with Fan
- Open Promenade to Fan
- Promeande Walk-around
- Promenade Pivot
Not Permitted at Bronze
- Any shadow, solo, or same foot figures
- More than four (4) quicks consecutively
- Any syncopations
- Any picture lines or figures (i.e., contra check, chairs, oversways, lunges, etc.); Corte is allowed
- Fallaway reverse turns of any kind or slip pivots from fallaway
- Consecutive pivots to left or right; one (1) pivot is allowed
- Open work is limited to single or double hand hold and may not last for more than 16 beats of music
- Both feet must remain close to the floor at all times (no aerial ronde, develope, etc.)
SILVER
- Checked Promenade
- Walk and Link
- Double Fan
- Quick Fans
- Turning Rock to Contra Check
- Fallaway to Fan
- Cobra Fan
- Same Foot Lunge
- Promenade Twist
- Pivot to Fallaway Lunge
Restrictions for Silver
- Apart work for no more than 4 measures of music.
- Basic picture lines: oversway but not throwaway, contra check, not same foot lunge
- No runarounds in place
- No side by side or shadow (parallel) position work
- Anything choreographic will be disqualified -- this distinction will be determined by the judges
Restrictions for Gold
- Advanced figures are allowed (e.g., throwaway, same foot lunge, hinge to runaround)
- Apart work for no more than 8 measures of music.
- Obvious choreography is not permitted. If the partners can dance the material together (lead and follow) it is permitted. If the partners are clearly dancing material on their own it is choreography.

Foxtrot

BRONZE
- Forward Basic
- Backward Basic
- Closed Position Quarter Turns
- Outside Position Quarter Turns
- Promenade Basic
- Left Box Turn
- Right Box Turn
- Swing Step -- Side Rock / Ad Lib C
- Left Rock Turn
- Right Rock Turn
- Simple Twinkle
- Progressive Twinkles Forward
- Progressive Twinkles Backward
- Promeande Walk-around
- Promenade Pivot
Not Permitted at Bronze
- Parallel finishes (continuity endings)
- Consecutive pivots right or left; one (1) pivot is allowed
- Open left or right box turns
- Any syncopations
- Any picture lines or figures (i.e., oversways, contra check, chair, lunges, etc.)
- Fallaways of any kind of slip pivot from fallaway
- Any solo, shadow, or same foot figures
- Open work is limited to single or double hand hold and must be finished by the end of the sixth (6th) measure of music with the feet closed
- No more than eight (8) quicks, or 2 measures, of a grapevine action and it must finish with the feet closed
- Progressive twinkles must finish by the end of the sixth (6th) measure of music with the feet closed
- Both feet must remain close to the floor at all times (no aerial ronde, develope, etc.)
SILVER
- Open Left Turn
- Running Steps A, B
- Open Triple Twinkle
- Open Right Turn
- Pivots to Spin
- Grapevine
- Fallaway Turn
- Weave
- Promenade Cross and Chasse
- Curved Run to Back Lock
Restrictions for Silver
- Apart work for no more than 4 measures of music.
- Basic picture lines: oversway but not throwaway, contra check, not same foot lunge
- No runarounds in place
- No side by side or shadow (parallel) position work
- Anything choreographic will be disqualified -- this distinction will be determined by the judges
Restrictions for Gold
- Advanced figures are allowed (e.g., throwaway, same foot lunge, hinge to runaround)
- Apart work for no more than 8 measures of music.
- Obvious choreography is not permitted. If the partners can dance the material together (lead and follow) it is permitted. If the partners are clearly dancing material on their own it is choreography.

Viennese Waltz

BRONZE
- Basic Left Turn
- Left Hesitation Turn
- Basic Right Turn
- Right Hesitation Turn
- Side Cross Hesitation
- Forward Hesitation
- Progressive Hesitation
- Curtsey Hesitation
- Right Outside Run-Around
- Promenade Run-Around
- Center Rocks Left
- Center Rocks Right
- Left Fleckerl
- Right Fleckerl
Not Permitted at Bronze
- Open left or right box turns
- Consecutive pivots right or left; one (1) canter pivot is allowed
- Fallaways of any kind or slip pivot from fallaway
- Partners must remain on opposite feet at all times
- Any solo, shadow, or same foot figures
- Open work is limited to single or double hand hold and must be finished by the sixth (6th) measure of music
- Both feet must remain close to the floor at all times (no aerial ronde, develope, etc.)
SILVER
- Underarm Turn
- Parallel Run
- Counter
- Kick and Run
- Open Cantor
- Fan and Twinkle
- Twist Turn
- Underarm Turn in Center Time
- Sweetheart Canter
- Advanced Balance Combination
Restrictions for Silver
- Apart work for no more than 4 measures of music.
- Basic picture lines: oversway but not throwaway, contra check, not same foot lunge
- No runarounds in place
- No side by side or shadow (parallel) position work
- Anything choreographic will be disqualified -- this distinction will be determined by the judges
Restrictions for Gold
- Advanced figures are allowed (e.g., throwaway, same foot lunge, hinge to runaround)
- Apart work for no more than 8 measures of music.
- Obvious choreography is not permitted. If the partners can dance the material together (lead and follow) it is permitted. If the partners are clearly dancing material on their own it is choreography.