Intercollegiate and Adult Open Amateur DanceSport Festival October 30 - November 1, 2015

American Rhythm Syllabus

Syllabus includes updates as of May 2015

Cha Cha | Rumba | Swing | Bolero | Mambo

American Style Cha Cha

  • American Style Cha Cha – Bronze Level
    • Basic Step (Closed, Single or Double Handhold).
    • Cross Over Breaks – (single only – no timing changes).
    • Offset Breaks – P. (FORWARD & BACKWARD).
    • Open Break.
    • Follower’s Under arm Turn left or right.
    • Walk Around Turns (May be danced under arm or free turn to Right or Left).
    • Chase Turns ½ Turn or Full.
    • Cross Over Break with Swivel.
    • Fifth Position Breaks.
    • Cross Body Lead – May end in Closed, Open or Open Counter Promenade Positions.
    • Three Cha Chas – chasses may be danced forward or back or side.
    • Back spot turn / Natural Top.
    • Parallel Breaks/Sweetheart/Cuddle – Same foot is allowed on this pattern with Leader’s timing of 2341.
  • American Style Cha Cha – Bronze Level Restrictions
    • Allowable timings as follows: 234&1 or 23,4&1,2&3,4&1 for the three Cha Cha Cha’s, and 2341 for the leader on figure # No other timings are allowed. No guapacha or other timing changes are allowed at the bronze level.
    • No syncopated turns except for the Under arm Turn Left if danced on 4&1.
    • Partners may not completely separate for more than one measure of music except Chase Turns. When separated with “no hold” partners should never be further apart than a comfortable arms length.
    • No double under arm turns, no foot changes or fakes, partners must always be on opposite feet except for #13 above.
    • Both feet must remain close to the floor at all (No aerial rondes’, developes’, hopping, skipping actions, freezes/holds or picture lines allowed,).
    • No Lifts.
    • No open solo work.
    • No sitting hens, horse and carts, pot stirrers, or standing spins for Leader or Follower are allowed. No dips or drops. No knee drops or sit drops, floor slashes, etc.
    • No entrances Partners must start in a closed or open facing hold.
  • American Style Cha Cha – Silver Level
    • Open Boxes.
    • Back to Back, Paseo, Aida, Grapevines.
    • In addition to the timings allowed at the bronze level, Guapacha and/or Syncopated Figures using no more than 2 bars/measures of music are allowed.
    • Half Moon.
    • Challenge.
    • Twinkles.
    • Swivels, Push Away actions, Knee Lift.
    • Foot Flicks, Rondes, and Developes’ no more than waist high.
    • Leader’s Foot Changes.
    • Forward Spot/ Reverse Top.
  • American Style Cha Cha – Silver Level Restrictions
    • No more than 8 bars/measures of music may be danced in Open, Shadow, Apart (or no hold) or Side by Side Position, before returning to a Closed, or Open Position, for at least 2 bars/measures of music.
    • No Picture Lines may be used.
    • No Lifts.
    • No sitting hens, horse and carts, pot stirrers, or standing spins for Leader or Follower are allowed. No dips or drops. No knee drops or sit drops, floor slashes, etc.
    • No entrances Partners must start in a closed or open facing hold.
    • Continuous partnership pivots are allowed up to two measures.
  • American Style Cha Cha – Gold Level
    • Partners may completely separate for eight measures of music.
    • Tandem Position figures may be used.
    • Picture Lines may be used.

  • American Style Cha Cha – Gold Level Restrictions
    • No more than 8 measures of music may be danced in Open, Side by Side, apart (not hold) or Shadow Position, before returning to a Dance position with hold for at least 2 measures of music.
    • No lifts.

American Style Rumba

  • American Style Rumba – Bronze Level
    • Box Step.
    • Cuban Walks – Closed and Open (may be danced in side by side position).
    • Follower’s Under arm Turn to Right or Left.
    • Rock Steps & Breaks (Forward, side or back).
    • Cross Body Lead/Turn.
    • Fifth Position Breaks.
    • Open Break – May end in Closed, Open or Open Counter Promenade Positions.
    • Cross Over Breaks.
    • Offset Breaks P. (FORWARD & BACKWARD).
    • Walk Around Turn (May be danced under arm or free turn to Right or Left).
    • Back Spot Turns/ Natural Top.
  • American Style Rumba – Bronze Level Restrictions
    • Partners may not completely separate for more than one measure of music.
    • The timing for Bronze Rumba may be either SQQ or QQS.
    • No other timing is permitted, no foot changes or fakes, partners must always be on opposite feet.
    • Both feet must remain close to the floor at all (No rondes’, developes’, etc.).
    • No Picture Lines may be used.
    • No Lifts.
    • One Under arm or solo turn is the maximum allowed.
    • No sitting hens, horse and carts, pot stirrers, or standing spins for Leader or Follower are allowed. No dips or drops. No knee drops or sit drops, floor slashes, etc.
    • No entrances Partners must start in a closed or open facing hold.
  • American Style Rumba – Silver Level
    • Open Box Step.
    • Quick Under arm Turns, Follower’s Pivot Turns, and double under arm turns.
    • Grapevine.
    • Fencing Lines.
    • Back to Back, Paseo, Aida.
    • Parallel Walks.
    • Spiral Actions: Rope Spinning, Curl, Spiral.
    • Swivels.
    • Solo Spin Exits. (SQQ or QQS timing allowed).
    • Partners may completely separate for four measures of music.
    • Fallaway, Shadow, Contact, Side by Side and Left Angle figures, with hold.
    • Leader’s Foot Changes.
    • Figures incorporating Foot Swivels.
    • Rondes’ and developes’ actions are allowed – no more than waist high.
    • Syncopated Figures using no more than 2 bars/measures of music are allowed.
    • Forward Spot/ Reverse Top.
  • American Style Rumba – Silver Level Restrictions
    • Partners may not completely separate for more than two measures of music.
    • Continuous partnership pivots are allowed up to two measures but may include only one syncopation.
    • No Picture Lines may be used.
    • No Lifts or drops.
    • No open solo work.
    • No sitting hens, horse and carts, pot stirrers, or standing spins for Leader or Follower are allowed. No dips or drops below waist level. No knee drops or sit drops, floor slashes, etc.
    • No entrances Partners must start in a closed or open facing hold.
  • American Style Rumba – Gold Level
    • Partners may completely separate for a maximum of eight measures of music.
    • Tandem Position figures may be used.
    • Picture Lines may be used.

  • American Style Rumba – Gold Level Restrictions
    • No more than 8 measures of music may be danced in Open, Side by Side, apart (no hold) or Shadow Position, before returning to a Dance position with hold for at least 2 measures of music.
    • No lifts.

American Style East Coast Swing

  • American Style East Coast Swing – Bronze Level
    • Basic w/ or w/o Turn left or right.
    • Follower’s Under arm Turn to Right.
    • Follower’s and Leader’s Under arm Turn to Left.
    • Throwaway.
    • Tuck in Turn/American Spin/Follower’s Free Spin.
    • Continuous Tuck in Turn.
    • Back Pass/change hands behind back.
    • Sweetheart/Cuddle/Wrap.
    • Lindy Whip – up to four quicks.
    • Hitch Kicks.
    • Lindy Whip with under arm turn L or R – up to 4 quicks.
    • Stop and Go/Peek-a-Boo.
    • Back Walks & Points.
    • Swing Walks/Promenade Walks/Jive Walks.
    • Sugar Foot Swivels – no more than 4 quicks.
  • American Style East Coast Swing – Bronze Level Restrictions
    • Partners may not separate completely for more than one measure of music.
    • No side by side work is allowed in Bronze.
    • One under arm turn or solo turn is the maximum allowed.
    • No hopping, skipping actions are allowed.
    • No continuous chasses, for example 1&2&3&4&.
    • No more than 4 consecutive chasses, 1&2, 3&4, 5&6, 7&8.
    • No foot changes or fakes, partners must always be on opposite feet.
    • Both feet must remain close to the floor at all times (No aerial rondes’, developes’, etc.).
    • Use of hand shake holds, double hand holds are permitted.
    • No Picture Lines may be used.
    • No Lifts.
    • No open solo work.
    • No sitting hens, horse and carts, pot stirrers, or standing spins for Leader or Follower are allowed. No dips or drops. No knee drops or sit drops, floor slashes, etc.
    • No entrances Partners must start in a closed or open facing hold.
    • No swivel action figures such as Swing swivels, Chicken walks, Toe-Heel Swivels, (except for Sugar Foot swivels).
  • American Style East Coast Swing – Silver Level
    • Lindy Wraps, Whip Turns (incorporating Left and Right Under arm Turns and Hand Changes).
    • Fallaway, Apart, Shadow and Side by Side figures.
    • Figures incorporating Foot Swivels, Chicken Walks, Toe-Heel Swivels, Fallaway, Boogie Woogie.
    • Solo Spins.
    • Figures incorporating Kick Steps, hopping, skipping actions, and Freezes/Holds – no more than 4 beats.
    • Manhattan.
    • Head Loops, Miami Special.
    • Sailor Shuffles.
    • Side Passes.
    • “Boogie Walks”.
    • Pushaway actions.
    • Continuous syncopated figures using no more than 2 bars/measures of music.
    • Double under arm Turns.
    • Leader’s Foot Changes.
    • Foot Flicks, Rondes’ and developes’ actions –no more than waist high are allowed.
    • Progressive & Continuous chasses actions are allowed.
  • American Style East Coast Swing – Silver Level Restrictions
    • No more than 8 bars/measures of music may be danced in Open, Shadow, Apart or Side by Side Position, before returning to a Closed, or Open Position hold, for at least 2 bars/measures of music.
    • No Picture Lines may be used.
    • No Lifts.
    • No open solo work.
    • No sitting hens, horse and carts, pot stirrers, or standing spins for Leader or Follower are allowed. No dips or drops below waist level. No knee drops or sit drops, floor slashes, etc.
    • No entrances Partners must start in a closed or open facing hold.
    • Continuous partnership pivots are allowed up to two measures but may include only one syncopation.
  • American Style East Coast Swing – Gold Level
    • Partners may completely separate for eight measures of music.
    • Tandem Position figures may be used.
    • Picture Lines may be used.

  • American Style East Coast Swing – Gold Level Restrictions
    • No more than 8 measures of music may be danced in Open, Side by Side, apart (no hold) or Shadow Position, before returning to a Dance Position with hold for at least 2 measures of music.
    • No lifts or drops.

American Style Bolero

  • American Style Bolero – Bronze Level
    • Basic.
    • Open Break ( Leader may use Flex Point).
    • Fifth Position Breaks.
    • Cross Over Breaks.
    • Cross Body Lead – May end in Closed, Open or Open Counter Promenade Positions.
    • Follower’s Under arm Turns to Left and Right.
    • Free Walk Around Turn from Cross Over.
    • Side Passes Left and Right.
    • Open Cuban Walks, Open and Closed Positions – may be danced in side by side position.
    • Rock steps (May be danced in any direction).
    • Back Spot Turn (Natural Top).
  • American Style Bolero – Bronze Level Restrictions
    • Partners may not completely separate for more than one measure of music.
    • Timing for Bolero must be No other timing is permitted.
    • No foot changes or Partners must always be on opposite feet.
    • Both feet must remain close to the floor at all (No rondes \ developes’, etc.).
    • No Lifts.
    • No open solo work.
    • No sitting hens, horse and carts, pot stirrers, or standing spins for Leader or Follower are allowed. No dips or drops. No knee drops or sit drops, floor slashes, etc.
    • No entrances Partners must start in a closed or open facing hold.
    • No hopping, skipping actions, freezes/holds allowed.
  • American Style Bolero – Silver Level
    • Basic Step (including the “Drop, Drift” action).
    • Syncopated figures, turns, spins, solo spin exits – no more than one syncopation per measure.
    • Follower’s Pivot Turns, spiraling actions, Rope Spinning, Curl, Spiral.
    • Grapevine.
    • Swivels.
    • Back to Back, Paseo, Aida.
    • Continuous and Double under arm turns.
    • Parallel Walks.
    • Forward Spot/Reverse Top.
    • Continuous Forward/Back Spot Turns with or without Follower’s Under arm turn.
    • Fallaway, Apart, Shadow and Side by Side figures.
    • Sit Checks, Knee Crawls and Rudolph Rondes, rondes’, and developes’ – no more than waist high.
    • Body Lines: Oversway, Contra Check, Same Foot Lunge, Right and Left Side Lunges, Explosion.
    • Leader’s Foot Changes.
  • American Style Bolero – Silver Level Restrictions
    • No more than 8 bars/measures of music may be danced in Open, Shadow, or Side by Side Position, before returning to a Dance Position with hold for at least 2 bars/measures of music.
    • No Lifts.
    • No open solo work.
    • No sitting hens, horse and carts, pot stirrers, or standing spins for Leader or Follower are allowed. No dips or drops. No knee drops or sit drops, floor slashes, etc.
    • No entrances Partners must start in a closed or open facing hold.
    • Continuous partnership pivots are allowed up to two measures but may include one syncopation.
  • American Style Bolero – Gold Level
    • Partners may completely separate for eight measures of music.
    • Tandem Position figures may be used.
    • Picture Lines may be used.

  • American Style Bolero – Gold Level Restrictions
    • No more than 8 measures of music may be danced in Open, Side by Side, apart (no hold) or Shadow Position, before returning to a dance position with hold for at least 2 measures of music.
    • No lifts.

American Style Mambo

  • American Style Mambo – Bronze Level
    • Basic, open, closed, progressive w/ or w/o turn to right or left.
    • Open Break.
    • Offset Breaks P. (FORWARD & BACKWARD).
    • Fifth Position Breaks.
    • Cross Over Breaks.
    • Follower’s Under arm Turn to Right and Left.
    • Walk Around Turn turns to left or right.
    • Cross Body Lead – May end in Closed, Open or Open Counter Promenade Positions.
    • Chase Turns ½ or full.
    • Side Breaks.
    • Promenade Walks.
    • Cross Over Break.
    • Progressive Walks.
    • Parallel Breaks/Sweetheart/Cuddle – same foot is allowed.
  • American Style Mambo – Bronze Level Restrictions
    • Partners may not completely separate for more than one measure of music.
    • Couples must break on the *two* beat in No other timing is permitted.
    • No foot changes or Partners must always be on opposite feet except 14 above.
    • Both feet must remain close to the floor at all. (No rondes’, developes’, etc.)
    • No Picture Lines may be used.
    • No Lifts.
    • One under arm or solo turn is the maximum allowed.
    • No sitting hens, horse and carts, pot stirrers, or standing spins for Leader or Follower are allowed. No dips or drops. No knee drops or sit drops, floor slashes, etc.
    • No entrances Partners must start in a closed or open facing hold.
    • No hopping, skipping actions, freezes/holds.
  • American Style Mambo – Silver Level
    • Open Basic.
    • Passes & Riff Turns.
    • Double Under arm Turns.
    • Spiral Actions: Rope Spinning, Curl, Spiral.
    • Head Loops/Neck Wraps.
    • Grapevine.
    • Half Moon.
    • Swivels.
    • Back to Back/Paseo/Aida.
    • Parallel Walks & Turns.
    • Continuous Forward/Back Spot Turns with or without Follower’s under arm turn.
    • Kick Styling & Knee Lifts.
    • Skipping and Hopping actions and Freezes/Holds – no more than 4 beats.
    • Foot Flicks, Rondes, and Developes’ actions.
    • Leader’s Foot Changes.
  • American Style Mambo – Silver Level Restrictions
    • No more than 8 bars/measures of music may be danced in Open, Shadow, Apart or Side by Side Position, before returning to a dance position with hold, for at least 2 bars/measures of music.
    • No Picture Lines may be used.
    • No Lifts.
    • No sitting hens, horse and carts, pot stirrers, or standing spins for Leader or Follower are allowed. No dips or drops. No knee drops or sit drops, floor slashes, etc.
    • No entrances Partners must start in a closed or open facing hold.
    • Continuous partnership pivots are allowed up to two measures but may include only one syncopation.
  • American Style Mambo – Gold Level
    • Partners may completely separate for eight measures of music.
    • Tandem Position figures may be used.
    • Picture Lines may be used.
  • American Style Mambo – Gold Level Restrictions
    • No more than 8 measures of music may be danced in Open, Side by Side, apart (no hold) or Shadow Position, before returning to a Promenade or Closed Dance Position for at least 2 measures of music.
    • No lifts.