Dance classes in ballroom dancing: classification and categories

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

As in any other sport, dancing is classified not only by age, but also by the abilities of the participants. This was created in order to balance the competitive moment, to create a balance. Of course, classes in ballroom dancing are divided mainly by age, but this category is also divided into several variations.

Separation system

The level of readiness of the dancer for the competition is the main criterion for the distribution of classifications. Moreover, classes in ballroom dancing do not differ depending on the country, this allows you to hold the most honest international events.

To participate in their first competition, dancers do not need to confirm any titles, as everyone is automatically awarded the lowest class. Even if a person attends a ballroom dancing class as a hobby, he is still qualified. To improve your position, you need to attend events more often and win prizes, thereby accumulating points.

Go to the highesta class in ballroom dancing means not only to receive an award, but also the right to perform more complex elements. And this makes it possible to improve their professional skills.

Category difference

Classes in ballroom dancing, as noted above, have a difference in age and skill level. Thus, a child under 6 years old will not enter the competition with adults. In the class, which is located at the very bottom, most elements cannot be performed. This is designed to get the dancer to learn and demonstrate the basics first. They are the basis for all complex variations.

The higher the category of the dancer, the more compositions are available to him. Therefore, with each group, the complexity of participating in competitions increases.

How many classes are there in ballroom dancing? This question worries many parents when they bring their child to class. In fact, it depends on how old the student is now. For example, if at the moment the child is 11 years old, then only 2 classes are available to him, which are in the children's category.

Classification of ballroom dancing by class

Most often, parents and the students themselves are interested in the distribution not by age, but by the level of training. Everyone wants to learn new facets of dance, and not pore over the basics. But still, do not forget that age restrictions are the main ones, since a child of 7 years old simply physically and due to lack of experience will not be able to show a better result than a 20-year-old athlete. Although, of course, there are exceptions.

FirstIn turn, the athlete's coach should answer the question of what classes in ballroom dancing exist. But more often than not, parents try to figure it out on their own. Consider the categories into which the dancers are distributed.

E-class

This is the first level of the athlete. In this class, a dancer can already take part in competitions with free choreography. But in order to score points for passing to this stage, it is necessary to master the H class or, as it is called in another way, “Beginner”. In this category there is no competition as such, but there is an inspection. That is, the participants show the main elements, according to which it is determined whether they will be admitted further or not.

Also, next to the letter there is always a number that indicates the number of dances that must be mastered. For example, H-3 is the first step, which includes w altz, polka and, of course, cha-cha-cha. Before the E class, the student must master, in addition to the above dances, quickstep, samba and jive.

European and Latin American programs

Besides everything, class E has one more feature. It is divided into European and Latin American styles. The child can choose the program in which he wants to succeed, or you can participate in competitions related to both styles.

The first option includes dances such as quickstep, slow and Viennese w altz. The second, Latin American, program includes jive, samba and cha-cha-cha. At the beginning of your sports career, it is best to carefully study all the proposed dances. But when the student learnsbasics and move into the category of professionals, it is worth choosing one thing and not spraying on two programs.

D-class

This is already the second step in the skill categories. As with the E-class, there is a division into the Latin American program and the European one. But a distinctive feature is that the dances required for mastering are not 6, but 8. In the first category, rumba is added, and tango is added to the European program. The rest of the choreography also becomes more complicated - new elements are added to it.

This class is the ultimate for beginners. If earlier athletes could jump from H to D in one year, now it will become more difficult. Since from the next level, not only technique, but also creativity begins to be appreciated.

C-class

Starting from this category, competitors have the opportunity to add choreographic innovations to their performances that are not in the basic set. Thus, the judges begin to give points also for how beautiful and elegant the number looks.

Of course, dance classes in ballroom dancing are different, but this is the category that all beginners aspire to. Since category C turns ordinary physical culture with its standards into a real art with arbitrary movements.

New obligatory dances appear in this category: foxtrot in the European program and paso doble in Latin American. There are no beginners and amateurs in the C-class anymore. All those who have received this category become masters and professionals. And allthe dance routines performed by the athletes must demonstrate not only excellent technique, but also creative integrity.

B-class

Due to the fact that already trained dancers perform in this category, there are more free movements. Now the competitor can finally decide on his style, whether it will be a Latin American direction or a European one.

And also now paired numbers can contain a variety of supports and poses. Of course, even before this class, athletes learned all kinds of complex combinations with the coach. But, nevertheless, it is this category that allows you to officially perform lifts at contests and other various competitions.

A, S and M-classes

The first category is intermediate between the above and already international classes. S is assigned only on the basis of the results of National Championships and Championships. It is also worth noting that only the Presidium of the National Federation can upgrade the class at this stage.

Basically, the highest skill can be obtained by participating in various olympiads and world competitions. As in any other sport, constant practice is important here. The more competitions, the faster the participant will succeed.

Well, the extreme - M-class - is the highest in the dance sport. This category is the most desirable for any dancer. Of course, to get it, you need to devote your whole life to sports, but the result is worth any effort.

Hobby class

This category is not official but is accepted by all referees at sporting events. This class is designed for adults who have just started dancing. Moreover, athletes have no restrictions on costumes and elements. The only thing left from the H-class is the ability to perform only 4 dances - cha-cha-cha, quickstep, jive and w altz.

This category was created only for an adult dancer to move to the highest level of skill. And this class was created for people who do not want to play sports professionally. If older people learn tango just to get in shape, then their class is also called "Hobby".

Rules for assigning classes in ballroom dancing

First of all, to get any of the ranks, the student needs to attend competitions at least once a year. It is the number of successful events that affects the assigned class. So, dancers for each medal receive a certain number of points, which are summed up among themselves. According to the results for a certain period of time, the athlete receives his category.

Starting from class B, there is a division of points for the Latin American direction and the European one. Before that, all points received are added regardless of the style.

When a student's skill increases to S-class, then the category is assigned not only by the number of points. It is the performances of the athlete themselves that begin to have great importance. In any case, only the Presidium of the Federation can assign one or anotherdegree.

Rules of pair competitions

Of course, very rarely ballroom dancing can be performed alone. That is why in this sport there are rules that apply to duets. The definition of the class mainly lies with the male half. That is, if the partner takes only E, then the partner will dance in this classification. And it does not matter the direction in which the pair protrudes.

Of course there are exceptions. If a girl has a class higher than that of a partner by 2 steps or more, such a couple can be allowed to compete, a class higher than one position of a man. Unfortunately, these rules are official and cannot be canceled, despite any classes in ballroom dancing. At the same time, the partner's performance standards are also lowered - she cannot perform movements of her level.