WDSF Syllabus: How it Differs 13 May 2016

For the past few decades, the Syllabus that has been most recognized and enforced at competitions was that of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (ISTD), however, like a dictionary written 50 years ago, many dancers argue it does not reflect modern trends. The World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has set out to solve this problem, by creating a new Syllabus with new ways of dancing old figures, and other figures new entirely to the Syllabus. More and more this Syllabus is starting to become accepted around the world.

New Standard Figures

Below is a list of the Standard figures found in the WDSF Syllabus that were entirely absent from the ISTD Syllabus.

Dance Figure Level Waltz Open Natural Turn Bronze Waltz Fallaway Natural Turn Gold Waltz Running Weave from PP Gold Waltz Running Spin Turn Gold Waltz Overturned Running Spin Turn Gold Waltz Running Cross Chasse Gold Tango Whisk Silver Tango Back Whisk Silver Tango Mini Five Step Gold Tango Telemark to PP Gold Tango Outside Spin Gold Tango Reverse Pivot Gold Tango Natural Twist Turn (commenced in Closed) Gold Foxtrot Whisk Bronze Foxtrot Back Whisk Bronze Foxtrot Double Reverse Spin Silver Foxtrot Outside Spin Silver Foxtrot Curved Three Step Gold Foxtrot Running Weave from PP Gold Foxtrot Open Reverse Turn (Quick Open Reverse) Gold Foxtrot Extended Reverse Wave Gold Foxtrot Reverse Pivot Gold Quickstep Outside Change Bronze Quickstep Open Natural Turn Bronze Quickstep Telemark to PP (Open Telemark) Silver Quickstep Whisk Silver Quickstep Back Whisk Silver Quickstep Tipple Chasse to Left Silver Quickstep Outside Spin Silver Quickstep Natural Turning Lock (Turning Lock to R) Gold Quickstep Drag Hesitation Gold Quickstep Running Cross Chasse Gold Viennese Waltz Chasse Change Step Bronze Viennese Waltz Continuous Spin Silver Viennese Waltz Reverse Pivots Silver Viennese Waltz Hesitation Change Silver Viennese Waltz Drag Hesitation Silver Viennese Waltz Natural Spin Turn Silver Viennese Waltz Closed Telemark Silver Viennese Waltz Natural Spin Turn and Reverse Pivot Silver Viennese Waltz Checked Natural Turn Silver Viennese Waltz Natural Back Check Silver Viennese Waltz Checked Reverse Turn Silver Viennese Waltz Reverse Back Check Silver Viennese Waltz Slow Contra Check Gold Viennese Waltz Left Whisk Gold Viennese Waltz Running Weave Gold Viennese Waltz Overturned Natural Spin Turn Gold Viennese Waltz Throwaway Oversway Gold Viennese Waltz Running Feather Gold Viennese Waltz Double Reverse Spin Overspin Gold Viennese Waltz Reverse Impetus to Right Lunge Gold Viennese Waltz Rudolph Fallaway Gold Viennese Waltz Ronde Twist Turn Gold Viennese Waltz Double Leg Ronde Gold Viennese Waltz Swivel to Promenade Pivot Gold Viennese Waltz Swivel to Promenade Link Gold

Some of the more exciting highlights are that Promenade Position is now allowed in Quickstep, starting in Silver, and that everyone's favourite line figure, the Throwaway Oversway, is now available in Gold Viennese Waltz. Also, certain figures like the the Outside Change, and the Quick Open Reverse are long overdue being added to certain dances.

New Latin Figures

Below is a list of the Standard figures found in the WDSF Syllabus that were entirely absent from the ISTD Syllabus. Much of the WDSF Syllabus was based on the original Latin technique book, written by Walter Laird.

Dance Figure Level Samba Outside Basic Bronze Samba Side Samba Chasse Bronze Samba Samba Locks with Lady on Right Side Silver Samba Same Position Corta Jaca Gold Samba Double Spiral Turn for Lady Gold Samba Drag Gold Samba Carioca Runs Gold Cha Cha Syncopated Open Hip Twist Gold Cha Cha Continuous Overturned Lock Gold Cha Cha Swivel Hip Twist Gold Cha Cha Swivels Gold Cha Cha Walks and Whisks Gold Cha Cha Advanced Foot Changes Gold Rumba Syncopated Open Hip twist Gold Rumba Advanced Sliding Doors Gold Rumba Swivels Gold Rumba Overturned Basic Gold Paso Doble Foot Changes Gold Jive Sugar Push Gold

The most exciting change is the inclusion of the Advanced Sliding Doors in Rumba. So few couples dance it the traditional way, most people don't even know what the traditional way looks like (see for yourself here). It's also interesting to see the Sugar Push accepted into Jive. Traditionally a West Coast Swing figure, it was used often as an advanced variation, giving smoothness and dynamic to an almost over the top dance.

Check the Rules of the Competition before Dancing these Figures

While it is exceedingly rare to find a competition that doesn't abide by the ISTD Syllabus, most non-WDSF competitions don't allow the WDSF Syllabus, although more and more are allowing it each year. Always check the rules of the competition before using a new Syllabus.