The Difference Between International and American Style Ballroom

Walk into a ballroom competition anywhere in the world, and you'll quickly notice that not all ballroom dancing looks the same. Two couples might be dancing the same waltz to the same music, yet their movement quality, frame, and even the steps they choose differ dramatically. The reason lies in one of ballroom dancing's most fundamental distinctions: International Standard versus American Smooth.

These two styles have shaped the competitive ballroom world for nearly a century, and understanding their differences is essential whether you're choosing which style to pursue, watching competitions, or trying to understand why your favorite dancers move the way they do.

The Origins and Purpose of Two Systems

International Standard emerged from European ballroom traditions, particularly in the United Kingdom. As competitive ballroom dancing formalized in the early twentieth century, the British sought to codify technique and standardize what constituted proper ballroom movement. This formalized system became the International Standard, adopted across Europe and eventually by the World DanceSport Federation as the official competitive format for amateur and professional competitions globally.

American Smooth developed somewhat independently, particularly in the United States, where post-World War II innovation and a cultural emphasis on individual expression led to a distinct evolution. While International Standard dancers prioritized unified technique across dancers, American Smooth allowed for greater stylistic variation and creative choreography. The American style also incorporated influences from American dance traditions, including swing and other vernacular dance forms that were distinctly American in character.

This historical divergence created two parallel systems of ballroom dancing that coexist today, each with its own competitions, championships, and devoted practitioners. Understanding their differences requires examining multiple dimensions: technique, hold and frame, footwork, and the types of movements permitted.

Frame and Hold: The Foundation Difference

The most immediately visible difference between the two styles lies in frame and hold. International Standard dancers maintain what's called a "closed hold" or "ballroom hold" throughout most of the dance. In this hold, partners face each other directly, with the leader's right hand placed on the follower's left shoulder blade and the follower's left arm resting along the leader's right arm. The couple's bodies remain in contact from torso through the hips, moving almost as a single integrated unit.

American Smooth allows dancers to move between several types of holds. They can dance in the same closed hold as International Standard, but they also have freedom to open their frame—to separate slightly or considerably while maintaining connection through the arms. The leader can release the follower's back hand and dance in what's called an "open frame." They can also take several traveling steps in this open position before closing frame again. This flexibility allows for more varied choreography and greater opportunities for individual styling within the partnership.

The consequence of these different frame approaches extends far beyond aesthetics. When dancing in closed frame, International Standard dancers must use primarily body movement and subtle hip action to navigate the floor. The frame itself constrains how their limbs can move, creating elegance through efficiency. American Smooth dancers, by contrast, can use more arm movement and leg extension because their open frame gives them literal space to move. A striking leg extension is far more common in American Smooth than International Standard.

Technique and Movement Quality

International Standard emphasizes what's called "technique" in a very specific way. Dancers are taught to move from the center of their body, with their frame remaining relatively stable and their legs moving with turnout and controlled extension. The upper body rotates as a unit; the hips move in specific ways governed by fundamental principles like rise and fall, sway, and body rotation. Every movement is theoretically reproducible if you know the technique.

American Smooth technique is less prescriptive. While American dancers certainly develop technical skill, they're encouraged to incorporate styling and personality into their dancing. The same figure might be danced with different arm positions, different body movement, or different timing depending on the choreographer's intent and the dancer's interpretation. Where International Standard values consistency and standardization, American Smooth values artistry and individual expression.

This philosophical difference dramatically affects how the two styles are judged in competition. International Standard judges primarily assess technical correctness. Did the dancer use proper rise and fall? Did the body rotation match the figure? Are they balanced and controlled? American Smooth judges look for what's sometimes called "presentation"—the overall artistic impression, choreography, musicality, and how well the partnership dances as a unit. A technically impeccect American Smooth figure that's beautifully presented and well-choreographed might score higher than a technically perfect but bland execution.

The Dances and Their Definitions

International Standard includes five dances: Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, and Quickstep. These are all progressive dances, meaning they travel around the dance floor rather than staying in one spot. The technique emphasizes directional movement, with dancers progressing along a line of dance.

American Smooth also includes five dances, but they're different: Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz, and Quickstep. Wait—that's the same list. The difference lies not in which dances exist, but in how they're danced. American Waltz looks different from International Waltz. The technique, the footwork patterns, and the styling differ. An American Tango might include open figures that would be impossible in International Standard.

Additionally, the American ballroom competition world often includes something called American Rhythm (formerly American Latin), which consists of Cha Cha, Rumba, East Coast Swing, Bolero, and Mambo. These are Latin dances, but they're danced to International ballroom technique and standards (unlike International Latin, which uses a completely different technique and emphasis). American Rhythm dances are typically performed in less formal costumes than American Smooth and emphasize rhythmic foot action and hip movement more than the traveling qualities emphasized in Smooth.

Syllabus and Choreography

International Standard uses a formalized syllabus system with specific figures prescribed for bronze, silver, and gold levels. A bronze waltz figure is a well-defined movement with specific footwork, rise and fall, and technical requirements. Choreographers compose by selecting from this prescribed list of figures for each level, much like building with blocks that fit specific ways.

American Smooth operates more loosely. While American Standard does have syllabus levels, choreographers have far greater freedom to create variations and adapt figures. They might take a basic step pattern and alter its execution significantly. They're also permitted to create original choreography rather than exclusively using codified figures. This freedom is why American Smooth routines often feel more contemporary and varied than International Standard routines.

This difference has profound implications for dancers learning their craft. An International Standard dancer master a bronze waltz and execute it correctly almost every time because they're repeating prescribed movements. An American Smooth dancer learns the building blocks but must also develop the ability to interpret and modify movements, to understand choreographic intent, and to perform with consistent quality across a broader range of movement possibilities.

Competition Structure and Rules

International Standard competitions follow rules set by the World DanceSport Federation and various national bodies. All competitors in a given level dance the same five dances in a specific order, with music provided by the competition. Judges assess technical correctness against a standardized rubric. The competitions are highly regulated, with specific costume requirements, music tempos, and judging criteria.

American Smooth competitions, while also organized, allow for more variation. Different competitions might emphasize different things. Some might focus heavily on technical excellence, while others emphasize artistry and choreography. Music tempos are often more flexible, and costume requirements, while still formal, allow for greater creative expression.

The competitive ecosystem reflects these differences. International Standard competition dancers spend years perfecting technique and mastering the specific movement quality valued in that system. American Smooth competitors must balance technical competence with artistic sensibility and choreographic innovation. Both paths require tremendous dedication, but they emphasize different skill sets.

Which Style Is Right for You?

Choosing between International and American Ballroom often depends on what draws you to dancing in the first place. If you're attracted to the mathematical precision of movement, the satisfaction of executing technique perfectly, and the consistency of standardized choreography, International Standard might appeal to you more. If you're drawn to creative expression, the freedom to vary and adapt movement, and the opportunity to put your own stamp on your dancing, American Smooth might be more your path.

Many dancers actually learn both styles to some degree. Social dancers often blend elements of both, using whatever works in their social setting. Some competitive dancers specialize in one style but learn the other as well. There's no rule that says you must choose one and ignore the other—many of the best dancers in the world understand both systems intimately.

Watching and Appreciating Both Styles

For viewers and enthusiasts, understanding these differences enriches your experience of ballroom dancing. When you watch an International Standard waltz, you know you're seeing technique prioritized, with movement flowing and refined. When you watch American Smooth, you can appreciate the choreography, the creativity, and the individual artistry the dancers bring to their routine.

Neither style is objectively "better." They're different expressions of ballroom dancing with different values and goals. International Standard has produced some of the world's most elegant, technically perfect dancers. American Smooth has produced dancers of stunning artistry and creative brilliance. The ballroom world is richer for having both.

Explore More at LODance

Want to dive deeper into ballroom competition styles? Visit our history page to explore how these styles evolved. Check out our glossary for specific terminology used in each style, and explore our listening page to hear how the same music is danced differently in each style.