Pom
Also known as: Pom, Pommes, Pom-pom dance
History & Cultural Context
Pom is a dance-team category built around poms (the handheld tufts) and a vocabulary of crisp, exactly-placed arm motions—high V, low V, T, and blades—executed in tight synchronization. It rewards sharpness, visual precision of angles, formations, and unison over the fluidity of lyrical or the groove of hip-hop. Pom is a staple of sideline and competition dance teams and is often the discipline most associated with the 'dance team' image.
Cultural Significance
The signature precision category of the American dance team.
Characteristic Movement & Technique
Crisp, angular arm motions with poms in exact unison, with formations and visual effects.
Partnering Dynamics
Team ensemble.
Competitive Context
A scored category at dance-team championships.
Regional Variations
U.S.-centered.
Common Misconceptions
Pom is its own technical discipline of precise motion placement—not just 'shaking pom-poms.'
Notable Codifiers
- Dance-team circuits
Dance Lineage
Track Your Pom Progress
Practice Pom figures between lessons with Figure Focus — step-by-step breakdowns, floor diagrams, and progress tracking. Free to use.
Sources & Further Reading
Cultural & Historical Context
Pom emerged from United States during the 1960s—present day. Understanding the cultural roots, musical traditions, and social circumstances of this era enriches appreciation for the dance's characteristics and significance.
Formative Influences
Codifiers & Standardizers:
Dance-team circuits
Primary Source Documents
The Library of Dance contains public-domain primary sources for dance history. Copyrighted modern syllabi are indexed with purchase links to their respective copyright owners. Search by dance name or codifier to discover primary source documents.
Last reviewed: June 2026 — This dance profile synthesizes historical research, cultural documentation, and contemporary practice knowledge to provide authoritative context.
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More in Cheer, Pom & Guard
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Synchronized competitive performance dance tied to school and all-star programs—high-energy, precise routines in pom, jazz, and hip-hop categories.
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Color Guard
The dancing 'visual ensemble' of the marching band—spinning and tossing flags, rifles, and sabres while moving through choreography on the field.
Winter Guard
The indoor, competitive form of color guard—performed on a gym floor to recorded music—dubbed 'the sport of the arts,' formalized by Winter Guard International.
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