Download the Syllabus as a PDF
The WDSF Syllabus represents a list of basic figures and actions that may be used in any competition with restricted Syllabus (basic- only).
It is obligatory for all Juvenile I and Juvenile II competitions.
The main reason for having a list of figures is to restrict the amount of the choreographic material for children and beginners, so there can be more attention given to mastering the basic mechanics, technique, and rhythmical structures of each dance. The new WDSF Syllabus has been modernized and expanded and gives many new possible combinations of figures.
It is strictly not allowed to use any figure that is not on the list.
On a national level the syllabus can be stricter (containing fewer figures). It is recommended that all WDSF member bodies adopt the WDSF Syllabus as their national Syllabus. That would simplify the participation in the international competitions for all competitors in basic categories.
The figures in the Syllabus are listed by the name they have in the WDSF Technique Books. If the figures are popularly known by another name, that name is given in the brackets.
Some figures and actions are added, that are not in the WDSF books for the dance in question. The reason for this is to give more options when constructing basic choreography. The figures or actions added are those that are already part of the syllabus in another dance. The reference is given to the book where the figure is described.
Each figure has a description of the first step (Start) and last step (Finish).This is to assist in easier combinations of the figures.
The basic timing is also given. The notes bellow each figure give you the alternative possible timings.
Any changes to the figures that are allowed are given in the NOTES bellow the figure. Only the notes that are relevant to the choreographic possibilities are given. For all the technical details you have to refer to the WDSF Technique Books. Parts of a figure may be used if so described in the notes. You are not allowed to freely cut a figure into parts and use them.
The precedes and follows are not given. You may refer to a cross reference table in the WDSF Technique Books.
When constructing choreography any combination of syllabus figures is allowed, as long as the technical description and the notes are respected. The Quantities of Turn given in the WDSF Technique Books are a guideline and may change slightly when necessary in order to construct choreography.
You may not add or take away parts of the figure, unless that is specifically allowed in the notes.
WALTZ
- Closed Change on RF
- Closed Change on LF
- Natural Turn
- Reverse Turn
- Progressive Chasse to R
- Whisk
- Back Whisk
- Outside Change
- Basic Weave
- Chasse from PP
- Backward Lock
- Open Natural Turn
- Hesitation Change
- Natural Spin Turn
- Double Reverse Spin
- Telemark
- Telemark to PP
- Weave from PP
- Impetus
- Impetus to PP
- Drag Hesitation
- Outside Spin
- Natural Turning Lock
- Reverse Turning Lock
- Wing
- Wing from PP
- Cross Hesitation from PP
- Reverse Pivot
- Fallaway Natural Turn
- Running Weave from PP
- Running Spin Turn
- Overturned Running Spin Turn
- Running Cross Chasse
- Fallaway Reverse and Slip Pivot
- Hover Corte
- Figures that are described in other dances but may be used in Waltz
- Curved Feather
- Running Finish
- Outside Swivel
- Progressive Chasse
- Bounce Fallaway Weave Ending
- Quick Open Reverse
SLOW FOX
- Feather Step
- Three Step
- Feather Finish
- Feather Ending
- Hover Feather
- Natural Turn
- Reverse Turn
- Basic Weave
- Natural Weave
- Change of Direction
- Heel Pull Finish
- Whisk
- Back Whisk
- Open Natural Turn
- Double Reverse Spin
- Telemark
- Telemark to PP
- Hover Telemark
- Hover Telemark to PP
- Natural telemark
- Natural Hover Telemark
- Impetus
- Impets to PP
- Weave from PP
- Hover Cross
- Top Spin
- Outside Swivel
- Outside Spin
- Reverse Wave
- Natural Twist Turn
- Natural Twist Turn with Natural Weave
- Natural Twist Turn with Impetus and feather Finish
- Natural Twist turn with Impetus to PP
- Natural Zig Zag from PP
- Curved Three Step
- Curved Feather
- Curved Feather from PP
- Back Feather
- Fallaway Reverse and Slip Pivot
- Bounce Fallaway Weave Ending
- Running Weave from PP
- Open Reverse Turn
- Extended Reverse Wave
- Reverse Pivot
- Hover Corte
Figures described in other dances that may be used in Slowfox
- Progressive Chasse to R
QUICKSTEP
- Natural Turn
- Reverse Turn
- Progressive Chasse to R
- Progressive Chasse to L
- Cross Chasse
- Quarter Turn to R
- Quarter Turn to L
- Outside Change
- Natural Pivot
- Running Finish
- Backward Lock
- Forward Lock
- Open Natural Turn
- Natural Spin Turn
- Hesitation Change
- Double Reverse Spin
- Impetus
- Impetus to PP
- Telemark
- Telemark to PP
- Whisk
- Back Whisk
- Open Reverse Turn
- Tipple Chasse to R – at the corner
- Tipple Chasse to R along LOD
- Tipple Chasse to L
- Four Quick Run
- Zig Zag
- V6
- Outside Spin
- Reverse pivot
- Natural Turning Lock
- Drag Hesitation
- Cross Swivel
- Fishtail
- Running Natural Turn
- Running Cross Chasse
- Six Quick Run
- Tipsy to R
- Tipsy to L
- Rumba Cross
- Hover Corte
Figures described in other dances that may be danced in Quickstep
- Weave from PP
- Natural Fallaway Turn
- Wing
- Wing from PP
TANGO
- Tango Walk
- Tap – Alternative Entries to PP
- Progressive Side Step
- Brush Tap
- Progressive Link
- Closed Promenade
- Open Promenade
- Back Corte
- Basic reverse Turn
- Open Reverse Turn
- Rock on LF
- Rock on RF
- Natural Rock Turn
- Natural Twist Turn from PP
- Natural Turn from PP
- Promenade Link turned to R
- Promenade Link turned to L
- Back Open Promenade
- Fallaway Promenade
- Whisk
- Back Whisk
- Progressive Side Step Reverse Turn
- Four Step
- Fallaway Four Step
- Outside Swivel – method 1
- Outside Swivel – method 2
- Outside Swivel – method 3
- Four Step Change
- Five Step
- Mini Five Step
- Quick Reverse Turn
- Fallaway Reverse and Slip Pivot
- Telemark to PP
- Open Natural Turn
- Outside Spin
- Natural twist Turn
- Chase
- Chase Alternative Ending – Chase, Chasse
- Chase Alternative Ending – method 1
- Chase Alternative Ending – method 2
- Chase Alternative Ending – method 3
- Chase Alternative Ending – method 4
- Reverse Pivot
- In – Out
- Natural Turn
- Reverse Turn
- RF Forward Change Step Natural to Reverse
- LF ForwardChange Step Reverse to Natural
- LF Backward Change Step Natural to Reverse
- RF Backward Change Step Reverse to Natural
VIENNESE WALTZ
- Natural Turn
- Reverse Turn
- RF Forward Change Step Natural to Reverse
- LF ForwardChange Step Reverse to Natural
- LF Backward Change Step Natural to Reverse
- RF Backward Change Step Reverse to Natural
CHA CHA CHA
- Time Step
- Close Basic Movement
- Open Basic Movement
- New York to Right
- New York to Left
- Hand to Hand to Right
- Hand to Hand to Left
- Spot Turn to Right
- Spot Turn to Left
- Underarm Turn Turning Right
- Underarm Turn Turning Left
- Three Cha Cha Chas to Right
- Three Cha Cha Chas to Left
- Shoulder to Shoulder
- Aida
- Fan
- Open Hip Twist
- Open Hip Twist to Chasse
- Close Hip twist
- Close Hip Twist to Chasse
- Hockey Stick
- Hockey Stick to Chasse
- Alemana
- Alemana from Open Opposing Position
- Natural Top
- Cross Basic
- Cross Basic with Turn
- Cross basic to Open Opposing Position
- Methods of Changing feet
- Simple foot change
- Chasse to Right Side Link
- Lock to Right Side Link
- Link to open Opposing position
- Split Cuban Break to Right
- Split Cuban Break to Left
- Cuban Breaks to Right
- Cuban Breaks to Left
- Cuban Break Amalgamations
- Close Hip Twist spiral
- Open Hip Twist Spiral
- Turkish Towel
- Sweetheart
- Follow my Leader
- Syncopated Open Hip Twist
- Curl
- Rope Spinning
- Overturned Lock Ending
- Continuous Overturned Lock
- Swivel from Overturned Lock
- Swivel Hip twist
- Swivels
- Walks and Whisks
- Advanced Methods of Changing Feet
- Link to Fan L Angle
- Syncopated R side Link
RUMBA
- Close Basic Movement
- Open basic Movement
- New York to Right
- New York to Left
- Hand to Hand to Right
- Hand to Hand to Left
- Spot Turn to Right
- Spot Turn to Left
- Underarm Turn Turning Right
- Underarm Turn Turning Left
- Side Walks and Cucarachas
- Fan
- Open Hip Twist
- Open Hip Twist Finished to Side
- Hockey Stick
- Hockey Stick Finished to Side
- Opening Out
- Shoulder to Shoulder
- Alternative Basic Movement
- Close Hip Twist
- Close Hip Twist Finished to Side
- Alemana
- Alemana Finished to Side
- Progressive Forward Walks
- Progressive Forward Walks to Fan
- Aida
- Continuous Hip Twist
- Cuban Rocks
- Fencing to Spin
- Continuous Circular Hip Twist
- Syncopated Open Hip Twist
- Natural Top
- Reverse Top
- Curl
- Curl Finished to Side
- Spiral
- Spiral Finished to Side
- Spiral to Fan
- Three Alemanas
- Sliding Doors
- Three Threes
- Three Threes to Fan
- Rope Spinning
- Swivels
- Overturned Basic
PASO DOBLE
- Basic Movement
- Sur Place
- Chasses to R
- Drag
- Chasses to L
- Attack
- Huit
- Separation
- Natural Twist Turn
- Promenade
- Closed promenade
- Promenade Link
- Sixteen
- Promenade to Counter Promenade
- Grand Circle
- Banderillas
- Fallaway Reverse
- Fallaway Whisk
- Spanish Lines
- La Passe
- Syncopated Separation
- Flamenco Taps
- Twists
- Chasse Cape
- Chasse Cape Ending 1
- Chasse Cape Ending 2
- Chasse Cape Ending 3
- Travelling Spins from PP
- Travelling Spins from CPP
- Syncopated Coup de Pique
- Separation with Lady’s Caping Walks
- Farol
- Fregolina
- Syncopated Chasse
- Left Foot Variation
- Coup de Pique ( changing from LF to RF)
- Coup de Pique ( changing from RF to LF )
SAMBA
- Natural Basic Movement
- Reverse Basic Movement
- Progressive Basic Movement
- Side Basic Movement to L
- Side Basic Movement To R
- Outside Basic
- Samba Whisk to L
- Samba Whisk to R
- Stationary Samba Walks
- Promenade Samba Walks
- Side Samba Walk
- Reverse Turn
- Promenade to Counter Promenade Botafogos
- Side Samba Chasse
- Travelling Botafogo Forward
- Travelling Botafogo Backward to Promenade Position
- Criss Cross Botafogos
- Criss Cross Volta to R
- Criss Cross Volta to L
- Travelling Volta to R
- Travelling Volta to L
- Underarm Turn Turning R
- Underarm Turn Turning L
- Solo Spot Volta Turning L
- Solo Spot Volta Turning R
- Continuous Solo Spot Volta Turning L
- Continuous Solo Spot Volta Turning R
- Maypole – Lady turning R
- Maypole – Lady Turning L
- Cruzados Walks
- Cruzados Locks
- Continuous Cruzados Lock
- Dropped Volta
- Circular Voltas Turning R
- Circular Voltas Turning L
- Solo Circular Voltas Turning R
- Solo Circular Voltas Turning L
- Same Foot Botafogos
- Samba Locks Lady on L Side
- Samba Locks Lady on R Side
- Natural Roll
- Reverse Roll
- Close Rocks
- Open Rocks
- Backward Rocks
- Plait
- Corta Jaca
- Same Position Corta Jaca
- Double Spiral Turn
- Promenade to Counter Promenade Runs
- Drag
- Rolling off the Arm
- Carioca Runs
- Argentine Crosses
- Rhytm Bounce
- Foot Change Method 1
- Foot Change Method 2
- Foot Change Method 3
JIVE
- Basic in Place
- Basic in Fallaway
- Change of Place from R to L
- Change of Place from L to R
- American spin
- Change of Place behind the Back
- Link
- Whip
- Promenade Walks – Slow
- Promenade Walks – Quick
- Fallaway Throwaway
- Change of Place from R to L with Double Spin
- Overturned Change of Place from L to R
- Double Cross Whip
- Throwaway Whip
- Reverse Whip
- Curly Whip
- Overturned Fallaway Throwaway
- Stop and Go
- Hip Bump
- Windmill
- Mooch
- Spanish Arms
- Chicken Walks
- Rolling off the Arm
- Simple Spin
- Rock to Simple Spin
- Flicks into Break
- Toe Heel Swivels
- Sugar Push
- Miami Special
- Shoulder Spin
- Chugging
- Catapult
- Ball Change
- Stalking Walks, Flicks into Break
Source: https://www.worlddancesport.org/Rule/Athlete/Competition/Syllabus