Dancesport
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Dancesport denotes competitive ballroom dancing[1] at events that are sanctioned and regulated by dancesport organizations. It is governed by three major bodies: the International Dancesport Federation (IDSF), World Dance Council (WDC), and International Professional Dancesport Council (IPDSC). The WDC and IPDSC are governing bodies for professionals, while the IDSF governs both amateurs and professionals. The WDC amateur league is the largest free amateur governing body for ballroom dancing in the world. Dancesport is popular in several countries[2], and competitive ballroom dance is featured in television programs such as Strictly Come Dancing, Dancing with the Stars and Eurovision Dance Contest.
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[edit] History
The first world championship took place in 1909 and the first formation team[clarification needed] competed in 1932[1]. Dancesport was first broadcast on TV in 1960[3][4].
[edit] Styles
The term dancesport originally applied only to the International Style of competitive ballroom (often referred to as Standard or Modern) dancing and Latin dancing.[5] Today, it includes the following style categories:
- Standard
- Latin American
- Ten Dance
- Rock ‘n’ Roll
These categories apply to both individual couples and formation dance.
[edit] Competitions
There are a wide variety of dancesport competitions, ranging from the well known Blackpool Dance Festival to competitions conducted exclusively for university students, such as those hosted by the Inter Varsity Dance Association in the UK. In most cases, competitors are required to be members of an IDSF recognised organisation.
Amateur competitions commonly include events that group dancers by age, experience, or both. For example, events might group young dancers by age, such as: juvenile (<12yrs), junior (12-16yrs), and youth (16-19yrs). Events may sometimes cover a wide range of ages, with groupings such as: under 21yrs, adult, Senior I (Over 35yrs), Senior II (Over 45yrs), and Senior III (Over 50yrs). Adult competitions are often further divided into categories such as beginner, novice, intermediate, pre-amateur, and amateur.
The top two couples or teams from an IDSF recognised country[clarification needed] are eligible to take part in the relevant World competition[clarification needed].[6][7]
[edit] Rules
The music for competitions is kept confidential until the event. The music always follows a strict tempo and, for a couples competition, it will usually have a duration of no more than 90 seconds. Some competitions are restricted to "basic" steps and others to "open" steps, but the style of dance and tempo is strictly governed. Lifts are not allowed under IDSF rules[8]. Couples are marked under the skating system and judged by timing, footwork, rise and fall, alignment, direction and floor craft. Competitors must meet World Anti-Doping Agency rules.
[edit] Dancesport and the Olympics
The IDSF, which has campaigned for dancesport's inclusion at the Olympic games, is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the governing body for dancesport. To date, dancesport has not been included in the Olympic games.[9]
The physical demands of Dancesport has been the subject of scientific research. [10][11][12] [13]
[edit] See also
- List of DanceSport dances
- Standard World Champions
- Latin World Champions
- List of dance organizations
- Dance basic topics
- Dancesport at the 2005 Southeast Asian Games
- Formation dance
- English amateur dancesport association ltd
[edit] References
- ^ a b "History of Dancesport by Dancesport Ireland". http://www.dancesportireland.org/about_dancesport.html. Retrieved on 2009-29-03.
- ^ "Strictly ballroom steps up to rival the Boat Race". The Daily Telegraph. 2005-09-26.
- ^ http://www.idsf.net/documents/history_of_idsf.pdf IDSF History
- ^ http://www.idsf.net/index.tpl?style=news&action=newsItem&id=19 IDSF Media Guide
- ^ Lomax, Sondra (2000-09-22). "Sweeping a dance floor near you". Austin American-Statesman: p. F1.
- ^ IDSF Guide
- ^ IDSF Media Guide
- ^ IDSF 2008 Rules
- ^ "International DanceSport Federation". Olympic.org - Official website of the Olympic Movement. http://www.olympic.org/uk/organisation/if/fi_uk.asp?id_federation=43.
- ^ Biomechanics of dance sport: a kinematic approach ISSN 0025-7826
- ^ (Blanksby & Reidy, 1988)
- ^ Dancing as a Sport Article
- ^ IDSF Research Paper
[edit] External links
- International DanceSport Federation
- World Dance Council
- International Professional DanceSport Council
- World Rock'n'Roll Confederation
- Dancesport Info Comprehensive list of dance competition results and photos
- Information about Dancesport at University Level
