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Dance Levels, Styles, Moves and More

Dance competitions utilize a more refined system of levels to ensure fair and balanced competition. These levels are often broken down by a combination of factors, including:

Ages:

Competitions typically divide participants into age groups, such as 

  • Mini - Between 8 years old and under
  • Junior -  Between 9 to 12 years old
  • Teen - Between 12 to 15 years old
  • Senior - Between 15 or 16 years old and up to around 18 or 19

These age ranges can vary slightly between competitions.  

Skill Levels:

Within each age group, dancers are further categorised by skill level. Common skill levels include:

  • Novice/Recreational: For beginners or those with limited competition experience.
  • Intermediate: For dancers with some experience and developing skills.
  • Advanced/Competitive: For highly skilled dancers with extensive training.  
  • Professional/Pro-Am: For professional dancers or routines that include professional dancers.   

Dance Styles:

Competitions have categories for various dance styles, such as ballet, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, contemporary, tap, and more. Dancers compete against others within their specific style.  

You can often see Pom Dance at Cheerleading events; see what the difference is HERE

Group Sizes:

Dances are also categorized by the number of performers:

  • Solo: One dancer.  

  • Duet/Trio: Two or three dancers.  

  • Small Group: Typically 4-9 dancers.  

  • Large Group: Typically 10 or more dancers.  

  • ​Productions: very large groups with themed routines.

Key Aspects of Competition Levels:

  • Fairness: These divisions ensure that dancers compete against others with similar age, skill, and experience levels.
  • Scoring: Judges evaluate performances based on criteria like technique, choreography, musicality, and performance quality.  
  • Awards: Awards are typically given based on scoring ranges (e.g., Platinum, Gold, Silver) and placement within each category.  

What are the different types of Dance styles and moves?

Ballet:

  • Plié: A bending of the knees.
  • Relevé: Rising onto the balls of the feet.
  • Tendu: Extending the leg straight out, pointing the foot.
  • Pirouette: A turn on one leg.
  • Arabesque: A pose where one leg is extended straight back.

You can obtain Dance cover including competitions Here

Hip-Hop:

Breaking (B-boying/B-Girling): Includes moves like:

  • Toprock: Upright movements.
  • Footwork: Intricate floor movements.
  • Freezes: Holding a pose.
  • Power moves: Acrobatic moves like windmills and headspins.
  • Popping: Creating sharp, staccato movements by contracting and relaxing muscles.
  • Locking: Characterized by freezing in a particular position and then continuing at the same speed as before.
  • Waacking/Whacking: Emphasizes arm movements, posing, and musicality.

You can obtain cover for Hip-Hop Here

Jazz:

  • Jazz walks: A low, stylized walk.
  • Pivot turns: Turning on the ball of the foot.
  • Jazz squares: A four-step movement.
  • Kicks and leaps: Various types of kicks and leaps, such as jazz kicks and grand jetés.​

Latin Dances (Salsa, Tango, Cha-Cha):

Salsa:

  • Basic steps involving forward and backward movements.
  • Turns and partner work.
  • Shines (solo steps).

Tango:

  • Sharp, precise steps.
  • Close partner connection.
  • Leg flicks and intricate footwork.

​Cha-Cha:

  • Small, quick steps.
  • Hip movements.
  • The "cha-cha-cha" triple step.​

Ballroom Dances (Waltz, Foxtrot):

Waltz:

  • Smooth, flowing movements.
  • Rise and fall actions.
  • Turns and travelling steps.

Foxtrot:

  • Long, flowing steps.
  • Smooth, gliding movements.
  • Various turns and patterns.

Tap Dance:

  • Shuffles, flaps, and other percussive footwork.
  • Time steps and combinations.

​Contemporary Dance:

  • Fluid movements, often incorporating elements of ballet, jazz, and modern dance.
  • Emphasis on expression and emotion.
  • Floor work, and improvisation.​

Key National Dance Organizations:

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