For all American Smooth syllabus events:
- No entrances are allowed. Partners must start in a closed, or open facing hold on opposite feet, except Gold, where couples may use any position or hold, excluding hand to body holds, or no hold, and may begin on same foot.
- Posing or Poses prior to taking hold will be considered an entrance.
- All figures must be from an official syllabus, be from the correct level, and must not violate any of the restrictions below.
| American Smooth Invigilation Rules | Holds | Feet | Timing | Restrictions and Allowances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | • Closed hold with or without body contact • Arm to arm • Single, opposite hand hold • Double, opposite hand hold Exceptions: | • All figures must be danced on opposite feet at all times. Exception is Tango Shadow Rocks. • Feet must close at the end of every figure • Both feet must remain close to the floor at all times (no aerial ronde, developé etc.) Exceptions: | • Timings must adhere to the Bronze Basic timing of each dance.
Exception: | • No picture lines or figures (i.e. contra check, chair, oversways, lunges, etc.)
• No dips, drops, lifts, slide, or powered turns (standing foot spins, horse & cart, etc) • No more than 2 consecutive pivoting steps in closed position (Pivots) • No fallaway figures, except 5th position breaks • No slip pivots • No dips, drops, lifts, slide, or powered turns (standing foot spins, horse & cart, etc) |
| Silver | • All Bronze Holds • Single, same hand hold (handshake) • Double, same hands hold • Alternate hold • Shadow Hold (follower in front and on the right only) • No hold – 1 measure at a time, maximum | • Everything in Bronze is allowed plus: • Continuity actions and same foot figures allowed • Developés are allowed | • All Bronze timings allowed • Silver Timings. • One measure of syncopated timing is allowed. • Foot change timing (leader takes one more or fewer step that the follower) is allowed. | • Picture lines allowed – danced on a single foot for 2 measures max. • Fallaway figures are allowed • Slip pivots allowed • No dips, drops, lifts, slide, or powered turns (standing foot spins, horse & cart, etc) |
| Gold | • All Bronze and Silver Holds • Hammerlock – Double or Single hand hold • Body leads • No hold – 4 consecutive measures max (8 for Viennese Waltz) | • Same as Bronze and Silver | • All Bronze and Silver Timings • 2 Syncopations per measure allowed for 1 measure at a time maximum | • All Bronze and Silver Timings • 2 Syncopations per measure allowed for 1 measure at a time maximum |
| Open | • No restrictions on holds | • Same as Bronze, Silver, and Gold | • No restrictions on timing | • Entrances allowed • Lifts are not allowed |