Click on each Figure for details and video examples.
Pre-Bronze
1. Walk
2. Open Finish
3. Progressive Side Step
4. Progressive Link
5. Closed Promenade
6. Rock Turn
7. Open Reverse Turn, Lady Outside
8. Back Corté
Bronze
9. Open Reverse Turn, Lady in Line
10. Progressive Side Step Reverse Turn
11. Open Promenade
12. L.F. and R.F. Rocks
13. Natural Twist Turn
14. Natural Promenade Turn
Silver
15. Promenade Link
16. Four Step
17. Back Open Promenade
18. Outside Swivel (Methods 1-4)
19. Fallaway Promenade
20. Four Step Change
21. Brush Tap
Gold
22. Fallaway Four Step
23. Oversway
24. Basic Reverse Turn
25. The Chase
26. Fallaway Reverse and Slip Pivot
27. Five Step
28. Contra Check
1. Walk
2. Open Finish
3. Progressive Side Step
4. Progressive Link
5. Closed Promenade
6. Rock Turn
7. Open Reverse Turn, Lady Outside
8. Back Corté
Bronze
9. Open Reverse Turn, Lady in Line
10. Progressive Side Step Reverse Turn
11. Open Promenade
12. L.F. and R.F. Rocks
13. Natural Twist Turn
14. Natural Promenade Turn
Silver
15. Promenade Link
16. Four Step
17. Back Open Promenade
18. Outside Swivel (Methods 1-4)
19. Fallaway Promenade
20. Four Step Change
21. Brush Tap
Gold
22. Fallaway Four Step
23. Oversway
24. Basic Reverse Turn
25. The Chase
26. Fallaway Reverse and Slip Pivot
27. Five Step
28. Contra Check
Notes on the ISTD Syllabus
The syllabus to the left is the most recent iteration, taken from the 10th edition of the Ballroom Technique by Alex Moore, last amended in July 1994.
All competitions prescribing the ISTD syllabus use this list of figures, with some regional differences noted below. The list is written as published by the ISTD with one change:
The original syllabus lists the Walk as the first figure in the table of contents. However, the Open Finish (which is not listed in the table of contents) is the first figure in the charts. For the sake of clarity, both have been listed as full figures.
All competitions prescribing the ISTD syllabus use this list of figures, with some regional differences noted below. The list is written as published by the ISTD with one change:
The original syllabus lists the Walk as the first figure in the table of contents. However, the Open Finish (which is not listed in the table of contents) is the first figure in the charts. For the sake of clarity, both have been listed as full figures.
Alternative entries to Promenade Position:
The ISTD syllabus lists a three alternative methods of achieving
Promenade Position, shown here.
The ISTD syllabus lists a three alternative methods of achieving
Promenade Position, shown here.
The Outside Swivel and Reverse Outside Swivel
The ISTD syllabus lists the Outside Swivel as having four methods.
In terms of choreography, they can be broken down into two different figures, each with two methods (rotation and exit position):
1. Outside Swivel (Methods 1 & 2)
2. Reverse Outside Swivel (Methods 3 & 4)
The ISTD syllabus lists the Outside Swivel as having four methods.
In terms of choreography, they can be broken down into two different figures, each with two methods (rotation and exit position):
1. Outside Swivel (Methods 1 & 2)
2. Reverse Outside Swivel (Methods 3 & 4)
The Four Step and the Five Step
Each of these figures has a traveling, reverse turning variant:
1. Reverse Four Step
2. Reverse Five Step
Each of these figures has a traveling, reverse turning variant:
1. Reverse Four Step
2. Reverse Five Step
Exceptions: German dancers competing D-Class/C-Class syllabus standard under DTV rules must observe the following exceptions:
a) Not Permitted are 23. Oversway and 28. Contra Check.
a) Not Permitted are 23. Oversway and 28. Contra Check.
Tango Video Analysis
Click here for annotated syllabus Tango videos.
History of the Tango Syllabus
Click here to view a comparison of historic ISTD Tango Syllabi.