What is the difference between Standard and Latin?

The main difference lies in the body connection and the direction of movement. Standard dances are performed in a permanently closed body posture moving in a circle around the room, while Latin dances take place in an open posture with a lot of rhythmic work on the spot.

Can you dance both Standard and Latin at the same time?

Yes, in competitive dancing this is even its own discipline called Ten-Dance or combination. Especially for young people, it is advisable to try both categories at the beginning before a final specialization takes place.

Do you need different shoes for Standard and Latin?

For Standard dances, you need shoes with a full suede sole and a low, wide heel for optimal gliding. Latin shoes for girls usually have higher heels and a more flexible sole for extreme ball-of-the-foot work.

Standard or Latin: Which competitive dance style are you?

In short

Standard dance requires a permanently closed dance hold and thrives on sweeping, flowing movements in three-quarter or four-quarter time.
Latin dance is characterized by an open hold, rhythmic hip movements, and a high degree of individual dance expression.
The type test helps young people to assign their own body awareness and personal preference for expression to one of the two tournament categories.

Are you about to decide on going all in with dance sport, but you are not sure yet which discipline really suits you? Find out with our quick personality test whether your heart beats for Ballroom or Latin.

The two worlds of partner dance compared

The decision between Ballroom and Latin shapes your entire journey in dance sport. While the Ballroom dances like Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot and Quickstep thrive on an almost magical, shared movement through space, the Latin dances Salsa, Cha-Cha, Rumba, Samba and Jive demand a completely different dynamic. Here, isolations, fast hip movements and direct, often playful interaction take center stage. Both disciplines are extremely athletic and expressive in their own way, but they require completely different skills from your body and your mind.

For teenagers who want to go beyond the classic student dance course and aim for real tournament training in a club, specialization is worth it. Those who find out early where their own strengths lie save a lot of frustration during training and build real self-confidence faster. After all, a positive body image through dance is created precisely when you feel completely comfortable and authentic in your movements.

Take the personality test: Standard or Latin?

01
Which style of music makes you want to move instantly?
- A: Classical orchestral sounds, epic instrumental music, or elegant jazz
- B: Fast, percussive beats, drums, and modern Latin pop music
02
How do you prefer to move in space?
- A: Expansive, gliding, and with the feeling of almost floating across the floor
- B: On the spot, energetic, with quick changes of direction and lots of rhythm
03
What is most important to you in your connection with a dance partner?
- A: A firm, constant embrace where you can feel every weight shift
- B: Plenty of freedom for solo turns, eye contact, and playful interaction
04
Which athletic quality describes you best?
- A: Stamina, extremely strong muscle tension, and a sense of symmetry
- B: Speed, flexibility in the joints, and a sense of rhythm

Your evaluation

Mostly A: The elegant ballroom type

You love the grand gesture, gliding across the dance floor, and absolute harmony as a couple. The athletic elegance and precise body control of ballroom dances fascinate you the most. It is best to find a training group at a club that specializes in Waltz and Quickstep to further perfect your posture.

Mostly B: The dynamic Latin type

You are passionate about rhythm, fast footwork, and direct, emotional expression on the dance floor. Latin dances offer you exactly the freedom you need to let off steam to the music. Sign up for a Latin trial training session and work specifically on your hip coordination and your presence.

Ballroom and Latin dance in direct comparison

Criterion	Ballroom dance	Latin dance
Dance hold	Permanently closed, close body contact	Mostly open, frequent hand changes, solo parts
Direction of movement	Continuous along the line of dance in the room	Stationary on the spot or across the line of dance
Typical dynamics	Soft, flowing, floating, expansive	Rhythmic, lively, full of contrasts
Fitness focus	Core stability, extreme back and neck strength	Speed, hip isolation, footwork

The assessments are based on the official guidelines of competitive dance sports for youth.

How to use your test result for your training

As soon as you have your test result in black and white, it is time for the practical implementation in your club or studio. Do not be discouraged if you could not clearly assign yourself to one type at first, many successful competitive dancers started as all-rounders in the so-called ten-dance discipline. It is important now that you take targeted trial lessons in both areas and listen to your body. Pay attention to how the connection with your partner feels and whether you still enjoy the respective music even after the tenth repetition.

When you decide on a direction, also adjust your solo training at home. For Latin enthusiasts, for example, it is worth keeping the hip joints flexible and coordinating footwork precisely to shine on the competition floor later. Those who are diligent can even specifically practice Latin dance solo to stabilize their own balance and typical turns without a partner. In the Standard area, on the other hand, the focus of your individual training is primarily on core stability and an elegant head posture.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main difference lies in the body connection and the direction of movement. Standard dances are performed in a permanently closed body posture moving in a circle around the room, while Latin dances take place in an open posture with a lot of rhythmic work on the spot.

Standard and Latin courses near you

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Standard or Latin: Which competitive dance type are you?