The American Smooth dance style has taken the world by storm over the past couple of years, and its popularity is only continuing to grow. As this emerging form of ballroom dancing continues to take hold in the competition community, we thought it would be a good idea to break down the difference between American Smooth and its predecessor, International Standard.

International Standard, or Ballroom as it's known, was primarily developed in England and has been around quite a bit longer than its counterpart, American Smooth. Meanwhile, the American style of dancing was formed in the renowned studios of Arthur Murray and Fred Astaire, which are numerous throughout the United States.

International Standard is still the most danced and taught form of ballroom in the world today, but American Smooth is quickly on the rise. Think of American Smooth as America's interpretation of the traditional form of Ballroom dance.

The major difference between the two styles is that Standard consists of five dances (Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, and Quickstep), whereas Smooth is composed of four (Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, and Viennese Waltz).

The other considerable difference between the two is the fact that International partners are required to dance in a closed position at all times, while Smooth dancers are permitted to dance in both open and closed positions as well as solo. This difference gives Smooth dancers significantly more freedom of expression than International dancers.

Getting Technical

It's been said that Smooth dancers perform more simplistic versions of traditional Standard moves and also execute the moves to a more simplified timing with the music. This was supposedly implemented to help social dancers pick up the moves with more ease.

Some argue that American Smooth is more similar to Show dancing just without the lifts. But in truth, Smooth is a mix of Standard, Show, and Latin, making it extremely difficult to master due to its immense versatility. While Smooth and Standard dancers both move with speed and grace across the floor, smooth competitors have to master that movement in both open and closed positions. Standard dancers must only master it closed.

There are some stylistic differences as well. For instance, the International Foxtrot is dramatically different than the Smooth Foxtrot. In Standard, the Foxtort is slow and tame, while in Smooth the Foxtrot is upbeat and jazzy.

Though the Tango is also danced in both styles, the Smooth Tango differs from the Standard variation due to its influences from Paso Doble, which is found in the Latin style. The fact that Smooth can dance in both open and closed position essentially makes all the dances distinctively different because there is so much more choreography that is allowed, giving life to both performers' dancing and allowing for ever-evolving interpretations of the styles that the traditional Standard form of Ballroom often lacks.

At the end of the day, American Smooth has it roots in International Standard, but as the years pass Smooth continues to evolve and find its own distinct look and feel.

International Standard Foxtrot


American Smooth Foxtrot