Rumba Syllabus

These are the syllabus steps for the Rumba, as listed in the British Dance Council Rulebook here.

Videos are by Ballroom Guide, iDanceTW, Principles of movement and DancePartner2000 - many thanks for these excellent resources! Step descriptions can also be found on Ballroom Guide here.

Nomenclature

• L: Left
• R: Right
• PP: Promenade Position
• CPP: Counter Promenade Position

Quick Links

1. Basic Movements – Closed - Open - In Place – Alternative
2. Forward Walk & Backward Walk
3. Fan
4. Hockey Stick
5. New York to Left & Right Side Positions – Check from Open CPP and /or Open PP
6. Spot Turns to Left or Right ( including Switch & Underarm Turns.
7. Natural Top (ending A or B)
8. Hand to Hand (to Right & Left Side Positions ( Open PP & Open CPP)
9. Cucarachas
10. Shoulder to Shoulder
11. Side Steps to Left or Right
12. Cuban Rocks
13. Alemana from Fan Position
14. Alemana from Open Position with L to R Hand Hold
15. Alemana from Open Position with R To R Hand Hold
16. Opening Out to Right & Left
17. Natural Opening Out Movement
18. Closed Hip Twist (Close Hip Twist)
19. Reverse Top
20. Open Hip Twist
21. Opening Out from Reverse Top
22. Aida (Fallaway)
23. Spiral Turns
24. The Spiral
25. Spiral to Open Position - Fan Position – to Open CPP – to Reverse Top
26. The Curl
27. Rope Spinning
28. Figures that may be turned into Open CPP include : Hockey Stick - Closed (Close) Hip Twist – Open Hip Twist - Spiral – Curl
29. Alemana may be Checked to Open CPP
30. Advanced opening Out Movement
31. Sliding Doors
32. Fencing
33. Three Threes
34. Three Alemanas
35. Hip Twists - . Advanced - Continuous - &. Continuous Circular

Basic Movements - Closed - Open - In Place - Alternative

Forward Walk & Backward Walk

Fan

Hockey Stick

New York to L & R Side Positions - Check from Open CPP and/or Open PP

Spot Turns to L & R (including Switch & Underarm Turns)

Natural Top (ending A or B)

Hand to Hand to R & L Side Positions (Open PP & Open CPP)

Cucarachas

Shoulder to Shoulder

Side Steps to L & R

Cuban Rocks

Alemana from Fan Position

Alemana from Open Position with L to R Hand Hold

Alemana from Open Position with R to R Hand Hold

Opening Out to R & L

Natural Opening Out Movement

Close(d) Hip Twist

Reverse Top

Open Hip Twist

Opening Out from Reverse Top

Aida (Fallaway)

Spiral Turns

The Spiral

Spiral to Open Position - Fan Position - to Open CPP - to Reverse Top

The Curl

Rope Spinning

Figures that may be turned into Open CPP include: Hockey Stick - Close(d) Hip Twist - Open Hip Twist - Spiral - Curl

Alemana may be checked to Open CPP

Advanced Opening Out Movement

Sliding Doors

Fencing

Three Threes

Three Alemanas

Hip Twists - Advanced - Continuous - Continuous Circular