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Rumba Syllabus

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

Basic Movements - Closed - Open - In Place - Alternative

Closed Basic Movement
Open Basic Movement
Basic Movement in Place
Alternative Basic Movement

Forward Walk & Backward Walk

Forward Walk
Backward Walk

Fan

Fan

Hockey Stick

Hockey Stick

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

New York to L & R Side Positions

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

Spot Turns to L & R
Switch Turns to L & R
Underarm Turn to R
Underarm Turn to L

Natural Top (ending A or B)

Natural Top

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

Hand to Hand to L & R Side Positions

Cucarachas

Cucarachas

Shoulder to Shoulder

Shoulder to Shoulder

Side Steps to L & R

Side Steps

Cuban Rocks

Cuban Rocks

Alemana from Fan Position

Alemana from Fan Position

Alemana from Open Position with L to R Hand Hold

Alemana from Open Position with L to R Hand Hold

Alemana from Open Position with R to R Hand Hold

Alemana from Open Position with R to R Hand Hold

Opening Out to R & L

Opening Out to R & L

Natural Opening Out Movement

Natural Opening Out Movement

Close(d) Hip Twist

Closed Hip Twist

Reverse Top

Reverse Top

Open Hip Twist

Open Hip Twist

Opening Out from Reverse Top

Opening Out from Reverse Top

Aida (Fallaway)

Aida

Spiral Turns

Spiral Turns

The Spiral

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

Spiral to Fan Position
Spiral to Open CPP
Spiral to Open Position

The Curl

The Curl

Rope Spinning

Rope Spinning

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

Hockey Stick to Open CPP
Closed Hip Twist to Open CPP
Open Hip Twist to Open CPP
Spiral to Open CPP
Curl to Open CPP

Alemana may be checked to Open CPP

Alemana checked to Open CPP

Advanced Opening Out Movement

Advanced Opening Out Movement

Sliding Doors

Sliding Doors

Fencing

Fencing

Three Threes

Three Threes

Three Alemanas

Three Alemanas

Hip Twists - Advanced - Continuous - Continuous Circular

Advanced Hip Twist
Continuous Hip Twist
Circular Hip Twist