Royal Rank Band Criteria

West Coast Swing ranking criteria (Bronze 1 → Royal 3). These are the standards we evaluate during lessons, classes, and private evaluations.

Sonshine’s Royal Ballroom
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Always true at every rank
Bronze Timing + foundations

Bronze 1 — Timing + 4 basics

Timing

  • Stays on time for 30–45 seconds with music.

4 basics (recognizable)

  • Sugar Push
  • Left Side Pass
  • Right Side Pass + Underarm Turn
  • Sugar Tuck Turn

Bronze 2 — Connection foundations + anchor patience + slot

Connection

  • Shows some stretch/extension away.
  • Shows some compression in (without collapsing/slamming).

Anchor

  • Doesn’t rush the anchor/ending of the pattern (finishes the last counts).
  • The follower can follow the leader out of the anchor on the leader’s timing.

Bronze 3 — Posture + cleaner foot placement + dance arm up

Posture

  • Simple posture stack most of the time (not hunched, not arched, no leaning back in anchor).

Dance arm

  • Arm is not dead (quiet shoulders, elbows not flailing, hands not dead).

Feet + turn control

  • Feet are collected (no cowboy shuffling).
  • The underarm turn in Right Side Pass is controlled:
    • stays on time
    • balanced
    • clean finish (no stumble/grab)
Silver Body quality + clean partnering

Silver 1 — Clear lead/follow + consistent connection through turns & passes

Clarity

  • Lead/follow is readable across the 4 basics and whip.
  • Lead/follow is from the body and connected through the body.
  • Lead/follow recovers cleanly if lost.

Connection + Timing

  • Comfortable connection throughout (no collapse, no clamp, no yanking).
  • Consistent hand connection through the underarm turn and passes.
  • Steady timing through most of a song at moderate tempo.

Silver 2 — Footwork flight + weight transfer

Feet

  • Clean, articulated feet (placed steps, quiet control, rolling through; no stomps/shuffles).

Weight transfer

  • Weight is controlled and smoothly shifts/transfers.
  • Anchor can be extended over time without stopping motion.
  • Can vary step size and stay balanced/on time.

Silver 3 — Integration + “legs dancing with the arm” + Tuck In introduced

  • Integration: legs drive while upper body stays calm; styling doesn’t break posture or connection.
  • The arm dances with the rest of the body.
  • The body dances with connection and shapes during changes in connection.
Gold Musical choices + phrasing

Gold 1 — Real rhythm (groove + one accent)

  • Shows groove/pulse that matches the song (not just counting).
  • Hits one accent intentionally without losing connection/timing.
  • Partner comfort remains high.
  • Repeatable across songs/partners.

Gold 2 — Pauses + elasticity + tempo play

  • Adds a pause/hold or slows down intentionally with the music and reconnects smoothly.
  • Uses stretch/compression to make pauses feel good.
  • Floorcraft stays excellent.
  • Instant recovery if it goes wrong.

Gold 3 — Phrasing + continuous turns (controlled + musical + safe)

  • Musical changes align with phrases/sections.
  • Can consistently hit the one with an appropriate move that matches the music.
  • Can lead/follow your continuous-turn sequence or trick move with:
    • controlled start/stop
    • timing intact
    • partner comfort intact
    • floorcraft intact
Royal Creative mastery + partner excellence

Royal 1 — Controlled syncopations + creativity while readable

  • Syncopations/variations are deliberate and readable.
  • Excellent floorcraft; never sacrifices safety for creativity.
  • Reliable recovery + repeatability.

Royal 2 — Musical “moments” with consent, safety, and control

  • Creates a big moment that fits the music (dip/trick/shape/etc.).
  • Consent and protection are clear; execution controlled.
  • Floorcraft is top-tier; recovery is immediate.

Royal 3 — Effortless full-song interpretation + elevates any partner

  • Matches the song fully across dynamics/texture/phrasing.
  • Makes almost any partner feel confident quickly.
  • Culture-level safety, kindness, awareness, clarity.
  • Consistent, not occasional.