The History of the Quickstep Syllabus ISTD

Introduction

The current Ballroom Technique by Alex Moore is in its 10th Edition, 
and the ISTD syllabus of today is based upon this volume. 
Compared below are:
- 2nd Edition from 1950 
- 4th Edition [Revised] from 1955 
- 6th Edition from 1966 
- 8th Edition [Reprinted with Amendments] from 1976
- 10th Edition [Reprinted with Amendments] from 1994

We feature the old ISTD syllabi in order to provide a historical 
perspective on the evolution of codified ballroom dancing. Many 
of the figures were not listed at the level they are currently taught; 
some are no longer part of syllabus ballroom.

Please remember that these may not be used as step lists for 
any syllabus competition. We cannot be held responsible for 
reprimands or disqualifications based on following these lists.

Former Syllabus Figures

The following figures are featured in some or all of the ISTD syllabi 
but have since been removed. They are listed along with the 
edition in which can last be found:
-Zig Zag [6th]
-Running Zig Zag [6th]
-Reverse Turn [6th]
-Reverse Pivot Turn [4th Rev.]
-The Drag [6th]
-Open Telemark [6th]
-Open Impetus [8th w/Am.]
-Outside Spin [8th w/Am.]
-Checked Lock [6th]
-Drop Locks [6th]

They are now only available to non-ISTD competitors.
Key: New Figure ◊ – New Combination * – Change of Level (Up) Δ (Down) ∇ – Last known Listing † – Renamed ‡
2nd Edition April 1950
4th Edition [Revised] October 1955
Associate Syllabus (Bronze)
1. Quarter Turns
2. Natural Turn
3. Natural Pivot Turn
4. Natural Spin Turn
5. Progressive Chassé
6. Forward Lock Step 
7. Backward Lock Step
8. Zig Zag
9. Running Zig Zag
10. Reverse Turn
11. Reverse Pivot Turn †
12. The Drag
13. Cross Chassé
14. Double Reverse Spin
15. Change of Direction
16. Chassé Reverse Turn
Members' Syllabus (Silver)
17. Quick Open Reverse
18. Cross Swivel
19. The Corté
20. Fish Tail
21. Running Right Turn
22. Telemark ◊
23. Open Telemark ◊
24. Impetus Turn ◊
25. Open Impetus Turn ◊
26. Outside Spin ◊
The Named Variations (Gold)
27. The Four Quick Run ◊
28. The Six Quick Run ◊
29. The Natural Turn, Back Lock  
      and Running Finish ◊
30. The V.6. ◊
25. The Progressive Chassé to the Right ◊
26. The Rumba Cross ◊
27. The Tipsy ◊
28. The Checked Lock ◊
29. The Drop Locks ◊
6th Edition August 1966
Associate Syllabus (Bronze)
1. Quarter Turns
2. Natural Turn
3. Natural Pivot Turn
4. Natural Spin Turn
5. Progressive Chassé
6. Forward Lock Step 
7. Backward Lock Step
8. Zig Zag †
9. Running Zig Zag †
10. Reverse Turn (Open) †
11. Cross Chassé
12. Reverse Pivot ◊
13. Change of Direction
14. Double Reverse Spin
15. Chassé Reverse Turn
Members' Syllabus (Silver)
16. Quick Open Reverse
17. Cross Swivel
18. The Corté †
19. Fish Tail
20. Running Right Turn
21. The Drag Δ†
22. The Progressive Chassé to the Right ∇
23. The Four Quick Run ∇
24. The Zig Zag, Back Lock
      and Running Finish ◊
25. Telemark
26. Open Telemark †
27. Impetus Turn
28. Open Impetus Turn
29. Outside Spin
The Named Variations (Gold)
30. The Six Quick Run
31. The Natural Turn, Back Lock  
      and Running Finish
32. The V.6
33. The Rumba Cross
34. The Tipsy
35. The Checked Lock †
36. The Drop Locks †
8th Edition [Reprinted with Amendments] January 1976
Associate Syllabus (Bronze)
1. Quarter Turns
2. Natural Turn
3. Natural Pivot Turn
4. Natural Turn with Hesitation ◊
5. Progressive Chassé
6. Natural Spin Turn
7. Forward Lock Step 
8. Backward Lock Step
9. The Tipple Chassé to Right ◊
10. The Zig Zag, Back Lock
      and Running Finish ∇
11. Cross Chassé
12. Reverse Pivot
13. Change of Direction
14. Double Reverse Spin
15. Chassé Reverse Turn
Members' Syllabus (Silver)
15. Quick Open Reverse
16. Cross Swivel
17. Fish Tail
18. The Progressive Chassé to the Right
19. The Four Quick Run
20. The V.6. ∇
21. Running Right Turn
22. Telemark
23. Impetus Turn
24. Open Impetus Turn †
25. Outside Spin †
The Named Variations (Gold)
26. The Six Quick Run
26. The Natural Turn, Back Lock  
      and Running Finish
27. The Hover Corté ◊
28. The Rumba Cross
29. The Tipsy
10th Edition [Reprinted with Amendments] July 1994
Student Teacher
(Pre-Bronze)
1. Quarter Turn to Right ∇
2. Natural Turn ∇
3. Natural Turn with Hesitation ∇
4. Natural Pivot Turn ∇
5. Natural Spin Turn ∇
6. Progressive Chassé ∇
7. Chassé Reverse Turn ∇
8. Forward Lock ∇‡

Additional Figure
9. Heel Pivot 
    (Quarter Turn to Left) ◊
Associate (Bronze)

10. Closed Impetus ∇‡ 
11. Back Lock ‡
12. Reverse Pivot
13. Progressive Chassé to Right ∇
14. Tipple Chassé to Right
15. Running Finish ∇*
16. Natural Turn and Back Lock ∇*
17. Double Reverse Spin

Additional Figure
18. Zig-Zag, Back Lock and 
      Running Finish
19. Cross Chassé
20. Change of Direction
Licentiate (Silver)

21. Quick Open Reverse
22. Fishtail
23. Running Right Turn
24. Four Quick Run
25. V.6
26. Closed Telemark ‡
Fellow (Gold)

27. Cross Swivel Δ
28. Six Quick Run
29. Rumba Cross
30. Tipsy to Right ‡
31. Tipsy to Left ◊
32. Hover Corté
Key: New Figure ◊ – New Combination * – Change of Level (Up) Δ (Down) ∇ – Last known Listing † – Renamed ‡
Go to the older editions of the: Waltz Syllabus - Tango Syllabus - Foxtrot Syllabus - Quickstep Syllabus