Tango de Pista (Tango for the dance floor), understood as a social dance in which the most important thing is improvisation, embrace and connection between partners.
Movement of couples in the ronda: couples, as on a real dance floor, dance in the ronda, moving continuously counterclockwise, excluding backward movement. Dancers may, if necessary, take one or two steps backward without going beyond the space of the couple. Dancers must respect the space of their couple as well as the space of other couples in the ronda, so as not to disrupt the harmony of circular movement. If a couple stays in the same place for two musical phrases, breaking the circular movement on the dance floor, the judges may reduce their marks.
Overtaking is prohibited, even when one pair in the ronda stops the circular traffic. The judges may order an additional composition to dance to solve the inconvenience. Once having created an embrace, the dancers must not separate while the music is playing. In order for the position to be recognized as correct, the body of each partner must be constantly contained within the embrace, taking into account that in certain figures the embrace may be flexible. All movements and figures must be performed within the space that the couple's embrace allows, in such a way that it does not affect the space of neighboring couples. The lead dancer may ask his/her partner to walk and/or turn either to the left or to the right without moving backwards across the dance floor.
There is no need to break the embrace between the compositions.
About the evaluation criteria: depending on the level (beginner, intermediate, advanced) the dancers may perform any figures used in the social tango, including barridas, sacadas drawn on the floor, enrosque, lapis, boleo, etc., as well as embellishments performed within the space of the couple without interfering and/or taking over the space of other couples. Jumps, figures that involve lifting both feet off the ground and any other choreographic possibilities typical of Stage Tango are completely forbidden.
As the main criterion, the Judging Panel considers the personal interpretation of each couple in various styles. The musicality and elegance of the walk are taken into account, but especially the connection in the couple and the display of their own individuality, expressed also in the change of dynamics and speed depending on the composition being played.
Costumes. Clothing is not an evaluation criterion. When choosing clothes, hair and make-up, Dancers are advised to remember that Tango for the Dance Floor (Tango de Pista) is a social dance, not a stage dance.
In the Tango Milonguero category, close unbreakable body contact is mandatory, including the possibility of moving the axis forward. In order for the position to be recognized as correct, the body of each partner must be constantly contained within the embrace of the other, the mobility of the embrace is minimal. The frontal closed chest-to-chest embrace – the connection of the bodies in the chest area is close and constant. Both partners can shift their weight forward so that their axes are on the verge of equilibrium - the position can be almost volcadic, where a triangle is formed between the two partners and the floor (house of cards effect).
Closed embrace, usually high: the follower's hand is placed on the leader's neck or over the shoulder. This position is maintained throughout the dance with constant contact - once the hug is created, the dancers should not separate while the music is playing.
The use of variations in the dance, allowing to constantly maintain contact in a closed embrace: back ocho and giro are performed with minimal pivot or replaced by cross steps (ocho milonguero, giro milonguero); ocho cortado is used frequently.
Steps are mostly short, "chopped", under the body and together with the body. All movements and figures should be performed within the space that the embrace of the couple allows, in such a way that it does not affect the space of neighboring couples.
Dancers should respect the space of their couple as well as the space of other couples in the ronda, so as not to disrupt the harmony in circular movement. If a couple is in the same place for two musical phrases, disrupting the circular movement on the dance floor, the judges may lower their scores.
Overtaking is prohibited, even when one couple in the ronda stops the circular motion.
Judges may assign an additional composition to resolve the situation. The organizing committee may reduce the dance space for participants in this category in order to create a situation as close as possible to a full milonga.
In the Tango Escenario category, participants will be able to express their personal vision of tango (their style). This means that they can use movements, figures and techniques that are not usually part of the traditional tango style. Any figures used in both "social" tango and "stage" tango may be performed, including jumps, figures involving the loss of contact with the floor of both feet and other (including author's) choreographic possibilities. Couples may break the embrace and use additional techniques from other dance disciplines, but only to the extent that it is satisfactory and looks favorable for the overall performance. Couples (two participants per team) in order (according to the program) perform their numbers to the theme of Argentine tango. In Tango Escenario category each couple performs individually, dancing one musical composition chosen by themselves. This composition cannot be more than 3 (three) minutes long and must be submitted to the Organizing Committee in digital format (mp3, electronic media) no later than 1 day before the performance.
In the Tango-Nuevo category, close and/or open, as well as broken embraces (one or two arms) are allowed. It is allowed to perform figures that are performed outside the space of the couple's embrace, but without violating the space of other couples, and respecting the rules of movement in the ronda, as well as the space of the couple and the safety of other couples. The panel of judges will take into account the interaction in the couple, the elasticity of the embrace, musicality, variety of choreography of the couple.