I'll be watching America's Ballroom Challenge on PBS for the next several weeks. I have found this particular event, from Columbus, Ohio to be so enjoyable to watch.
However, I want to make sure of something so I can watch it with a more knowledgeable eye. In watching the American Smooth competition, it is always interesting to watch the couples break their hold in the routines as part of the choreography.
So my question is, when the International Standard portion of the event takes place, will the dancers remain connected in dance hold throughout the entire routines? There would be heavy marks against them if they did not, correct? Or what about a throw-out move in a waltz? Would that be considered breaking the connection? There has to be room for fluid turns and connections with one-hand holds? Yes? No?
Any thoughts on what to watch for, or the very basic and subtle differences in the styles, would be much appreciated. It will make the program that much more fun to watch.

Under the given circumstances -- " show " style-- it will not be out of place-- Its not a comp.( in the B/room genre ) It should -- however-- not be nearly as frequent as that of the Amer. style which is its hallmark .

Its kinda difficult to determine what the rules are--- if they are that strict-- then play the CORRECT music !

In Standard, the couple remains in dance hold the entire time. They have the options of regular hold, promenade, fallaway, and outside partner, of course, but nothing that separates the frame. That's fundamental to the style; no couple would even think about breaking hold. It may look less flashy than Smooth, but the beauty of it is in how the two dancers move as one.