Where is there room for conjecture, T? Surely, it is question of fact? I'm curious, now, but perhaps I misunderstand?

By that, I mean that decisions made by " bodies ", are sometimes questionable... as sagacious as they may appear, time has shown us, that not ALL their decisions were correct .

I guess the Rev. wave is a good e.g... modified after many yrs of struggle by the newcomers !( I still think this whole figure belongs in Silver
but that just my opinion )

Yes, I see.

I find the current approach of the IDTA quite practical: leaving the selection of figures at each level completely up the judgment of the teacher. The old equivalence of Amateur Bronze = Professional Asssociate, Amateur Silver = Professional Licentiate & Amateur Gold = Professional Fellowship has worked well (and still does for most teaching societies), but it almost suggests that there is an equivalence of 'standard' on both sides of the '=' (which of course, there isn't, otherwise all you examiners would be going to your Gold Bar pupils for coaching, not the other way around), and several figures don't obviously merit the position in which they find themselves.

Being able to draw from the whole range of standard figures in preparing suitable material for medal tests is better, to my mind, than having to draw from rather limited lists. International Bronze is, frankly, rather dull (worthy, and important, but dull), and being able to use other figures without anyone thinking them odd is a good thing, I think.

Will agree with pretty much all of your post.. Ive never coached/taught to a strict guideline ( unless for medals etc ) I prefer options

As for how long the chase has been around in the American style cha-cha, I would confirm what Terence was saying.
They were called "chase turns" in the bronze level cha-cha taught at Fred Astaire studios many years ago. I would say I learned that step as a "chase turn" in mid to late 1970s.
It was really more of a stationary pivot, or swivel, when making the turns between the cha-cha-cha steps at that time. And a tap on the partner's shoulder when her back was turned to you would indicate you were done chasing and ready to move onto another step. Probably the same today ... and it better be, since we used it as part of a cha-cha routine at a recent fundraising event.

same old one.. been around since the 50s ( we always taught this to beginners.. they thought it was cute.. not me ),,,

As a matter of interest, the " free " turn from a crossover break (N.Yorker )was called a chase turn.. the Spiral was not danced in the Amer. style at that time ( and isn't taught by most studios in Bronze Amer. )..

Wouldn't it be better if the names in the Latin Style were brought into this century so that we have one name for each of the figures world wide. Just reading some of the postings. We have a Cross over break (N.York) called a Chase Turn. And names like Tukish Towel and Sweetheart and in the Rumba Kiki Walks. I can't think of a more stupid name. I would think that Six Curving Walks would be a better name or cut that down to Curving Walks
( that looks better doesn't it )..
Back to the Follow The Leader. Why not change it officially to the Chase.

According to the NDCA rulebook, which has the final word on what is Bronze/Silver in American Style competitions (excluding closed franchise competitions [i.e. Fred Astaire/Arthur Murray]), the Chase Turn American style is a Pre/Intermediate Bronze step, on which both partners are on opposite feet turning opposite directions throughout the pattern. In the International Style syllabus, The Chase Turn is initiated by a foot change for the man, which puts both partners on the same foot and has both partners turning the same direction AFTER the initiation of the pattern and prior to the end, which presents more of a challenge. So, if this were a competition, it would depend on which style/level you were dancing at that competition. Now, if it is social dancing we are talking about, I feel that either pattern is acceptable as long as you/your partner both execute the pattern to your best ability. The lady's/followers part in both styles remains basically the same, it's the really only the man's/leader's footwork and direction of turn that change. As far as the lock step is concerned, for International Style, there is a lock step. In American Style, it is generally is danced with a Cha Cha run instead of a lock step, however the lock step is acceptable (the lock step when danced in the American Style Chase Turn came from the current International influence to American style Dancing, but may have been danced in the American Style Chase Turn prior to the influence for styling purposes.) This is based on the most current competitive information available, and is not meant to replace any of the historical origins of the pattern. Since dance evolves so frequently, this information could also change.

The Lock step action was in place when I first started teaching Amer. style latin ( in the late 50s ) with A/M.. did it emanate from Q/S.. possibly .. but.. there were locking actions in Peabody, which dates back to the 30s...

I should also like to add, that as an Adjudicator for over 30yrs in the States,I ( and others ) accepted either format in Bronze level comp.

terence2-

-I did not mean the locking action in ALL areas of American Style Dance, I just meant the use of it in American Style Cha Cha. Again, this could be a constant dynamic shift that has been a "grey area" since the origin of the dance, but as of now, I know that in International Style Cha Cha competitions it is a syllabus part of the figure. For American Style competition, my understanding is that either is fine as long as you and your partner are on opposite feet and you and your partner use the same format (i.e. Lock Step vs. Cha Cha run). Would you view that as an acceptable understanding for dancing the American Style Chase Turn at competitions?