Dancesport syllabus events are competitive dance events that restrict the figures, elements, and sometimes the costumes to a specific, pre-approved list of techniques, or "syllabus". This creates a structured environment for dancers, especially beginners, to focus on fundamental skills and technique within a particular style, like American or International Ballroom. The syllabus rules ensure a consistent and fair playing field for participants.

DanceSport, the competitive form of ballroom and Latin dancing, demands a unique blend of artistry and athleticism for peak performance. Couples are judged on their execution across multiple dances, often focusing on four main criteria: Technical Quality, Movement to Music, Partnering Skills, and Choreography & Performance.

Judging in DanceSport has transitioned from purely subjective comparison to a highly structured "New Judging System" (System 2.0). Adjudicators evaluate couples based on four primary pillars, often using an absolute scale of 1–10.

In DanceSport, breaking ties is managed by the Skating System, a set of 11 rigorous rules designed to eliminate subjectivity. When two or more couples have the same total score across multiple dances, the system moves through specific "count-back" procedures.