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This style of Tango is thought to have been demonstrated in Paris in around 1906, but was so different from the other dances of the time it was considered somewhat obscene. It was modified to match with European tastes in dancing, and later became the first dance to be codified as a ballroom dance in the 1920s. Additional staccato movements were added in the 1950s to produce the Ballroom Tango as danced today.

How routines should look:

The hold is different in the Tango. The man's left arm is more towards head level. The general hold is far more compact and the couple are much tighter together.

No rise and fall. This should be a very flat dance. The legs are therefore always slightly flexed (i.e. the knees should be slightly bent at all times).

You must see lots of clipped movements, not fluid like a waltz. The action must always be staccato, with sharp head turning and stops.

Routines should include:

Promenade position - (is in all ballroom dances) this is when both the dancers walk forwards using identical footwork, side by side, whilst maintaining the hold.

Walks - with the heels leading.

Links - these are the sharp movements in between the walks (the head turns from the girl). These are known as staccato movements.