DANCE GLOSSARY
ACROSSMovement across the Line of Dance or Movement of one leg in front of the other ALIGNMENT The position of the body with relation to the Line of Dance FLOOR ALIGNMENT Forward, Forward Left Diagonal, Forward Right Diagonal, Center or Left, Wall or Right, Reverse LOD, Reverse Left Diagonal, Reverse Right Diagonal PARTNER ALIGNMENT The symmetric alignment of a couple AMALGAMATIONS, CLUSTERS or COMBINATIONS A group or sequence of dance figures or patterns AND 1 Half of a Quick count (& 1 or 1 &) 2 A Call such as "ready and" 3 Indicates simultaneous action Note: In my step descriptions, the word "and" notes simultaneous actions while the figure "&" indcates movement on a half beat of music APART 1 Movement away from partner or one foot away from the other 2 Placement of feet apart frome each other (2nd position) BALANCE STEP A step in any direction, followed by a Close (no weight) and a Hold BEHIND A step with the free foot crossing behind the weighted foot BODY MOVEMENTS GESTURE Any movement not connected with supporting the body weight STEP The transfer of weight from one foot to another LOCOMOTION Movement of the body from one place to another JUMPING Movement without a point of support TURNING Changing position in a circular fashion BOOGIE The free hip lifts and moves in a circular motion in the direction of the weighted foot BOOGIE ROLL 1. Similar to Cuban Motion, using a forward and backward movement of the pelvis; 2. A circular movement starting in the pelvis region, moving through the diaphragm, chest and shoulders BOOGIE WALK To move the free leg by lifting the hip and stepping forward BREAK 1. A change or reverse of direction; 2. See Rhythm Break BRUSH or SCUFF To brush, sweep or scuff the foot against the floor BUMP Dancers bump hips to the side or the buttocks of their partners CENTER Individual • Balance point of the body mass - located near the diaphragm Couples • Center point between partners CHARLESTON, Black Bottom aka Monatna Kick A 4-count pattern of steps and kicks return to top CHAINÉ
A 360° turn, feet together in first position, changing weight
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CHASE A figure where one partner pursues the other CLOSE To bring the feet together without a change of weight COUNT A call used to count the rhythm of foot movements and weight changes, or to count the beats of music CONTRA BODY MOVEMENT (CBM) A movement of the body into or from 3rd or 5th foot position which turns the opposite hip and shoulder toward the direction of the moving leg CUBAN MOTION Hip motion initiated by using the inside edge and ball of the foot during weight transfer CUP AND PIN The man holds his left hand with the palm facing inward, thumb over the lady's fingertips. The lady curls her right fingertips over the man's left fingers The hands are held approximately at the lady's waist level. There is resistance needed for many changes of positions and turns. DIAGONAL 45° out from the center of the Line of Dance (direction) DIG To touch the ball or heel of the free foot to the floor with a strong emphasis DRAW, DRAG or SLIDE To bring the free foot slowly together to the weighted foot EXTENSION To stretch or extend parts of the body FAN Circular motion of the free foot TOE FAN Toe swings outward, pivoting on heel, and back HEEL FAN Heel swings outward, pivoting on ball of foot, and back FAN KICK High, straight leg kick where the extended leg makes a circular sweep FLEX To bend slightly or relax a portion of the body Example the flex of the knee FLICK Sharp, quick kick backwards with a pointed toe and a flexed knee FOOTWORK The use of the five positions of the feet in dancing FIRST POSITION Feet together, toes forward and slightly turned out CALLS Home, Center, Together SECOND POSITION Feet parallel, shoulder width apart THIRD POSITION Heel to instep, or ball to heel Used in rock steps, shuffles, polkas, triple steps, and basic swing EXTENDED Feet apart, heel pointing to instep FOURTH POSITION Walking step, forward or back, and rock steps FIFTH POSITION Heel to toe Often used in a rock-step return to top FOOT PARTS Toe Inside edge of toe Outside edge of toe Ball Inside edge of the ball Outside edge of the ball Heel Inside edge of heel Outside edge of heel Flat Inside edge of the flat foot Outside edge of the fiat foot FOLLOW THROUGH The non-support foot passes by the weighted foot before changing directions FRAME Dance posture for the purpose of maintaining balance and appearance FREEZE A stop no movement GRAPEVINE or VINE A continuous traveling step pattern to the side with crosses behind and/or in front HEEL SPLIT, WING SCISSORS or PIGEON-TOE BUTTERFLIES ETC. Feet together with weight on balls of both feet. Move heels apart on count 1, and together on count 2 FAST HEEL SPLIT takes one beat of music and is counted as "& 1" KNEE POPS or HEEL STOMPS Lift both heels off the floor by bending the knees Return the heels to the floor Takes one beat of music and counted as "& 1" HOLD A count to describe a designated time before taking another step HOME Original starting place HOP A spring into the air from one foot and landing on the same foot HOOK or CROSS The free foot moves as a pendulum in front of or in back of the weighted foot and is kept off the floor The toes pointing downward HOOK COMBINATION A 4 count move using (1) heel (2) hook (3) heel and (4) together ISOLATION Movement of one part of the body independently of the rest JAZZ BOX or JAZZ SQUARE A jazz box can be called several ways; examples: Step forward left Step right across left Step back left Side step right or Step right over left Step back left Side step right Step forward left JUMP Spring into the air off both feet and land on both feet LEAD A non-verbal communication that initiates and continues movement LEAP A transfer of weight from one foot to the other. Push off with a spring and land on the ball of the other foot, letting the heel come down Bend knee to absorb the shock LEFT Refers to the left foot, hand, hip or a direction LINDY: Line dance move 8-count series of side shuffles and rock steps Example: 1&2 Side step right & step left beside right, side step right 3-4 Rock step left slightly behind right, recover weight to right 5&6 Side step left & step right beside left, side step left 7-8 Rock step right slightly behind left, recover weight to left LINDY CHARLESTON: Couples swing move:
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| LOCK A tight cross of the feet in 1st or 2nd position LOD - LINE OF DANCE Counterclockwise around the dance floor LOOP TURN An underarm turn to the left for the lady and to the right for the man LUNGE A weight transfer to a bent leg with the other leg extended PIGEON TOED A pattern traveling sideways bringing the toes together leaving the heels apart, then bringing the heels together leaving the toes apart PIVOT A traveling turn executed with thighs locked and feet apart in extended fifth position PREP A lead-in move or step a set up used as a preparation for a turn or a change of dance position QUICK A step or weight change that takes one beat of music RESISTANCE A balanced force and counter force between two bodies MUSIC Flow of recurrent heavy and light accents return to top DANCE Recurrent flow of foot and body movements RHYTHM BREAK To leave the natural rhythm of the pattern RIGHT Refers to the right foot, hand, hip or a direction RISE AND FALL Coming up on the toes by bracing the ankles and stretching the spine then lowering to the heels BODY RISE The body rises by bracing the leg muscles and stretching the spine then relaxes to a natural stance ROLL The indicated body part circles right or left ROUND DANCE All types of social dances were once called round dances. Today round dance refers to couples or groups of three or more, doing routine patterns dancing counterclockwise or clockwise around the dance floor RUNNING MAN A series of steps and scoots (usually back) that resemble a running action EXAMPLE: 1 Step slightly forward LEFT & Hitch right and scoot back on LEFT 2 Step slightly forward RIGHT & Hitch left and scoot back on RIGHT Repeat as many times as the count indicates SAILOR STEP A triple step dance pattern accomplished by leaning in the opposite direction of the crossing foot (weight stays centered over lead foots original position) EXAMPLE: Leaning toward left (1) Step left behind right (&) Side step right (2) Side step left (to original position) SCOOT or SKIP Slide of the weighted foot (or feet) forward, backward or sideways or A hitch with movement of the weighted foot SHUFFLE A triple step similar to a Polka step with no lilt; EXAMPLE: SHUFFLE FORWARD LEFT 1 Step forward left & Bring the right foot up to the heel of the left foot 2 Step forward left Note: From a technical stand point, a shuffle would be smooth, a polka would have lilt (bounce), and a cha-cha would have Cuban Motion. This may be of little or no concern to the social dancer especially the beginner. SHIMMY Alternating shoulder movements forward and backward SLIDE A movement in any direction; Step on one foot then draw or slide the other foot up to the weighted foot SLOW A step or weight change that takes two beats of music SPIN A 360° turn on one foot SPLIT The feet move apart with the weight evenly distributed over both feet SPOT A step in place that does not progress in any direction SPOTTING Focusing on a fixed point through a turn SYNCOPATED SPLITS Feet move apart separately and are brought back together Counted as "& 1, & 2" STEPS WALKING - SLOW Usually takes two beats of music RUNNING - QUICK(Half of a Slow) takes one beat of music SLIDE (left or right) May be taken to a Slow or Quick coun PIVOT - A movement of the feet, turning on the ball or balls of the feet BALANCE - A step, together, hold STEP The transfer of weight from one foot to another STROLL A forward diagonal step followed by a cross behind (lock) and another step forward STRUT Moving forward, place the heel then the ball of the foot on the floor for counts 1, 2 SUGAR FOOT Alternating swiveling feet in the direction of the un-weighted foot Taken in place or traveling SWAY A tilt of the chest to the side, without lowering the torso Stretching from the side upwards SWING The free foot is raised and moved forward, backward, sideways or crosswise SYNCOPATED PATTERN Any variation of a defined dance pattern SYNCOPATED RHYTHM To step between the down beats Any rhythm pattern which uses accents other than the down beat return to top TYPES OF TURNS: OUTSIDE A turn to the right for the lady and left for the man, -INSIDE A turn to the left far the lady and right for the man FREE TURN To turn independently without any body contact CHAINÉ A turn with feet together in 1st position with a weight change 3-STEP TURN or CONGA A 360° turn in 2nd dance position, taking three weight changes and ending with a touch or point. Often called a turning or rolling vine, because of it's common usage as a variation within a dance PADDLE TURN A turn either left or right, using a series of ball changes with 3/4 of the weight staying over the turning foot PIVOT A 180° turn taking two weight changes to complete Done in extended 3rd or 4th dance position with the thighs locked TRAVELING PIVOTS Pivots danced down LOD in extended 5th position PIVOT TURN, MILITARY TURN or BREAK TURN Transfer weight to the forward foot then turn 180° in the opposite direction of the forward foot Return weight to original foot SPIN A 360° turn on one foot TWIRL A square dance term for turning the lady VARIATIONS Any movement of footwork that is different from the original footwork WEIGHT CHANGES BALL CHANGE A change of weight from the ball of one foot to the other foot CROSS To move one foot over the other, either in front or behind KICK, BALL, CHANGE May also be done as a Heel, Ball, Change. ex: Kick forward right & Step down on ball of right; Change weight to left IN PLACE, RECOVER Return the weight to the original supporting weighted foot ROCK Two weight changes with the feet apart, taken in any direction SWITCH Shifting weight from one foot to the other in a rapid sliding movement TOGETHER To bring the feet together with a change of weight WEIGHTED LEG/FOOT or SUPPORT LEG/FOOT The foot/leg bearing the weight of the body. The foot you're standing on. return to top |