ACROSS - Movement 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 -
PARTNER ALIGNMENT - The symmetric alignment of a couple
AND - 1. Half of a Quick count (& 1 or 1 &)
2. A Call such as "ready and"
3. Indicates simultaneous action
APART - 1. Movement away from partner or one foot away from the other
2. Placement of feet apart from 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 - (aka 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 - aka Black Bottom aka Montana Kick
A 4 count pattern of steps and kicks
Step forward left, Kick forward right, Step back right, Point the left toe back
(but what would we call it when it starts on the right foot. I personally call it a charleston
emphasizing which feet are doing what.
CHAINÉ - A 360 degree turn, feet together in first position, changing weight
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 - 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 degrees 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 - (aka DRAG aka 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. ......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
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 flat 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 - (aka VINE) A continuous traveling three-step pattern to the side with crosses behind and/or in front
HEEL SPLIT - (aka WING, SCISSORS, 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"
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 - (aka 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 - (aka JAZZ SQUARE)
Step forward left, Step right across left, Step back left, Side step right
or:
Step forward right, Step left across right, Step back right, Side step left
JUMP - Spring into the air off both feet and land on both feet
KNEE POPS - (aka 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"
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
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
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
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 - (aka SKIP)
Slide of the weighted foot (or feet) forward, backward or sideways.
A hitch with movement of the weighted foot
SHUFFLE - A triple step similar to a Polka step with no lilt (says NTA)
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
Stepping on one foot and 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 degree 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"
STEP - The transfer of weight from one foot to another
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 count
PIVOT - A movement of the feet, turning on the ball or balls of the feet
BALANCE - A step, together, hold
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
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 aka 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 degree 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 aka MILITARY TURN aka 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.
Personal note: If you change the count or flow of the dance IMHO it's not a variation.
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:
1 - Kick forward right
& - Step down on ball of right
2 - 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 aka SUPPORT LEG/FOOT
The foot/leg bearing the weight of the body. The foot you're standing on.
ALIGNMENT - The position of the body with relation to the Line of Dance
FLOOR ALIGNMENT -
PARTNER ALIGNMENT - The symmetric alignment of a couple
AND - 1. Half of a Quick count (& 1 or 1 &)
2. A Call such as "ready and"
3. Indicates simultaneous action
APART - 1. Movement away from partner or one foot away from the other
2. Placement of feet apart from 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 - (aka 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 - aka Black Bottom aka Montana Kick
A 4 count pattern of steps and kicks
Step forward left, Kick forward right, Step back right, Point the left toe back
(but what would we call it when it starts on the right foot. I personally call it a charleston
emphasizing which feet are doing what.
CHAINÉ - A 360 degree turn, feet together in first position, changing weight
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 - 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 degrees 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 - (aka DRAG aka 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. ......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
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 flat 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 - (aka VINE) A continuous traveling three-step pattern to the side with crosses behind and/or in front
HEEL SPLIT - (aka WING, SCISSORS, 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"
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 - (aka 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 - (aka JAZZ SQUARE)
Step forward left, Step right across left, Step back left, Side step right
or:
Step forward right, Step left across right, Step back right, Side step left
JUMP - Spring into the air off both feet and land on both feet
KNEE POPS - (aka 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"
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
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
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
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 - (aka SKIP)
Slide of the weighted foot (or feet) forward, backward or sideways.
A hitch with movement of the weighted foot
SHUFFLE - A triple step similar to a Polka step with no lilt (says NTA)
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
Stepping on one foot and 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 degree 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"
STEP - The transfer of weight from one foot to another
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 count
PIVOT - A movement of the feet, turning on the ball or balls of the feet
BALANCE - A step, together, hold
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
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 aka 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 degree 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 aka MILITARY TURN aka 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.
Personal note: If you change the count or flow of the dance IMHO it's not a variation.
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:
1 - Kick forward right
& - Step down on ball of right
2 - 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 aka SUPPORT LEG/FOOT
The foot/leg bearing the weight of the body. The foot you're standing on.
Glossary Of Dance Terminology
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