Terminology

  • Terminology

    Most dances fall into one of four categories
    • One step
    • Two step
    • Cha cha
    • Waltz
    The first three are counted in groups of 8 beats of music, whilst the waltz is counted in groups of 6 beats of music. The steps of the first three are counted individually e.g. 1,2,3,4 or in double time e.g. 1&2, 3&4. With a waltz, the count is 123,456.

    Single beat steps:
    TERM COUNTS DESCRIPTION
    Step 1 place foot on floor and take weight onto it
    Touch/tap 1 touch toe or heel to ground but don't put any weight on it
    Stomp 1 make a 'stamping' action (don't stamp hard to hurt your foot) can take weiqht onto stompinq foot/or not
    Brush 1 brush ball of foot forward and upwards past the foot you are standing on
    Scuff 1 brush heel of foot forward and upwards past the foot you are standing on
    Hitch 1 to raise the knee up
    Hop 1 spring into the air taking off and landing with same foot
    Hook 1 lift foot cross shin of supporting leg
    Jump 1 jump forward or backward taking off and landing with both feet at the same time.
    Syncopated: left or right lead (example forward right) (&) step forward on right (1) step left next to right
    Rock 1 transfer of weight from one foot to the other
    Slide 1 to draw one foot next to the supporting foot
    Heel fan 1 move the heel out while keeping ball of the same foot in contact with floor
    Toe fan 1 move the toe out while keeping heel of the same foot in contact with the floor
    hip bumps bump hips to the right, left, backwards or forwards in time to the music
    Heel splits 2 keep weight on balls of feet
    (1) move both heel out at the same time
    (2) bring both heels back to the center at the same time
    Heel strut 2 (1) place heel forward on floor
    (2) drop toe onto floor taking weight onto foot
    Toe strut 2 (1) place toe forward /or backwards on floor
    (2)drop heel onto floor taking weight onto foot
    Right ½ pivot 2 (1) step forward on left foot,
    (2) pivot ½ (180°) to your right taking weight onto right foot (end up facing the wall that was behind you)
    Can also be a ¼ (90°) or ¾ (270°) turn
    Left ½ pivot 2 (1) step forward on right foot,
    (2) pivot ½ (180°) to your left taking weight onto left foot (end up facing the wall that was behind you)
    Can also be a ¼ (90°) or ¾ (270°) turn
    Right vine 4 (1) step right foot to side,
    (2) step left foot behind right,
    (3) step right foot to side,
    (4) varies, could be a touch, hitch, scuff, brush, or others)
    Left vine 4 (1) step left foot to side,
    (2) step right foot behind left,
    (3) step left foot to side,
    (4) varies, could be a touch, hitch, scuff, brush, or others)
    weave right 4 (1) step left foot across in front of right,
    (2) step right to right side,
    (3) step left foot back behind right,
    (4) step right foot to right side
    weave left 4 (1) step right foot across in front of left,
    (2) step left foot to left side,
    (3) step right foot back behind left,
    (4) step left foot to left side
    jazz box 4 step right foot across in front of left, step left foot back, step right foot to right side, step left foot next to left. Also done leading with left foot i.e. start by crossing left in front of right"
    ½ Monterey turn

    Can also be a
    ¼ (90°) or
    ¾ (270°) turn     		4 (1) touch right toe to right side,
    (2) on ball of left foot make ½ (180°) turn to your right (as you bring right foot together next to left) transfer weight onto right,
    (3) touch left toe out to the side,
    (4) step left foot next to right.
    Although not as common Monterey can also done turning to the left i.e. start by touching left toe to left side

    Syncopated steps: (the “AND” count) 3 steps undertaken over 2 beats of music. (to the count of “1 & 2” ) The following instructions are all leading with the right foot, but are also danced leading with the left foot (just the replace steps to read; 1-left / &-right / 2-left)

    TERM DESCRIPTION
    Cha cha or triple step (1) step right (on the spot)
    (&) step left (on the spot)
    (2)step right (on the spot)
    Forward shuffle (1) step forward on right foot,(&) step left foot to side of right heel,(2) step forward on right foot
    Backward shuffle (1) step back on right foot,
    (&) step left foot back to side of right toe,
    (2) step back on right foot
    Chasse (1) step right foot to right side,
    (&) step left foot next to right foot,
    (2) step right foot to right side
    Coaster step (1) step right foot back,
    (&) step left foot back next to right,
    (2) step forward on right foot
    Although not as common Coaster step can also be done moving forward, then back
    Kick ball change (1) kick right foot forward,
    (&) step onto ball of right foot (next to left foot) lifting left foot slightly off the floor,
    (2) (on the same spot) replace weight onto left foot
    Mambo step (1) step forward on right foot,
    (&) raise left foot slightly put it back in place
    (2) step right foot back next to left
    can be done to move backwards or sideways
    Sailor step step right foot behind left foot,
    step left foot to left side,
    step right foot parallel to left (feet end up slightly apart)
    Samba step
    (bota foga)     		step right foot across in front of left foot,
    step left foot to left side,
    step right foot parallel to left (feet end up slightly apart)

    Just a few more! All examples leading with right foot but are also done leading with left foot

    TERM COUNTS DESCRIPTION
    Applejacks
    (an extreme art!!)     		2 (1) with weight on right toe and left heel,
    turn right heel into the left and left toe out to the left
    (&) return both feet to centre ready to change weight,
    (2) with weight on right heel and left toe, turn right toe into the right and left heel out to the right,
    (&) return both feet to centre ready to change weight
    Good Luck! Try one foot at a time and then join them both toqether. Once mastered, never forqotteni! enioy
    Charleston steps 4 (1) touch right toe forward,
    (2) step right foot next to left,
    (3) touch left toe back,
    (4) step left foot next to right
    Cross unwind 2 (1) cross right toe in front of left foot,
    (2) unwind to left on balls of feet to take weight onto right foot
    or
    (1) cross right toe behind of left foot,
    (2) unwind to right on balls of feet to take weight onto right foot
    Can be a ¼ (90°), ½ (180), ¾ (270°) or full (360°) turn
    Heel grinds 2 (1) step right heel forward with toe pointing towards left
    (left foot raises slightly so more weight is on right heel)
    (2) grind right heel into floor, fanning toes to right and taking weight (weight returns to left foot)
    Heel switches 2 (1) touch right heel forward
    (&) step right foot next to left
    (2) touch left heel forward
    (&) step left foot next to right
    Heel swivets 4 (1) with weight on right heel and left toe, fan right toe to right at same time fan left heel to left
    (2) return feet to center change weight to left heel and right toe,
    (3) fan left toe to left and right heel to right,
    (4)    return feet to center
    Knee pops
    (Elvis knees)     		2 (1) with weight on left bend right knee in towards left leg,
    (2) straighten right knee and bend left knee in towards right leg
    Lock steps back 4 (1) step back on right foot,
    (2) step left foot in front of right toe,
    (3) step back on right foot
    (4) varies, could be a touch, hitch, scuff, brush, or others)
    Lock steps forward 4 (1) step forward on right foot,
    (2) step left foot behind right heel,
    (3) step forward on right foot
    (4) varies, could be a touch, hitch, scuff, brush, or others)
    Rhonde turn 3 (1,2) sweep right toe in front of left as you make ½ turn left on ball of left foot
    (3) touch right toe next to left
    Rolling vine 4 (1) make ¼ turn right, stepping right foot forward,
    (2) ¼ turn right on the ball of right foot stepping left to left side,
    (3) pivot ½ turn right on ball of left foot stepping right foot to right side
    (4) varies, could be a touch, hitch, scuff, brush, or others)
    Rumba box 8 (1) step forward on right foot,
    (2) hold for 1 count, (or touch left toe next to right)
    (3) step left to left side,
    (4) step right next to left,
    (5) step back on left foot,
    (6) hold for 1 count, (or touch right toe next to left)
    (7) step right to right side,
    (8) step left foot next to right
    can be varied to start backwards or sideways
    Running man 2 (1) step forward right foot,
    (&) hitch right knee and scoot left foot back (at same time)
    (2) step forward left foot
    (&) hitch left knee and scoot riqht foot back (at same time)
    Scissor step 4 (1) step right foot to right side,
    (2) slide left foot to right bringing left toe inline with instep of right, but feet should be slightly apart allowing for the next step to be done
    (3) cross step right foot in front of left,
    (4) hold for one beat (can also be syncopated - count is 1&2&)
    Toe switches
    (side switches)     		2 (1) touch right toe to right side,
    (&) step right foot next to left
    (2) touch left toe to left side,
    (&) step left foot next to riqht
    Twinkle
    (waltz timing)     		3 (1) step right foot across in front of left (2) step left foot to left side (slightly back) (3) step riqht foot next to left
    Vorderville 4 (1) cross right foot over left
    (&) step left to left side
    (2) tap right heel diagonally forward to the right
    (&) step right foot next to left, feet slightly apart
    (3) cross left foot over right
    (&) step right to right side
    (4) tap left heel diagonally forward to the left
    (&) step left foot next to riqht, feet sliqhtly apart

  • Basic Line Dancing Steps

      Cue Description
    dot Basic Right Side RF, together LF, side RF, touch LF
    Basic Left Side LF, together RF, side LF, touch RF
    (Basic Variations) (Touch can be changed to - knee, kick)
    dot Vine Right Side RF, cross in back LF, side RF, touch LF
    Vine Left Side LF, cross in back HF, side LF, touch RF
    (Vine Variations) (Cross can be in back or in front)
    dot Double Vine Right Side RF, cross in back LF, side RF, cross in front LF, side RF, cross in back LF, side RF, touch LF
    Double Vine Left Side LF, cross in back RF, side LF, cross in front RF, side LF, cross in back RF, side LF, touch RF
    dot Twist Vine Right Cross in front LF, side RF, cross in back LF, side RF
    Twist Vine Left Cross in front RF, side LF, cross in back RF, side LF
    dot Scissor Right Side RF, together LF, cross RF in front
    Scissor Left Side LF, together RF, cross LF in front
    dot Two-Step Forward Step forward LF, together RF, step forward LF
    or Step forward RF, together LF, step forward RF
    dot Cha Cha and Polka Same movements as two-step but to different beat
    dot Limp Same movements as vine but with knee bending
    dot Full Box Forward Side, Together, Step Forward, Side, Together, Step Back.  — First Step can be to right or left as cued
    FuLL Box Back Side, Together, Step Back, Side, Together, Step Forward.  — First Step Can Be To Right Or Left As Cued
    (Variation) (Waltz Tempo Step Forward Or Back First)
    dot Hitch Forward 3 RF or LF, Forward, Together, Back
    Hitch Back 3 RF or LF, Back, Together, Forward
    dot Hitch Forward 4 RF or LF, Forward, Together, Back, Together
    Hitch Back 4 RF or LF, Back, Together, Forward, Together
    dot Rock, Recover Can As Done Forward, Back On To Either Side, on LF on RF. Step Forward And Without Moving Feet Shift Weight To Forward Foot Then Shift Weight Back To Stand On Back Foot
    dot Basketball Turn Step Forward RF. Do not move LF. Pivot 180, again. Step Forward RF. Pivot 180
    dot Twinkle (Waltz) (Can Start With Left Foot Or Right Foot. Can Cross In Front Or Back) Cross RF Over LF, Step To Side With LF. Close RF To LF
    dot Ramble Forward Point RToe TO RIGHT Side, Cross RF In Front Of LF, Point LToe To Left Side, Cross LF In Front Of RF
    Ramble Back Point LToe Diagonally Back And Turn Body ¼ LEFT, STEP LF BKWD, Point RToe Diagonally BKWD And Turn Body ¼ Right
    dot Chasse (Cha Cha Beat) Step Forward On Lf, Turn ½ Turn To The Right, Weight On RF, Then Cha Cha LF, RF, LF Step Forward On RF, Turn ½ Turn To The Left, Weight On LF THEN Cha Cha RF, LF, RF
    dot Buzz Step Turn Left On LF, Pivot By Pushing With RF, Repeat, Repeat, Repeat. Step On RF, Pivot By Pushing With LF, Repeat, Repeat, Repeat
      Cue Description
    dot Buttermilk Stand With Feet Together. Lift Heels Off Floor. Swing Heels Out To Sides And Back Together (As In Clicking Heels At Attention)
    dot Scoot Left Step LF In Front Of RToe Shift Weight Onto RF Immediately Kick LF Straight Out
    Scoot Right Step RF In Front Of LToe Shift Weight Onto LF Immediately Kick RF Straight Out
    dot Lock (Can Be Forward, Back Left Or Right) Front Left: Step LF Forward, Bring RToe Cross Behind LHeel, Step Forward On LF Back Left: Step LF Back, Bring RHeel Cross In Front Of LToe, sTEP Back on LF.
    dot Jazz The Box (Left Or Right) Or X-Box Right: Step Forward On RF, Cross Lf In Front Of RF, Step Back On RF, Close LF To RF
    dot Cut Back (Reverse Decription For Left Right: Cross LF In Front Of RF (LF Takes Weight) Step RF Backwards
    dot Roll Full (Right Or Left) Turn Hard Left Walking 360 LF, RF, LF And Touch RF
    dot Cotton Eye Joe (Left Or Right) Left: Kick LF Forward, Kick LF Forward, Triplet Backwards L, R, L
    dot Charleston Step On LF, Swing To PoINT RToe In Front, Step On RF Backwards, Point LToe BEhind
    dot Satin Sheets Rock Back On RF Step On LF Turn ¼ To Left, Step On RF Beside LF, Cross LF Behind RF, Step RF To R Side And Rock, Step LF To L Side And Rock, Cross RF In Front Of LF Step LF Together
    dot Forward Passe Walk 3 Forward, RF, LF, RF, Left Knee Up And Turn ¼ To Left, Back Up 3 LF, RF, LF
    dot Chug Both Feet Together, Small Hop Front Or Back
    dot Merengue Side Drag, Side Drag, Side Drag, Side Touch
    dot Balance Left Step LF To L, Cross RF Directly Behind LF And Take Weight On It Momentary Then Step Left In Place
    dot Sand Step Touch R Toe into L Instep, Then Change To R Heel Into L Instep
    dot Hustle Forward & Back Forward LF, RF, LF and Kick Or Touch With RF. Backup Up RF, LF, RF and Touch With LF
    dot Cross Rock Cross RF Over LF And Put Weight On It, Rock Back On LF
    dot Double Cross Rock Repeat Above Step Twice
    dot Step Touch Right & Left Step RF To Right And Touch LF To RF, Step LF To Left And Touch RF To LF
    dot Twisty Two Step Right Step To Right Close LF, Step To Right Turning 180 To Back Wall, Step LF To LEFT, Close RF Then Step LF To Left And Hold
    dot Passe Left Step LF To Left Cross RF In Back, Step LF To Left At Same Time RKnee Up And Make 180 Left Fade Turn
    dot California Schottische Point RToe To Front Right, Then Point To Slde, Then Cross RF Behind LF Step LF In Place And Step RF Cross In Front Of LF
    dot Lunge Forward LF Forward Put Weight On It, Weight Back To RF Replace LF Beside RF

  • Terminology

    Used Within
    Advance Beginners - Book 3

    Right Vine:
    Begins with the Right Foot, moving to the right. Step to the right side with your R foot on “1 cross-step L foot behind R foot on step on R foot to right side again (a 1/4 or 1/2 turn Ligm can be added here) on “3”… and a stomp / kick/ brush / or touch L foot beside R foot on (instructor will let you know which one to do).
     
    Left Vine:
    Begins with the Left Foot, moving to the left. Same as above, but for the L foot this time. (Note: if a ¼ or ½ turn is used, the turn is to the left)
     
    Rolling Vines:
    Using 4 beats in 4 steps (1/4 turn on each step), do a full 360 degree turn to end up facing the same wall you started at.
    • Rolling Right Vine – starting with your R foot on “1” step it ¼ turn to the wall on your right… L foot then steps another ¼ turn to the next wall on your right (should be facing the back wall now) on “2”… R foot steps another ¼ turn to the next wall on the right on “3”… and L foot steps to be facing the original wall again on “4” (360 degree turn right in 4 steps – R L R L).
    • Rolling Left Vine – same as above but it starts with the Left foot and does a 360 degree turn to the left in 4 steps – L R L R).
     
    Right Cross Box or Jazz Box:
    Cross-step R foot over L foot on “1”… step back onto L foot on “2”… step to the right side onto the R foot on and step on “3”… L foot beside R foot on “4”.(Can also hop fwd. both feet on “4″)
     
    Left Cross Box or Jazz Box:
    Cross-step L foot over R foot on “1”… step back onto R foot on “2”… step to the left side onto the L foot on “3”… and step on R foot beside L foot on “4”(Can also hop fwd. both feet on “4”)
     
    Three-Step Shuffle:
    (instructor will tell you which foot to start shuffle on): This is a double-time step to the count: “1 & 2″ or “3 & 4”, and which can be done moving forward… backwards… to either side… or on the spot.
    Quickly step (e.g.) R L R on “1 & 2″ (there is a little pause on the “&” after “2″ before continuing with the next step (usually another shuffle).
     
    Pigeon Toes:
    Keeping your toes together and pivoting on the floor, lift and push your heels out to the sides on “1”… and bring them back together and down on “2” This is usually repeated for “3”… “4”.
     
    Heel Clicks:
    (Like Dorothy did in her ruby red shoes in the Wizard of Oz, to go home to Kansas), keep toes on the floor and quickly push heels out on “&” and click them together on “1” (This is usually repeated for beat “2”).
     
    Fans:
    Keep heel glued to the floor and pivot on it to push toe out to the side on “1”… and back where it came from on 2 . (Usually done twice or alternating with other foot).
     
    Brush / Scuff:
    Brush foot beside other foot and forward of floor.
     
    Hitch:
    Lift bent knee up (usually on beat “4”) while hopping once on other foot.
     
    Scoot:
    Little hop on one-foot while sliding it forward, (or back) on the floor a little (and bending the other knee up while you do it).
     
    Step-slide:
    Step forward… back… or to the side onto one foot and slide the other foot to meet it. (Usually done twice).
     
    Hat Dance:
    Dig R heel forward on “1”… quickly hop onto R foot while digging L heel forward on “2”… quickly hop onto L foot again, while digging R heel forward on “3”… and hold for “4”. (Can also start with L heel dig forward).
     
    Star:
    Step forward onto (e.g.) R foot on “1” and bring L foot to meet it while clapping, on “2”… step back onto L foot on “3” and bring R foot to meet it while clapping on “4”…
    Then, step back onto R foot on “5” and bring L foot to meet it on “6”… and step forward onto L foot on “7” and bring R foot to meet it while clapping on “8”
     
    Right Kick Ball Change:
    Kick R foot forward on “1″ and quickly step it down beside L foot on “&”… then, a quick L foot step beside R on “2”. (Kick R. step R/L on “1 & 2”).
     
    Left Kick Ball Change:
    Same as above, but starting with L foot kick instead of R foot kick, etc.
     
    Hip Bumps:
    Definitely, the BEST part of Line-Dancing!!
    Swing hips to (e.g.) the right, shifting the weight to the R foot. . . and/or swing hips to the left, shifting weight to the left foot, etc. (Can bump hips once twice… left… right… or even, “Circle bumps” – swinging hips in a circular pattern, either clockwise, or counter-clockwise.)