GLOSSARY OF DANCE TERMINOLOGY

GLOSSARY OF LINE DANCE TERMSCompiled by Prof. Mynette AguilarCollege of Human Kinetics, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon CityThis list was compiled using glossaries form other sources, most notably , Don Deynes Glossary of Dance Terminology, and Christy Lanes Complete Book of Line Dancing, The Line & Country & Western Dance & Music FAQ, Oldies But Goodies - A Country Western LineDance Reference Handbook. These are the terms I use in my classes. ANDHalf 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

BALL CHANGEA step in any direction, followed by a Close (no weight) and a Hold

BRUSH aka ScuffA smooth swing of the leg to the front or back. As the leg swings, the foot lightly brushes the floor. Since a brush takes one count and leaves the foot in the air, another move/count is required to return the foot to the floor

BUMPDancers bump hips to the side or the buttocks of their partners

CHA CHA

A CHA CHA STEP involves a Contra hip movement (Cuban Hip) and is more of a weight change than a foot movement, although foot movement can occur. A CHA CHA CHA and a SHUFFLE are not interchangeable. They are two distinctly different steps done in the same rhythm (1 & 2 or 3 & 4).

All Cha Cha steps are counted 1&2, 3&4 etc and it is basically a quick weight change from foot to foot. For example a forward right foot (right-left-right) Cha Cha (Triple Step) involves:

1 - Step forward on the right foot& - Then on the ball of the left foot (placing your weight on the left foot)2- Then immediately place your weight on the right foot moving forward, backwards, or sideways

Simply reverse the above for a left-right-left forward left foot Cha Cha.

Differences Between A Cha Cha Cha & A Triple Step: A CHA CHA CHA can move forwards, backwards or from side to side in either direction. A TRIPLE STEP will move only forwards. Both the Cha Cha Cha and Triple Step incorporate three steps in two beats requiring one of the beats to be split. Hip action in the Cha Cha Cha will result from the correct use of the leg and knee action with the knee tending to straighten a little as the weight is transfered onto it. There is no hip action in the Triple Step because the knees are flexed throughout.

CHARLESTON aka Black Bottom aka Montana KickA 4 count pattern of steps and kicks as follows:

Step forward left, Kick forward right, Step back right Point the left toe back

CHUG aka Scoot aka Skooch aka HopA scoot forward or sideways on one foot while the other foot is held in a raised position.

CLOSETo bring the feet together without a change of weight

SCUFF see BrushCOASTER STEPS

Rock forward on your right foot, rock back on your left foot and then do a small cha cha cha backwards (R,L,R). Simply reverse this for a left foot Coaster Step.

CUBAN MOTIONHip motion initiated by using the inside edge and ball of the foot during weight transfer

DIGTo touch the ball or heel of the free foot to the floor with a strong emphasis

DRAW aka Drag aka SlideTo bring the free foot slowly together to the weighted foot

FANCircular motion of the free foot

TOE FANToe swings outward, pivoting on heel, and back

HEEL FANHeel swings outward, pivoting on ball of foot, and back

FLICKSharp, quick kick backwards with a pointed toe and a flexed knee

FREEZEA stop no movement

GRAPEVINE aka VineA four-step traveling move to four beats that goes right or left

HEEL FAN see FanHEEL PIVOT

A turn on the heel of one foot with no weight changeHEEL SPLIT aka Scissors aka Pigeon-Toe aka Butterflies aka Buttermilk aka ChickensFeet together with weight on balls of both feet. Move heels apart on count 1, and together on count 2

HEEL STOMPS aka Knee Pops 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"

HIP BUMPAn emphasized hip movement in any given direction

HITCH

Right/take right heel and touch forward, take the right foot and bring it upward in front of the right shin, touch right heel down in front and return next to left foot. Count: forward heel-1, up to shin-2, return heel-3, return "home"-4.HITCH KICK See Kick Ball ChangeHOLDA count to describe a designated time before taking another step

HOMEOriginal starting place

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

HOPA spring into the air from one foot and landing on the same foot

JAZZ BOX aka Jazz SquareA four-count move and can be performed to the left or to the right.

Step forward left, Step right across left, Step back left, Side step rightor:

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 feetKICK

A quick foot movement (kick) forward, or backward or sideways without a transfer of weight.

KICK BALL CHANGE

You kick your right (or left) leg slightly forward, step down on the ball of that same foot for one beat, then quickly "change" weight to the opposite foot thus creating the kick-ball-change.KNEE DIP

From closed position, bend both knees, then straighten.LEAPA 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

LOCKA tight cross of the feet in position.

LUNGEA weight transfer to a bent leg with the other leg extended.MILITARY TURN aka Pivot Turn aka Break TurnTransfer weight to the forward foot then turn 180 in the opposite direction of the forward foot Return weight to original foot

PADDLE TURNA turn either left or right, using a series of ball changes with 3/4 of the weight staying over the turning foot

PIGEON TOEA pattern traveling sideways bringing the toes together leaving the heels apart, then bringing the heels together leaving the toes apart

PIVOTA traveling turn executed with thighs locked and feet apart in extended fifth position

POINT

Stretching the toes of the free foot so the foot points forward, backward, sideways.

RHYTHM BREAKTo leave the natural rhythm of the pattern.

ROCKShifting the weight from foot to foot.

SAILOR STEP aka Pas de BourreeA 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 ChugSlide of the weighted foot (or feet) forward, backward or sideways with the other leg in a hook position. SCUFF

A gentle kick forward while scuffing the heel on the dance floor

SHUFFLEShuffle is three steps to two beats of music. EXAMPLE: SHUFFLE FORWARD LEFT 1 Step forward left & Bring the right foot up to the heel of the left foot 2 Step forward left. Just reverse these steps for a right foot lead. 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.SHIMMYAlternating shoulder movements forward and backward. This is essentially a style move.

SLAP

A slap of a foot or knee with the opposite hand.SLIDEA movement in any direction Step on one foot then draw or slide the other foot up to the weighted foot.

SPIN aka Hook Turn aka PirouetteA 360 degree turn on one foot.

STEPThe transfer of weight from one foot to another.

STOMPA loud stomp of the foot on the floor with a weight transfer to the stomping foot. However, the weight could be evenly distributed over both feet if a further step move is to follow immediately after the Stomp.STRUTMoving forward, place the heel then the ball of the foot on the floor for counts 1, 2.

SYNCOPATED PATTERNAny variation of a defined dance pattern.

SYNCOPATED RHYTHMTo step between the down beats Any rhythm pattern which uses accents other than the down beat.

SWITCHA small hop executed while one foot is forward. During the hop, the forward foot is returned to the "home" position and the opposite foot is "switched" to the forward position.

SWIVELS

Heel swivels, heel splits, heel spreads, heel scissors, pigeon toes, heel fans, etc. Usually called either HEEL SPLITS OR HEEL SWIVELS. Heel swivels do not necessarily mean that the heels go apart and then together, it can mean that they both go in the same direction:

1. With your weight on the balls of your feet, swivel both heels left.2. With your weight on the balls of your feet, swivel heels to the centre.3. With your weight on the balls of your feet, swivel both heels right.4. With your weight on the balls of your feet, swivel heels to the centre.

SWIVET For a SWIVET to the right: On the ball of your left foot and the heel of your right foot, swivel your left heel to the left and your right toes to the right. Simply reverse this for a SWIVET to the left. During the SWIVET your heel and toes should be moved at approximately a 45 degree angle.

TOE SPLITSWith heels in place, fan the toes of both feet out and then back together.TOGETHERTo move the free foot next to the foot in place.

VINE See GrapevineWEAVE aka Travelling Grapevine

A continuous grapevine of eight or more counts.- 1 -Glossary Of Line Dance Terms

Prof. Mynette R. Aguilar, CHK, UP Diliman, Q.C.