Action
A movement or type of movement (e.g. Pivoting Action, Lowering Action).
Activate
To set in motion (e.g. Activate the moving leg).
Adagio
slowly developed movements such as attitudes, arabesques, and developpes where only one foot is in contact with the floor.
Allegro
fast movements where only one foot is in contact with the floor. These include kicks and flicks.
Amalgamation
A combination of two or more patterns or movements.
Anticipation
Premature action taken by the follower, before signal is given by the leader.
Appel
An accented movement in place, where the body weight is dropped sharply onto a flat foot. The Appel usually marks the beginning of a strong directional movement.
Backing
A term used in the description of Alignments, to specify movement which is backward ( i.e. Backing LOD, Backing DC ).
Blending
The skillful combining of movements in a smooth and natural manner.
Broken sway
Body sway which does not result from the natural swinging action of the body, such as is found in an Oversway.
Change of weight
The full movement or transference of body weight from one foot to the other.
Change weight
To completely move or transfer the body weight from one foot to the other.
Component
A small, individual unit of movement.
Continuity movement
The continuous passing of the feet from one step to the next, without closing or chasse action. The concept of continuity-style movement is usually specific to the ballroom swing dances, and pertains to the third or last step in a measure. In American Style competitive dancing, continuity is not allowed in the Bronze Level.
Contra body movement
The turning of the body against the standing foot, in the direction of the moving leg. Contra Body Movement is used to commence turns in the ballroom dances. Also known as: Contrary Body Movement, Contra Body Motion.
Contra body movement position
The foot position achieved by placing the moving foot along the path of the standing foot, either in front or behind.
Control
The ability to maintain balance and stability throughout the body while dancing.
Dancer’s compass
a diagram that shows floor movement directions, such as “forward line if dance,” “diagonal wall, “diagonal center,” etc.
Diagonal movement
Movement which is simultaneously lateral (sideways) and progressive (forward/back).
Directional movement
Movement toward a specific direction (as opposed to rotational movement). Three types of directional movement are Lateral, Progressive, and Diagonal.
Drop
A type of movement in which one partner’s body weight becomes partially or completely supported by the other, while at least one part of the supportee’s body remains in contact with the floor.
Feather
A Foxtrot movement involving 3 progressive steps, the third step usually taken with lady in Right Outside Partner Position. Types of Feather movements: Feather Step, Feather Finish, Feather Finish from PP, Hover Feather, Curved Feather, Back Feather.
Floor craft
The ability of the leader to maneuver around the dance floor in a skilled and controlled manner as to avoid colliding with other dancers.
Following
correctly reacting to the movements and signals given by the leader, through one or more connections (visual and/or physical).
Impetus
The driving force behind a movement or rotation.
Lateral movement
Movement to the side.
Leading
Effective communication of intended actions on the part of the man, through the use of his own body movements, and through one or more connections to his partner (physical and/or visual).
Line of dance
The counterclockwise flow of traffic around the dance floor. The Line of Dance represents the general direction of movement overall, and is only pertinent to dances that travel continuously around the floor, such as Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango, and Samba.
Linear
Movement which follows a straight direction, as opposed to movement which is rotational.
Metronomic motion
Movement of the body or part of the body which emulates the swinging action of a metronome: An upper portion of the body travels at a faster rate of speed than a portion of the body below.
Moving
A description of the direction toward which the body is traveling, specifically when it is different from the body’s facing alignment and/or pointing alignment.
Opposition
Movement taken in a direction opposite of the direction of one’s partner.
Passe
A movement in which the pointed foot of the working leg is made to pass the knee of the supporting leg. The result is a figure “4.”
Pendulum motion
Movement of the body or part of the body which emulates the swinging action of a pendulum: A lower portion of the body travels at a faster rate of speed than a portion of the body above.
Progressive movement
Movement which travels forward or backward through space.
Progressive rotation
Movement which is both progressive and rotational in nature. Examples of progressive rotation are Pivots, Chainé Turns, and the Viennese Left Cross Turn.
Rise and fall
Coming up on the toes by bracing the ankles and stretching the spine then lowering to the heels.
Rotational movement
Movement which causes the body to turn towards a new alignment or orientation.
Shimmy
Alternating shoulder movements forward and backward.
Side leading
Position of the body such that the side of the body corresponding to the moving foot is in advance of the other side. For example, when the right foot moves forward, the right side of the body moves forward in advance of the left side. Opposite of Contra Body Movement.
Spotting
A technique for keeping oriented and avoiding dizziness during turns. Select a spot; keep looking at it as you turn until you can’t any longer; then quickly turn your head so you are looking at it again.
Sway
The inclination of the body to the left or right, usually away from the direction of movement.
Timing
The synchronizing of movement of two bodies, or of the various actions within one body.