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Ballroom Dance Steps – The Complete List

Alemana

An underarm turn in which the lady turns to the right under the right hand, used specifically in International Rumba and Cha Cha.

Arc turn

An underarm turn in which the lady turns to the right under the right hand, or to the left under the left hand.

Balance step

A step in any direction, followed by a close (no weight) and a hold.

Basic figure

A standardized step pattern which, together with other patterns, constitute the basis of a dance.

Box Step

A pattern consisting of six steps, which when taken in its entirety, form the shape of a box.

Break

A unit of two steps where the second step is taken in exactly the opposite direction from the first.

Break step

A step that changes the direction of movement. The Latin break-step is a two step sequence where the first and second steps are taken in opposition. Most Latin dances use break steps.

Breakaway

A break which is taken in open position, with partners moving in opposition.

Chainé turn A turn or chain of turns which are continuous and directional in nature, in which one full turn is made with each two steps.

Chaîné turns

Chained, rolling turns. A turn or chain of turns, in which one full turn is made with each two steps. The technique: step forward and bring the feet together making a weight change (while in first foot position) and completion of a 360-degree rotation.

Chair

A strong checking action taken forward and across in Promenade Position, with the man’s right and lady’s left foot.

Change step

a three step sequence used to change weight from one foot to the other. Usually these steps are the first three steps of the box step.

Chase

A figure where one partner pursues the other. Popular in cha cha. A visual “what-you-see-is-what-you-do” lead is used for this figure.

Chassé

A step-close-step sequence. The working leg slides out. Place weight on it and draw other leg along floor to it.

Chassé turn

A turn consisting of 3 steps, where the feet are closed on the second or third step.

Check

A pronounced discontinuation of movement through the feet.

Close

To bring the feet together without a change of weight.

Closed Change

A movement used in the ballroom swinging dances which consists of three steps, the feet closing on the third step. The Change step is most frequently used to change back and forth between Left and Right Box Turns ( Closed Turns ).

Closed figure

A figure which ends with one foot closing to the other, with a change of weight.

Closed finish The last part of a figure which ends with feet together, such as steps 4-6 of a Waltz Twinkle.

Closed turn

A turn consisting of 3 steps, where the feet are closed on the second or third step.

Coaster step

A triple step in which the first step is taken in the opposite direction of the third, and the feet close on the second step.

Collect

To complete the changing of weight to the standing foot by drawing the moving foot underneath the body.

Dance Step
Combination A group of consecutive patterns and choreography.

Corté

Spanish word meaning, “cut”. The word Corte is used to describe several different figures, including the American style Tango Corte (Lunge), the International style Tango Back Corte, and the Waltz Reverse Corte and Hover Corte.

Counterpart

The corresponding part to a pattern danced by the partner.

Cross body lead

An American Style basic figure in which the man turns perpendicular the lady, leading her to dance forward on a path which crosses in front of his body.

Cross body position

Dance Position where man and lady are at right-angles to each other, lady moving in front of man from his right to his left side.

Cross turn

A turn consisting of 3 steps, where the feet are crossed on the second or third step.

Cruzara

Spanish word meaning, “cross”: A step taken with one foot crossed tightly over the other, either in front or behind.

Cuban motion

The rotation of the hips around the spine achieved by the alternate bending and straightening of the knees. Specific to American Style Rhythm dancing.

Cuban walks

Forward or Backward walks taken with Cuban-style hip motion.

Cucarachas

Alternating side breaks to the left and to the right. These are also called side breaks. In the breaking action, the feet move from first position to second position.

Developpé

A movement in which the working leg is drawn up to the knee of the supporting leg and from there smoothly out to a position in the air, usually at 90 degrees (i.e., parallel to the floor).

Drag

A drag is a theatrical type of dance movement in which the follower is scooted along the floor surface by the leader. The leader may effect the drag either through leverage or through compression.

Envelopé

An action whereby the free foot is pointed forward, lifted off of the floor with the leg straight, and then, by bending the knee of the free foot, drawn inward toward the knee of the supporting leg.

Extended forward walk

Latin-style forward walk commenced by extending the foot in front of the body in a pointed position. The most common usage of the extended forward walk is the lady’s step #4 of the Alemana Turn in Cha Cha or Rumba.

Fake

Changing from the usual foot by either skipping or adding a step to the normal step pattern.

Fan

A swivel taken on one foot, ended with the free foot pointing to the side.

Fan kick

High, straight leg kick where the extended leg makes a circular sweep.

Fan spin

A turn on one foot with the other (unweighted) foot held in second dance position. See our turn technique video.

Figure

A standardized step pattern which, together with other patterns, constitute the basis of a dance.

Flick

An extension of the lower leg taken in a sharp or staccato manner.

Follow through

The non-support foot passes by the weighted foot before changing directions.

Fourth position

Walking step, forward or back.

Free turn or free spin

To turn independently without any body contact.

Freeze

A stop no movement.

Gancho

A “hooking” action of one leg around another.

Grapevine

A series of four steps, arranged in the following sequence: forward, side, back, side. The sequence may begin with any one of the four steps, and can repeat for any number of counts.

Hesitation

An action in which progression is temporarily suspended or checked, the weight being held on the supporting foot for one or more beats.

Hip Twist

A Latin dance figure involving a twisting action of the hips danced by the lady.

Hockey Stick

A basic figure used in International Rumba and Cha Cha, taken from Fan Position and involving a Loop Turn for the lady. The figure gets its name from the hockey stick- shape of the path that the lady moves along throughout.

Hold

A count to describe a designated time before taking another step.

Hover

A step taken high on the balls of the feet, for the purpose of changing of direction and/or rotation, and allowing enough time for the moving foot to brush toward (or to) the standing foot.

Inside turn

the lady turns to her left under the man’s left hand, or she turns to her right under the man’s right hand.

inside underarm turn

An underarm turn in which the lady turns to the left under the right hand, or to the right under the left hand.

Kick ball change

A three step sequence often danced in swing dancing to the count 1&2. The step consists of a kick, a step to the ball of the opposite foot, and then a step to change weight. Usually danced to triple step timing. Often replaces the rock step in swing dancing.

Latin walks

Forward or backward walks taken with Latin Hip Motion.

Left Cross Turn

A half-turn to the left, consisting of 3 steps, where the left foot crosses in front of the right foot on the third step. This is also known in Viennese Waltz and International Tango as a Basic Reverse Turn, but is often specified as a Cross-Turn when differentiating it from a basic Closed Reverse (Chasse) Turn.

Leg swing

A pendulum-type swinging action of the leg underneath the hip.

Leverage move

Often seen in theatre arts routines. One partner counterbalances the other so as to keep him or her from falling.

Lift

A theatrical type of movement in which the follower’s body weight is completely supported by the leader and held aloft.

Lock

A tight cross of the feet in 1st or 2nd position. The lock step is usually danced to triple step timing. During the step, the lower part of the legs cross such that the back leg becomes locked behind the leading leg until the leading leg moves forward. The lock step is often used in the triple step of the cha cha cha.

Lunge

A weight transfer to a bent leg with the other leg extended.

Military turn

The 180 degree turn that effects an “about face.” The turn consists of a prep step and a pivot.

Natural turn

A turn to the right.

Open break

A break step taken in open facing position, usually with the partners dancing in opposition. In other words, they both break back simultaneously.

Open figure

Any figure which involves the continuous passing of the feet, without a closing or chasse action. (also see Continuity).

Open finish

The last part of a figure which ends with feet passing, such as steps 4-6 of a Foxtrot Open Left Turn (Silver level).

Open turn

A turn consisting of 3 steps, where the feet pass continuously throughout all three steps. Example: Open Left (Reverse) Turn, Open Finish.

Outside turn

the lady turns to her right under the man’s left hand or she turns to her left under the man’s right hand. See also inside turn.

Outside underarm turn

An underarm turn in which the lady turns to the left under the left hand, or to the right under the right hand.

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.

Pattern

A small group of individual steps or movements.

Pencil turn

A spin on one foot, with the free foot held next to the standing foot in first position.

Pirouette

A complete turn on one leg. The dancer usually goes round more than once. The dancer spots (see “spotting”) in order to avoid becoming disoriented. Pirouettes are usually fast.

Pivot

A turn in the direction of the forward foot, taken following a forward or backward progressive movement, with weight held over one foot.

Pivot turn

A 180 degree turn on the ball of one foot, performed in extended 3rd foot position with the thighs locked. A series creates traveling rotations, with 180 degrees of rotation per weight change.

Pivoting action

A turn in the direction of the forward foot, taken following a forward progressive movement, where the majority of rotation occurs as the weight is leaving the supporting foot.

Prep

A lead-in move or step a set up used as a preparation for a turn or a change of dance position.

Pressed forward walk

A type of Latin Walk whereby the weight is placed onto the ball of the foot with knee bent. The heel is usually lowered and knee straightened before the next step is taken.

Reverse turn

A turn to the left.

Ride

A ride, sometimes referred to as a horse and cart movement occurs when one partner supports and rotates the riding partner on an axis.

Rock

Two weight changes with the feet apart, taken in any direction.

Rock step

A shifting of weight back and forth from one foot to the other, in place.

Roll

The indicated body part circles right or left.

Rondé

A circling action of the free foot and leg.

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).

Shine

Popular in Latin dances such as mambo and cha cha, these are movements where the partners are not physically connected. Often the partners dance similar patterns while disconnected or they act out a piece of music interpretation.

Shuffle

A triple step similar to a polka step with no lilt. Used in triple two step.

Slide

To bring the free foot slowly together to the weighted foot.

Spin

A very fast turning action.

Spin turn

Also called a pencil turn or a platform turn. A turn on one foot with the other (unweighted) foot usually held in first position.

Spiral Turn

A turn which takes place after a forward step. With weight on the front foot a turn toward the free foot is made. The free leg then bends and wraps around the standing leg as one or more turns are completed.

Spot Run

A movement in which the man and lady run around each other in a small circle while in a dance position.

Spot Turn

In American Rhythm, a step in closed position in which one partner walks forward in a tight circle, while the other partner moves back out of the way by hooking one foot behind the other, and stepping side alternately. (Known in International Latin as a Natural Top.)

Step

A pattern formed by a small group of steps or movements (short for “step pattern”).

Stride

The length or extension of a step.

Swivel

The action of turning on a weighted foot.

Syncopate

To add or subtract steps within a specific number of beats performed by dancers to vary the normal step and to allow for personal expression and creativity.

Syncopation

Any rhythm which contains notes or accents in between downbeats or primary beats. The more notes or accents that occur between beats, the more syncopated a rhythm is said to be.

The Conversation

An out-of-date term to describe basic Promenade patterns.

Toe

In footwork descriptions, refers to a step taken high on the toe, with the heel kept up off of the floor, coinciding with rise or an up position.

Traveling pivots

Pivots danced down LOD in extended 5th position.

Turn

An action involving rotation.

Turns

Most turn types, including pivot turns, chaine turns, chasse turns, and spiral turns are shown in our free streaming video: Turn Technique in One Short Lesson.

Twinkle

A dance figure or pattern, usually consisting of 3 steps, involving a pronounced rise & fall action. There are many versions of a Twinkle, the most common being found in American style Waltz and Foxtrot.

Twist

The action of turning the feet against the floor.

Twist turn

A type of turn executed on the spot, with both feet maintaining contact with the floor. The body weight is usually held between the feet.

Two step (triple)

Uses a progressive version of the triple timing swing basic and progresses around the perimeter of the dance floor in a counterclockwise fashion. Also called double two step, the shuffle or the Fort Worth shuffle.

Underarm turn

An action where one partner turns while passing under joined hands.

Variation

A modified version of a common step pattern.

Walk

A step taken forward or backward.

Walkaround Turn (American Style)

A turn consisting of three forward walks in one small area, usually completing one full turn over three steps. (Known in International Latin as a Spot Turn).

Whip

A dance figure common in Swing dances such as East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing and Lindy Hop, which gets its name from “whipping” action of the lady around the man.

Whisk

A figure or pattern involving the crossing of one foot behind the other.

Window

A position of the arms formed by two partners with connected hands, which forms the shape of a window.

Zig zag

A figure or pattern involving sharp or angular changes of direction.