Alignment
The direction that the feet are pointing in relationship to the room and to the line of dance. Alignment can also indicate the direction of the movement.
Amount of turn
The amount of rotation of the feet which occurs on one step, or between two consecutive steps. In the charts, rotation is measured in fractions of a full turn. Body rotation is indicated only when different from the feet.
Arch
The part of the foot between the ball and the heel, which forms the shape of an arch.
Ball
A type of footwork, abbreviated “B”. A “ball” step is taken without the heel in contact with the floor, but with little or no rise resulting in the body.
Ball change
A change of weight from the ball of one foot to the flat of the other foot.
Ball-flat
A type of footwork, abbreviated “BF”. A “Ball-Flat” step is taken first with the ball of the foot in contact with the floor, and then with the whole foot flat.
Ball-heel
A type of footwork, abbreviated “BH”. A “Ball-Heel” step is taken first with the ball of the foot in contact with the floor, and then with the whole foot flat. In the Latin dances, when a Ball-Heel step is being taken, the heel of the free foot will release from the floor while the toe maintains contact. In Tango, the heel of the free foot will release, except on back steps where the toe will release.
Brush
The action of closing the moving foot to the standing foot, without changing weight, between steps.
Dig
To touch the ball or heel of the free foot to the floor with a strong emphasis.
First position
Feet together, toes forward and slightly turned out
Flat
A type of footwork, abbreviated “F”, or “WF” (for whole foot).
Flex
To incline the foot in such a way that it is placed at an angle nearly perpendicular to the leg.
Foot positions
Indication of the placement of the feet relative to each other. Examples: LF Forward, RF Side, LF Diagonally Back.
Foot pressure
Pressure applied to the floor through the free foot, often a result of having partial body weight on it.
Foot rise
Elevation of the body through the use of the ankles, by pushing up onto the balls of the feet.
Footwork
The part of the foot in contact with the floor at a specific point in time. Examples: Ball, Heel, Inside Edge of Whole Foot.
Free foot
The foot that does not have the majority of body weight, being free enough to move.
Heel
A type of footwork, abbreviated “H”, or “HF” (for Heel-Flat). A “heel” step is taken first with the heel in contact with the floor, and then with the whole foot flat. (The “Flat” is usually implied).
Heel lead
A step which is taken commencing with only the heel in contact with the floor. The toe lowers to the floor when the majority of body weight is placed on it. This type of footwork is often notated “heel”, or simply, “H”.
Heel pull
A type of Heel Turn where the moving foot is “pulled” back and to the side of the supporting foot, slightly apart. The footwork of the moving foot is as follows: Heel first, then Inside Edge of Foot, then Whole Foot.
Heel turn
A turn taken with the weight over the heel of the supporting foot. The movement commences with back step (Toe-Heel). The turn begins when the free foot closes to the supporting foot, being held parallel throughout the turn. The weight then transfers to the closing foot at the end of the turn.
Heel-ball
A type of footwork, abbreviated “HB”. A “heel-ball” step is taken commencing with only the heel in contact with the floor. The toe lowers when the majority of body weight is placed on it. The heel then disengages from the floor without body weight, although not enough to cause any rise of the body.
Heel-ball twist turn
A type of Twist Turn taken with the weight distributed equally between feet, on the heel of one foot, and the ball of the other. The turn is executed by crossing one foot either in front of or behind the other, and then twisting in the direction of the forward foot. When the turn is complete, the feet will have closed into first position, having turned approximately 3/4 of a full turn.
Heel-toe
A type of footwork, abbreviated “HT”. A “heel-toe” step is taken commencing with only the heel in contact with the floor. The toe lowers when the majority of body weight is placed on it. Near the end of the step, the heel lifts from the floor, causing the body to rise.
inside foot
The foot which is closer to the partner when in Promenade, Outside Partner, or Side-by-Side Position.
Instep
The part of the foot which is on the inside edge, between the ball and the heel.
Moving foot
The foot that does not have the majority of body weight, being free enough to move.
No foot rise
An action of rise which is taken through the knees and body only, but not through the feet. When backward walks are indicated as having no foot rise, the toe of the forward foot should release from the floor, allowing the heel to remain in contact as it draws inward toward the standing foot.
Outside foot
The foot which is farther away from one’s partner when in Promenade, Outside Partner, or Side-by-Side Position.
Point
An extended position of the foot which is achieved when the toe or ball is still in contact with the floor, but the heel is not.
Pointing
Refers to the alignment of the feet when different from the direction the body is facing or moving.
Pronate
To roll the foot so that the top angles inward (inside edge to the floor). Pronation is a common technique in Latin and Rhythm styles.
Sickle
To roll the foot so that the top angles outward (outside edge to the floor). This is almost always considered poor technique. Also known as supination.
Split
The feet move apart with the weight evenly distributed over both feet.
Standing foot
The foot which bears the majority of the body weight.
Supinate
To roll the foot to the outer edge.
Supporting foot
The foot which bears the majority of the body weight.
Toe release
The action of lifting the toe of the front foot from the floor, and maintaining contact with the heel of the front foot while taking a backward walk
Toe-heel
The footwork used on a lowering action, abbreviated “TH”. Commencing from a position of rise, the foot moves first with the toe in contact with the floor. The heel is then lowered to the floor, and the body lowers and weight shifts over the foot.
Tracking
The placement of the feet created by passing the free leg under the body along very narrow imaginary tracks.
Turnout
A position of the feet in which the toes point away from each other.