Terms

Description

a

A quarter of a quick count (quarter of a beat).

accent

the dominant beat of the music measure, usually the first beat of the measure.

across

The foot position where one foot is placed on or over the path of the other.

action

A movement or type of movement (e.g. Pivoting Action, Lowering Action).

activate

To set in motion (e.g. Activate the moving leg).

adage adagio

slowly developed movements such as attitudes, arabesques, and developpes where only one foot is in contact with the floor.

Alemana

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

alignment

The positioning of the different body parts relative to one another. Proper alignment is achieved by vertically lining up the different "blocks of weight" of the body (head, shoulders, abdomen, and hips), allowing for the natural curve of the spine.

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.

amateur

A person who does not seek financial gain from the teaching or performing of dancing.

American Smooth

A subset of the American Style of Ballroom Dancing which includes the following 5 competitive dances: Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, and Viennese Waltz.

American style

A type of ballroom dancing which evolved from social dancing and is now a fully recognized competitive style of dancing. The 9 main American dances are divided into two groups:
(1) American Smooth, consisting of:
Waltz
Tango
Foxtrot
Viennese Waltz

(2) American Rhythm, consisting of:
Cha Cha
Rumba
East Coast Swing
Bolero
Mambo

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.

anchor step

A type of triple step where the feet stay anchored in one place. The anchor step is a stationary triple step danced in third foot position to the timing of 1&2. It is popular in the west coast swing.

and

Half of a quick count (half of a beat).

anticipation

Premature action taken by the follower, before signal is given by the leader.

apart

Any dance position where the man and lady have no points of contact. Since there is no physical connection, the use of apart position is limited to visual lead and follow, or open choreographed dance routines.

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.

arabesque

A position of the body where the free leg is extended straight behind the body, usually lifted off the floor.

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.

arch

The part of the foot between the ball and the heel, which forms the shape of an arch.

Argentine Tango

A style of Tango which originated in the streets and salons of Buenos Aires, characterized by its passionate hold and complex leg and foot movements.

arm styling

Positioning and movement of the arms, reflecting the character of a dance or style of dancing.

Associate

The first complete level of the International style syllabus, representing the foundation of movements and basic dance concepts.

attitude

A body position where the free leg is raised with the knee bent.

axis of rotation

An imaginary vertical line around which the body turns. Depending on the type of rotation, an axis can run through the center of the body, through one of its sides, or outside of the body altogether.

bachata

Sometimes referred to as the "blues music of the Dominican Republic" this Latin dance was developed there, borrowing from the Cuban bolero.

back line

The line across the back of the shoulders, from elbow to elbow. In Closed Position, a good Back Line is expansive and slightly rounded, with no pinching of the shoulder blades.

back to back position

Dance position where man and lady face away from each other.

backing

A term used in the description of Alignments, to specify movement which is backward ( i.e. Backing LOD, Backing DC ).

backward tango close

A Tango Close which begins with the man stepping back on the left foot.

balance

The correct distribution of body weight between the feet or over the standing foot.

balance step

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

ball

The rounded part of the foot between the toes and the 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-change

A series of two consecutive steps, the first step being taken with the ball of the foot only. The rhythm is usually syncopated.

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.

ballroom dancing

partner dancing the traditional ballroom dances: waltz, foxtrot, swing, cha cha, etc.

bar

A unit of music representing a group of consecutive beats. The number of beats in a bar or measure is measured by the time signature, and is determined by the ratio and relative strength of the naturally strong and weak beats occurring in the music.

bar

The metrical division of music into groups of beats, and marked by vertical bar lines drawn across the musical staff. Also known as "measure." Its main purpose is to indicate the placement of rhythmic emphasis and to be a visual aid to musicians.

base

The lower half of the body, including the feet, legs and hips.

basic figure

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

beat

One single pulse of music. Beats are usually arranged into groups of 2, 3, or 4, called measures.

beat value

The duration of a note measured in beats. For example: The beat value of a "slow" count is two beats.

blending

The skillful combining of movements in a smooth and natural manner.

blocks of weight

The primary sections of the upper body arranged vertically. From top down: Head, Shoulder/Chest, Abdomen, and Hips.

BLOD

Backward Line of Dance

body completes turn

Indicated in the chart under Amount of Turn. Used primarily on the inside if a turn, usually following a step labeled "body turns less", where the amount of body rotation is less than the amount of foot rotation. When the body completes turn, it squares off with the feet.

body contact

The area of physical contact between man's and lady's body when in Closed, Promenade, or Outside Partner position.

body flight

The natural release of body weight from a swinging action. Body Flight is found in the ballroom swing dances.

body rise

The body rises by bracing the leg muscles (straightening the knees) and stretching the spine then relaxes to a natural stance.

body swing

A pendulum-type swinging action of the body.

body turn

Amount of turn of the body when it is different from the feet.

body turns less

Indicated in the chart under Amount of Turn. Used primarily on the inside if a turn, when the amount of body rotation is less than the amount of foot rotation. A step taken with "body turns less" is usually followed by a step with "body completes turn".

body weight

The concept of the weight of the entire body as a unit. The relationship of the body weight to the feet is determined primarily by the Center, but can be affected by the weight of individual body parts.

bolero

Originally a Spanish dance and music developed in the late 18th century with a distinctive rhythm in triplet time at a moderately slow tempo. In Cuba in the 20th century it was further developed into a popular duple time dance. Modern Bolero is one of the rhythm competition dances in the American style of ballroom dancing.

Box Step

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

BPM

Beats per Minute

break

A stop in the music or movement OR 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.

broken sway

Body sway which does not result from the natural swinging action of the body, such as is found in an Oversway.

Bronze

The first complete level of the American Medallist System, representing the foundation of movements and basic dance concepts.

brush

The action of closing the moving foot to the standing foot, without changing weight, between steps.

bump

Dancers bump hips to the side or the buttocks of their partners.

BWD

Backward

Cabaret

A special single-dance division of Dancesoprt in which couples dance an exhibition-style piece to their own selection of music. The dance may incorporate lifts and/or drops, and is not limited to the pre-defined dance styles such as Smooth or Latin.

cadence

A definitive ending to a musical phrase.

canter timing

A rhythm used in 3/4 music where two steps are taken over the course of 3 beats; the second beat is skipped.

Carolina shag

a slotted swing dance that shares many figures with “jitterbug” and east coast swing.

carriage

The position of the arms and top line while in dance position.

center

The place on the body just below the abdomen and above the groin. Balance is determined primarily by the placement of the center in relationship to the feet.

center (Ballroom Alignment)

The middle of the dance floor. In the Alignments section of the charts, the Center is the direction exactly opposite the Wall.

Center of Gravity

See Center

CFP

Close Facing Position

Cha Cha

An exciting, syncopated Latin dance which originated in the 1950's as a slowed-down Mambo. The Cha Cha gets its name and character from its distinct repetitive foot rhythm.

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.

challenge position

A dance position where the man and lady are apart and without contact, facing each other.

change of weight

The full movement or transference of body weight from one foot to the other.

change step (or closed change)

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.

change weight

See Change of Weight

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 series of 2 or 3 consecutive lateral steps, where the feet are closed on the second step.

chassé turn

a step-close-step turning step where the feet close to first position during the turn.

check

A pronounced discontinuation of movement through the feet.

choreography

A creation or compilation of steps, patterns and movements which make up a dance or a dance routine.

clave

The common, underlying two-measure rhythm of Afro-Cuban music such as the Mambo. The Clave rhythm accents specific beats within the two measure phrase; One measure contains two accents while the other contains three.

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 division

A division of competition which involves the dancing of figures specific to a syllabus, to the exclusion of variations and choreography.

closed facing position

(Latin & Rhythm)
A dance position where partners face each other slightly apart, with the normal hold.

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 position

Refers to the normal hold where man and lady stand facing each other. In the smooth ballroom dances, partners stand very close together in body contact, slightly offset to the left. In the Latin dances, partners stand a few inches apart, either directly in front of each other or very slightly offset.

closed turn

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

coaster step

a triple step, sometimes used in swing dancing. Usually, the pattern is called out as “back-together-forward.

collect