C&W DANCE TERMINOLOGY

ACROSS - Movement across the Line Of Dance.

ALIGNMENT - The position of the body with relation to the line of dance. -Forward LOD (Line of Dance) -Reverse LOD (Line of Dance) -Wall -Center -Forward right diagonal (wall) -Forward left diagonal (center) -Reverse right diagonal (wall) -Reverse left diagonal (center) -Partner Alignment: The symmetric alignment of a couple. and Used when 2 movements are to be done simultaneously. For example, -Step forward and clap hands.

APPLEJACKS - Weight on Right heel and ball of left foot, swivel Right toe to the right and Left heel to the right (feet are in a "V" position toes pointed outward.) & Bring feet together Move can be done with opposite weight changes.

BALL CHANGE - A quick change of weight from the ball of one foot to the other foot This move is usually preceded by either a kick or a heel touch.

BRUSH - To brush the ball of the foot against the floor.

BUMP - Dancers bump hips to the side or with their partner.

CHA CHA STEP - Three steps done to two beats of music. Count 1&2 = Left, Right, Left (LRL), or Right, Left, Right (RLR) and is used with cha cha rhythm.

CHARLESTON - Traditional. A 4 count step pattern swiveling the feet in and out. 1 Step forward on Left foot with heel swiveled inward & Swivel Left heel outward. 2 Kick Right foot forward while swiveling Left heel inward & Swivel Left heel outward 3 Step back on Right foot with Right heel turned outward & Swivel Right heel inward 4 Touch left toe back while swiveling Right heel outward & Swivel Right heel inward.

CHARLESTON KICK-a.k.a. Charleston (Traditional Charleston without swivels) - Example is left lead: 1 Step forward Left 2 Kick Right forward 3 Step back Right 4 Touch Left toe back.

CHASE - A figure where one partner pursues the other.

CHASSE - A series of side steps. The free foot never passes the supporting foot. May be done forward or backward.

COASTER STEPS - syncopated maneuver in which the starting foot steps in a given direction, then the trailing foot closes with the starting foot and then the starting foot steps in the opposite direction.

DIG - place the ball or the heel of the free foot to the floor with a strong emphasis.

DIFFICULTY LEVEL Beginner - for dancers with little or no dance experience Beginner/Intermediate - for dancers who have progressed beyond the hesitant stage and are starting to feel comfortable with standard dance maneuvers Intermediate - for dancers with some working knowledge and experience of musical rhythms and the ability to perform slightly intricate dance patterns Intermediate/Advanced - for those who are coming into their own as polished dancers and are able to follow most dance patterns and rhythms Advanced - For dancers familiar with the various rhythms and with abilities to perform intricate moves and patterns and improvise freely with them.

DIP - A slight bend of the support knee (Plie) to a sitting position, with the free leg extended forward.

GALLOP - a.k.a. Cross Shuffle. A sideways syncopated maneuver wherein one foot crosses over the other and steps and then the trailing foot pushes off towards the direction of travel. The leading foot then steps again towards direction of travel to complete the maneuver. For example: 1 Cross Right foot over Left and step & Push off to the left slightly with Left foot in place 2 Step to the left on Right foot.

GRAPEVINE / VINE - is an abbreviation. A continuous traveling step pattern to the side with crosses behind and or in front in 3rd position. TURNING VINE: A pattern which consists of a Vine with a 1/4 or 1/2 turn off of count 3 Example: A Right Turning Vine: 1 Step side right 2 Cross left foot behind in 3rd or 5th position 3 Open to 5th position, stepping on the right foot, execute a 1/4 or 1/2 turn right.

GRIND WALK-a.k.a. Heel Twist and Suzie Q. - 1 The right heel is extended forward across the left foot with the right toe pointing toward the left. 2 Keeping the weight on the right heel, twist the right toes to the right as the left foot steps to side left.

HEEL SPLITS - (Heel Spreads) a.k.a. Scissors, Butterflies, Buttermilks, Fans, Pigeon Toes. See Pigeon Toes. Feet are together with weight on the balls of both feet. Push heels apart on count 1, bring heels back to 1st position on count. 2. Fast Heel Splits: Takes one beat of music and is counted as "&1".

HEEL SWIVELS - With feet together and weight on the balls of the feet, shift both heels either right or left and then back to center.

HEEL SWITCHES - A syncopated movement in which the weighted and unweighted feet switch places from heel touches to home position. Usually done in multiples as below. 1 Touch Right heel forward & Step Right foot to home 2 Touch Left heel forward & Step Left foot to home.

HIT BUMPS - Move hips out and back.

HITCH - A lifting of the leg without executing a scoot.

HITCH HIKE - Upper body movement. Either thumb points back over shoulders usually while stepping back.

HOLD - A one beat pause before taking another step.

HOME - Original starting place.

HOOK - The free foot moves as a pendulum in front or in back of the weighted foot, and is kept off the floor. Toes pointed slightly upward. NOTE: A lock is sometimes referred to as a HOOK. HOOK COMBINATION: A 4 count pattern using (1) a heel forward, (2) hook, (3) a heel forward, (4) bring foot together with the weighted foot.

HOP - A spring into the air from one foot landing on the same foot.

ILOD - Inside Line Of Dance. Direction facing toward center of dance floor.

HITCH - (Jazz Square) A dance pattern with 4 weight changes. It may start with a forward step or a cross. Example: A. 1 Step forward right 2 Cross left foot over the right foot 3 Step back right 4 Step side left B. 1 Cross right foot over left 2 Step back left 3 Step side right 4 Step forward left Example: DIAMOND OR TRIANGLE: Execute "B" and bring the feet together on count 4 instead of stepping forward.

KICK-BALL-CHANGE - Kick foot out on Count 1, quickly change weight to opposite foot on & Count, followed by a quick weight change back to starting foot on Count 2. This move is done in place.

LOUIE, LOUIE (a.k.a. Louie Louie Swivels) - A maneuver done with one foot forward of the other and weight on the balls of both feet. The knees are bent slightly and both heels swivel inward and then back to center.

MARK TIME - To step in place twice (2 weight changes).

MASH POTATO (a.k.a. Mashed Potatoes) - A syncopated maneuver traveling rearward which involves the stepping back (usually behind the other foot) with the heel turned slightly inward, and then the quick swiveling of the heel on the weighted foot outward. Example: & Step Right foot slightly behind Left foot with Right heel turned slightly to the left 1 Swivel Right heel to the right & Step back on Left foot slightly behind Right foot with Left heel turned slightly to the right 2 Swivel Left heel to the left This pattern may continue for as many beats as desired.

MILITARY PIVOT - A 1/2 turn maneuver using two beats of music where upon the first beat is a step forward with one foot, and the second beat is a 1/2 pivot on that weighted foot while shifting the weight to the other foot. Veterans know this move as "to the rear, march".

MILITARY TURN - A 1/4 turn maneuver using two beats of music where upon the first a step forward with one foot, and the second beat is a 1/4 pivot on that weighted foot while shifting the weight to the other foot.

MIXER - A dance or dance pattern during which couples change partners.

OLOD - Outside Line Of Dance. Direction facing away from center of dance floor.

ONE STEP - A dance taking one step to each beat of music.

OUT OF PHRASE - When the number of steps in a dance pattern are not equal to the number of beats or measures of music, or vice versa.

PIVOT - Turn by putting weight on the balls of one or both feet, keeping feet in place.

POINT - To point the free foot forward, backward and sideward or crosswise.

PUSH STEP - A step ball change pattern moving to the side, forward or backwards.

ROCK - With feet apart, shift weight from Left foot to Right foot or from Right foot to Left foot. This movement is a weight change so you will not be changing the position of the feet although they may lift slightly off of the floor.

ROCK STEP - A movement, usually done in two beats of music, initiated by stepping in any direction on the first beat while bending the knee slightly, and by using a rocking motion, returning the weight onto the other foot on the second beat.

ROCKING MANEUVER - Two weight changes in opposite directions, usually done while feet are already in place.

ROCKING CHAIR - A 4-beat maneuver where one foot (either right or left) remains as a center point while the dancer rocks forward and back (or vice versa) on the other foot. For example: 1 Step forward on Right foot 2 Rock back on Left foot in place 3 Step back on Right Foot 4 Rock forward on Left foot in place.

RODEO KICKS - A two-beat kick with either foot, the first kick forward and the second kick to the side. It is common to follow these kicks with a Triple Step in place or a Sailor Shuffle.

ROLL - The indicated part of the body circles right or left.

ROLLING TURN - A 3/4 to Full turn while progressing in any given direction, usually requiring 3 to 4 steps.

RUN - A step or weight change that takes one beat of music.

RUNNING lead - This is a movement being used in Hip Hop type dances. 1 Step forward on Right foot & Scoot back on Right foot while lifting Left knee 2 Step forward on Left foot & Scoot back on Left while lifting Right knee up 3 Step forward on Right foot & Scoot back on Right while lifting Left knee up 4 Step forward on Left foot.

SCISSOR STEPS - A 3-beat crossing maneuver initiated with a side step and completed with a crossover step, Example: 1 Step to the right on Right foot 2 Step Left foot next to Right 3 Cross Right foot over Left and step. Weight is distributed evenly on both feet, both legs slide past each other sideways, forward or backward.

SCISSORS - The weight is distributed evenly on both feet. Both legs slide past each other forward and backward or side to side.

SCOOT - A slide of the weighted foot forward, backward or sideward May also be done with the weight on both feet.

SCUFF - to brush the heel forward.

SHIMMY - Upper body movement. Rapidly move shoulders alternately forward and backwards. Left shoulder moves forward while Right shoulder moves backwards and vice versa.

SHUFFLE - A direction movement beginning with one foot, then the bringing of the opposite foot together with the starting foot and then stepping again with the starting foot in the initial direction. These steps are taken to 2 beats of music, counted 1&2.

SLIDE - A movement in any direction. Push, draw, or slide the unweighted foot up to or back to the unweighted foot.

SLOW - A step or weight change that takes two beats of music.

SPIN - A full or 3/4 turn executed on one foot in one beat of music.

STEPS-WALKING - SLOW: Usually takes two beats of music. RUNNING - QUICK: (Half of a Slow) Takes one beat of music. SIDE (left or right): May be taken to a slow or quick count. PIVOT: A traveling turn executed with thighs locked, and feet apart in 3rd or 5th position. BALANCE: A step in any direction, bring feet together, and hold.

STROLL - A forward step followed by a cross behind, and another forward step Usually moving diagonally forward.

STRUT - A strut takes two counts and is two movements. Step forward onto the heel with toe remaining in the air. On the next beat the toe goes down.

SUGARFOOT - The alternate touching of the toe and then the heel of the unweighted foot next to instep of the weighted foot.

SUGARFOOT SWIVELS - The alternate swiveling of one foot in the direction of the unweighted foot while the unweighted foot touches the toe and then the heel. 1 Swivel Left heel to the right while touching Right toe next to Left instep 2 Swivel Left toe to the right while touching Right heel to Left instep.

SWITCH - Return one foot together with a hop while at the same time putting the opposite foot out.

SWIVEL - With feet together, move the heels or toes in the given direction by putting the weight on the opposite part of the foot.

SWIVEL LEFT - Start with feet together. Keep toes on floor and move both heels to the left. Now leave the heels on the floor and move both toes to the left. Keep repeating as many times as necessary. First heels, then toes, then heels, etc.

SWIVEL RIGHT - Same as Swivel Left but move toward the right.

SWIVET-Performed either right or left. Move is done on the ball of one foot and the heel of the other. Right Swivet: On the ball of Left foot and heel of Right foot, swivel Left heel to the left and Right toes to the right. Left Swivet: On the ball of Right foot and heel of Left foot, swivel Right heel to the right and Left toes to the left. Swivet to about 45 degrees.

SYNCOPATION - A maneuver which employs steps between the downbeats. Examples: Shuffle, Kick-Ball-Change.

TOE FAN - Feet are together, the toes of one foot move to the side and back together.

TOE SPLITS - With heels in place, fan both toes out and back together. See heel splits.

TOGETHER - To bring the feet together with a weight change.

TOUCH - The heel or toe touches the floor in a given direction without putting weight on that foot.

TRAVELING APPLEJACKS - A pattern traveling sideways bringing the toes together leaving the heels apart, then bringing the heels together leaving the toes apart. Weight is on one toe and the opposite heel, then reversed to result in sideways traveling, See Applejacks.

TRIPLE STEP - Three steps, LRL or RLR, taken in place within two beats of music.

TURN - A rotation of the body that takes one or more steps or weight changes to complete. A movement that changes the direction the body is taking. Types of Turns FREE TURN To turn independently without any body contact. CHAINE' A 360 degree turn placing the feet together on the second count with a weight change. 3 STEP TURN - An open CHAINE' turn (feet do not come together). 360 DEGREE TURN Taking three weight changes, using second position on the second and third weight changes. End facing the original direction with a touch, point or brush with the free foot.

TWIRL - A Square Dance term for turning the follow.

TWIST - With feet together, move the heels in the given direction by putting weight on the balls of the feet.

UNWIND - A maneuver which starts with the crossing of one foot in front of and to the opposite side of the other foot. A turn is then executed with the feet in place which then, in effect, unwinds and returns the legs to a normal position. An unwind can be either 1/4 or 1/2 turn in duration. If the turn is more than 1/2, the maneuver then becomes a Corkscrew.

WEAVE - A maneuver to the right or left accomplished with two or more side steps and two or more crossing steps. The crossing steps alternate between crossing behind and crossing in front of the side steps. Also see Grapevine.

WEIGHT CHANGE - Shifting body weight from the supporting foot to the free foot.

PARTNER DANCE POSITIONS - Where a right or left is described, the term for the position is normally addressed first with the direction, e.g., Right Side By Side or Left Side By Side.

TRADITIONAL CLOSED - Partners face each other slightly offset. The lead holds the followers right hand in his left (shoulder height). His right hand is placed on the follow's left shoulder blade, with the fingers and thumb held together The follow rest their left hand on the lead's upper arm, or slightly behind his right shoulder, with thumb and fingers together. a.k.a. Ballroom, Studio.

COUNTRY WESTERN CLOSED - Partners face, with toes pointed towards each other. The lead holds the follow's right hand in his left (shoulder height). His right hand or wrist rests on follow's left shoulder, or on the back of follow's shoulder. The follow's left hand rests on the lead's upper right arm, or slightly behind his shoulder, with fingers and thumb held together.

INDIAN - Dancers are in single file. follow is in front. Use a double hand hold. Their joined hands are on follow's shoulders. NOTE: The lead may also be in front of the follow using this hand hold.

REVERSE INDIAN - Dancers are in single file. follow is behind lead. The lead uses a double hand hold. Their joined hands are together, placed behind the lead's hips. NOTE: The follow may also be in front of the lead using the lead's hips.

WRAP (Right is assumed) & LEFT WRAP - For Right Wrap, couple is facing in the same direction. The follow is slightly in front of the lead on his right side, with follow's left foot slightly in front of his right foot. Using a double hand hold, the lead's right arm is wrapped behind the follow's back. Their joined hands rest on follow's right hip. His left arm is crossed in front of the follow. For Left Wrap, couple is facing in the same direction. The follow is slightly in front of the lead on his left side, with follow's right foot slightly in front of his left foot. Using a double hand hold, the lead's left arm is wrapped behind the follow's back. Their joined hands rest on follow's left hip. His right arm is crossed in front of the follow. a.k.a. Cuddle, Cradle, Basket, Sweetheart.

DANCING SKATERS - (Elbows are always equal in both right and left positions.) Right: The couple face the same direction, the follow is slightly in front of the lead's right hip. The lead's right arm is crossed behind the follow's back. Their right hands rest on the follow's right hip The follow's right hand may also be held behind follow's back. Their left hands are held in front of the lead at chest level. Left: The couple face the same direction, the follow is slightly in front of the lead's left hip. The lead's left arm is crossed behind the follow's back. Their left hands rest on the follow's left hip. The follow's left hand may also be held behind follow's back. Their right hands are held in front of the lead at chest level. a.k.a. Sweetheart

SKATERS - Right: The couple face the same direction. The follow is on the lead's right. The lead holds the follow's right hand in his right hand, and follow's left hand in his left hand. The arms are crossed right over left and are held at about waist level. a.k.a. Promenade. Left: The couple face the same direction, the follow is on the lead's left The lead holds the follow's right hand in his right hand, and follow's left hand in his left hand. The arms are crossed right over left and are held about waist level. Reverse Right: The couple face the same direction, the follow is on the lead's right. Their arms are crossed behind their backs. The right hands are on the follow's right hip, the left hands on the lead's left hip. a.k.a. Cross Back Reverse Left: The couple face the same direction, the follow is on the lead's left. Their arms are crossed behind their backs. The right hands are on the lead's right hip, the left hands on the follow's left hip. a.k.a., Double Reverse.

ARCH - Right: Partners face in the opposite direction. The right arms are hooked at the elbows. The left hands are joined above their heads in an arch. The right hands may be joined and held at the right sides. Left: Partners face in the opposite direction. The left arms are hooked at the elbows. The right hands are joined above their heads in an arch. The left hands may be joined and held at the left sides. a.k.a. Steeple, Cathedral, Hook.

SIDE BY SIDE - (Elbows are held at an equal level in both right and left positions.) Right: The couple face the same direction, follow is on the lead's right side. follow's left foot is slightly in front of his right foot. The right hands are held slightly forward of the follow's right shoulder. The left hands are slightly forward of the follow's left shoulder. Left: The couple face the same direction, follow is on the lead's left side. follow's right foot is slightly in front of his left foot. The left hands are held slightly forward of the follow's left shoulder. The right hands are held slightly forward of the follow's right shoulder. a.k.a. La Varsouvienne, Horseshoe, Schottische, Western Polka, Cotton Eyed Joe, Jody, Sweetheart.

BOW - Right: Partners face the same direction, follow is to the lead's right. Using a double hand hold, his left arm is crossed behind his neck. His right arm is crossed behind the follow's neck. Left: Partners face the same direction, follow is to the lead's left. Using a double hand hold, his right arm is crossed behind his neck. His left arm is crossed behind the follow's neck. a.k.a. Yoke, Neck Cross.

PRETZEL - Right: Partners face the opposite direction using a double hand hold, right hand is in his left hand, follow's left in his right hand. The follow is slightly in front of the lead on his right side. The lead's left arm, and the follow's right, are held up, elbows down. His right arm, and follow's left arm, are crossed behind the follow's back. Left: Partners face the opposite direction using a double hand hold, follow's right hand in his left hand, follow's left in his right hand. The follow is slightly in front of the lead on his left side. The lead's right arm, and the follow's left, are held up, elbows down. His left arm, and follow's right arm, are crossed behind the follow's hack. a.k.a. Hammerlock, Hammer, Tamara.

OPEN - Partners face each other. Single: lead's left hand is joined with follow's right hand, The free hands are held close to the body. Cross: lead's right hand is joined with the follow's right hand (as in a hand shake). The free hands are held close to the body. Double: The follow's right hand is in the lead's left hand. The follow's left hand is in the lead's right hand. Crossed Double: The follow's right hand is in the lead's right hand. The follow's left hand is in the lead's left. Either hand may be on top. However, Right hands on top is the most common.

CHALLENGE - Partners face each other. They are standing apart. There is no body contact. a.k.a. Shine.

PROMENADE - From Closed dance position, the lead and the follow step forward in a "V" position down the line of dance. a.k.a. Conversation, Semi-open.

SWING - The couple stand in Promenade dance position. His right hand is on the follow's back on follow's left shoulder blade. The joined hands are held lower, about the follow's waist level, in a cup & pin position.

OPEN PROMENADE - Right: The couple are in Open Dance Position. The follow is to the right of the lead. The follow's left hand is held in the lead's right. They are facing the same direction, both traveling down the line of dance. Left: The couple are in Open Dance Position. The follow is to the left of the lead. The follow's right hand is held in the lead's left. They are facing the same direction, both traveling down the line of dance.

PARALLEL - Right: From Closed Dance Position (Traditional or Country Western) the lead steps forward and slightly to his left (outside) to place the follow into Right Parallel Dance Position. They face each other, but the follow is to the right side of the lead. follow's right foot is slightly in front of the lead's right foot. They should be the same width apart as they were in the Closed Dance Position. Although the couple have moved slightly sideways, the lead's left arm and the follow's right arm are still in the same place as they were in the Closed Dance Position. Left: (Traditional or Country Western) The couple face each other, but the follow is to the left side of the lead, in Left Parallel Dance Position. The follow's left foot is slightly in front of the lead's left foot, They should be the same width apart as they were in the Closed Dance Position. The lead's left arm and the follow's right arm are in about the same position as they were in the Closed Dance Position. The follow should not be directly beside the lead. a.k.a. Banjo, Side Car.

TANDEM - The follow stands directly in front of the lead. He holds follow's left hand in his left hand, mid-chest to shoulder level. His right hand is placed on follow's right hip, fingers together, pointing to follow's left side. The follow places follow's right hand on top of the lead's right hand, or under his right hand. Their right hands may also be placed at the follow's center waist. a.k.a. Sweetheart, Shadow.

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