Common Dance

Terms
Basic Dance Steps
Common Dance Terms
1. Arms in lateral position – Both arms are at one side either
right or left, at shoulder, chest or waist level.

2. Brush – Weight on one foot, hit the floor with the ball or heel of
the other foot and lift that foot from the floor to any direction.

3. Crossed Arms – Partners facing each other or standing side by

side join their left hands together and the right hands together,
either right over left or left over right hands.

4. Cut – To displace quickly one foot with the other.

5. Do-si-do – Partners advance forward, pass each other’s right
(left) side, step across to the right move backwards without turning
around, pass each other left side to proper places.

6. Hayon-hayon – To place one forearm in front and the other at he

back of the waist.

7.    Hop – A spring from one foot landing on the same foot in place
or in any direction.

8.    Jaleo – Partners turn around clockwise (with right elbows

almost touching ) or counterclockwise ( with left elbows almost
touching ) using walking or any kind of dance step.
9. Jump – A spring on one foot or both feet landing on both feet in
any direction.

10. Kumintang – moving the hand from the wrist either in a

clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

11. Leap – A spring from one foot landing on the other foot in any
direction.

12. Place – To put foot in a certain position without putting weight

on it.

13. Pivot – To turn with the ball, heel or whole foot on a fixed

place or point.
14. Point – Touch the floor lightly with the toes of one foot, weight
of the body on the other foot.  

15. Masiwak – To turn the hand from the wrist half-way clockwise

then raise and lower wrist once or twice. This is an Ibanag term.

16. Panadyak – To stamp in front or at the side with the right foot

and tap with same foot close to the left foot. This is a Tagalog term.

17. Patay – To bend the head downward and to support the

forehead with the R forearm or with the crook of the R elbow while
the left hand supports lightly the palm of the right hand. This is
usually done with the left foot pointing in rear and knees slightly
bent. This is an Ilocano term and the movement is commonly found
in Ilocano dances.
 
18. Salok – T o swing the arm downward-upward passing in front of
the body as if scooping, the trunk is bent following the movement of
the arm doing the salok. This is a Tagalog term.

19. Saludo – Partners bow to each other, to the audience, opposite

dancers, or to the neighbors with feet together. This is of Spanish
origin and is used in almost all Philippine dances.

20. Sarok – Cross the R foot in front of the L, bend the body slightly
forward and cross the hands down in front of the R hand over the L.
This is a Visayan term.

21. Slide – To glide foot smoothly along the floor. The movement

may be finished with or without transfer of weight.
22. Stamp – To bring the foot forcibly and noisily on the floor with
or
without transfer of weight.
23. Tap –
the To rap slightly with the ball or toe of the free foot, flexing
ankle
no joint keeping weight of the body on the other foot. There is
change or transfer of weight.
24. Whirl – To make fast turns by executing small steps in place to
right
or left.
Basic Dance Steps
Taken from a wide variety of dance genres, the basic moves
below will get you started on your journey as a novice dancer.
Many foundational steps work across all dance disciplines -- that
step-ball-change is good-to-go in jazz, tap, and samba. Brush up
on your basics or break into a new flight style on the dance floor
with footwork to dazzle the adoring crowd.
Ball Change
The ball change is found in most dance disciplines, including jazz,
tap, lyrical, and hip hop. Due to its crossover appeal, it's usually
one of the first steps taught to new dancers. The ball change is
completed in two counts - transferring weight onto the ball of the
foot (1), then a step back onto the other foot (2). This step is
usually connected to another step, such as the "kick ball change"
movement.
1. Step onto your right foot, transferring all your weight to that
foot.
2. Lift the left foot and step back, behind the right foot, just onto
the ball of the foot.
3. Shift your weight to the ball of the left foot as you raise your
right foot.
4. Step back down onto the right foot, completing the move.
5. Step-ball-change can be done to the right, to the left or in place.
It's often used as a transition, and it happens very fast.
Box Step
This one will get you through any wedding; it's your basic tool from
foxtrot to rumba. Your steps form the shape of a simple square or
box.
1. If you're leading, step forward, slide the back foot up, and end
with both feet together.
2. Next step to the side, slide, together. Two things to remember:
each step involves a full weight transfer; no cutting corners, no
sloppy diagonal shortcuts.
Chaîné Turns
Chaîné turns are an introductory quick turn used in ballet and
lyrical dance, though they are sometimes found in jazz and other
styles. The name comes from the French, meaning "chain." Chaînés
are simply a chain of rapid turns on alternating feet. Starting in first
position, the turns progress either across the floor in a straight line
or in a circle.
1. Begin in fifth position, right foot pointing right, snugged up in front
of the left foot pointing left, arms at your sides.
2. Raise both arms together, elbows lightly bent so the arms curve
and the fingers are just touching about waist high.
3. As you raise the arms, bend the knees, keeping the torso erect,
and slide the right foot out to the right.
4. Open the arms wide to the side as the foot slides wide to the right.
5. Bring the left foot in, crossing it in front of the right as you relevé
onto demi-toe.
1. Bring the arms back into the waist-high curve as you turn your
entire body with the momentum of the moving left foot. This is
a turn on half-toe with both feet very close together.
2. Repeat the sequence but this time, as you turn on relevé or
half-toe, bring the arms up and into a gentle curve overhead,
fingertips barely touching.
Dos-i-do
The dos-i-do, used in square dancing, involves two dancers
facing each other. Next, they walk around each other in a circular
rotation without turning. To complete a correct dos-i-do, each
dancer should face the same wall the entire time, ensuring there
is a rotation rather than an actual turn.
1. Standing next to your partner and facing the couple
opposite you, walk toward each other.
2. As you reach the opposite couple, continue to walk forward
moving easily between them.
3. Do not turn around. Keep walking and step sideways a few
steps, keeping the dancer you just passed behind you.
4. Step backwards to complete a circuit around the opposite
dancer and return to your place, next to your partner in the
square.
Grapevine
Facing front, the dancer steps his right foot out to the side, and
crosses in front with the left. The right foot then steps out again,
followed by the left foot crossing behind. Repeat. The grapevine is
used in jazz dance, as well as country line dancing.
1. Step to the right and transfer your weight to the right foot.
2. Step to the right, behind the right foot, with the left foot.
3. Step to the right with the right foot.
4. Step to the right with the left foot but this time just touch
the toes to the floor next to the right foot.
5. Step immediately to the left with the left foot.
6. Step to the left, behind the left foot with the right
foot...and continue.
Heel Turn
In ballroom dance, the heel turn involves turning on the heel of the
supporting foot, while the other foot stays parallel. As the turn
completes a full rotation, the weight is placed onto the other foot.
1. Step back on the right foot, turning the toes in slightly toward
the body.
2. Shift your weight to the heel of the right foot as you slide your
left foot back.
3. Slide the left foot on the heel, to the right foot and around as
you turn your body, pivoting on the right heel.
4. Come up slightly onto the balls of the feet as you complete the
turn.
For a turn to the left, start with the right foot. For a turn to the
right, start with the left foot.

Moonwalk

Channel Michael, or Marcel Marceau. Just be so freakin' cool on

the dance floor your friends will open up a space for you. The
moonwalk is dead easy, but you have to practice enough to
commit it to muscle memory so the illusion remains unbroken. Go
here for a breakdown of how to do it as if you invented the step
yourself.
Rond
In ballet, the rond, or rond de jambe, consists of a pointed toe on a
straight leg (or bent at the knee) drawing a semicircle on the floor
or in the air. This can also be found in ballroom dance.
1. Begin in first position, toes pointed out and heels touching.
Extend the leg to the front, knees straight and foot pointed,
not flexed. Your weight is all on your supporting leg.
2. Trace a semi-circle on the floor or in the air with the leg and
pointed foot -- front, side, back -- and return to first position.
That's a rond de jambe to the front.
3. For a rond to the back, simply start the move by extending
the leg to the back and bringing it through side to front and
to first position.
Swing
You and your partner are a ballroom dancing dream team.
The simplest swing step is part of your arsenal of smooth
moves -- use an open ballroom hold, slightly turned out from
each other to display your footwork. The lead starts on one
foot, the follower mirrors the moves, starting on the opposite
foot.
1. Keeping the weight on the right foot, lift the left foot and
step down behind the right foot. Immediately shift the
weight forward again to the right foot, a rocking motion.
2. Then step forward with the left, feet now together.
3. Step to the side, starting with the left foot: side, step (right
foot moves to left foot), step (weight is now on the left foot).
4. Step to the right: side-step-step.
5. Repeat the sequence.
Things to Remember
Before learning any actual dance steps, take the preparation
steps to ensure your success:
 Warm up your body by stretching. The simplest steps can
cause sore muscles and injury in a body not accustomed to a
regular dance practice.
 Learn your moves in a class taught by a professional dance
instructor. This will reduce your risk of injury and ensure you
learn the steps properly.
 If a studio class is not an option, then use an instructional DVD
or online video that clearly explains what to do.
 Make sure your rehearsal space is free of heavy or breakable
objects, providing you with enough room for free movement.
 Be patient with yourself during the learning process. Even
simple dance steps take some time to master.