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This is the list of dance terms that are not names of dances or types of dances. See List of dances and List of dance style categories for those.
Actually, this glossary lists terms used in other types of partner dances, leaving out terms of highly evolved or specialized dance forms, such as ballet, tap dancing, with elaborated terminology.
Unless there is much to say about a specific term, there is no reason to put each and every of them into a separate article.
A category of dances in American Style ballroom competitions. It includes Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot and Viennese Waltz. Previously Peabody was also included.
This category loosely corresponds to the Standard category of International Style ballroom.
A category of dances in American Style ballroom competitions. It includes Cha-cha-cha, Rumba, East Coast Swing, Bolero, Mambo. Sometimes it may include Samba and West Coast Swing.
This category loosely corresponds to the Latin category of International Style ballroom.
The term describes the particular style of Ballroom dances developed in the USA, as opposed to the International Style. In a narrower sense, it denotes the group of dances danced in American Style ballroom competitions. The group consistis of two categories: American Smooth and American Rhythm.
In social dancing strongly relying on Leading and following, this term means that the follower executes steps without waiting for or contrary to the lead of the leader. This is also called anticipation and usually considered bad dancing habit. Sometimes this term is used in the meaning of Hijacking, which is not exactly the same.
One of several step patterns that characterize a dance and constitute its basis. Sometimes there is no strict agreement as to their number. Usually they are the ones taught at the beginner level.
handholds and dance positions to enjoy it socially.
Same as Basic movement.
Body contact is a style of closed position in partner dancing ("closed position with body contact"); it is also a type of physical connection.
Box Step is a dance figure named so because the steps rest in the four corners of a square. It is used, e.g., in #American Style ballroom dances: Rumba, Waltz bronze-level Foxtrot. The leader begins with the left foot and proceeds basically as follows.
Every step is with full weight transfer. During the second and fourth step it is advised the foot to travel along two sides of the box, rather than along its diagonal.
Rhythm varies. E.g., it is "1-2-3,4-5-6" in Waltz and "Sqq, Sqq" in Rumba.
When indicating a direction of movement during a dance, the term "center" means the direction perpendicular to the LOD pointing towards the center of the room. If one stands facing the LOD, then the center direction is to their left.
Together with the center of mass (COM) and center of gravity (COG), center point of balance (CPB) helps the dancer to better understand and control his movements. CPB differs from the two other centers in two respects. The exact locations of COB and COG is always well-defined, however they significantly depend on the shape the body assumes. In contrast, the CPB during normal dancing (heads up, feet down on the floor) is always at the same place of the dancer body, although defined in a loose way: it is said that the CPB is in the general area of the solar plexus. The reason to distinguish this point lies in the following simple observation. If you put your feet together, you may move your head or your hips pretty far away from your area of support without losing your balance. But if you move your CPB just 2-3 inches away from the equilibrium position, you will feel a strong urge to step in this direction. Therefore awareness of your CPB, both consciously and instinctively, gives you a better control of the overall dance movement and connection with your partner.
See Glossary of ballet terms#Chaînés.
Any of three-step patterns, steps going basically side-together-side. The word came from ballet terminology.
There is a huge variety of them in many dances:
The term has at least two meanings: regarding dance position and regarding footwork.
Closed Change is a basic step in the Waltz, performed in closed position. The man steps forward on either foot whilst the lady steps backward on the opposing foot (eg: the man steps forward on his right foot whilst the lady steps back on her left). They will then step to the side on the other foot, and conclude the figure by closing the first foot beside the second. Each step takes up a full beat of the music.
A position in which partners hold each other while facing each other.
A means of communication between dancers in the couple. Physical and visual types of connection are distinguished.
In terms of body rotation during a step, this action is opposite to Side lead.
The dancer's upper body is rotated towards the leading foot.
The term has two meanings.
See Latin hip motion.
An official term to denote dance as competitive, sport activity.
See #Formation.
See Dance move.
For one meaning, see Dance move, for another one, see "Step".
See Lead and follow.
In a narrow sense the term is used to descibe the behavior of the foot when it meets the floor. In particular, it describes which part of the foot is in contact with the floor: ball, heel, flat, toe, high toe, inside/outside edge, etc.
In a wider sense it describes other dance aspects related to feet: foot position and foot action.
Formation dance is a choreographed dance of a team of couples, e.g., ballroom formation dance.
Full weight or full weight transfer means that at the end of the step the dancer's center of gravity is directly over the support foot. A simple test for a full weight transfer is that you can freely lift the second foot off the floor.
Dance frames are the upper body positions of the dancers. A strong frame provides connection with your partner and conveys intended movement. A strong frame is where your arms and upper body are held firmly in place without relying on your partner to maintain your frame nor applying force that would move your partner or your partner's frame.
Major types of dance frames are latin, smooth, and swing.
A general term to describe a spin without any handhold.
Handhold is an element of dance connection: it is a way the partners hold each other by hands.
When taking a step in dance, a heel lead is where you land on the heel of your foot first before putting weight on the remainder of the foot.
In social dancing strongly relying on Leading and following, this term means temporary assuming the leading role by the follower. Also known as stealing the lead. Compare to Backleading.
A step taken forward into the space occupied by the partner, while the partner steps backwards. During this step feet tracks of both partners overlap. See also Outside partner step.
The term is applied to an individual turn of a partner in the couple. Basically, it denotes the turn directed "inside" of the couple. The meaning is intuitively clear, but it may be performed in numerous ways and in different handholds, so that even accomplished dancers are confused. Most often it is understood that an inside turn is an underarm turn under the right arm if turning left and under the left arm if turning right.
See Direction of movement for more detail.
See Standard.
The term describes the particular style of Ballroom dances, as opposed to the American Style. In a narrower sense, it denotes the group of dances danced in International Style ballroom competitions. The group consistis of two categories: Standard and Latin.
See Latin
Jack and Jill (J&J) is a format of competition in partner dancing, where the competing couples are the result of random matching of leaders and followers. Rules of matching vary. The name comes from the popular English nursery rhyme, Jack and Jill.
In dance competitons J&J is included as a separate division (or divisions, with additional gradations). J&J is popular at Swing conventions, as well as at ballroom dance competitions in the USA.
As applied to dances, the term has two meanings.
See Latin.
A characteristic type of hip motion found in the technique of performing a step in Latin and Rhythm dances. Sometimes it is also called Cuban hip motion, although some prefer to distinguish the two.
See Hijacking.
See Lead and follow.
See Lead and follow.
The term describes type of physical connection, opposite to compression, in which a stress exists at the point(s) of contact directed away from the contact point(s). The term is frequently used, e.g., in swing dance community.
Line of dance (LOD) is an imaginary circular line going around the dance hall in counterclockwise direction. To help avoid collisions, it is agreed that the general direction of movement in travelling dances is along the line of dance.
Line of dance is a useful line of reference when describing the directions of steps taken, e.g., "facing LOD", "backing LOD". See also center, wall.
An imaginary straight line passing through the foot in the heel-toe direction.
In descriptions of the footwork of step patterns the abbreviation NFR stands for no foot rise and means that body rise is performed only by the knee action, while the heel remains in contact with the floor. Most open this happens on the first step of a figure taken backwards.
The term has at least two meanings: regarding dance position and regarding footwork.
A step taken with partner beside the moving foot. During this step feet tracks of both parners do not overlap. See also Inside partner step.
Cf. Inside turn.
The term is applied to an individual turn of a partner in the couple. Basically, it denotes the turn directed "outside" of the couple. The meaning is intuitively clear, but it may be performed in numerous ways and in different handholds, so that even accomplished dancers are confused. Most often it is understood that an outside turn is an underarm turn under the left arm if turning left and under the right arm if turning right.
See Direction of movement for more detail.
A dance connection by means of physical contact. Types of physical connection are body contact, compression, leverage.
"V" shaped dance position with the man's right hip and the lady's left hip in contact at the point of the "V". The dancer's heads face the open portion of the "V" where the dancers' bodies are slightly apart.
In brief descriptions of dance figures, replace means replacing the weight to the previous support foot while keeping it in place. For example a "rock back" figure may be described as "step back, replace". Notice that it doesn't require to "replace" the moving foot to the place from where it come in the previous step.
See Ballet glossary#Rond de jambe. A toe of the straight leg draws a semicircle on the floor. In ballroom dances the direction is usually from the front to back.
Both partners face the same general direction, one of them squarely behind of slightly shifted sideways ("in the shadow"). Handholds vary.
A body position or action during a step, sometimes also called Same side lead. Side leading is taking the same side of the body in the same direction of the movement of the moving foot. The word "taking" means that if a step is taken squarely forward or backward', e.g., by the left foot, then the left side slightly rotates to the right or to the left respectively, as if the side of the body "leads" the step.
In terms of body rotation, this action is opposite to Contra body movement.
In slotted dances, the slot is an imaginary narrow rectangle along which the follower moves back and forth with respect to the leader, who is more or less stationary. The as a rule, the leader mostly stays in the slot as well, leaving it only to give way for the follower to pass him. The leader almost never makes the follower to circle around when passing by. They may go into a common rotational figure when the follower happens to come close, but such figures are usually in a tight position and do not change the overall "slotted" appearance.
Cf. Spot dance, Travelling dance.
A dance style in which the couple movement is fenerally confined to a slot. The most typical slotted dance is West Coast Swing. Some other dances, e.g., Hustle and Salsa may be danced in slotted style.
See American Smooth.
Cf. Travelling dance, Spot dance.
A dance that is generally danced in a restricted area of the dance floor. Examples are Rumba, Salsa, East Coast Swing.
A technique used during turns. The general idea is to choose a reference point (e.g., partner or a distant point along the line of travel) and focus the eyes on it as long as possible. When during the turn it is no longer possible to see it, the head flips as fast as possible to "spot" the reference point again.
A category of dances in International Style ballroom competitions. Sometimes in the context of competitions it is called Ballroom or International Ballroom, confusing as it might be. It includes Waltz (also called Slow Waltz), Tango, Foxtrot (also called Slowfox), Quickstep, Viennese Waltz. This category loosely corresponds to the Smooth category of American Style ballroom.
See Hijacking.
Same as Supporting foot.
It is also called support foot.
In dancing, the term has two meanings: The first one is similar to the musical terminology. The second one is making more (and/or different) steps than required by the standard description of a figure, to address more rhythmical nuances of the music. The latter usage is consiered incorrect by many dance instructors, but it is still in circulation, a better term lacking.
Technique, Timing, Teamwork. The criteria for evaluation of dance mastery in Swing dancing community.
The relation of the elements of a dance step or dance figure with respect to musical time: bars and beats.
When taking a step in dance, a toe lead is where you land on the ball of your foot first.
The trajectory of the moving foot visualized as a narrow imaginary track, rather than a line. For the standing foot, its track is usually assumed to be parallel to that of the moving foot. If both feet are standing, their tracks are the tracks for the intended step.
Cf. Spot dance, Slotted dance.
A dance that significantly travels over the dance floor, typically in the general direction of the #line of dance. Examples are Waltz, Foxtrot, Polka, Samba.
A dance connection by means of visual awareness of partners in a couple. Visual connection by no means should replace the physical connection, and some consider it to be an inferior form of connection. However it does have its proper usages. Most important are the coordination of styles (arms, etc.) and when dancing without physical contact. An important example of the latter is spotting the partner during turns, especiall free spins.
Voice cues help match rhythmic patterns of steps in dance with music. There are different types of voice cues.
The Walk is probably the most basic dance move. It exists in almost every dance. Walks approximately correspond normal walking steps, taking into the account the basic technique of the dance in question. (For example, in Latin dance walks the toe hits the floor first, rather than the heel.)
In dance descriptions the term walk is usually applied when two or more steps are taken in the same direction. A single step, e.g., forward, is called just thus: 'step forward'.
Walks can be done in various dance positions: in closed position, #promenade position, shadow position, sweetheart position, etc.
Curved walks are done along a curve, rather than along a straight line.
When indicating a direction of movement during a dance, the term "wall" means the direction perpendicular to the LOD pointing towards the wall of the room (possibly imaginary). If one stands facing the LOD, then the wall direction is to their right.
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