Glossary of partner dance terms

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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.

This glossary lists terms used in various types of partner dances, leaving out terms of highly evolved or specialized dance forms, such as ballet, tap dancing, and square dancing, which have their own elaborated terminology. You may also want to check with

• Glossary of ballet terms
• Glossary of dance moves

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.

Abbreviations

• 3T - Three Ts
• CBL - Cross-body lead
• CBM - Contra body movement
• CBMP - Contra body movement position
• COG - Center of gravity
• CPB - Center point of balance
• DC - Diagonally to center
• DW - Diagonally to wall
• IDSF - International DanceSport Federation
• IDTA - International Dance Teachers Association
• ISTD - Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing
• J&J - Jack and Jill
• LOD - Line of dance
• MPM - Measures per minute
• NFR - No foot rise
• OP - outside partner or open position
• PP - promenade position
• Q - quick
• S - slow

A - F

American Smooth

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.

American Rhythm

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.

American Style

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 consists of two categories: American Smooth and American Rhythm.

Backleading

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. An exception would be to avoid a collision with another couple the leader hasn't seen (this is usually just to stop the leader performing specific steps rather than the follower actively executing steps).

Sometimes this term is used in the meaning of Hijacking, which is not exactly the same.

Body flight

Body flight is a property of many movements in dances such as the Waltz and Foxtrot. It refers to steps taken with momentum in excess of that necessary to arrive at a point of static balance over the new position, which suggests a carry through to another step in the same direction. Steps in these dances naturally flow one into another, in contrast to the Tango and to the Latin and Rhythm dances where many steps arrive to a point of static balance.

Body contact

Body contact is a style of closed position in partner dancing ("closed position with body contact"); it is also a type of physical connection.

Body support

Support of the partner's body is largely avoided in ballroom dancing. The exception would be "lifts" - often featured in some forms of swing dancing, and ballroom showdance presentations, but banned in ordinary ballroom competition and rarely seen in social dancing.

Call

A call in square dancing is a command by a caller to execute a particular dance figure. In round dancing, calls are called cues, see "Caller" for the explanation of the difference. Voice calls may be complemented by hand signs. See also #Voice cue.

Caller

A caller or a cuer is a person that calls/cues dance figures to be executed in square dances and round dances.

Center

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.

The term Center may also be used as shorthand for the Center point of balance

Center point of balance

Together with the 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.

Closed dance figure

The term has at least two meanings: regarding dance position and regarding footwork.

• A figure performed in closed position.
• A figure in which at the last step the moving foot closes to rest at the support foot. Examples are Box Step in American Style Waltz or Natural Turn in International Style Waltz.

Closed position

The ordinary position of ballroom dancing in which the partners face each other with their bodies approximately parallel. In Standard and Smooth the bodies are also offset about a half body width such that each person has their partner on their right side, with their left side somewhat unobstructed. Constrast Promenade position and Open position.

Connection

A means of communication between dancers in the couple. Physical and visual types of connection are distinguished. Sometimes referred to as resistance or tone, it involves slightly tensing the upper-body muscles, often in the context of a frame, thus enabling leader to communicate intentions to follower. See compression and tension, two basic associated actions/reactions.

Contra body movement

Refers to a rotation of the body towards the moving foot.

Contra body movement position

A step is taken into Contra body movement position when the moving foot is brought towards the opposite side of the body (or onto or across the line of the standing foot) The term is an analogy to the position that may be achieved by rotating the body towards the moving foot (Contra body movement), and as such is usually applied only to situations without rotation.

Compression

The term has several meanings.

• Compression is a type of physical connection, opposite to leverage, in which a stress exists at the point(s) of contact directed towards the contact point(s). The term is frequently used, e.g., in swing dance community.
• Compression is lowering the body by bending the knees in a preparation for a step. The term is mostly used in describing the Rises and falls technique of ballroom dances of Standard (International style) of Smooth (American style) categories: Waltzes, Tango (dance), Foxtrots.
• Compression is a hip action in Latin dances.
• An action to achieve a graceful sway.

Cuban hip motion

See Latin hip motion.

Cue

A signal to execute a dance figure. See Call and Voice cue.

Dancesport

An official term to denote dance as competitive, sport activity.

Dance formation

See #Formation.

Dance move

Dance pattern

See Dance move.

Dance step

For one meaning, see Dance move, for another one, see "Step". See also Glossary of dance steps.

Direction of movement

See Direction of movement.

Direction of step

See Direction of movement.

Follower

See Lead and follow.

Footwork

In a wider sense the term footwork describes dance technique aspects related to feet: foot position and foot action.

In a narrow sense, e.g., in descriptions of balroom dance figures, the term refers to the behavior of the foot when it is in contact with 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 the Smooth and Standard dances, it is common for the body weight to progress through multiple parts of the foot during the course of a step. Customarily, parts of the foot reached only after the other foot has passed to begin a new step are implied but not explicitly mentioned.

Formation

1. Formation or dance formation is a team of dance couples.
2. Formation of a dance team is the specification of

• positions of dancers or dance couples on the floor relative to each other and
• directions the dancers face or move with respect to others.

Formation dance

Formation dance is a choreographed dance of a team of couples, e.g., ballroom formation dance.

Full weight

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.

Frame

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.

G - R

Guapacha

Guapacha timing is an alternative rhythm of various basic Cha-cha-cha steps that are normally cued as "2, 3, cha-cha-cha". In Guapacha, the step that normally occurs on count "2" is delayed half-beat, until the count "&", so that the cue would be "<hold> &, 3, cha-cha-cha."

Handhold

Handhold is an element of dance connection: it is a way the partners hold each other by hands.

Heel Lead

When taking a step in dance, the term "heel lead" describes the fact you land on the heel of your moving foot first before putting weight on the remainder of the foot. As in normal walking, it should be noted that much of the swing of the foot is accomplished with its midpart closest to the floor, emphasis shifting to the heel only as the final placement is neared.

Heel Turn

A heel turn is an action danced by the partner on the inside of turn in certain figures in Standard or Smooth. During the course of rotation, the dancer's weight moves from toe to heel of one foot while the other foot swings to close to it, then forward from heel towards the toe of the just closed foot. Follower's heel turns feature body rise coincident with the first step, which leads her foot to close next to the standing one rather than swing past. In contrast, when the leader is dancing a heel turn the rise is delayed until the conclusion of the turn, as he can better lead the amount of turn from a more grounded position. The heel turn is distinguished from other members of the family of heel pull actions which do not require complete closure of the feet. Follower's heel turns are commonly found in the Double reverse spin and the Open or Closed telemark, and the natural and reverse turns of international style foxtrot, while leader's heel turns form the basis of the Open or Closed impetus.

Hijacking

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.

International Standard

See Standard.

International Style

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.

International Latin

See Latin

Jack and Jill

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.

Latin

As applied to dances, the term has two meanings.

• Latin dances is category of dances in International Style ballroom competitions. It is also called Latin American category. It includes Samba, Rumba, Cha-cha-cha, Paso Doble, Jive.
  This category loosely corresponds to the Rhythm category of American Style ballroom.

• Latin dance is any of social dances of Latin American origin.

Latin dance

See Latin.

Latin hip motion

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. Although most visible in the hips, much of the effect is created through the action of the feet and knees.

Lead stealing

See Hijacking.

Leader

See Lead and follow.

Leading and following

See Lead and follow.

Leverage

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). Predominantly used in the swing dance community. See also tension.

Line of dance

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.

Line of foot

An imaginary straight line passing through the foot in the heel-toe direction.

Measures per minute

Measures per minute, or MPM, refers to the tempo of the music according to the number of measures or bars occurring in one minute of music. This can vary from as low as 25-27 MPM for international style rumba to as fast as 58-60 MPM for international style viennese waltz.

Musicality

See Musicality.

No foot rise

In descriptions of the footwork of step patterns the abbreviation NFR stands for no foot rise and means that the heel of the support foot remains in contact with the floor until the weight is transferred onto the other foot. See "Rises and falls" for details.

Open dance figure

The term has at least two meanings: regarding dance position and regarding footwork.

• A figure performed in open position.
• A figure in which during the last step the moving foot passes the support foot. Examples are Feather Step in Foxtrot or Open Left Turn, e.g., in Tango.

Open position

Open position is any dance position in couple dances, in which the partners stand apart in constrast to Closed position. They may face inwards or outwards, and hold one or both hands or stand independently.

Outside partner position

A step into Outside partner position occurs when the moving foot of the forward travelling partner moves on a track outside of their partner's standing foot when it would ordinarily move on a track aimed between their partner's feet. Due to the offset of the hold, this generally applies to a step with the right foot. (The term Left side outside is often used for the rare occurrences when the left foot crosses to pass outside, as in the Hover cross). Steps into outside partner position are also required to be in Contra body movement position, and are often preceded by a step with a strong Side lead. The term "inline" is occasionally used when it is necessary to clarify that an outside partner position is not involved.

Physical connection

A dance connection by means of physical contact. Types of physical connection are body contact, compression, leverage.

Pinched shoulder

Pinched shoulder is the position seen when Promenade position is danced with an outward rotation of the upper bodies, rather than a rotational stretch in each body. It is characterized by one or both partner's having their trailing elbow behind the line of their shoulders, with a resulting break in the arm line at the trailing shoulder.

Progressive dance

See #Travelling dance

Promenade position

The promenade position is described differently in various dance categories.

In ballroom dances their common trait is that the dance couple moves (or intends to move) essentially sidewise to the leader's left while partners nearly face each other, with the leader's right side of the body and the follower's left side of the body are closer than the respective opposite sides. Steps of both partners are basically sidewise or diagonally forward with respect to their bodies. Normally the dancers look in the direction of the intended movement.

In square dances it is a close side-by-side position in various handholds with the general intention to move together forward, "in promenade"

Replace

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.

Rhythm

• See American Rhythm.
• See Rhythm.

S - Z

Shadow position

Both partners face the same general direction, one of them squarely behind of slightly shifted sideways ("in the shadow"). Handholds vary. Variants: #Sweetheart position, #Cuddle position.

Side lead

A body position or action during a step, sometimes also called Same side lead. Side leading refers to a movement during whith the side of the body corresponding to the moving foot is consistently in advance as a result of a previous Contra Body Movement or "Body Turns Less" action. A step with side lead will often precede or follow a step of the opposite foot taken into Contra Body Movement Position (in which the leading side is that opposite the moving foot) without requiring intervening rotation of the body.

Due to the offset position of the partners in the hold, a left side lead may be quite pronounced whereas a right side lead will be more subtle if taken in closed position.

Slot

In slotted dances, the dance 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. As a rule, the leader mostly stays in the slot as well, leaving it only to give way for the follower to pass him.

Slotted dance

Cf. Spot dance, Travelling dance.

A dance style in which the couple's movements are generally 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.

Smooth

See American Smooth.

Spot dance

Cf. Travelling dance, Slotted dance.

A dance that is generally danced in a restricted area of the dance floor. Examples are Rumba, Salsa, East Coast Swing.

Spotting

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. It serves the dual purpose of being easier able to determine when to stop turning and preventing dizziness.

Standard

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. (In England, the term "Modern" is often used, which should not be confused with "Modern Dance" that derives from Ballet technique) 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.

Stationary dance

See #Spot dance

Stealing the lead

See Hijacking.

Step

• In a strict sense, a step, or a footstep, is a single move of one foot, usually involving full or partial weight transfer to the moving foot. However foot actions, such as tap, kick, etc., are also sometimes called "steps". For example, in a description: "step forward, replace, together" all three actions are steps.

Sometimes it is important to define the exact limits of one (foot)step, i.e., exactly when it begins and ends. In describing the detailed technique in Standard and Smooth dances (Waltz, Tango,...) it is agreed that in figures where the moving foot doesn't stop at the support foot a step begins (and the previous step ends) at the moment when the moving foot passes the support foot. Notice that according to this agreement such steps do not begin/end precisely at the "counts" 1, 2, etc. which normally match musical beats.

• In a broader sense, step means dance step, i.e., a dance figure, e.g., Basic Step, Triple Step.

Standing foot

Same as Supporting foot.

Supporting foot

It is also called support foot, a foot which bears the full (or nearly full) weight at the beginning of a step or while the other foot does some action (tap, ronde, etc.).

Sway

The term sway has a specific meaning in the technique of ballroom dancing. Basically, it describes a body position in which its upper part gracefully deflects from the vertical.

Syncopation

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 considered incorrect by many dance instructors, but it is still in circulation, a better term lacking.

Tension

Describes a physical connection, opposite to compression, in which a stress exists at the point(s) of contact directed away from the contact point(s) between partners. People frequently resort to describing the actions as "push" (compression, towards partner) and "pull" (tension, away from partner) to get the idea across. See also leverage.

Three Ts

Technique, Timing, Teamwork. The criteria for evaluation of dance mastery in Swing dancing community.

Timing

The relation of the elements of a dance step or dance figure with respect to musical time: bars and beats.

Toe Lead

When taking a step in dance, the toe lead is when you land on the ball of your foot first.

Track of foot

The trajectory of the moving foot visualized as a narrow imaginary track, forward and backward of the foot rather than a line. For the standing foot, its track is determined by its current orientation on the floor which may be noted on the inside of turns where the feet often point in differing directions.

Travelling (progressive) dance

Cf. Spot dance, Slotted dance.

A dance that significantly travels over the dance floor, generally in the direction of the line of dance. Examples are Waltz, Foxtrot, Polka, Samba.

Visual connection

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 cue

Voice cues help match rhythmic patterns of steps in dance with music. There are different types of voice cues.

• The most common example is the usage of "quick" and "slow" words: "quick-quick-slow" (pronounced as "quick-quick-sloooow") immediately tells you that the third step takes twice the time of the first one (and of the second one).
• Some East Coast Swing instructors cue the basic step as "shuf-fle-STEP, shuf-fle-STEP, rock BACK", to indicate both the rhythmic pattern of the figure (1&2, 3&4, 5, 6) and the syncopated character of swing music: every second syllable is stressed.
• Still another example: the Box Step of American style Rumba may be cued as "forward-...-side-together, back-...-side-together", to indicate the directions of (leader's) steps and their timing.
• Finally, for more advanced dancers voice cues are actually names of dance figures and standard variations:
  • "Two walks, Link, Closed Promenade" (Tango).
  • "Open Telemark, Natural Fallaway, Whisk, Quick Wing" (Waltz).
  • "Dile que no!... Setenta!... Dame dos con una!..." (Salsa Rueda)

Cues are an important element of round dances. In square dances they are called calls and called by a caller .

Wall

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.

See also

• List of dance organizations
• Musical terminology
• List of musical topics

References

• List of partner dance books

External links

• ballroomdancers.com: Learning Center
• Streetswing.com large information base about more than thousand dances.