Glossary of partner dance terms
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.
See 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.
Related links
List of dance organizations - Glossary of ballet terms - Musical terminology - List of musical topics - Requested articles: Dance and dancers
External links
A
Abbreviations
American Smooth
A category of dances in ballroom competitions. It includes
Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot and Viennese Waltz. Previously Peabody was also included.
This category loosely corresponds to the category of ballroom.
American Rhythm
A category of dances in ballroom competitions. It includes
Cha Cha, Rumba, East Coast Swing, Bolero, Mambo. Sometimes it may include Samba and West Coast Swing.
This category loosely corresponds to the category of 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 consistis of two categories: and .
B
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.
Basic figure
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.
Basic movement
Basic movement is the very basic step that defines the character of a dance. Often it is called just thus: "Basic Movement" or "Basic Step". For some dances it is sufficient to know the basic step performed in different s and to enjoy it socially.
Basic step
Same as .
Body contact
Body contact is a style of closed position in partner dancing ("closed position with body contact"); it is also a type of .
C
Center
When indicating a direction of movement during a dance, the term "center" means the direction perpendicular to the pointing towards the center of the room. If one stands facing the LOD, then the center direction is to their left.
Center point of balance
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 equilibrum 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.
Read more about CPB here.
Chaines
Chainé turns
Chaines turns
See Glossary of ballet terms#Chaînés.
Chasse
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 direction may be slightly diagonal or even curving, rather than strictly sideways.
- Sizes of steps may vary. This also concern the second, "Together", step: the moving foot may land right beside the standing foot or leave some space, or even barely move from its previous position.
- may vary. Typical timings are
- may vary.
Closed dance figure
The term has at least two meanings: regarding dance position and regarding .
A position in which partners hold each other while each other.
A means of communication between dancers in the couple. and types of connection are distinguished.
In terms of body rotation during a step, this action is opposite to .
The dancer's upper body is rotated towards the leading foot.
Compression
The term has two meanings.
- Compression is a type of physical connection, opposite to , 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 technique of ballroom dances of (International style) of (American style) categories: Waltzes, Tango (dance), Foxtrots.
Cuban hip motion
See .
D
An official term to denote dance as competitive, sport activity.
Dance pattern
See Dance move.
Dance step
For one meaning, see Dance move, for another one, see "".
Direction of movement
See Direction of movement.
Direction of step
See Direction of movement.
E
F
Follower
See Lead and follow.
Footwork
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.
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 . A simple test for a full weigth 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.
Free spin
A general term to describe a spin without any handhold.
G
H
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, 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.
I
Inside partner step
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 .
Inside turn
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.
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: and .
J
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 s and s. 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.
K
L
Latin
As applied to dances, the term has two meanings.
- This category loosely corresponds to the category of ballroom.
Latin dance
See .
A characteristic type of hip motion found in the technique of performing a in and dances.
Sometimes it is also called , although some prefer to distinguish the two.
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 , 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
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 s is along the line of dance.
Line of dance is a useful line of reference when describing the s of steps taken, e.g., "facing LOD", "backing LOD". See also , .
Line of foot
An imaginary straight line passing through the foot in the heel-toe direction.
M
Moving foot
N
O
Open dance figure
The term has at least two meanings: regarding dance position and regarding .
Outside partner step
A step taken with partner beside the . During this step feet of both parners do not overlap. See also .
Outside turn
Cf. .
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.
P
Physical connection
A dance connection by means of physical contact. Types of physical connection are body contact, , .
Promenade position
"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.
Q
R
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
Rond
See Ballet glossary#Rond de jambe.
S
Shadow position
Both partners face the same general direction, one of them squarely behind of slightly shifted sideways ("in the shadow"). s vary.
Side lead
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 .
Slot
In s, 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.
Slotted dance
A dance style in which the couple movement is fenerally confined to a . 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 .
Spot dance
Cf. .
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.
Standard
A category of dances in 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), ) Foxtrot (also called Slowfox), Quickstep, Viennese Waltz. This category loosely corresponds to the category of ballroom.
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, , 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 and 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 agrrement such steps do not begin/end at the "counts" 1, 2, etc. which normally match musical beats.
Standing foot
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.
T
Three Ts
Technique, Timing, Teamwork. The criteria for evaluation of dance mastery in Swing dancing community.
Time Step
- In tap dancing, the Time Step is a recognizable rhythmic tap combination. The term comes from the time of great tap dancers that used their distinctive Time Step to tell the band the desired tempo. Read more here.
- In various rhythmic ballroom/social dances, Time Step is simply steps in place, marking the characteristic rhythm of the dance, "2-3-cha-cha-cha" for Cha-cha-cha, "1,2,3,4" for Paso Doble, "1,2,3,...5,6,7,..." for "Salsa on One", etc..
Timing
The relation of the elements of a dance or dance figure with respect to musical time: bars and beats.
Toe Lead
When taking a step in dance, a toe lead is where you land on the ball of your foot first.
Track of foot
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.
Travelling dance
Cf. .
U
V
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 the partner during turns, especiall s.
W
Wall
When indicating a direction of movement during a dance, the term "wall" means the direction perpendicular to the pointing towards the wall of the room (possibly imaginary). If one stands facing the LOD, then the wall direction is to their right.
X
W
Z
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