Ballroom Dancing I Glossary Of Terms

Front 1

Walking

Back 1

Any number of forward, backward, or side steps.

Front 2

Rock

Back 2

Two or more changes of weight with the feet apart in any direction.

Front 3

Triple

Back 3

Three steps in any direction using only two beats of music.

Front 4

Slow Step

Back 4

A step that is held for one beat of music.

Front 5

Follow Through (Brush)

Back 5

The passing of the ankles and/or knees when going from one open position of the feet to another open position of the feet. The term "brush" is used to indicate that the moving foot must first close to the foot supporting the weight of the body, but without changing weight.

Front 6

Flex

Back 6

A slight bending of the knees.

Front 7

Counter Balance

Back 7

Equal pressure or resistance between partners at all points of contact.

Front 8

Line of Dance (LOD)

Back 8

The direction of progress around the dance floor. (counterclockwise)

Front 9

Pattern

Back 9

A combination of steps, which form a completed figure.

Front 10

Timing/Rhythm

Back 10

The manner in which the movement of the feet and the body is danced to specific numbered beats.

Front 11

Lead

Back 11

The ability to direct one's partner around the floor in time to music.

Front 12

Follow

Back 12

The ability to respond quickly to a partner's lead and not anticipate it.

Front 13

Styling

Back 13

The ability to incorporate the characteristic movements and expressions of each dance with the proper hold, posture, footwork, partnership, etc., creating a pleasing and controlled appearance.

Front 14

Continuity

Back 14

The ability to blend and incorporate various patterns together so that a continuous flow of movement is achieved.

Front 15

Amalagation

Back 15

A combination of two or more figures.

Front 16

Alignment

Back 16

A technical term used in dancing referring to the position of the feet in a forward or backward step when the feet should be perfectly in line and turned neither in nor out and with the inside of each foot touching an imaginary line drawn through the middle of the body. The term can also be used to refer to the direction of the directional line of some part of the figure.

Front 17

Balance

Back 17

The correct distribution of the weight of the body when moving through space while remaining on time to the music.

Front 18

Basic Figure

Back 18

A figure that is considered to form a part of the basis of a particular dance.

Front 19

Fallaway Position

Back 19

A position used in dancing in which the man and the woman move backward in Promenade position.

Front 20

School Figures

Back 20

A technical term used in dancing to indicate a completed set of steps.

Front 21

Footwork

Back 21

a technical term used in dancing to convey which part of the foot is in contact with the floor during each step.

Front 22

Promenade Position

Back 22

THe position in which the man's right shoulder and the woman's left side are kept in close contact. The opposite sides of the bodies turned out to form a "V" shape. The feet are usually turned in the same direction as the body.

Front 23

Smooth Dances

Back 23

A technical term used in dancing to indicate certain types of dances such as Fox Trot, Waltz, Tango, and Quick Step in Ballroom and Two Step and Waltz in Country Western.

Front 24

Latin Dances

Back 24

A technical term used in dancing to indicate certain types of dances such as Rumba, Cha Cha, Samba, Mambo, Merengue and others.

Front 25

Rhythm Dances

Back 25

A technical term used in dancing to indicate certain dances such as East and West Coast Swing, Jitterbug, Jive and others.

Front 26

Weight Distribution

Back 26

The correct distribution of the weight of the body when standing on one foot or both feet.

Front 27

Body Placement

Back 27

A technical term used in dancing when referring to where the weight of the body is placed at any given moment.

Front 28

Syncopate

Back 28

A technical term used in dance/music when beginning on an unaccented beat/step and finishing on an accented one (1 and 2--3 and 4).

Front 29

Cuban Motion

Back 29

A technical term used in the Latin/Rhythm dances. The motion takes place in the knees and not in the hips.

Front 30

Quick Step

Back 30

A step that is held for one beat of music.