SOCIAL DANCE

Social dance is a major category or classification of dance forms or dance styles, where sociability and
socializing are the primary focus of the dancing. Many social dances are partner dances. In fact, quite often
when spoken about social dances, ballroom or other partner dances as circle dances, line dances, and novelty
dances, or simply club dancing in solo.

 Ballroom dance
 Swing dance
 Club dance
 Contra dance
 Country and Western
 English country dance
 Folk dance (or Ethnic dance)
 Scottish country
 Square dance
 Tango

Social dancing has probably existed in some from since the beginning of human society. Most group dances
were originallly ceremonial rites around three basic aspects of human existence: food supply, sexual impulse
and relationhips with the spiritual world.

COMMON DANCE TERMS

 Accent - the dominant beat of the music measure, usually the first beat of the measure.
 Adage, adagio - slowly developed movements such as attitudes, arabesques, and developes where only one
foot is in contact with the floor.
 Allegro - fast movements where only one foot is in contact with the floor. These include kicks and flicks.
 Anchor step- a stationary triple step danced in third foot position to the timing of 1 & 2. It is popular in the
west coast swing.
 Amalgamation- a combination of two or more patterns or movements.
 American style- the american style smooth dances allow the dancers to be in open positions allowing much
freedom of choreography.
o the nine dances of american style ballroom dances are divided into two groups:
Smooth style consisting of: foxtrot, waltz, tango, and viennese waltz.
Rhythm style consisting of: cha cha, rumba, east coast swing, bolero, and mambo.
 Arabesque- a pose with one leg stretched straight out to the back and one arm usually stretched out to the
front. The back leg may be on the floor or at 45,90, or 135 degrees. These angles are measured from the
vertical. So, 90 degrees means parallel to the floor.
 Attitude- a pose. As with the arabesque, the working leg is raised. But unlike the arabesque, it is bent, not
straight, and also unlike the arabesque, it can be done to the front, the side, or the back. In attitude to the
front or the back, if the angle is 90 degrees, the half should be as nearly horizontal as possible.
 Bachata- sometimes referred to as the “blues music of the dominican republic”
 -this latin dance was developed there, borrowing from the cuban bolero.
 Balance step- a step in any direction, followed by a close (no weight) and a hold.
 Ball change- a change of weight from the ball of one foot to the flat of the other foot.
 Ballroom dancing- partner dancing the traditional ballroom dances: waltz,foxtrot, swing, cha cha, etc.

Prepared by: JADE MARK PASCUA, LPT

Instructor
 Bar- is also known as “measure”. The metrical division of music into groups of beats, and marked by
vertical bar lines drawn across the musical staff. Its main purpose is to indicate the placement of rhythmic
emphasis and to be a visual aid to musicians.
 Body rise- the body rises by bracing the leg muscles and stretching the spine then relaxes to a natural
stance.
 Bolero- originally a spanish dance and music developed in the late 18 th century with a distinctive rhythm in
triplet time at a moderately slow tempo. In cuba in the 20th century, it was further developed into a popular
duple time dance. Modern bolero is one of the rhythm competition dances in the american style of ballroom
dancing.
 Break- a stop in the music.
 Break step- a step that changes the direction of movement. The latin break-step is a two step sequence
where the first and second steps are taken in opposition. Most latin dances use break steps.
 Bump- dancers bump hips to the side or the buttocks of their partners.
 Center- balance point of the body mass located near the diaghragm.
 Cha cha- the most recently developed of the latin dances, cha cha takes on a happy, carefree expression and
is usually danced to music with a tempo in the range of 110-130bpm.
 Chaine turns- chained, rollling turns. A turn or chain of turns, in which one full turn is made with each two
steps. The technique: step forward and bring the feet together making a weight change (while in first foot
position) and completion of a 360- degree rotation.
 Change step (or closed change)- a three step sequence used to change weight from one foot to the other.
Usually, these steps are the first three steps of the box step.
 Chase- a figure where one partner pursues the other. Popular in cha cha. A visual “what you see is what you
do” lead is used for this figure.
 Chasse- a step-close-step sequence. The working leg slides out. Place weight on it and draw other leg along
floor to it.
 Chasse turn- a step-close-step turning step where the feet close to first position during the turn.
 Choreography- a creation or compilation of steps, patterns and movements which make up a dance or a
dance routine.
 Close- to bring the feet together without a change of weight.
 Coaster step- a triple step, sometimes used in swing dancing. Usually, the pattern is called out as “back-
together-forward.”
 Contra body movement (cbm)- a movement of the body which turns the opposite hip and shoulder toward
the direction of the moving leg. Often used to begin turning movements.
 Contra body movement position (cbmp)- a position achieved by moving the leg rather than the body by
either crossing in front or behind. The foot position is achieved by stepping in line with the standing floor.
 Cuban motion- hip motion resulting from the alternate bending and straightening of the knees. For
cucarachas - alternating side breaks to the left and to the right. These are also called side breaks. In the
breaking action, the feet move from first position to second position.
 Dance sport- the official name given to the sport of competitive ballroom dancing. Relates to the more
athletic form of ballroom dancing as recognized by the olympic committee.
 Dancer’s compass- a diagram that shows floor movement directions, such as “forward line of dance,”
“diagonal wall,””diagonal center,” etc.
 Developpe- a movement in which the working leg is drawn up to the knee of the supporting leg and from
there smoothly out to a position in the air, usually at 90 degrees (i.e., to the floor).
 Dig- to touch the ball or heel of the free foot to the floor with a strong emphasis.
 Drag- a drag is a theatrical type of dance movement in which the follower is scooted along the floor surface
by the leader. The leader may effect the drag either through leverage or through compression.

Prepared by: JADE MARK PASCUA, LPT

Instructor
 Drop- a theatrical type of movement in which the follower’s body weight is partially or completely
supported by the leader while at least one part of the follower’s body remains in contact with floor.
 Fan- circular motion of the free floor.
 Fan kick- high, straight leg kick where the extented leg makes a circular sweep.
 Fan spin- a turn on one foot with the other (outweighed) foot held in second dance position.
 Feet, position of- there are five basic positions of the feet.
First position: feet together (feet in line with heels togethe)
Second position: feet apart (feet in line, heels apart, separated by about the lengthof one’s foot;)
Third position: heel to instep (feet touching, one foot in front of the other with heel to instep);
Fourth position: normal walking step (feet apart, separated about the length of a foot, one foot in
front of the other)
Fifth position: feet touching, one foot in front, heel to toe and toe to heel.
 Fifth position- heel to toe. Often used in a rock-step.
 Figure- a standardized step pattern.
 First position- feet together, toes forward and slightly turned out.
 Flex- to bend slighly or relax a portion of the body. Example: the flex of the knee.
 Flick- sharp, quick kick backwards with a pointed toe and a flexel knee.
 Floor craft- the ability of the leader to maneuwer around the dance floor in a skilled and controlled manner
as to avoid colliding with other dancers.
 Follow through- the non-support foot passes by the weighted foot before changing directions.
 Following- the ability of the follower to react correctly to the signals given by the leader through physical
and visual connections.
 Footwork- the use of the five positions of the feet in dancing.
 Four count hustle- also called four count swing. One step is taken on each beat of the music. See four
count swing.
 Four count swing- similar to three-count hustle but easier to learn, four count swing is perfect for fast disco
music and “techno-beat” music.
 Fourth position- walking step, forward or back.
 Frame- posture, body position, and arm position for the purpose of maintaining connection.
 Free turn or free spin- to turn independently without any body contact.
 Freeze- a stop, no movement
 Foxtrot- typically danced too big band swing-style music written in 4/4 time and with a music tempo
ranging from 120 to136 bpm,, the foxtrot was developed by american entertainment henry fox and later
refined by the british to yield the version danced today.
 Grapevine- a continuous travelling step pattern to the side with crosses behind and/or in front. Steps
sideways where the trailing foot alternates between crossing in fornt and crossing behind.
 Guapacha(guapacha timing)- usually use in cha cha dancing. The timing changes from the standard
1,2,3,4 & to 1,2 &3,4& 1,2,&3. No step is taken on the &count between 2 and 3, rather, the step normally
taken on count 2 is delayed by 1/2 beat.
 Hold- (in music) a count to describe a designated time before taking another steps.
 Home- original starting place.
 Hustle- often assiociated with retro disco music, the hustle is the perfect dance for dance- beat, nightclub
music including everything form pop to rap and hip hop.
 Inside turn- the lady turns to her left under the man’s left hand, or she turns to her right under the man’s
right hand.
 International style- the internationally recognized style of ballroom dancing. For the five “standard
dances,” the couples must remain in closed dance position throughout the dances.
-the 10 international style dances are divided into two categories:
Prepared by: JADE MARK PASCUA, LPT
Instructor
 Standard, consisting of waltz, tango, viennese waltz, slow foxtrot, and quickstep
 Latin, consisting of cha cha, samba, rumba, paso doble, and jive.
 Isolation- movement of one part of the body independently of the rest.
 Jive- somewhat similar to east coast swing, the jive is one of the five latin competition dances.
 Kick ball change- a three step sequence often danced in swing dancing to the count 1&2. The step consists
of a kick, a step to the ball of thhe opposite foot, and then a step to change weight usually danced to triple
step timing. Often replaces the rock step in swing dancing.
 Latin dances- the partner dances originating from the caribbean: mambo, rumba, merengue, etc.
 Leading- effective communication of intended actions by the laeder through the use of the leader’s own
body movements and through one or more physical or visual connectionns to the follower.
 Lean- often seen in theatre arts routines. One partner leans into or away from the other, and the non-
learning partner supports this figure.
 Leverage move- often seen in theatre arts routines. One partner counterbalances the other so as to keep him
or her from falling.
 Lift- a theatrical type of movement in which the follower’s body weight is completely supported by the
leader and held a loft. A tight cross of the feet in 1 st or 2nd position, the lock step is usually danced to triple
step timing. During the step, the lower part of the legs cross such that the back leg becomes locked behind
the leading leg until the leading leg moves forward. The lock step is often used in the triple step of the cha
cha cha.
 Lunge- a weight transfer to a bent leg with the other leg extended.
 Mambo- similar to salsa but “danced on the second beat of the measure.”
 Merengue- a festive and happy latin dance with tempo range from about 120 to 160 bpm.
 Military turn- the 180 degree turn that effects an “’about face”. The turn consists of a prep step and a pivot.
(see the turn technique video!)
 Modern style ballroom- the term used to described the ballroom dances of the international style: waltz,
foxtrot, viennese waltz, tango, and quickstep. This term has largely been replaced by the term standard.
 Natural opposite- a term used in teaching to say that one partner will be dancing the same foot positions in
a particular dance pattern except in the opposite direction and on opposite feet.
 Natural turn- a turn to the right.
 Open break-a break step taken in open facing position, usually with the partners dancing in opposition. In
other words, they both break back simultaneously.
 Outside turn- the lady turns to her right under the man’s left hand or she turns to her left under the man’s
right hand. See also inside turn.
 Paddle turn- a turn either left or right, using a series of ball changes with 3/4 of the weight staying over the
turning foot.
 Passe- a movement in which the pointed foot of the working leg is made to pass the knee of the supporting
leg. The result is a figure “4”.
 Picture line- also known as line. A dance figure (e,g,, over-sway, contra check) characterized by changing
shapes in stationary position.
 Pirouette- a complete turn on one leg. The dancer usually goes around more than once. The dancer spots
(see “spotting”) in order to avoid becoming disoriented. Pirouettes are usually fast.
 Pivot turn- a 180 degree turn on the ball of one foot, performed in extended 3 rd foot position which the
thights locked. A series creates travelling rotations, with 180 degrees of rotation per weight change.
 Polka- a moderately fast dance (200 beats/minute) in 2/4 time for couples, originating in bohemia in the 19 th
century and becoming popular in europe and in the u.s.a. The dance consists of “triple steps”. The count is
1&2, 3&4.
 Prep- a lead- in move or step, a set-up used as a preparation for a turn or a change of dance position.
 Quick- a step or weight change that takes one beat of music.
Prepared by: JADE MARK PASCUA, LPT
Instructor
 Reverse turn- a turn to the left.
 Rhythm break- to leave the natural rhythm of the pattern.
 Rhythm category- a category of dancing that includes the following american style dances danced at
competitions: rumba, cha cha, bolero, mambo, and swing.
 Ride- a ride, sometimes referred to as a horse and cart movement, occurs when one partner supports and
rotates the riding partner on an axis.
 Rise and fall- coming up on the toes by bracing the ankles and stretching the spine then lowering to the
heels.
 Rock- two weight changes with the feet apart, taken in any direction.
 Roll- the indicated body part circles right or left.
 Rumba- a slow, sensuous , romantic latin dance which spotlights the lady and features much flirtation.
 Sailor step- a triple step dance pattern accomplished by learning in the oppopsite direction of the crossing
foot (weight stays centered over lead foot’s original position) example: learning toward left (1) step left
behind right (&) side step right (2) side step left (to original position).
 Salsa- a hot latin dance which, when danced correctly, displays a lot of shakin’, shimmying, and hip action.
 Samba- the official dance of brazil. This latin dance has a tempo of about 100 beats per minute.
 Second position- feet parallel, shoulder width apart.
 Shimmy- alternating shoulder movements forward and backward.
 Shine- popular in latin dances such as mambo and cha cha, these are movements where the partners are not
physically connected. Often, the partners dance similar patterns while disconnected or they act out a piece of
music interpretation.
 Shuffle- a triple step similar to a polka step with no lilt. Used in triple two step.
 Slide- to bring the free foot slowly together to the weighted foot.
 Slot- used as a concept in certain dances (i,e,. West coast swing) where the goal is for the follower to dance
on a track, turn around, and then come back on the same track in the opposite direction. The leader’s job is
to move slightly out of the track (slot) to allow the follower a clear path.
 Slow- a step or weight change that takes two beats of music.
 Smooth style ballroom- the term used in dance sport events and in general to mean american style waltz,
foxtrot, tango and viennese waltz.
 Spine turn- also called a pencil turn or a platform turn. A turn on one foot with the other (unweighted) foot
usually held in first position.
 Split- the feet move apart with the weight evenly distributed over both feet.
 Spot turn- a turn with focus.
 Spotting- a technique for keeping oriented and avoiding dizziness during turns. Select a spot; keep looking
at it as you turn until you can’t any longer; then quickly turn your head so you are looking at it again.
 Standard style ballroom- the name that replaced the term modern to mean the international style ballroom
dances- waltz, foxtrot, viennese waltz, tango amd quickstep.
 Step- frequently used to mean the same thing as figure.
 Step- the transfer of weight form one foot to anoother.
 Syncopate- to add or subtract steps within a specific number of beats performed by dancers to vary the
normal step and to allow for personal expression and creativity.
 Tango- characterized by stunning, sharp head-turns and provocative figures, this latin dance ranks in
popularity among ballroom dancers only behind the waltz and foxtrot.
 Theater arts/ cabaret division- a division at dance sport events that involves dramatic lifts and drops
usually performed by strong, highly trained dancers requiring unusual flexibility and balance.
 Third position- heel to instep, or ball to heel. Used in rock steps, shuffles, polkas, triple steps, and basic
swing.

Prepared by: JADE MARK PASCUA, LPT

Instructor
 Time signature- the sign of figures at the beginning of a musical composition or section or movement
indicating the number and kind of beats to the bar (e,g., 3/4 indicates 3 beats to the bar, with the number 4
signifying that the basic beat is a quarter note.)
 Top line- a posture and frame concept. Top line is the horizontal line that runs from elbow to elbow and
through both shoulders blades.
 Traveling pivot- pivots danced down lod in extended 5th position.
 Triple step- triple steps are popular in swing dancing. The triple step is a three step sequence taken on two
beats of music. If the first step of the triple step is taken on count 1, the second step is taken on the half beat
betwen counts 1&2, and the third step is taken on count 2. The step timing is often called out as 1&2.
Usually, the triple step is two quick steps and one slow, called out as “quick-quick- slow,” or, using
numbers, as “one-and two.”
 Turns- most turn types, including pivot turns, chaine turns, chasse turns, and spiral turns.
 Two step (night club)- a simple dance danced to slow, romantic music.
 Two step (texas)- a fast traveling dance with many turns and normally danced to country music with a
tempo range of 170-200 beats per minute. The basic step is like walking, except the timing is quick, quick,
slow, slow.
 Two step (triple)- uses a progressive version of the triple timing swing basic and progresses around the
perimeter of the dance floor in a counterclockwise fashion. Also called double two step, the shuffle or the
fort worth shuffle.
 Viennese waltz- very similar to standard waltz except faster.
 Waltz- the most popular ballroom dance in the world, waltz has an easy-to-hear 1-2-3, 1-2-3 rhythm and
can be danced to music found in nearly all music genres, including rock, country, pop, and classical.
 West coast swing- a cool, sexy, slotted swing dance that spotlights the lady. Like hustle, it’s perfect for
nightclub dance-beat music.

Prepared by: JADE MARK PASCUA, LPT

Instructor