Basic Elements of Couples Dancing
I. Timing: When to step (in time with the music)
A. Music has various timing, with accents on various
counts (see Article)
1. Most music is 4/4 time, counting
1, 2, 3, 4:
a. Accent
on 1 & 3 for Fox Trot and East Coast Swing
b. Accent
on 1, 3, 4 for Rumba (double timed with off beats, omit or triple time [1 &-uh
2] count 2
c. Accent
every beat for Polka & West Coast Swing
d. Double
timed (half beats) with accent on every count for Cha Cha and much Rock (count
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &)
e. Accent
on half beat before count 1 for Tango;
2. Waltz is 3/4 time with accent
on count 1;
3. Samba and Meringue are 2/4 double
time with accents on every count (count 1 & 2, 1 & 2).
B. A measure of music is one count of 4 (or 3 or 2).
C. Steps do not necessarily fit a measure of music;
they may require a varying number of counts.
1. A quick step takes 1 count;
2. A slow step takes 2 counts;
3. A balance step (Waltz only) takes
3 counts
4. A triple step has three steps
in 2 counts (1&2, or 4&1);
a. Even time
in Cha Cha, West Coast Swing, Polka (two eighth notes and a quarter note);
b. Syncopated
in East Coast Swing, Samba (dotted eighth note, sixteenth note, and a quarter
note).
II. Patterns: Where to step (direction & feet positions)
A. Five main foot positions:
1st Position: Feet together
2nd Position: Step to side (left
or right), toes forward
3rd Position: Step to side, toes
of moving foot pointing in direction of the step (example, promenade)
4th Position: Step forward or back,
toes pointed forward
5th Position: Ball of (either) foot
behind heel of other
B. Some other foot positions:
Diagonal 2nd: step diagonal,
toes pointed forward
Diagonal 3rd: step diagonal, toes
pointed on the diagonal;
Lock Position: Feet crossed, slightly
apart, back of knee touching kneecap of other leg.
III. Techniques: How two people step together as one
A. Direction of Movement
1. Line of Dance (LOD): Traffic
moves counterclockwise
2. Passing on outside toward wall,
spot steps toward center
3. Dancers' Compass (see diagram)
a. Line
of Dance (LOD)
b. Counter
Line of Dance (Rear)
c. Center
(left when facing LOD)
d. Wall (right
when facing LOD; "face the wall" means back toward the center)
e. Diagonal
Wall (half way between LOD and Wall)
f. Diagonal
Center (half way between LOD and Center)
g. Diagonal
Wall Rear (half way between Rear and Wall)
h. Diagonal
Center Rear (half way between Rear and Center)
B. Guys lead, Gals follow
C. Body positions
1. Closed (see
Fox Trot Lesson)
2. Promenade (conversation)
3. Right and Left Parallel
4. Wrap (cuddle)
5. Two Hand Hold
a. Swing
(waist high, two fingers in gal's palms)
b. Latin
(shoulder high, palm to palm)
6. Right or Left Open
7. Shine (apart, no hands)
8. Arch (guy lifts gal's hand,
she turns forward under)
9. Loop (guy draws gal's hand
between them and up around her head)
IV. Styling
A. Posture: Erect, rib cage tilts up where ribs
meet spine;
B. Head Position: "Where the toes go, the nose
goes";
C. Eyes Upward: Do not watch your feet;
D. Follow Through: Brush feet together on even numbered
counts in steps taking more than one count in smooth dances and Waltz balance
steps;
E. Arm and Leg Positions: Vary with the step;
elbows up;
F. Making a Line: Individual or couple pose, hold
positions;
G. Tracing a Line: Arm/leg moves through the air or
along floor
V. Animation
A. Facial expression should be pleasant;
B. Dress and general appearance should be appropriate;
C. Attitude: Look like you are having a good time;
D. Courtesy: To partner and other couples. Dance etiquette:
1. Guy may ask any gal to dance;
2. She may refuse, but if so, she
may not accept another during the same piece of music;
3. On ladies' choice dance, gal may
ask any guy;
4. On ladies' choice dance, guy may
not refuse;
5. Guy may cut in on any couple,
may not be refused;
6. Cut guy may not re-cut on same
guy, but may enlist 2nd guy
back to article back to top