Sussex Line Dance

Line Dancing, Terminology, and Common Moves (Page One)

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Line Dancing, Terminology, and Common Moves (Page One)
Line Dance Classes in Sussex (Page Two)
Western Dance Clubs in Sussex featuring live music (Page Three)
Sussex Line Dance / Country Music Club Websites (Page Four)
My Other Dance Websites (Page Five)
Other Dance or Music Websites (Page Six)
Dances I have learnt in Eastbourne (Page Seven)
Line Dance Scripts and Music (Page Eight)
Western Couple Dance Scripts and Music (Page Nine)
My Online Music Players and Collections (Page Ten)

 

LINE DANCING

 

If you have never tried this before, please be patient – it will probably take a few weeks before you start to feel you are making any progress.  Imagine learning a new song.  It takes time, and practice, before you know the tune and all the words by heart.  Learning a dance is just the same.

 

linedancingbootstwice.jpg

Picture of Line dancing boots above

In line dancing some of the steps come in groups, each with its own name.  Don't worry!  Once you have a grasp of the basic moves, learning new dances will become easier

 

There are over 20,000 line dances so we can only ever expect to know a few.  They all have varying degrees of difficulty and speed.  Some are written for one piece of music, others can be danced to many different tracks.  Some tracks can be used for different dances.  Some dances taught are popular at local clubs so that if you want to join one, or attend a social event, you'll be able to join in.  Line Dancers are very friendly and you'll always find someone who’s happy to guide a novice.

 

It is also very good for you, physically, mentally and spiritually.  It can help keep joints supple and build up strength in your leg muscles; it's good for the heart & lungs; memorising the step patterns exercises your brain; and it is GOOD FUN!  Line dancing is supported by a number of medical charities including British Heart Foundation and National Osteoporosis Society.

 

Clothing:  Lots of layers – tops, t-shirts, shirts.  When you exercise you get warm, when you sit down you get cold.  Be prepared!  

 

Refreshment:  You can become quite dehydrated during physical exercise and it is a good idea to get a drink whenever you need one.

 

IMPORTANT! (Health and Safety):  - If there are any moves that cause pain or dizziness,  steps  can easily be adapted so that you can still learn and enjoy the dances

 

Taken from a list as prepared by Deana Randle (Fully Qualified BWDA Linedance Instructor and Qualified Further and Adult Education Teacher)

TERMINOLOGY

And (&)  / Syncopation

A step made on the half-beat (e.g. One-And-Two, i.e. 3 steps over two beats).  This is called syncopation.  E.g. triple step or syncopated grapevine:  side, behind, side-cross, touch (1, 2, &3, 4)

 

BPM

Beats per minute.  All music can be timed for its speed.  Many dances fall between 100 and 140 bpm.  Under 100 and the dance will often feel slow and flowing, above 140 and it can be a bit of a race.

beatsperminute.jpg

Beats per minute picture above

Clock

When turning to face different directions, either at the end of each wall ready to start again or during each repetition of steps, it is usual to use the numbers on a clock face as a guide.  The front wall is 12 o’clock, the wall on your right is 3, the back wall is 6, the one on your left is 9 from your starting position at the beginning of the dance. 

 

Count

A dance is usually described as a (number)-count dance e.g. 32-count / 64-count, etc.  One count is one beat of the music.

 

Walls

A dance is described by its number of “Walls”.  A 1-wall dance only ever restarts the pattern of steps facing the front wall; a 2-wall dance starts at the front wall then the back wall in turn; a 4-wall dance starts its repetition facing each wall of the room in turn.  NB:  it doesn’t matter how many turns are put into the dance, which cause you to face any number of walls during the dance, what is important is the direction you’re facing when the whole pattern restarts from Count 1.

 

Tag

An additional number of steps or moves (usually only a very few) that allows the music to catch up before both dance and music can start again at what feels to be the correct point.

 

Vanilla & Chocolate

If you dance precisely to the script this is called “Vanilla”.  If you like to add your own extra moves or styling (completely acceptable), this is called “Chocolate”.  Example – instead of a vine, do a rolling vine; instead of a coaster step, do a triple full turn.

SOME COMMON MOVES USED IN LINE DANCING

 

You will encounter many of these moves in the first range of dances you learn.  There are a few others but most of those will only be found in more advanced dances.

charlestonstep.jpg

Picture of the Charleston step above

Move

Description

Charleston steps

Movement of 4 counts:  Point, step, point, step

1. Point 1st foot forward, 2. Step 1st foot back in place, 3. Point 2nd foot BACK, 4. Step 2nd foot forward in place

 

Chassé

Movement of three steps:  Side-together-side.  (Or side-close-side.)

*Can be to left or to right.  *Can either be done over three counts or two using '&' beat (e.g. 1&2).

 

Move

Description

Coaster step

Movement of three steps:  Back-together-forward. 
1. Step back on 1st foot, 2. Step back on 2nd foot, 3. Step forward on 1st foot. 

*Can be done with left or right foot leading.  *Can either be done over three counts two or using '&' beat (e.g. 1&2).

 

Dig

Touch the heel forward (no weight)

 

Hitch

 

To raise knee of specified (non-supporting) leg.

Jazz box

Movement of four steps:  Cross-back-side-forward.

*Usually done over four counts, with one step on each beat.  *Can be done with either right or left foot leading.  (Think of Hank Marvin and the Shadows!!!).

 

Kick ball change

 

Three movements in two beats (i.e. 1&2) 
1. Kick specified foot forward, 2. Step weight onto same foot, 3. Step weight onto other foot.

 

Lock step

Movement of three steps:  Step-lock-step.  (Similar to a VINE done on a diagonal direction.)
1. Step forward, 2. Bring second foot up crossing BEHIND first foot, 3. step first foot forward again.

*Can be done with left or right foot leading.  *Can either be done over three counts two or using '&' beat (e.g. 1&2).  *Can be done forwards or backwards.

 

Mambo step

Movement of three steps:

1. Step 1st foot in specified direction and rock weight onto it; 2. Recover weight onto 2nd foot; 3. Return 1st foot to starting position.

* Can be done forwards, backwards, or sideways.

 

Monterey turn

Movement of four counts:  Point-turn-point-together. 

1. Point toe out to side, 2. Return foot to centre transferring weight over, at the same time making turn of specified length and direction, 3. Point other toe out to side, 4. Return foot to centre transferring weight over (no turn).

*Can be done with left or right foot leading. 

 

Pivot turn

Movement of two counts:  Step-turn.
1. Step first foot forward, 2. Make turn (½ or ¼ as indicated) and transfer weight onto second leg in direction of second leg.  E.g.  To make a right pivot turn:  Step left foot forward, make turn to right as you replace your weight onto right foot.

 

Rocking Chair

Movement of 4 steps:  Forward, back, back, forward

1. Rock forward on 1st foot, 2. Rock back on 2nd foot, 3. Rock BACK on 1st foot, 4. Rock forward on 2nd foot

 

Move

Description

Rumba box

Movement over 8 counts producing a square pattern.  Can be done with either foot leading and in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction.

The most common is:  1. Step left foot to left side, 2. Step right foot next to left foot, 3. Step left foot forward, 4. Touch right toe next to left foot, 5. Step right foot to right side, 6. Step left foot next to right foot, 7. Step back on right foot, 8 touch left foot next to right foot.  (side-together- forward-touch-side-together-back-touch).

Sailor step

Exaggerated coaster step. 

1. Step 1st foot behind 2nd foot.  2. Step 2nd foot diagonally forward.  3. Step 1st foot to side of 2nd foot.

 

Scissor steps

Movement of 3 steps:

1. Step 1st foot to side, 2. Step 2nd foot next to 1st foot, 3. Cross step 1st foot over in front of 2nd foot.

*Can be done over 4 counts (1,2,3 hold) or syncopated on 1&2.

 

Shuffle

Movement of three steps (similar to a lock step): 
1. Step forward, 2. bring second foot up BESIDE first foot, 3. step first foot forward again. 

*Can be done with left or right foot leading.  *Can be done over three counts or using '&' beat (e.g. 1&2).  *Can be done forwards backwards or sideways (see chassé).

 

Strut

Movements done over two counts:

Heel strut:  1. Place heel of indicated foot forward, 2. drop toe to floor.

 

Toe strut:  1. Place toe of indicated foot onto floor, 2. drop heel to floor.

* Toe struts can be done forwards, backwards or sideways.

 

Triple step

Three steps over two counts (e.g. 1&2): 

1. Step onto first foot, 2. step onto second foot, 3. return to first foot. 

* Done on the spot (not travelling in any direction).  * Can be done with left or right foot leading.

 

Vine
(grape-vine)

Sideways movement of 4 counts:  Side-behind-side-X.  (Travelling in direction indicated, 1. step first foot to side, 2. step second foot behind first, 3. step first foot to side, 4. 'X' can be scuff/stomp/brush/hitch/touch etc.)

 

Waltz

3 beats to the bar, i.e. the pattern of the dance has 3 counts to each group rather than the usual 4.

 

Basic = forward or backward.  Step on count 1, weight change on 2 & 3.

 

Twinkle = cross over on count 1, weight change on 2 & 3.