Terminology

Most dances fall into one of four categories

One step
Two step
Cha cha
Waltz

The first three are counted in groups of 8 beats of music, whilst the waltz is counted in groups of 6 beats of music. The steps of the first three are counted individually e.g. 1,2,3,4 or in double time e.g. 1&2, 3&4. With a waltz, the count is 123,456.

Single beat steps:

TERM	COUNTS	DESCRIPTION
Step	1	place foot on floor and take weight onto it
Touch/tap	1	touch toe or heel to ground but don't put any weight on it
Stomp	1	make a 'stamping' action (don't stamp hard to hurt your foot) can take weiqht onto stompinq foot/or not
Brush	1	brush ball of foot forward and upwards past the foot you are standing on
Scuff	1	brush heel of foot forward and upwards past the foot you are standing on
Hitch	1	to raise the knee up
Hop	1	spring into the air taking off and landing with same foot
Hook	1	lift foot cross shin of supporting leg
Jump	1	jump forward or backward taking off and landing with both feet at the same time. Syncopated: left or right lead (example forward right) (&) step forward on right (1) step left next to right
Rock	1	transfer of weight from one foot to the other
Slide	1	to draw one foot next to the supporting foot
Heel fan	1	move the heel out while keeping ball of the same foot in contact with floor
Toe fan	1	move the toe out while keeping heel of the same foot in contact with the floor
hip bumps		bump hips to the right, left, backwards or forwards in time to the music
Heel splits	2	keep weight on balls of feet (1) move both heel out at the same time (2) bring both heels back to the center at the same time
Heel strut	2	(1) place heel forward on floor (2) drop toe onto floor taking weight onto foot
Toe strut	2	(1) place toe forward /or backwards on floor (2)drop heel onto floor taking weight onto foot
Right ½ pivot	2	(1) step forward on left foot, (2) pivot ½ (180°) to your right taking weight onto right foot (end up facing the wall that was behind you) Can also be a ¼ (90°) or ¾ (270°) turn
Left ½ pivot	2	(1) step forward on right foot, (2) pivot ½ (180°) to your left taking weight onto left foot (end up facing the wall that was behind you) Can also be a ¼ (90°) or ¾ (270°) turn
Right vine	4	(1) step right foot to side, (2) step left foot behind right, (3) step right foot to side, (4) varies, could be a touch, hitch, scuff, brush, or others)
Left vine	4	(1) step left foot to side, (2) step right foot behind left, (3) step left foot to side, (4) varies, could be a touch, hitch, scuff, brush, or others)
weave right	4	(1) step left foot across in front of right, (2) step right to right side, (3) step left foot back behind right, (4) step right foot to right side
weave left	4	(1) step right foot across in front of left, (2) step left foot to left side, (3) step right foot back behind left, (4) step left foot to left side
jazz box	4	step right foot across in front of left, step left foot back, step right foot to right side, step left foot next to left. Also done leading with left foot i.e. start by crossing left in front of right"
½ Monterey turn Can also be a ¼ (90°) or ¾ (270°) turn	4	(1) touch right toe to right side, (2) on ball of left foot make ½ (180°) turn to your right (as you bring right foot together next to left) transfer weight onto right, (3) touch left toe out to the side, (4) step left foot next to right. Although not as common Monterey can also done turning to the left i.e. start by touching left toe to left side

Syncopated steps: (the “AND” count) 3 steps undertaken over 2 beats of music. (to the count of “1 & 2” ) The following instructions are all leading with the right foot, but are also danced leading with the left foot (just the replace steps to read; 1-left / &-right / 2-left)

TERM	DESCRIPTION
Cha cha or triple step	(1) step right (on the spot) (&) step left (on the spot) (2)step right (on the spot)
Forward shuffle	(1) step forward on right foot,(&) step left foot to side of right heel,(2) step forward on right foot
Backward shuffle	(1) step back on right foot, (&) step left foot back to side of right toe, (2) step back on right foot
Chasse	(1) step right foot to right side, (&) step left foot next to right foot, (2) step right foot to right side
Coaster step	(1) step right foot back, (&) step left foot back next to right, (2) step forward on right foot Although not as common Coaster step can also be done moving forward, then back
Kick ball change	(1) kick right foot forward, (&) step onto ball of right foot (next to left foot) lifting left foot slightly off the floor, (2) (on the same spot) replace weight onto left foot
Mambo step	(1) step forward on right foot, (&) raise left foot slightly put it back in place (2) step right foot back next to left can be done to move backwards or sideways
Sailor step	step right foot behind left foot, step left foot to left side, step right foot parallel to left (feet end up slightly apart)
Samba step (bota foga)	step right foot across in front of left foot, step left foot to left side, step right foot parallel to left (feet end up slightly apart)

Just a few more! All examples leading with right foot but are also done leading with left foot

TERM	COUNTS	DESCRIPTION
Applejacks (an extreme art!!)	2	(1) with weight on right toe and left heel, turn right heel into the left and left toe out to the left (&) return both feet to centre ready to change weight, (2) with weight on right heel and left toe, turn right toe into the right and left heel out to the right, (&) return both feet to centre ready to change weight Good Luck! Try one foot at a time and then join them both toqether. Once mastered, never forqotteni! enioy
Charleston steps	4	(1) touch right toe forward, (2) step right foot next to left, (3) touch left toe back, (4) step left foot next to right
Cross unwind	2	(1) cross right toe in front of left foot, (2) unwind to left on balls of feet to take weight onto right foot or (1) cross right toe behind of left foot, (2) unwind to right on balls of feet to take weight onto right foot Can be a ¼ (90°), ½ (180), ¾ (270°) or full (360°) turn
Heel grinds	2	(1) step right heel forward with toe pointing towards left (left foot raises slightly so more weight is on right heel) (2) grind right heel into floor, fanning toes to right and taking weight (weight returns to left foot)
Heel switches	2	(1) touch right heel forward (&) step right foot next to left (2) touch left heel forward (&) step left foot next to right
Heel swivets	4	(1) with weight on right heel and left toe, fan right toe to right at same time fan left heel to left (2) return feet to center change weight to left heel and right toe, (3) fan left toe to left and right heel to right, (4) return feet to center
Knee pops (Elvis knees)	2	(1) with weight on left bend right knee in towards left leg, (2) straighten right knee and bend left knee in towards right leg
Lock steps back	4	(1) step back on right foot, (2) step left foot in front of right toe, (3) step back on right foot (4) varies, could be a touch, hitch, scuff, brush, or others)
Lock steps forward	4	(1) step forward on right foot, (2) step left foot behind right heel, (3) step forward on right foot (4) varies, could be a touch, hitch, scuff, brush, or others)
Rhonde turn	3	(1,2) sweep right toe in front of left as you make ½ turn left on ball of left foot (3) touch right toe next to left
Rolling vine	4	(1) make ¼ turn right, stepping right foot forward, (2) ¼ turn right on the ball of right foot stepping left to left side, (3) pivot ½ turn right on ball of left foot stepping right foot to right side (4) varies, could be a touch, hitch, scuff, brush, or others)
Rumba box	8	(1) step forward on right foot, (2) hold for 1 count, (or touch left toe next to right) (3) step left to left side, (4) step right next to left, (5) step back on left foot, (6) hold for 1 count, (or touch right toe next to left) (7) step right to right side, (8) step left foot next to right can be varied to start backwards or sideways
Running man	2	(1) step forward right foot, (&) hitch right knee and scoot left foot back (at same time) (2) step forward left foot (&) hitch left knee and scoot riqht foot back (at same time)
Scissor step	4	(1) step right foot to right side, (2) slide left foot to right bringing left toe inline with instep of right, but feet should be slightly apart allowing for the next step to be done (3) cross step right foot in front of left, (4) hold for one beat (can also be syncopated – count is 1&2&)
Toe switches (side switches)	2	(1) touch right toe to right side, (&) step right foot next to left (2) touch left toe to left side, (&) step left foot next to riqht
Twinkle (waltz timing)	3	(1) step right foot across in front of left (2) step left foot to left side (slightly back) (3) step riqht foot next to left
Vorderville	4	(1) cross right foot over left (&) step left to left side (2) tap right heel diagonally forward to the right (&) step right foot next to left, feet slightly apart (3) cross left foot over right (&) step right to right side (4) tap left heel diagonally forward to the left (&) step left foot next to riqht, feet sliqhtly apart

Basic Line Dancing Steps

	Cue	Description
	Basic Right	Side RF, together LF, side RF, touch LF
	Basic Left	Side LF, together RF, side LF, touch RF
	(Basic Variations)	(Touch can be changed to – knee, kick)
	Vine Right	Side RF, cross in back LF, side RF, touch LF
	Vine Left	Side LF, cross in back HF, side LF, touch RF
	(Vine Variations)	(Cross can be in back or in front)
	Double Vine Right	Side RF, cross in back LF, side RF, cross in front LF, side RF, cross in back LF, side RF, touch LF
	Double Vine Left	Side LF, cross in back RF, side LF, cross in front RF, side LF, cross in back RF, side LF, touch RF
	Twist Vine Right	Cross in front LF, side RF, cross in back LF, side RF
	Twist Vine Left	Cross in front RF, side LF, cross in back RF, side LF
	Scissor Right	Side RF, together LF, cross RF in front
	Scissor Left	Side LF, together RF, cross LF in front
	Two-Step Forward	Step forward LF, together RF, step forward LF
	or	Step forward RF, together LF, step forward RF
	Cha Cha and Polka	Same movements as two-step but to different beat
	Limp	Same movements as vine but with knee bending
	Full Box Forward	Side, Together, Step Forward, Side, Together, Step Back. — First Step can be to right or left as cued
	FuLL Box Back	Side, Together, Step Back, Side, Together, Step Forward. — First Step Can Be To Right Or Left As Cued
	(Variation)	(Waltz Tempo Step Forward Or Back First)
	Hitch Forward 3	RF or LF, Forward, Together, Back
	Hitch Back 3	RF or LF, Back, Together, Forward
	Hitch Forward 4	RF or LF, Forward, Together, Back, Together
	Hitch Back 4	RF or LF, Back, Together, Forward, Together
	Rock, Recover	Can As Done Forward, Back On To Either Side, on LF on RF. Step Forward And Without Moving Feet Shift Weight To Forward Foot Then Shift Weight Back To Stand On Back Foot
	Basketball Turn	Step Forward RF. Do not move LF. Pivot 180, again. Step Forward RF. Pivot 180
	Twinkle (Waltz)	(Can Start With Left Foot Or Right Foot. Can Cross In Front Or Back) Cross RF Over LF, Step To Side With LF. Close RF To LF
	Ramble Forward	Point RToe TO RIGHT Side, Cross RF In Front Of LF, Point LToe To Left Side, Cross LF In Front Of RF
	Ramble Back	Point LToe Diagonally Back And Turn Body ¼ LEFT, STEP LF BKWD, Point RToe Diagonally BKWD And Turn Body ¼ Right
	Chasse (Cha Cha Beat)	Step Forward On Lf, Turn ½ Turn To The Right, Weight On RF, Then Cha Cha LF, RF, LF Step Forward On RF, Turn ½ Turn To The Left, Weight On LF THEN Cha Cha RF, LF, RF
	Buzz Step	Turn Left On LF, Pivot By Pushing With RF, Repeat, Repeat, Repeat. Step On RF, Pivot By Pushing With LF, Repeat, Repeat, Repeat

	Cue	Description
	Buttermilk	Stand With Feet Together. Lift Heels Off Floor. Swing Heels Out To Sides And Back Together (As In Clicking Heels At Attention)
	Scoot Left	Step LF In Front Of RToe Shift Weight Onto RF Immediately Kick LF Straight Out
	Scoot Right	Step RF In Front Of LToe Shift Weight Onto LF Immediately Kick RF Straight Out
	Lock (Can Be Forward, Back Left Or Right)	Front Left: Step LF Forward, Bring RToe Cross Behind LHeel, Step Forward On LF Back Left: Step LF Back, Bring RHeel Cross In Front Of LToe, sTEP Back on LF.
	Jazz The Box (Left Or Right) Or X-Box	Right: Step Forward On RF, Cross Lf In Front Of RF, Step Back On RF, Close LF To RF
	Cut Back (Reverse Decription For Left	Right: Cross LF In Front Of RF (LF Takes Weight) Step RF Backwards
	Roll Full (Right Or Left)	Turn Hard Left Walking 360 LF, RF, LF And Touch RF
	Cotton Eye Joe (Left Or Right)	Left: Kick LF Forward, Kick LF Forward, Triplet Backwards L, R, L
	Charleston	Step On LF, Swing To PoINT RToe In Front, Step On RF Backwards, Point LToe BEhind
	Satin Sheets	Rock Back On RF Step On LF Turn ¼ To Left, Step On RF Beside LF, Cross LF Behind RF, Step RF To R Side And Rock, Step LF To L Side And Rock, Cross RF In Front Of LF Step LF Together
	Forward Passe	Walk 3 Forward, RF, LF, RF, Left Knee Up And Turn ¼ To Left, Back Up 3 LF, RF, LF
	Chug	Both Feet Together, Small Hop Front Or Back
	Merengue	Side Drag, Side Drag, Side Drag, Side Touch
	Balance Left	Step LF To L, Cross RF Directly Behind LF And Take Weight On It Momentary Then Step Left In Place
	Sand Step	Touch R Toe into L Instep, Then Change To R Heel Into L Instep
	Hustle Forward & Back	Forward LF, RF, LF and Kick Or Touch With RF. Backup Up RF, LF, RF and Touch With LF
	Cross Rock	Cross RF Over LF And Put Weight On It, Rock Back On LF
	Double Cross Rock	Repeat Above Step Twice
	Step Touch Right & Left	Step RF To Right And Touch LF To RF, Step LF To Left And Touch RF To LF
	Twisty Two Step Right	Step To Right Close LF, Step To Right Turning 180 To Back Wall, Step LF To LEFT, Close RF Then Step LF To Left And Hold
	Passe Left	Step LF To Left Cross RF In Back, Step LF To Left At Same Time RKnee Up And Make 180 Left Fade Turn
	California Schottische	Point RToe To Front Right, Then Point To Slde, Then Cross RF Behind LF Step LF In Place And Step RF Cross In Front Of LF
	Lunge Forward	LF Forward Put Weight On It, Weight Back To RF Replace LF Beside RF

Terminology

Used Within Advance Beginners – Book 3

Begins with the Right Foot, moving to the right. Step to the right side with your R foot on “1 cross-step L foot behind R foot on step on R foot to right side again (a 1/4 or 1/2 turn Ligm can be added here) on “3”… and a stomp / kick/ brush / or touch L foot beside R foot on (instructor will let you know which one to do).

Begins with the Left Foot, moving to the left. Same as above, but for the L foot this time. (Note: if a ¼ or ½ turn is used, the turn is to the left)

Using 4 beats in 4 steps (1/4 turn on each step), do a full 360 degree turn to end up facing the same wall you started at.

Rolling Right Vine – starting with your R foot on “1” step it ¼ turn to the wall on your right… L foot then steps another ¼ turn to the next wall on your right (should be facing the back wall now) on “2”… R foot steps another ¼ turn to the next wall on the right on “3”… and L foot steps to be facing the original wall again on “4” (360 degree turn right in 4 steps – R L R L).
Rolling Left Vine – same as above but it starts with the Left foot and does a 360 degree turn to the left in 4 steps – L R L R).

Cross-step R foot over L foot on “1”… step back onto L foot on “2”… step to the right side onto the R foot on and step on “3”… L foot beside R foot on “4”.(Can also hop fwd. both feet on “4″)

Cross-step L foot over R foot on “1”… step back onto R foot on “2”… step to the left side onto the L foot on “3”… and step on R foot beside L foot on “4”(Can also hop fwd. both feet on “4”)

(instructor will tell you which foot to start shuffle on): This is a double-time step to the count: “1 & 2″ or “3 & 4”, and which can be done moving forward… backwards… to either side… or on the spot. Quickly step (e.g.) R L R on “1 & 2″ (there is a little pause on the “&” after “2″ before continuing with the next step (usually another shuffle).

Keeping your toes together and pivoting on the floor, lift and push your heels out to the sides on “1”… and bring them back together and down on “2” This is usually repeated for “3”… “4”.

(Like Dorothy did in her ruby red shoes in the Wizard of Oz, to go home to Kansas), keep toes on the floor and quickly push heels out on “&” and click them together on “1” (This is usually repeated for beat “2”).

Keep heel glued to the floor and pivot on it to push toe out to the side on “1”… and back where it came from on 2 . (Usually done twice or alternating with other foot).

Brush foot beside other foot and forward of floor.

Lift bent knee up (usually on beat “4”) while hopping once on other foot.

Little hop on one-foot while sliding it forward, (or back) on the floor a little (and bending the other knee up while you do it).

Step forward… back… or to the side onto one foot and slide the other foot to meet it. (Usually done twice).

Dig R heel forward on “1”… quickly hop onto R foot while digging L heel forward on “2”… quickly hop onto L foot again, while digging R heel forward on “3”… and hold for “4”. (Can also start with L heel dig forward).

Step forward onto (e.g.) R foot on “1” and bring L foot to meet it while clapping, on “2”… step back onto L foot on “3” and bring R foot to meet it while clapping on “4”… Then, step back onto R foot on “5” and bring L foot to meet it on “6”… and step forward onto L foot on “7” and bring R foot to meet it while clapping on “8”

Kick R foot forward on “1″ and quickly step it down beside L foot on “&”… then, a quick L foot step beside R on “2”. (Kick R. step R/L on “1 & 2”).

Same as above, but starting with L foot kick instead of R foot kick, etc.

Definitely, the BEST part of Line-Dancing!! Swing hips to (e.g.) the right, shifting the weight to the R foot. . . and/or swing hips to the left, shifting weight to the left foot, etc. (Can bump hips once twice… left… right… or even, “Circle bumps” – swinging hips in a circular pattern, either clockwise, or counter-clockwise.)