Linedance Lingo

FOOT POSITIONS

Can range from 5 to 9 positions, including 1st position (feet together), 2nd position (feet apart), 3rd position (one heel to the instep of the other foot), 4th position (one foot passing the other either forward or backward), and 5th position (one toe to the heel of the other foot).

 

FOOTWORK

Referring to the part of the foot that touches the floor first.

 

STEP

Placing the foot on the floor with weight.

 

HOP

A jump on one foot.

 

IN PLACE

Shifting weight or touching without traveling in any direction, typically in 1st position.

 

WEIGHT CHANGE

Moving from one foot to the other.

 

SCUFF

Similar to a brush, but using the heel instead of the toe, typically done forward or to the side.

 

BRUSH

The free leg moves forward or backward, lightly making contact with the floor using the ball of the foot. There's no weight transfer involved.

 

DRAW or DRAG

To slide the free foot toward the weighted foot in any direction, either with the toe down to the floor (draw) or the toe up with the heel in contact with the floor (drag).

 

SLIDE

Similar to drawing or dragging the free foot toward the weighted foot.

 

STOMP

Placing the foot on the floor forcefully to make an audible sound, often involving a weight change.

 

GRAPEVINE

A sequence of side step, cross behind, and side step, often followed by a touch, stomp, kick, or hitch as the feet come together.

 

LOCK

Crossing the feet while moving forward or backward, often using a crossed 1st position or 5th position.

 

SCOOT aka "HITCH" or "CHUG"

A slide of the weighted foot either forward, backward, or to the side while lifting the knee of the free leg.

 

SWIVEL

A turn that stays in place, involving twisting or swiveling action.

 

CHASSE'

A series of side steps, moving to the right or left, either in a straight timing of 1, 2, 3, 4, etc., or syncopated with "&" counts.

 

POLKA STEP

Similar to a triple step or shuffle step.

 

PIVOT

A turn that travels from one point to another.

 

TRIPLE STEP

Three steps that take only 2 beats of music, commonly used in cha-cha, shuffle, or polka steps.

 

HITCH KICK aka KICK - BALL - CHANGE

A quick kick followed by a ball change, often counted as 1&2 or 3&4.

 

CHA CHA

A sequence of 3 steps in any direction, taking just 2 beats of music. Also known as a triple step.

 

KICK

Lifting the leg off the floor either forward or backward, with a straight leg or a bend of the knee.

 

CLOCKWISE

A right turn, also referred to as a "Natural" turn.

 

COUNTERCLOCKWISE

A left turn, also known as a "Reverse" turn.

 

ROCK

Transferring weight from one foot to the other, often signaling a change of direction.

 

POINT

Extending the free leg either forward, backward, or to the side with the toe touching the floor or extended in the air.

 

WEAVE

Similar to a grapevine but involving crossing in front as well as behind.

 

TAP

Placing the foot on the floor without weight, usually with the toe making contact.