| BASIC
LINE DANCE STEPS |
| VINE |
3
count move with the second step behind.
Ex: 1. Step LEFT to left
2.
Step RIGHT behind LEFT,
3.
Step Left to left.
The fourth count after a vine varies. It can be a hook, a kick
or a touch, etc. |
| HOOK |
Foot
of one leg is raised and crossed over the other leg just below
the knee. Toes are pointing down. Legs will look like a “4”
or a backwards 4 depending on whether it is a right or left
hook. |
| HITCH |
Knee
is raised straight up so leg forms an upside down L shape. The
bottom part of leg hangs straight down from the knee and top
part of leg is parallel to the ground. |
| SHUFFLE |
3
steps to 2 counts of music. It can move forward,
backward, or to either side. It can also be done in place. It
is actually a step-ball-step.
Ex: 1 Step forward on
R foot
&
Step ball of L foot next to R foot
2
Step forward on R foot |
| TOUCH |
One foot touches
the ground usually next to the other foot.Weight is on the other
foot. The foot in the touch will be used next. |
| SCUFF/BRUSH |
Scuffs are done with the heel. Foot swings forward with just the heel
touching the ground. Brushes are done with the
ball of the foot and can be done across, forward, backward. |
| JAZZ SQUARE |
(Also called JAZZ
BOX) 4 count move. One of the counts is a crossing
step. It can be the 1st or 2nd count.
Ex: Step forward R. Cross step L
over R
Step
back on R Step L next to R.
or
Cross
step R over L. Step back on L.
Step
back on R. Step L next to R.
Jazz squares can be done to either side, left or right.
They may also turn 1/4 turn either way. The turn is usually
done on the 3rd count. [There are a few dances with a 1/2
turn on the third count] |
| PIVOT |
A pivot
is a 2 count move. Touch one toe forward on the first
count. Pivoting on the ball of the other foot, you turn on the
2nd count. Weight will end on the stationary foot which is forward
after the pivot.
If you put your
LEFT toe forward you will turn RIGHT. If you put your RIGHT
toe forward, you will turn Left. Pivots are usually 1/4 or 1/2
turn. |
| STOMP |
Foot is put down
flat with force. If it is a STOMP UP
weight remains on the other foot. If it is a STOMP DOWN
weight is taken by the foot you stomped.
A HEEL STOMP is
done just with the heel. |
| STRUTS |
Struts
are a 2 count move. There are two kinds:
In a HEEL TOE strut, you touch the heel down on count 1
and drop the toe on count 2. In a TOE HEEL strut the toe is
touched down first and heel dropped second. |
| WEAVE |
A weave a sideways
move in which one foot will cross
alternately in front and behind the other foot.
Ex: Step R to side, cross L in front,
step R to side,
cross L behind, step R to side.....etc.
Weaves can be several counts long and can start either
with a side step, a cross in front or a cross behind. |
| HEEL TWISTS |
Weight is on the
balls of both feet. Heels are moved either right or left and
then usually back to center. Toes stay in place.
Ex: Twist heels right, center,
left, center |
| HEEL SPLITS |
Also called HEEL
SPREADS. With weight on toes,
heels are spread apart and back together. |
| TOE SPLITS |
Similar to above.
With weight on heels, toes are spread apart and back together. |
| WALK |
Is just what it
says. Walks may be forward or backward. |
| FAN |
With weight on
one foot, the toe of the other foot is moved out to the side
and back. This is also a 2 count move. |
| ROCKS |
This is
a 2 count move. You step forward, back, or side on
one foot on count 1 with weight rocking onto it. The stationary
foot will lift slightly off the floor. On count 2 you shift
the weight to the other foot. |
| SAILOR
SHUFFLE |
This is a 3 step
move to 2 counts of music:
1&2, 3&4, etc. Also called a sailor step.
The first step is behind, second to the side on the & count,
and third step is next to other foot. It can be done L or R.
Ex: 1. Step L foot behind
the R
&
Step ball of R to right side
2
Step L next to R |
| BALL CHANGE |
Step down on the ball of one foot raising other foot. Step
down on other foot. (A shuffle is really a step-ball-step.)
Can be done on either foot.
Ex: & Step on ball of
R next to L raising L
2
Step on L next to R |
KICK BALL
CHANGE/
HEEL BALL CHANGE |
Do a kick and then
a ball change as in #2. Or do a heel touch and then a ball change.
It can be done on either foot
Ex: 1. Kick R forward ( or touch
R heel fwd)
&
Step of ball of R next to L raising L
2.
Step on L next to R |
| COASTER
STEP |
Also done to the
count of 1&2. Second step is always a step together with
the first step.The third step is in the opposite direction of
the first two. It is used to quickly change direction.
A back coaster steps back first.
Ex: 1 Step back on L
&
Step R back next to L
2
Step forward on L
A forward coaster steps forward first:
Ex: 1 Step forward on L.
&
Step R fwd next to L
2
Step back on L |
| MONTEREY
TURN |
This is a 4 count
move. It is usually done starting
on the right. Touch R to right side. Bring R in as you make
a 1/2 turn to the right, pivoting on the ball of the L, and
step it next to the L foot. Touch the L to the left side. Step
L next to R. The half turn
Ex: 1 Touch R toe to right
2
Pivoting 1/2 to right, bring R next to L and
step on it.
3-4
Touch L toe to L, step L next to R |
| CROSS/UNWIND |
Also called an unwind. Usually a 2 count move. Cross one foot
over the other stepping down on it. Turn 1/2 turn on balls of
both feet so feet are uncrossed. Most are 1/2 but there are
3/4 and full turn spins. Weight can end on either foot. Check dance sheet.
Ex: 1 Cross R over L putting
weight on it.
2.
Unwind1/2 to left on balls of both feet. |
| Step
description courtesy of Lana Harvey Wilson, keedance@juno.com,
(520) 797-7295 |
| See Videos
of Basic Dance Steps from Paula Messier's Site |