Line Dance Terminology & Definition

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Linda Simms & Debra Mouton are both Aerobic & Fitness Association of America (AFAA) Certified Group Instructors 

Used with Permission from Linda Simms.  THANKS!

Version 2.0 - 2019   

Resource: http://www.cldaa.org/world/home/what-is-line-dance/line-dance-terminology/

 APPLEJACK  [1 count] feet slightly apart with weight on the heel of one foot and the ball of the foot, (1) swivel toe and heel respectively out, and both feet back to center ready to change weigh

example, Left Applejack - place weight on left heel and right toe, swivel left toe and right heel to Ieft side. Return feet to center. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CZZm0pij2Q

 ANKLE ROCK  [2 counts] with feet crossed and ankles locked, (1) rock weight onto forward foot (2) return weight to back foot [aka Ankle Roll]

 BALL CHANGE  [1 count] (&-step) onto the ball of the designated foot, (1) change weight onto other foot.  Movement often accompanied by a prior step, e.g. kick-ball-change.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5zPHrw8zX0

 BRUSH [1 count] (1) use the ball of the designated foot to brush the floor as the foot swings for (or back) passing the other foot.       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTjriwd3Wp8

 CHA-CHA [2 counts] three steps in place done to two beats of music. [aka Triple Step] 

 CHARLESTON [4 counts] (1) step the designated foot forward, (2) kick 

the other foot forward, (3) step back with the kicking foot, (4) touch the first foot back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYZVpoF_xi0

CHARLESTON KICK [4 count] same as Charleston except the order is kick, together, touch, together.

CHASSE [2 counts] (1) step designated foot to side, (&) step the other foot next to it, (2) step the first foot again to side. If starting with right foot, move toward right side and vice versa.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrpgnnMj81A

COASTER STEP  [2 counts] (1 step) the designated foot back, (&-step) the other foot next to it, (2) step the first foot forward. Sometimes may travel forward first and then backwards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl072fxdx4g  

HITCH [1 count] (1) lift the knee with weight on the opposite foot. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTjriwd3Wp8  

HOOK [1 count] (1) lift one foot and cross it in front of the supporting leg.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YP95s8pn1w&index=7&list=+P+LAC612981A378E04A

HOP [1 count] (1) spring into the air taking off and landing with same foot.

JAZZBOX [4 counts] For example, Right Jazz Box: step right foot across in front of left, step Ieft foot back, step right foot to right side, step left foot next to right. AIso can be done leading with left foot, i.e start by crossing left foot in front of right.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmGJHRzmqqs

JUMP [1 count] (1) jump forward or backward taking off and landing with both feet at the same time.

KICK BALL CHANGE [2 counts] As an example, starting with right foot, (1) kick right foot forward (&) step onto ball of right foot next to left foot and lift left foot slightly off the floor, (3) replace left foot onto floor on the same spot. Can start with either foot. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PTTBOrXiZ

KNEE POPS [2 counts] with weight on the other foot, (1) push the designated knee forward by lifting the heel off floor with the ball of foot remaining in contact with the floor, (2) straighten knee and drop the heel. May be done in syncopated fashion (&1).

LOCK STEP FORWARD  [3 counts] (1) step forward on right foot, (2) step left foot behind right foot (3 ) step forward on right foot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh26TPPU4Bg

MAMBO STEP  [2 counts] (1) step the designated foot in the designated direction, (&) lift the other foot and replace it back down on the same place, (2) step the first foot back next to the other foot. Can start with either foot and toward front, back or to the sides. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlsFbmS711c

MONTEREY TURN [4 counts] unless specified otherwise, Monterey Turn is always a ½ turn. But it may be ¼ , ¾, or full.  For example, Right Monterey Turn: (1) touch right toe to right side, keep weight on left foot, (2) make ½ turn over your right shoulder and step right foot next to left taking the weight onto right foot, (3) touch left toe out to left side, (4) step left foot besides right with weight on the left foot.  Also can be done leading with left foot, i.e. start by touching left toe to left side

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlsFbmS711c

PADDLE TURN [varies] a turn either left or right, using a series of ball changes with the weight staying over the turning foot. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePwNfDP4r_g

PENCIL TURN [1 count] with lead foot slightly forward, (1) turn in direction of lead foot while either dragging toes of opposite foot just behind heel of lead foot while turning (or holding the toes of the opposite foot just off the ground). turn ends with toes of opposite foot touching beside instep of lead foot. Turn can be any angle, even greater than a full turn. Usually completed within one beat, but sometimes done over two or more beats.PENCIL TURN  

SLIDE [1 count] with the weight on the other foot, (1) drag or slide one foot toward the weighted foot. Can be done with longer counts.

STEP [1 count] (1) place foot on floor and take weight onto it

STOMP [1 count] (1) stomp the foot on the floor to make a loud sound. Weight remains on the other foot (Caution: stomp too hard may hurt your foot) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTjriwd3Wp8 

STROLL [3 counts] (1) step the designated foot forward, (2) cross other foot behind, (3) step the first foot forward. Often done to the diagonal.

TOE STRUT [2 counts] (1) place toe forward or backwards on floor, then (2) heel onto floor taking weight onto foot 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPPJ9NMwiks

SUGARFOOT [2 counts] (1) touch lead toe to instep of other foot, (2) touch heel of lead foot to instep of other foot. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L55Y1o0plC0

SWITCHES - HEEL SWITCHES [2 counts] (1) touch the designated heel forward, (&) return the designated foot besides the other foot, (2&) repeat with the other foot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awQLmBbL1d0

TOE SWITCHES [2 counts] (1) touch the designated toe to side, (&) step the designated foot in place, (2&) repeat with the other foot.

TOUCH [1count] (1) touch toe or heel to ground but don't put any weight on it [aka Tap]

http://www.youtube.com/watchv=DurblxgJOrw&index=26&list=PLAC612981A378E04A

TWINKLE STEPS [2 counts] (1) step the designated foot across in front of the other foot, (&) step opposite foot to side, (2) step the first foot besides the other foot. 

https://youtu.be/J04WzLSHPB8

UNWIND TURN [2 beats] (1) cross the designated foot in front of the other foot, (2) make a ¼ , ½, ¾, or full turn in the opposite direction of whichever foot is crossed. Weight may end on either foot depending on the specific dance.

WEAVE [4 counts] as an example, Left Weave: (1) cross right foot 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. http://www.youtube.com/wav=xczaPlVrxRT4

Resource: http://www.cldaa.org/world/home/what-is-line-dance/line-dance-terminology/