Basic Ballroom Dancing Moves

Are you ready to bring out those dancing shoes? Notis done in quick-quick-slow sequences, often counted
so fast. Before hitting the dance floor it is importantas one-and-two or three-and-four.
to learn basic ballroom dancing moves and familiarizeOften a follower's step in West Coast Swing,
yourself with commonly used dance terms.Coaster Step is a back-together-forward or
Rock Step is a slow sequence of two steps whereforward-together-back triple step danced to the
the weight is transferred from one foot to anothertiming of quick-quick-slow.
and then back. Rock back and rock forward are twoAnchor Step is the concluding triple step pattern of
basic versions.nearly all main West Coast Swing dance moves. An
Ball Change is also a sequence of two steps involvinganchor step ends with partners settling their weights
a partial weight transfer from the ball of one foot toon the back foot, hands held L-to-R, awaiting the
another.leader's next move.
Kick Ball Change is a popular swing dance step thatLock Step involves locking the moving foot as it
consists of a kick followed by the ball change. Theapproaches the standing foot. In this triple step
timing is usually a split beat count of 1&2 or 1a2.pattern, the lower part of the moving leg crosses in
Kick ball change has three distinct moves: a kick withfront of or behind the lower part of the standing leg
the left foot, a slight push off the floor by the ball ofin the direction of the approach. Lock step is often
the left foot behind the right foot, and a step withused in quickstep and cha-cha moves.
the right foot.One of the more popular basic ballroom dancing
Triple step is also popular in swing dances. Threemoves, grapevine includes side steps and steps
steps are performed on two beats of music, withacross the support foot. It is a continuous traveling
the first step taken on count 1, the second step onstep pattern to the side with alternating crosses
the half beat between counts 1&2, and the finalbehind and in front of the supporting foot.
step on count 2. Also called a shuffle step, triple step