| Basic | | | | same way, but it is more properly called a chasse |
| A basic is one repetition of the main dance from the | | | | step. Shuffles can also be done while you are turning, |
| first count to the last not including any tags or | | | | eg through 180 degrees, and this is often called a half |
| bridges. | | | | shuffle turn. |
| Variation | | | | Triple Step: Can have other names, but is basically a |
| Dancers who have progressed beyond beginner | | | | one-and-two step on the spot with alternating feet. |
| status will often replace a section of a dance (say 8 | | | | Weave: To the left or the right. eg Step left infront |
| beats) with a compatible set of steps which is called | | | | of (over) right, step right to right, step left behind |
| a variation. This is often required in competitive line | | | | right, step right to right. |
| dancing. | | | | Other terms include: applejack, botafogo, coaster |
| Count | | | | step, dwight swivel, heel grind, hinge turn, jazz box, |
| A dance will have a number of counts, for example a | | | | kick ball change, lunge, paddle, pivot turn, sailor step, |
| 64-count dance. This is the number of beats of music | | | | spiral turn, stamp, stomp, sugarfoot, swivet and |
| it would take to complete one sequence of the | | | | vaudeville. |
| dance. This is not necessarily the same number of | | | | Tag / Bridge |
| steps in the dance as steps can be performed on an | | | | A tag or bridge is an extra set of steps not part of |
| and count between two beats, or sometimes a step | | | | the main dance sequence that are inserted into one |
| holds over more than one beat. | | | | or more sequences to ensure the dance fits with the |
| Restart | | | | music. The term tag usually implies only a few |
| A restart is a point at which the basic dance | | | | additional counts (e.g. 2 or 4), whereas bridge implies |
| sequence is interrupted and the dance routine is | | | | a longer piece (e.g. 8 or 16). The terms are generally |
| started again from the beginning. Restarts are used | | | | interchangeable however. |
| to fit the dances to the music. | | | | Wall |
| Step | | | | Each dance can be described to consist of a number |
| A dance is made up of a number of movements | | | | of walls. A wall is the direction in which the dancers |
| called steps. Each step is given a name so teachers | | | | face at any given time, which would be the front, |
| can tell dancers to perform this step when teaching a | | | | the back or one of the sides. A dance may contain |
| dance. The most well-known is the grapevine (or vine | | | | many turns, to either the left or the right: quarter |
| for short), a four-count movement to the side. There | | | | turns (90 degrees), half-turns (180 degrees), , |
| can be any number of movements in one step. | | | | three-quarter turns (270 degrees), and full turns (360 |
| Step descriptions | | | | degrees), . |
| These descriptions are for the typical way they are | | | | A one-wall dance would mean that at the end of the |
| danced; in particular dances they may have small | | | | routine, the dancers would be facing in the same |
| variations, eg a stomp or a point instead of a touch, | | | | direction as they had started and so each sequence |
| as given in the vine. | | | | would repeat exactly the same. |
| Chasse: Is basically a shuffle (qv) done to the side. | | | | A two-wall dance would mean the start of each |
| eg Step right to right side, slide left up to right, step | | | | routine alternates between two walls (almost always |
| right to right side. Beat: One-and-two | | | | the front and back walls). In other words the dancers |
| Grapevine: Can be done to the left or the right. eg | | | | have effectively turned through 180 degrees during |
| Step right to right, step left behind right, step right to | | | | one sequence. |
| right and touch left next to right. The name is | | | | A four wall line dance is one in which at the end of |
| sometimes abbreviated to vine. | | | | the whole routine of dance moves, the dancers will |
| Lock step: Can be done to the back or the front, | | | | have turned effectively through 90 degrees, so that |
| starting on either foot. Works like a shuffle except | | | | they would face all four walls in turn during four |
| that the second step locks the foot behind or in | | | | repetitions of the routine. |
| front of the first step. eg Step left to the front, lock | | | | Step sheet |
| right behind left, step left to the front. | | | | Describes the dance step sequence. Each step group |
| Shuffle step: Done to the front or the back, starting | | | | (usually eight counts) is written out as calling cues |
| on either foot. Usually has a one-and-two beat, i.e. a | | | | that the instructor may use to direct the class. Below |
| triple step. eg Step left to front, step right beside | | | | each group appears the individual foot or hand work |
| left, step left to front. Done to the side works the | | | | required for each beat in the music. |