This is a glossary of dance terms that I have compiled.

I am sure that there are many terms that are not here, and also many terms that may be different to some that you use.





Glossary of Dance Terms
Dance Terms Beats Descriptions
1/2 Brushup 2 Touch heel 45° forward, bring the heel up to the opposite knee
45 2 Nominated heel taps farward at 45° angle then return to original position
Ballchange 2 On the spot three steps done to two beats eg: Right ballchange - Right foot steps in place, left foot lifts up then takes the weight as the right foot is lifted
Behind Frieze 4 Step nominated foot to side, cross other foot behind, step nominated foot to side, cross other foot behind
Boogie Step back turning slightly in direction nominated
Boxstep 4 Eg: Right Boxstep: Step right across left, step back on left, step side right, step left together. This step can also have a directional change
Bridge Step 2 Touch nominated foot to side and cross over opposite foot
Broadway Kick 1 Kick nominated foot across opposite foot at 45°
Bronco 2 Bring nominated knee up and forward across body, return foot to the side
Brushup 4 Touch heel 45° forward, bring the geel up to the opposite knee, touch heel 45° forward, place together
Buttermilk 2 With weight on the toes: Heels move apart from eachother then back together
Camel 2 Step nominated foot 45° forward, drag/step other foot to close together
Cha Cha 2 Three steps done to two beats of music. Like a shuffle but done on the spot
Charleston 4 Step forward on nominated foot, kick other foot forward, step back, touch nominated foot back
Clap 1 Clap hands together
Corner Turn 4 Step left foot forward, step right foot to right turning 90° left, step left foot back turning 90° left, step right foot forward
Double Buttermilk 4 Weight on the toes: Heels move apart, change weight to the heels, move toes apart. Reverse steps to bring feet together to original position
Extended Frieze (variable) Eg: Left extended frieze - Step side left, cross right behind, side left, cross right in front, side left, cross right cehind, side left, etc
Fan 2 Nominated toe turns out 90° then returns to its original position
Footslap a heel/toe movement of the nominated foot slapping the boot sole on the floor
Frieze 4 Step nominated foot to side, cross other foot behind, step nominated foot to side, close other foot together. Can be done forward, back or to the side
Front Frieze 4 Eg: Left front frieze - Step left foot to side, cross right foot over left, step left foot to side, step left foot over right
Grind Moving nominated foot/heel in a 90° arc
Heel Pivot Normally on the spot, pivoting the nominated foot from the forward together position through a 90° arc and back together
Hitch 1 Raise nominated foot straight up to knee level
Hinge 2 On the ball of R/L turn 180° L/R stepping L/R to L/R, slide R/L beside L/R
Hold 1 No movement - hold previous position for one beat of music
Hook 4 Touch heel 45° forward, bring the heel up to the opposite knee, touch heel 45° forward, place together
Hop 1 Hop onto same foot
Kick 1 Kick the foot forward
Lock 2 Step forward on nominated foot, bring other foot behind to lock into position
Monatary Turns 2 Step forward on nominated foot, turn on the balls of the feet 180° to turn the opposite direction
Montana Kick 4 Eg: Left montana - Step forward on left, kick right, step back on right, tap left toe behind
Outback 2 Nominated foot to side, up behind opposite knee and slap with opposite hand
Pivot 2 Step forward on nominated foot, turn on the balls of the feet 180° to turn the opposite direction
Rock 1 Change the weight from one foot to the other without changing the position of the feet
Sailor Step Step nominated foot behind other, step other foot to side, step nominated foot on the spot
Scissor Kick 2 Kick one leg up, then the other so that you have both feet off the floor at the same time, landing on one foot then the other
Scoot 1 Hopping forward on nominated foot when other has been hitched
Scuff 1 Swinging nominated foot through brushing the ground as it passes the other foot
Shimmy Moving the shoulders in time with the music forward and backwards
Shuffle 2 Three steps done to two beats of music, can be done forward or backwards. Eg: Step forward left, right together, step left forward
Skate 2 Slide nominated foot forward at 45°, slide other foot together
Slap Foot Eg: Right Slap - right foot up behind/infront of left and slap boot with left hand
Stomp 1 Stomp the foot on the floor to make a loud sound
Strut 2 Step nominated heel forward with the toe up, slap the toe to the floor
Swiggle 2 Twist the nominated heel of one foot and the ball of the other foot to the side, then twist back to the centre
Swivel (variable) Like a twist but continuing in one direction. Eg: heels left, toes left, heels left, toes left, etc
Tap 1 Place foot in the direction nominated without any weight on it
Toe Strut 2 Step nominated toe forward with heel up, slap heel to the floor
Touch 1 Place foot in the direction nominated without any weight on it
Travelling Buttermilk 4 Heels out, toes out, toes in, heels in
Twist 1 Movement of both heel turning out, together to the nominated side
Turn 1 A change in direction and degree of turn will be stated
Waltz 3 Step forward or back on nominated foot, other foot steps together, nominated foot steps in place. Lead foot alternates with each waltz step done



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