Learning the names of ballroom dance steps can broaden your dancing horizons or just make you a more informed viewer of dance-related television programming.
Names of Ballroom Dance Steps by Dance Style
The steps listed below are just a sample of the countless possible dance movements in the world of ballroom dancing. Some are purely descriptive, while others evoke an image or are steeped in dance history. Some names appear again and again, such as the promenade, as each tradition offers its own take on an essential dance step. Slight variations may also exist in the naming of steps depending on the origin of the dancers and their competitive affiliations.
Waltz
- Outside spin
- Reverse turn
- Whisk
- Double reverse spin
- Hesitation
Tango
- Progressive sidestep
- Open promenade
- Four step
- Oversway
- Back corte
Viennese Waltz
- Natural turn
- Reverse fleckeryll
- Forward change
- Promenade hesitation
- Cross-body lead
Foxtrot
- Basic forward
- Basic back
- Promenade step
- Top spin
- Basic weave
Quickstep
- Chasse reverse turn
- Forward lock
- Reverse pivot
- Fishtail
- Running finish
Cha Cha
- Spot turns
- Time steps
- Side steps
- Hand to hand
- Cuban breaks
Samba
- Solo spot volta
- Contra bota fogos
- Reverse turn
- Whisks
- Side samba walk
Rumba
- Shoulder to shoulder
- Open hip twist
- Alemana
- Progressive walks
- Fan
Paso Doble
- Separation
- Banderillas
- Flamenco taps
- Syncopated separation
- Promenade
Jive
- Mooch
- Shoulder Spin
- Windmill
- Fallaway throwaway
- Hip bump
East Coast Swing
- Lindy whip
- American spin
- Kick ball change
- Sweetheart
- Four kicks
West Coast Swing
- Throwout
- Sugarpush
- Whip
- Underarm pass
- Closed tuck-in turn
Lindy Hop
- 8-count basic
- Swingout
- Lindy circle
- Hurgqumer catch
- Quick stop drop
Salsa
- Forward basic move
- Back spot turn
- Underarm turn to right
- Cross body check and turn
- Underarm turn with head loop
Mambo
- Fallaway rock and swivel
- Half moon
- Turnstyle
- Crossover swivels
- Open reverse turn
Bolero
- Shadow wraps
- Open break
- Right underarm turn
- Cross body lead
- Left side pass
Learning Ballroom Dance Steps
If you're interested in learning more about these steps, free ballroom dance instruction videos and other online resources can get you started. For instance, The Dance Store's Online Learning Center includes instructional videos for more than 20 dances, many of them ballroom. You can review these lessons as many times as necessary and pause at key moments so you can imitate the steps flawlessly.
Of course, one of the best ways to learn more about this form of dance is by taking a class. The franchised locations of Fred Astaire Dance Studios specialize in ballroom dancing instruction. Check your phone book for local studios. Some community enrichment or parks and recreation departments also offer short-term ballroom dance classes.
Additional Resources
- If you're interested in competitive dancing, USA Dance, the United States organization overseeing DanceSport competitive ballroom dancing, offers a syllabus of recognized steps. The names of ballroom dance steps are divided according to proficiency level.
- The BallroomDancers.com glossary is helpful for looking up unfamiliar step names and dance terms.
- If you enjoy watching ballroom dance, the PBS program America's Ballroom Challenge brings the fun to your television. After each episode airs, a summary of the program's dances appears online, including information on the competing couples and a list of the songs featured during their dances. The site's resources page includes links to ballroom dance organizations, dance studios, and competitive groups.
- Elements of Dance Etiquette offers a wealth of information for dancers considering stepping out for the first time. Learn more about ballroom etiquette, discover how to get off to a smooth start in any dance, and find out techniques for dancing your way out of tricky situations.
