A

• Amount of Turn
• Arabesque
• Arm Positions
• Arm Styling
• Attitude

B

• Backward Walk
• Balance
• Blending
• Body Completes Turn (BCT)
• Body Contact
• Broken Sway
  Body sway that is not the natural result of pendular leg/body swing; includes drooping a side during normal sway or arbitrarily bending at the hip to fake sway.
• Brush / Brushing Action — aka: Brush, Brushing Action
  The action of closing the moving foot to the standing foot and then sending it out again.

C

• Canter Rhythm / Timing — aka: Canter Rhythm, Canter Timing
  A rhythm used in 3/4 time (Waltz & Viennese Waltz) where no weight change is made on the second step.
• Center — aka: Centre
  1) The middle of the dance floor. 2) An internal body reference—an imaginary place in the core from which movement and connection originate.
• Center of Gravity (COG) / Center of Mass (COM) — aka: COG, COM, Center of Gravity, Center of Mass
  The point at which a dancer's mass can be considered to act. In a uniform gravitational field, COG and COM are functionally equivalent.
• Collect
  Bringing the knee of the free leg underneath the body to align all blocks of weight before taking the next step.
• Compression
  1) Lowering the center by bending the knee to commence movement. 2) A lead through handhold/frame when both partners are poised forward.
• Connection — aka: Partner Connection
  A means of communication between partners that makes leading and following possible.
• Continuity Movement — aka: Continuity
  The continuous passing of the feet on the last step of each component of a figure; used in Silver and Gold Waltz, Foxtrot, and Viennese Waltz.
• Contra Body Movement (CBM) — aka: CBM
  The action of turning the opposite side of the body toward the moving leg; used on forward and backward steps to commence turns.
• Contra Body Movement Position (CBMP) — aka: CBMP
  A foot position taken forward or backward where the moving foot is placed on the same track or across the track of the standing foot. Frequently confused with CBM, CBMP is a placement of the foot, not a turn of the body.
• Control
  The ability to maintain balance and stability throughout the body while dancing.
• Corté
  A Spanish word meaning 'to cut' which is part of the name of several Smooth figures, e.g. Bronze Tango Corté – Single and Double.
• Count — aka: Timing
  Also called timing, the count allows a dancer to keep their dancing in time to the music. Each dance has its own specific count which helps define its feel and character.
• Counter Balance/Weight — aka: Counter Balance, Counter Weight
  The act of each partner pulling away with equal and opposite body weight in order to maintain balance in the partnership.
• Cross Turn
  A figure in Waltz and Viennese Waltz consisting of six steps turning one full turn to the left. The left foot crosses in front of the right foot on step 3 (Leader) and step 6 (Follower).

D

• Dance Position
  The physical orientation of the Leader and Follower in relation to each other when dancing.
• Développé — aka: Developé, Developpe, Développe
  An action usually performed by the follower: the free foot draws to the knee of the supporting leg, then extends until the leg is straight with toes pointed.
• Diagonal Movement
  A blending of directional and lateral swing.
• Direction — aka: Direction (Alignment)
  An alignment term meaning the dancer is moving in one direction while the foot is aimed in a different direction.
• Directional Swing
  A movement of the body forward or backward. See also: Swing.
• Drag
  Drawing the free leg toward the standing leg with pressure on the inside edge of the ball of the foot.
• Dynamic — aka: Dynamics
  Varying qualities such as speed, height, and intensity to create interest and excitement in dancing.

F

• Fake — aka: Faking
  Skipping or adding a step to get on the same foot as your partner.
• Fan — aka: Fan Action
  A swivel taken on a forward or backward step where the free leg extends and rotates with the standing leg.
• Feather — aka: Feather Step
  An International Style Foxtrot movement of three progressive steps where the leader’s third step is taken in Right Outside Position.
• Figure — aka: Pattern, Figure (Step Pattern)
  A standardized step pattern used in choreography. A figure can range from one step to twenty-four or more.
• Flair
  See Fan.
• Flick
  A sharp, staccato extension of the lower leg taken off the floor with the foot pointed.
• Floorcraft
  The ability of the Leader to maneuver around the dance floor in a skilled and controlled manner to avoid collisions.
• Follow Through — aka: Follow-Through, Followthrough
  The passing of the moving foot underneath the body between steps for better balance and control.
• Following — aka: Follow (Role)
  The ability of the Follower to react correctly to signals given by the Leader through physical and visual connections.
• Follows — aka: Possible Follows, Follow Options
  The particular figures that can logically be danced after a given figure.
• Foot Position — aka: Foot Placement
  The direction of the moving foot in relation to the standing foot and the body.
• Foot Pressure — aka: Pressure (Foot)
  Applying a small amount of weight into the floor with the free foot.
• Footwork — aka: Foot Work
  The part of the foot in contact with the floor as a step is taken.
• Footwork — aka: Foot Work
  The part of the foot in contact with the floor as a step is taken.
• Force of Gravity (𝐅_g) — aka: Fg, Gravity (Force)
  The downward force acting on a mass: F_g = m·g, where g ≈ 9.81 m/s² near Earth’s surface. It acts on the whole body and influences both potential and kinetic energy during motion.
• Forward Walk
  The precise way to take a forward step in Smooth dances, emphasizing balance, alignment, and controlled transfer for grace and power.
• Frame — aka: Dance Frame
  The means of connecting with your partner using correct position of the arms, shoulders, elbows, and hands.
• Free Leg / Foot — aka: Free Leg, Free Foot
  The foot or leg with little or no weight, making it ready to move.

G

• Glossary
  An A–Z glossary of ballroom and smooth dance terminology.
• Grapevine — aka: Vine
  A traveling movement (left or right) using a Forward, Side, Back, Side sequence.

H

• Heel Pull
  A type of heel turn begun with a backward step, transferring weight from toe to heel, followed by a turn.
• Heel Turn — aka: Heel Pivot (Turn)
  A turn taken with weight over the heel of the supporting foot.
• Hesitation — aka: Hesitation Step
  A step on which progression is temporarily stopped and weight remains on the spot for more than one beat.
• Hover — aka: Hover Action
  A step with a feeling of suspension taken on the toes, used to change direction or rotation, allowing time for the moving foot to brush toward or to the standing foot.

I

• Inside Foot — aka: Inner Foot
  The foot closer to your partner in positions such as Promenade, Outside Partner, Side-by-Side, or other non-Closed positions.
• Inside of a Turn — aka: Inside of Turn
  Usually the back part of a turn; the person moving backward travels less on the side step to allow their partner to get around.
• Inside Turn — aka: Inside Underarm Turn, Underarm Turn (Inside)
  An underarm turn where the raised arm crosses the body in the direction of turn (e.g., follower turning left under her own raised right arm).

K

• Kinetic Energy (KE) — aka: KE, Kinetic Energy
  The energy of a moving body part: KE = ½ m v², where m is mass and v is linear velocity.

L

• Lateral Swing
  A movement of the body to the side. See also: Swing.
• Leading — aka: Lead (Role)
  How the Leader communicates what should be danced via body movement, shaping, and connection—initiated slightly before the Follower’s action.
• Leg Swing
  Allowing the moving leg to swing freely from the hip when stepping forward or backward to create greater movement.
• Lilt — aka: Lilt (Rise & Fall)
  Rise and fall spread over two steps; examples include Foxtrot Basic, Foxtrot Grapevine, and Viennese Waltz Change of Places.
• Line of Dance — aka: LOD
  The direction of movement in a ballroom that is parallel to the walls and moves counterclockwise around the room, so that all the dancers travel in the same direction.
• Line(s) — aka: Lines
  The aesthetic appearance of the dancer(s) where correct body alignment, stretch, and position of arms and legs create a beautiful and polished result.
• Lowering
  The action of coming down from a position of rise by using the knees, ankles, and feet.
• Lunge
  A strong step in any direction in which there is a deep bending of the standing leg and the free leg is extended in the opposite direction.

M

• Metronomic Swing
  Movement of the body or part of the body that emulates the swinging action of a metronome. The upper portion of the body travels at a faster rate of speed than the lower body. It is most often used on forward and backward steps in Waltz, Foxtrot, and Viennese Waltz.
• Movement
  Any change in position or orientation of a body component relative to other body components or external objects. Movement can be internal (e.g., hip rotation) or external (e.g., stepping forward).
• Moving
  See Direction.
• Moving Leg — aka: Free Leg, Free Foot
  See Free Leg/Foot.

N

• Natural Turn
  Any dance figure that turns to the right.
• No Foot Rise — aka: NFR
  Indicates that the dancer should not rise to the toe of the foot, but rather keep the foot flat, usually on back steps. The heel of the step with no foot rise will not release from the floor until weight is taken on the next step.

O

• Open Finish
  Describes the ending of a figure where the last step is taken in Outside Position with the feet apart, versus feet closed.
• Opposite Sway
  The inclination of the body toward the moving leg, instead of away from it as in normal sway.
• Outside Foot
  The foot farther away from your partner when in dance positions such as Promenade, Outside, Side-by-Side, or other times when not in Closed Position.
• Outside of a Turn
  Usually the forward part of a turn where the person moving forwards travels more on the side step in order to get around their partner.
• Outside Turn
  An underarm turn for either Leader or Follower in which the raised arm of the person moves slightly sideways in the direction of the turn. Example: the Follower turning to the right under their own raised right arm.

P

• Pattern
  Synonymous with the term figure.
• Pendulum Swing
  Movement of the body or part of the body that emulates the swinging action of a pendulum: the lower portion of the body travels at a faster rate of speed than the upper body. Most often used on side steps in Waltz, Foxtrot, and Viennese Waltz.
• Picture Line
  A dance figure (such as Oversway or Contra Check) characterized by changing shapes in a stationary position to create a beautiful photo moment.
• Pivot
  A turn on the ball of the standing foot without changing weight, with the free leg held forward or backward in Contra Body Movement Position (CBMP). More generally used to describe a turn on the ball of one foot.
• Pivoting Action
  The movement that occurs on a right foot forward pivot. Pivoting action differs from a pivot in that the left foot is not held in Contra Body Movement Position (CBMP).
• Point
  An extension of the free leg and foot placed on the floor without weight (toes only) or a stretching of the foot to create a clean line. Opposite of flexing the foot.
• Pointing
  An alignment term meaning the body is facing a different direction than where the foot is aiming.
• Poise
  The correct positioning of body weight in relation to the feet. Also refers to the dancer’s general appearance. Each dance has its own proper poise.
• Posture
  The correct alignment of the body’s blocks of weight—head, shoulders, rib cage, and hips. Essential for balance and professional appearance.
• Potential Energy (PE) — aka: PE
  Potential Energy refers to the stored energy of a dancer or body part when elevated against gravity. Defined by PE = m × a × d, where m is mass at the COG, a is acceleration due to gravity, and d is vertical distance. Important: PE is not stored in muscles.
• Precedes
  The particular figure (or figures) that can logically be danced before a given figure, determined either by the figure’s starting alignment or its starting dance position.

R

• Reverse Turn
  Any dance figure that turns to the left.
• Rise and Fall (R&F) — aka: R&F, F&R
  Rise and Fall describes the vertical rise and lowering of the dancer’s hip line, measured perpendicularly from the floor. With the exception of Tango, it is a fundamental component of Smooth and Standard dances. Two forms: Leg Rise and Foot Rise.
• Rock
  A shifting of weight from foot to foot, such that the second step is taken in the opposite direction from the first.
• Rondé — aka: Ronde
  A circular action of the free leg performed as an embellishment, either on the floor or in the air. When on the floor, the circling leg is usually straight with the toe pointed; when off the floor, the leg may be straight or bent with the toe pointed.
• Rotational Swing
  A movement of the sides of the body around the spine. See also: Swing.
• Runaround — aka: Standing Spin
  A dance element in which the Follower or both dancers run around a central point in Closed (or similar) Position, using body tone and leverage to maintain balance and speed. Also called a Standing Spin.

S

• Shape
  The stretching of the body and arms into various curves and angles for dramatic effect, to create correct dance positions, or to prepare for movement.
• Side Leading
  The action of taking a forward or backward step with the entire side of the body moving with the leg; the opposite of Contra Body Movement.
• Slip Pivot
  A type of pivot used to change from Promenade to Closed Position in which the Leader steps back on the right foot and the Follower steps forward on the left foot, and both pivot.
• Smooth Dances
  The American Style term for Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, and Viennese Waltz. These dances travel around the floor along the line of dance.
• Spin
  A fast turn achieved by rotating on the ball of the standing foot.
• Spiral Turn — aka: Spiral
  A type of turn enabling a right turn when stepping forward on the left foot, or a left turn when stepping forward on the right foot. Executed on the ball of the front foot, leaving the free foot behind before crossing loosely in front of the supporting leg.
• Spot Turn
  A turn in which the first step is taken forward and across while the other foot remains in place. Usually a full turn to the left or right.
• Spotting
  The action of focusing on a fixed point while turning. The head is the last to leave and the first to arrive at the fixed point.
• Staccato
  Abrupt motion—as contrasted with smooth motion—characteristic of Tango.
• Standing Leg/Foot — aka: Supporting Leg, Supporting Foot
  The leg or foot that bears the majority of weight, leaving the other leg/foot free to move.
• Step
  A change of weight from one foot to the other.
• Stretch
  A lengthening of the muscles to create sway or extension.
• Stride
  Describes the furthest distance between the feet as a forward or backward step is taken.
• Supporting Leg/Foot — aka: Standing Leg, Standing Foot
  See Standing Leg/Foot.
• Sway
  The inclination of the body away from the moving foot and, if turn is involved, towards the inside of the turn. Used in Waltz, Foxtrot, and Viennese Waltz to counterbalance the force of swing.
• Swing
  In swing dances, a way of moving body weight from foot to foot in which one part of the body acts as a stationary anchor point while the rest of the body, or part of it, moves.
• Swivel(s) — aka: Swivels
  A turn on the ball of the standing foot, characterized by a twisting action where the hips and feet turn more than the body.
• Syncopation
  Deviation from the basic timing of a dance by dividing a beat of music into two or more parts.

T

• Tango Close
  The nickname given for the last three steps of the Bronze Tango Basic.
• Tap
  Touching the floor with the free foot without weight. When the free leg is extended, it may also be called a Point.
• Tick
  A quick internal double-take motion of the head, neck, and spine, resulting in a new dance position. Common in Tango.
• Toe Release
  The correct action used when stepping backward: the toe of the front foot lifts from the floor leaving the heel in contact with the floor.
• Tone
  The correct use of muscles to support the body structure and maintain a good frame and connection with one's partner.
• Top Line
  Refers to the overall look of a ballroom couple’s frame, head position, and back line.
• Travel
  Travel describes the horizontal displacement of the Center of Support (COS) from one location to another, including a full weight transfer.
• Twinkle
  Any three steps that change from one dance position to another. First step is forward or backward, second is a side step (or variation), and the third either closes (Bronze) or passes (Silver).
• Twist / Twist Turn — aka: Twist, Twist Turn
  An action where the feet start in a strongly crossed position (in front or behind the standing leg), then unwind through rotation of the body and feet.

U

• Underturned
  To make less than the standard amount of turn given in the chart for a particular figure.

V

• Variation
  Changes to a syllabus figure that retain its basic characteristics.
• Viennese Turn — aka: Cross Turn
  See Cross Turn.

W

• Walk Around Turn
  A turn in which the person takes several steps on a curved line, such as the Bronze Waltz Box with Underarm Turn.
• Weight Change
  The action of shifting weight fully from one foot to the other.