weight on one foot, hit the floor with the ball or heel of the other foot (the free foot) after which that foot is lifted from the floor to any direction.

transfer of weight from ball of one foot to flat of other foot.

three changes of weight with a close on the second moving forward, backward, or sideward; also a series of sideward closes.

to move free foot to supporting foot with one change of weight.

to displace quickly one foot with other, thus completely taking off the weight of the body from the displaced foot. A basic foot movement in Samba. Step L (ct.1); bring R quickly up to L and step R displacing L (ct.2).

to slowly move free foot to supporting foot without change of weight.

a step side – cross behind – side – cross in front pattern. Bend knees, let hips turn naturally, and keep weight on balls of feet.

a spring on one foot, landing on the same foot in place or in any direction. The free foot may be raised in any direction (in front, in rear, sideward or across).

a spring on one foot or both feet, landing on both feet in any direction.

a spring on one foot, landing on the other foot in any direction (forward, sideward, backward, or oblique).

to turn with the ball, heel, or whole foot, on a fixed place or point while free foot is kept either in front or directly behind.

to put foot in a certain or desired position without putting weight on it. The sole of the foot rests on the floor.

to touch the floor lightly with toes of one foot, weight of the body on other foot.

a change of weight from the supporting foot to the free foot usually in the same position.

two changes of weight, each in opposite directions that creates a rocking movement.

a step-close-step pattern to you R or L slide. To glide foot smoothly along the floor. It is heel movement and it may be finished with or without transfer of weight.

step-hop pattern on the same foot.

to glide foot smoothly along the floor and it may be finished with or without transfer of weight.

a turn done in place on the ball of one foot.

to bring down the foot forcibly and noisily on the floor (like doing a heavy step) with or without transfer of weight.

to advance or recede by raising or moving one foot to another resting place. There is a complete transfer of weight from one foot to another.

the weight is place first on the toe before the entire sole of the foot.

the weight is place on the ball before the entire sole of the foot.

wherein, the weight is place on the entire sole of the foot.

wherein, the weight is place first on the heel before the entire sole of the foot.

a twisting motion on the ball or heel of one foot or both feet, or a turn on the ball of the supporting foot while the free foot is brought to a new position.

knock slightly with the ball or toe of the free foot, flexing the ankle joint keeping weight of the body on the other foot. There is no change or transfer of weight.

a turning movement in which the feet alternate.

a turning movement in which the feet alternate.

Clockwise

Counterclockwise

is a progressive full turning step done with three changes of weight/step in any desired direction.

a change of places between partners usually done by a man on a lunge or second position leading the lady to a new spot by turning over in a one hand joined hold.

a turn to the right by the lady under a one-hand joined hold (woman’s right and man’s left hand).

a turn to the left by the lady under a one-hand joined hold. The opposite of the outside-underarm turn.

to make fast turns by executing small steps in place to right or left.

a step side – cross behind – side – cross in front pattern. Bend knees, let hips turn naturally, and keep weight on balls of feet.

– a step-hop pattern on the same foot.

a twisting motion on the ball or heel of one foot or both feet, or a turn on the ball of the supporting foot while the free foot is brought to a new position.

to knock slightly with the ball or toe of the free foot, flexing the ankle joint keeping weight of the body on the other foot. There is no change or transfer of weight.

Types of Turn

the stress placed on a beat that makes it stronger and louder than the others. The primary accent is on the first beat of the measure. Sometimes there is more than one accent per measure. Some dance steps have the accent on the off-beat, which makes the rhythm syncopated.

the regular occurrence of accented beats that shape the character of music and dance.

the first beat in a measure, corresponding to the downward movement of a conductor’s arm or baton.

the last beat of a measure, an opposite to downbeat.

rate of speed at which the music is played, or the speed of the dance.

a rhythm cue

like the direction of the hands of the clock as a dancer or a couple moves on the dance floor.

reverse direction of the clockwise as a dancer or a couple moves on the dance floor.

an imaginary line running counter-clockwise around the outside of the dance floor followed by dancers progressing around a room.

an imaginary line running counter-clockwise around the outside of the dance floor followed by dancers progressing around a room.

opposite direction from the line of direction, which is clockwise.

dance in which there is little or no movement along a Line of Direction, as opposed to progressive dance.

a dance in which couples move along Line of Direction around the dance floor, as opposed to spot dance.