Beginners Corner

 

Welcome to our favourite hobby of Linedancing.

Please be patient & stick to it because it probably will take a few weeks before you think your getting anywhere!!

But please remember one thing? We've all been there too!! any linedancer out there would say the same thing.

Once you've got hold of the basic steps (step terminology down below) new dances will become much easier & clearer.

The most important thing is that you have FUN & Enjoy yourself, meeting loads of new friends along the way.

We both hope you enjoy yourself on the dance floor as much as we do.

Julie & Jo

 

 

STEP TERMINOLOGY

MOVE	DESCRIPTION
Grapvine	This move is done over 4 counts, it can go either way left or right. i.e, a grapvine left would be left foot to left side for count 1, behind with right foot for count 2, left foot to left side for count 3, right foot next to left for count 4.
Strut	Ther is two sorts of struts heel or toe struts. They are done over 2 counts i.e, heel strut, place the heel on the floor for count 1, on count 2 drop your toe to the floor. Toe strut is exactly the same way but with starting with the toe first then dropping your heel.
Hitch	Is to raise the knee
Dig	Is to place the heel on the floor
Jazz Box	This move is done over 4 counts, you can have a left or right & even a turning jazz box. i.e, a right jazz box is cross right foot over left on count 1, step back on left foot on count 2, to the right side with the right foot for count 3 & for count 4 place your left foot next to your right.
Shuffle	This move is done over 3 counts ( 1&2) also can go left or right, forward & back, 1/4 or a 1/2. i.e, a left shuffle is , step to the left side with your left foot for count 1, the & count (which is the quick step) is to place your right foot next to your left foot, count 2 is to step to the left side with your left foot.
Pivot Turn	This move is done over 2 counts, either a 1/4 or 1/2 turn. i.e a left pivot turn a 1/2 would be, step forward onto your right foot for count 1, count 2 is piviting a 1/2 turn over your left shoulder transfering your weight back onto the left foot which is leading.
Kick Ball Change	This move is done over 3 counts (1&2) either a left or right kick ball change. i.e a right kick ball change would be, kick right foot for count 1, step weight back onto the same foot for the & count, for count 2 step weight onto the left foot next to right.
Triple Step	This move is done over 3 counts (1&2) done on the spot, either with right or left leg. i.e a right triple step would be step on to right foot for count 1, the & count is stepping onto the left foot, 2 count is stepping onto the right foot.
Rocking Chair	This move is done over 4 counts, either forward then back or back then forward with either left or right leg. i.e a right rocking chair forwards & backwards woud be, rock forward onto right foot for count 1,rock back onto left foot for count 2, rock back on right foot for count 3, then rock forward onto left foot for count 4.
Chasse'	This move is done over three steps. Side, together, side. Can be left or right
Monterey	This move is done over four counts. Point, turn, point, together. 1. Point toe out to side, 2 Return foot to centre while turning eg; 1/4 or 1/2. 3. Point other toe to side, 4. Return foot to centre.
Waltz	This move is done over three counts instead of the usual four. Basic; forward or backwards. Step on count 1, weight change on 2, & 3. Twinkle, cross over on count 1, weight change on 2, & 3,
Sailor step	This move is done over three steps, leading with either the right or left. e.g 1,Step right behind left 2, Step left to side, 3, Step right to side. Usually has a count of 1&2
Coaster step	This is a move done over three steps, either left or right. Back, together, forward eg: 1, Step right back, 2, step left foot back, 3, step right foot forward. usually done as counts 1&2
Mambo step	Done over three steps leading with either right or left, and can be done forwards, backwards or sideways eg: Rock right foot forwards, 2, Recover weight onto left. 3, Return right foot to starting position. Usually done on count 1&2.
Scissor step	Done over three steps, left or right, eg: 1, step right to side, 2, step left foot next to right, 3, cross right foot over left. can be done over four counts (1, 2, 3, hold) or two counts (1&2)
Charleston step	Done over four steps leading with either the left or right eg: 1, Point right foot forward, 2, step right foot back in place, 3, point left foot back, 4, step left foot forward in place.
Lock step	Done over three steps leading with either the right or left eg: 1, step right foot forward, 2, lock left foot behind right, 3, step forward on right. Usually done as counts 1&2, and can be done forwards or backwards.
Rumba box	Done over eight counts resulting in a square pattern, can be done with either foot leading, in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. eg: 1, step left foot to left side, 2, step right foot next to left, 3, step left foot forward, 4, touch right foot to left. 5, step right foot to right side, 6, step left foot to right, 7, step back on right foot, 8, touch left to right.

TIPS AND HINTS

FOOTWARE:: Wear something comfortable, that will not slip off your feet whilst dancing. A slightly slippy sole is better for your ankles, knee/hip joints! Please no high heels they can be dangerous!

CLOTHES: Again wear something comforable. You will get warm, and often hot, while dancing so Tee shirts etc are ideal, but don't forget you will get cold when you sit down or when class is over! so remember to bring a warm top to slip on.

DRINK: Make sure you have a drink ready, physical exercise will make you thirsty.

If you feel dizzy when doing turns, or you get any pain during any dance moves, please tell your instructor, as we can take turns out or adapt steps to make it safer, all we want is for you to enjoy your Linedancing. More than likely there is someone else in the room that may have the same problem.

Line Dancers are a very friendly bunch, and will be happy to help any beginners, so don't worry that you might be in the way on the dance floor!

If you go wrong don't worry because there is no such thing as going wrong, its called a variation!!!! Just laugh it off.

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