|
A dance consists of a sequence of dance figures, but each figure consists of a sequence of individual steps, actions, and poses.
So,
we walk forward or back. Here the man is stepping Forward and the woman
Back on their lead feet. Someone once pointed out that Ginger did
everything Fred did but backward and in high heels. But men dance
backward too.
We step to the Side. We step Across, step Through. We Hop, Skip, and Jump. We Point a toe. We Drag and Hook. In the glossary, I have a long list of indivdual steps and actions.
|
 |
| Here the man is stepping Forward and the woman Back on their trail feet. |
 |
| Where
a "step" involves changing our weight from one foot to the other, an
"action" involves doing something with that foot but not putting weight
on it. Pointing a foot is an action. Here, the cue might have been "Apart, Point." They stepped
apart on their trail feet and then simply pointed their lead feet
toward each other without taking weight.
We can also say that they have "touched" with their lead feet (but not taken weight.)
|
 |
| Here we have an example of a Point with the same foot. Both Point left. |
 |
| Look
at the rest of these photos. Do they seem to illustrate actual steps
(where there is a weight change) or only actions or movements? In an open position, both partners can step Forward, here on the lead foot. (Opposite footwork)
|
(click on any thumbnail for a larger view)
|
| Forward on the left foot. (Same footwork; nothing touching) |
 |
| Forward on the right foot. Notice the lunging action. |
 |
| Lunge forward |
  |
| Sometimes, we Walk; sometimes we Run, Strut, Hop, Skip, Jump. |
 |
    |
    |
| A
Press involves moving a foot forward, touching the ball of the foot to
the floor, and putting partial weight onto that foot. The "pressed"
foot is still regarded to be "free." You are "pressing" into the floor
but not standing on that foot. Your body will have forward poise. |
 |
   |
| Knee |
 |
| Kick |
 |
  |
| Flick |
 |
   |
| Point with the lead. |
 |
| Point with the trail. |
 |
| Cross in front and Point. |
 |
| She Points, he helps? |
 |
  |
| Cross in front |
 |
|
  |
| Step through |
 |
  |
| Rock to the side |
 |
| "Check"
is a step taken in one direction and preparation to then move in the
opposite direction. The cue to Check implies that you will take a step
and change weight. |
 |
| "Checking"
is the process of stopping your movement in one direction and preparing
to move in the opposite direction. Checking does not itself involve
taking a step or changing weight. |
 |
| Drag |
 |
| The
cue Hook can refer to several different steps or moves. One might
simply cross one leg in front or behind the other and then "Unwind,"
for instance. |
 |
| In
other choreography, the woman will Hook one leg behind her partner's
leg, to provide support for extension or for a Body Roll or Around the
World. |
 |
   |
| Other times, a Hook just seems to provide a little extra drama. |
 |
| Bow |
 |
| Kiss |
  |
|
|
| Photos
© A. Curths; A. Gorczycki; A. Miller; A. Moore & E. Allen; D.
Drury; E.Allen; F. Lepretre; J. Lee; P. Sosabowski; P. Suba; from Dancesport UK photo gallery. |
