Round Dance: Everything Else

In its general sense, balance is the ability to maintain control and stability of the body while standing or moving. It is achieved most readily when body weight is directly over one or both supporting feet.

Good balance allows a dancer to move easily from one step to the next without unnecessary leaning, wobbling, or dependence on a partner for support.

Balance is also used in the names of particular Round Dance figures. For example, Waltz includes:

• Balance Left
• Balance Right
• Balance Forward
• Balance Back

The ball of the foot is the front part of the foot, including the padded area immediately behind the toes. In dancing, contact on the ball of the foot normally includes the toes as well. Weight placed on this front portion of the foot allows quick movement and easy changes of direction.

Some figures briefly place weight only on the ball of the foot, rather than on the entire foot. In these lessons, this is shown by shading only the front portion of the foot.

A word or short phrase to help the dancer know what to do. Cues are directed to the man, and the woman must adjust accordingly. For example, if a couple in closed position hears ‘step forward’ then the man steps forward, but the woman steps back.

A person who prompts round dancers by giving cues about what the dancers should do. Timing is extremely important for proper cueing. Dancers must complete the figure they’re currently dancing while listening for the next one, so they’re prepared to begin the next cued action at the proper time in the music.

The foot without weight; the foot available to move next.

A weight change in which the dancer transfers weight to the free foot without moving that foot to a new location.

The foot that normally starts a figure: man’s left foot; woman’s right foot.

Dances can move in different directions. The primary ‘flow’ of a dance is either counterclockwise (line of dance, LOD) or clockwise (reverse line of dance, RLOD). The direction the dance is currently moving (either LOD or RLOD) is called Line of Progression, and the other direction is called Reverse Line of Progression.

Dances can move in different directions. The primary ‘flow’ of a dance is either counterclockwise (line of dance, LOD) or clockwise (reverse line of dance, RLOD). The direction the dance is currently moving (either LOD or RLOD) is called Line of Progression, and the other direction is called Reverse Line of Progression.

The characteristic rising and lowering action found in many smooth dances. Rise and Fall helps create a soft, flowing appearance.

Smooth dances are progressive dances that generally travel around the floor.

American style labels four dances ‘American Smooth’: Waltz, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, and Tango. Those comparable rhythms in International style are called ‘Standard’, and the International style adds Quickstep.

In Round Dance, these rhythms are often discussed together because they share many related movement concepts, although each has its own distinct character. For example, Waltz uses rise and fall and has a flowing quality, while Tango has a more staccato character.

Sway is an inclination of the body away from vertical, forming a straight line from one toe through the head.

Rather than bending sideways at the waist, sway is created by stepping to the side, while leaving the opposite toe in place (still touching the floor). Elbows should be parallel to the floor, which causes a slight stretch on the side of the body toward the lean.

Stretch should not be created simply by lifting a shoulder.