A–K
Apple Jacks
A step on the spot, with twisting foot and the weight on the heel, like this.
Ball change
Ball change is a movement where the dancer shifts the weight from the ball of one foot to the other and back. This is mostly used in jazz and jive.
Basic (step / figure / movement / or pattern) A basic figure is the very basic step that defines the character of a dance. Often it is called just thus: "basic movement", "basic step" or the like. For some dances it is sufficient to know the basic step performed in different handholds and dance positions to enjoy it socially.
Box step
The box step is a dance figure named so because the steps rest in the four corners of a square. It is used, e.g., in American Style ballroom dances: rumba, waltz, bronze-level foxtrot. The leader begins with the left foot and proceeds as follows. First half-box: Forward-side-together Second half-box: Backwards-side-together Every step is with full weight transfer. During the second and fourth step it is advised the foot to travel along two sides of the box, rather than along its diagonal.
Rhythm varies, e.g., it is "1-2-3,4-5-6" in Waltz and "slow quick quick, slow quick quick" in Rumba.
Chaînés / chainé turns / chaines turns
French for "chain", a series of quick turns starting from second position going to first position alternating on either flat feet or on relevé with progression along a straight line or circle.
Chassé
Chassé (French, "to chase") is a dance step with a triple step pattern used in many forms of dance. It is a gliding, flowing step with the feet essentially following a step–together–step pattern. Timing and length of steps vary from dance to dance.
Closed change
Closed change is a basic step in the waltz. The leader steps forward on either foot whilst the follower steps backward on the opposing foot (e.g.: the leader steps forward on their right foot whilst the follower steps back on their left). Both partners will then step to the side on the other foot, and conclude the figure by closing the first foot beside the second (hence the name "closed" of the step). Each step takes up a full beat of the music.
Cross-body lead
Cross-body lead is a common and useful move in Latin dances such as salsa, mambo, rumba and cha-cha-cha. Basically, the leader, on counts 2 and 3 of their basic step (assuming dancing on 1), does a quarter-left turn (90° counter-clockwise) while still holding on to the follower. On counts 4 and 5, the follower is led forward across the leader, i.e., firmly led with the leader's right hand on their back, so that the follower travels across to turn and face the opposite direction they were originally facing. At the same time, the leader does another quarter-left turn as necessary in order to follow the follower and face them. At the end of the move, the dancers have their positions exchanged.
The cross-body lead can be done with single-hand or double hand hold, with or without a follower's underarm turn, or leading the follower to do a free spin.
Dos-à-dos / dosado
Dosado is a circular movement where two people, who are initially facing each other, walk around each other without or almost without turning, i.e., facing in the same direction (same wall) all the time.
Double reverse spin
The double reverse spin is a full left (counter-clockwise) turn in one measure of music. It is danced in waltz, quickstep and tango.
Enchufla
This is a dance movement common in salsa, where the two dance partners facing each other change positions. The dance partners keep contact with one or two hands while stepping to rotate concentrically over 180 degrees around the same point in opposite directions.
Feather step
The feather step is a basic figure in International Style foxtrot, in which the leader makes three or four steps forward, with the third one (right foot) done outside the follower.
Floss
Free spin
In lead and follow dance, a dance turn performed without partner contact.
Gancho
"Gancho" means "hook" in Spanish and describes certain "hooking actions" in some dances of Latin American heritage, in Argentine tango (leg action) and salsa (arm action and foot action) in particular.
Grapevine
The grapevine or vine starts with a side step, then the working leg goes behind, then stepping to the side, then join.
Head roll
Heel pull
A variant of the heel turn, in which the feet are kept apart.