Dance Glossary: East Coast Swing, Salsa, and Carolina Shag
🕺 East Coast Swing Glossary
Basic Step – Six-count pattern: rock step + two triple steps.
Rock Step – Step back and shift weight forward.
Triple Step – Three quick steps (e.g., “quick-quick-slow”).
Closed Position – Partners face each other in a traditional ballroom hold.
Open Position – Partners connected by hands, not body contact.
Underarm Turn – Follower turns under the leader’s arm.
Inside Turn – Follower turns to their left.
Outside Turn – Follower turns to their right.
Swingout – Follower moves out and back to closed position (Lindy-style).
Sugar Push – A compression-based step keeping partners mostly in place.
💃 Salsa Glossary
Basic Step (On1 or On2) – 8-count step with forward and back breaks.
Forward/Back Break – Step forward or back on a break beat.
Cross-body lead – The follower is guided across the leader’s path.
Right Turn – Clockwise turn.
Left Turn – Counterclockwise turn.
Cumbia Step – A back-and-forth step used in Colombian salsa.
Shine – Solo footwork segment with dancers separated.
Clave – The rhythm pattern that drives salsa music (2-3 or 3-2).
Guapea – Open break step in Cuban salsa.
Enchufla – A simple turn move in Cuban-style salsa or Rueda de Casino.
🎶 Carolina Shag Glossary
Basic Step – Six-count triple step pattern: rock step + two triples.
Rock Step – Step back and recover forward (lead usually starts here).
Triple Step – Smooth, gliding three-step pattern.
Closed Position – Standard dance hold with partners close.
Mirror Footwork – Partners move in mirrored directions.
Pivot – Follower spins while the leader turns or stays in place.
Boogie Walk – Hip-styled step for flair.
Kick Step – Syncopated styling with a kick and a step.
Lead/Follow – Communication between partners through movement cues.
Smooth Style – Gliding, effortless motion—signature of Carolina Shag.
Closed Position
Lead: The lead’s left hand holds the follower’s right hand. The lead’s right arm is placed around the follower’s back, typically around the shoulder blade.
Follow: The follower’s left hand is placed on the lead’s shoulder or upper arm. The lead’s left hand holds the right hand.
Open Position
Lead: The lead holds the follower’s right hand with their left hand, and the right hand holds the follower’s left hand at waist level or slightly higher.
Follow: The follower’s hands mirror the lead’s hands, with the left hand held by the lead’s right hand and the right hand held by the lead’s left hand.
Side-by-Side Position (Shadow Position)
Lead: The lead stands beside the follower, holding their right hand with their left hand and wrapping their right arm around the follower’s waist.
Follow: The follower’s left hand is on the lead’s shoulder or upper back, and the right hand is held by the lead’s left hand.
Open Break
Lead: The lead releases the closed hold, extending the left arm to hold the follower’s right hand, and the right arm holds the follower’s left hand, both arms slightly extended.
Follow: The follower mirrors the lead’s arm positions, maintaining a light connection with the lead’s hands.
Hand-to-hand (Swing Out Position)
Lead: The lead extends one hand (usually the left) to hold one of the follower’s hands (usually the right) while the other arm is free or extended outwards.
Follow: The follower’s hand mirrors the lead’s, maintaining a light grip with the lead’s hand.
Cross-Hand Hold
Lead: The lead holds the follower’s right hand with their left hand and the follower’s left hand with their right hand, often at waist level.
Follow: The follower mirrors the lead’s hand positions.
Two-Hand Hold
Lead: The lead holds both followers’ hands, often at waist level, with both hands extended slightly.
Follow: The follower’s hands mirror the lead’s hands, maintaining a light grip.
These arm positions may vary depending on the style of dance (e.g., ballroom and Carolina Shag) and the specific moves or figures being executed. Maintaining proper frame and connection is crucial for practical leading and following in social dancing.
