BALLROOM

DANCE
Ballroom dancing is a partnership dance where
couples, using step-patterns, move rhythmically,
expressing the characteristics of music. Ballroom
dancing consists of two styles: the Smooth, or
Standard, and the Rhythm, or Latin.
TYPES OF BALLROOM DANCES
● CHA-CHA-CHA
The cha-cha is a lively, flirtatious ballroom dance full of passion and energy. The classic "Cuban
motion" gives the cha-cha its style. Partners work together to synchronize each movement in
perfect alignment.

● FOXTROT
The foxtrot is a ballroom dance that is lots of fun and simple to learn, making it an excellent dance
for beginners. In the foxtrot, dancers make long, smooth, flowing movements across the floor to
swing or big-band music.

● JIVE
Jive is a ballroom dance style that originated in the United States with African-Americans. It is a
lively form of swing dance and a variation of the jitterbug.

● LINDY HOP
The Lindy Hop is the ballroom dance considered to be the father of all swing dances. It is known
for its athletic style and often contains aerial jumps, twists, and flips. It was named for Charles
Lindbergh's (Lucky Lindy) transatlantic flight and popular in the 1930s.
MAMBO
The mambo is one of the most
emotional Latin American ballroom
dances. Swaying hip movements, facial
expressions, arm movements, and
holds all contribute to the sensuality
on display in the dance. It's different
than what modern Americans call the
mambo and was hot in the 1940s and
'50s in Cuba and New York, after being
invented by Perez Prado.
 PASADOBLE
The pasodoble is one of the liveliest ballroom
dances, originating in southern France. It is
modeled after the sound, drama, and
movement of the Spanish bullfight and is
danced to music used during a bullfight.
QUICKSTEP
The quickstep is a quick version
(naturally) of the foxtrot. It is a
ballroom dance composed of
extremely quick stepping,
syncopated feet rhythms, and
runs. The quickstep is exciting
to watch but among the most
difficult of all the ballroom
dances to master.
 RUMBA
The rumba is considered by many to be
the most romantic and sensual of all
Latin ballroom dances. It is often
referred to as the "Grandfather of the
Latin dances" and its music has an
insistent 4/4 beat. The ballroom
version derives from Cuban son.
 SAMBA WALTZ
Possibly the most popular of all Brazilian
ballroom dances, both young and old The waltz is one of the smoothest of
enjoy dancing the samba. It can be ballroom dances. It is a progressive dance
marked by long, flowing movements,
performed solo, such as during the
continuous turns, and rise and fall. The
Carnival in Rio de Janiero, or with a dance is so graceful and elegant that
partner socially.
TANGO waltz dancers appear to glide around the
floor with almost no effort.
The tango is one of the most
fascinating of all ballroom dances.
This sensual dance originated in
Buenos Aires, Argentina, in the
late 19th century. The style used
in competitions today is different
than Argentinian styles of tango.
DANCE STEPS FOR
STANDARD DANCES
● WALTZ
is an elegant, nearly
universal dance, perfect
for weddings, or almost
any social occasion. It's
not as hard to learn as
most people think.
QUICK INTRO
Waltz dates back to the late 17th century Europe, but
has never really been out of fashion and clearly stood
the test of time. It should probably be one of the first
ballroom dances you learn.
It is a smooth and graceful dance with long, flowing
movements, characterized by rise & fall motion. It has a
unique 3/4 timing and a simple rhythmic pattern which
blends with the music. You can start waltzing very
quickly by just learning the simple box step.
 The basic step for waltz is a box step. It's named after a
BASIC STEPS pattern it creates on the floor (box or square) and forms
the foundation of the dance.
A box step can be divided into two parts - a forward
half box and a backward half box.
Each half box has three steps - a step forward or
backward, a step to the side, and a step to close the
feet together.
The leader starts with the left foot and executes a
forward half box, followed by a backward half box. The
follower performs the opposite – she starts with the
right foot and executes a backward half box, followed
by a forward half box.
The basic box step pattern uses three counts - slow,
quick, quick, which is repeated twice to create the box
step. Timing is 1,2,3,1,2,3 or 1,2,3,4,5,6.
Instructions and Diagrams:
Instructions and Diagrams:
When dancing waltz someone
has to lead and someone has to
follow. Usually the man will lead
and the woman will follow.

Waltz Box Step for men

● Step forward with the left foot
● Right foot step sideways to the right
● Bring your left foot next to your right foot
● Step back with the right foot
● Step back sideways with the left foot
● Bring your right foot next to your left foot Lady's
 Waltz Box Step for Women
● Step back with the right foot
● Left foot step sideways to the left
● Bring your right foot next to your left foot
● Step forward with the left foot
● Step forward sideways with the right foot
● Bring your left foot next to your right foot
TANGO
also referred to as the "Dance of Love", is a
passionate and dramatic dance. It's a
dialogue between partners, an expressive
form of communication through
movements.
Quick Intro
Tango originated in the 19th century outskirts of
Buenos Aires, Argentina. Since then it has grown into
one of the most popular dances in the world.
It's somewhat different from other dances, especially
traditional ballroom, but next in popularity behind
waltz and foxtrot. Dissimilar to those two, it has no rise
& fall, no swaying. It's known for quick, sharp
movements and a catlike walking action.
Basic Steps
Tango is a walking dance, meaning that all the steps are based on walking.
When you start learning it, you must first master some basic movements.
Don't worry, basic steps are not that difficult to learn. Beginners usually
start with 8-Count Basic or simply Tango Basic.
Tango Basic is made of five steps taken to 8 counts of music. The rhythm is
slow, slow, quick, quick, slow. The slow steps consume two beats of music
and the quick steps one. Tango music is usually written in 4/4 time (but also
in 2/4 time) and played at a tempo of 30-33 measures per minute.
Instructions and Diagrams:
Tango is danced in a closed position, usually closer
than in other dances. The man's left hand is holding
the lady's right hand. His right hand is placed on her
back, along the bottom of her ribcage. The lady's left
hand is placed on his right shoulder. You always bent
your knees. Remember, this dance is the most bent of
all the ballroom dances.
The lead and follow mirror each other’s steps. The
lead begins with the left foot, the follow with the right.
Walks usually curve gradually to the left.

Basic Steps for Men

● Step forward with your left foot
● Step forward with your right foot passing the left foot
● Step forward again with your left foot this time
passing the right foot
● Step forward and to the right with your right foot
● Left foot close to right foot
Basic Steps for Women
● Step back with your right foot
● Step back with your left foot passing the right foot
● Step back again with your right foot this time
passing the left foot
● Step back and to the left with your left foot.
● Right foot close to left foot.
 is a smooth, elegant,
easy to learn dance, very
FOXTROT popular at wide variety
of social events,
including wedding
receptions. It's one of the
most beautiful ballroom
dances characterized by
long, flowing
movements.
 QUICK INTRO
Foxtrot is named after its originator,
Harry Fox, who was a Vaudeville
performer in New York in the 1910s.
Because he was having a hard time
finding female dancers capable of
performing the difficult two-step, he
added trotting steps to ragtime
music. People soon referred to his
dance as Fox's Trot.
BASIC STEPS
The basic elements of foxtrot are
walking steps and side steps. The long
walking movements also involve a rise &
fall action, which is similar to waltz,
although more subtle. The basic box
step is also similar to waltz steps – the
main difference being timing (foxtrot is
4/4, waltz is 3/4). If you already know
how to waltz, then learning foxtrot will
be just a matter of rhythm.
 BASIC FOXTROT STEP FOR MEN
Basic forward
● Step forward with your left foot (slow step)
● Step forward with your right foot (slow step)
● Sidestep to the left with your left foot (quick step)
Move your right foot to your left foot (quick step)

Basic backward
● Step backward with your left foot (slow step)
● Step backward with your right foot (slow step)
● Sidestep to the left with your left foot (quick step)
● Move your right foot to your left foot (quick step)
FOXTROT STEP FOR WOMEN
Basic forward
● Step backward with your right foot (slow step)
● Step backward with your left foot (slow step)
● Sidestep to the right with your right foot (quick step)
● Move your left foot to your right foot (quick step)

Basic backward
● Step forward with your right foot (slow step)
● Step forward with your left foot (slow step)
● Sidestep to the right with your right foot (quick step)
● Move your left foot to your right foot (quick step)
 DANCE STEPS FOR LATIN DANCES
CHA-CHA-CHA

RUMBA

SAMBA
CHA-CHA-CHA
is a fun, flirtatious dance with playful energy. It's a blend of other Latin dances,
especially mambo and rumba. The major difference between cha cha and mambo/rumba
is a triple step (cha cha cha) that replaces the slow step.

Quick Intro
Cha cha is widely recognizable by its catchy rhythm – one, two, cha, cha, cha. It's easy
to learn and fun to dance. Like so many Latin dances, it originates from Cuba. It was
developed by the Cuban composer and violinist Enrique Jorrin in the middle of 1950s.
Originally it was known as a slowed-down mambo or "the triple mambo", because of
the three quick steps. It gained instant popularity due to its simplicity. In time it evolved
into a separate dance and although it was originally known as the cha-cha-cha, the
name was shortened to the cha-cha.
 BASIC STEPS
Cha cha music is composed in 4/4 time
(four beats to a bar of music). For each bar Basic Side Steps for Women
of music there are 2 slow and 3 quick
● Sidestep to the right with your right foot
steps, which may be counted as – one,
two, cha, cha, cha or step, step, step, quick ● Step forward & right with your left foot
step, quick step. The footwork is simple ● Right foot in place, weight shifts to it
and mostly focuses on just shifting weight ● Sidestep to the left with your left foot
from one foot to another. ● Move your right foot to your left foot

INSTRUCTIONS AND DIAGRAMS:

Basic Side Steps for Men
● Sidestep to the left with your left foot
● Step backward & left with your right foot
● Left foot in place, weight shifts to it
● Sidestep to the right with your right foot
● Move your left foot to your right foot
RUMBA
or sometimes 'rhumba', is a slow and flirtatious dance. Some say it is
the spirit and soul of Latin American dance. It's certainly a dance of
romance and always a good choice for weddings.

Quick Intro
Rumba is generally regarded as the "dance of romance", but also known as the "Latin
waltz" or the "waltz with a wiggle". Due to its slow rhythm and sensual movements, some
call it the most intimate and passionate dance there is.

Rumba can be danced to a variety of music, from contemporary to traditional. Here are a
few popular songs to give you an idea:
· And I Love Her - The Beetles
· It's Now or Never - Elvis Presley
· I'm Not Giving You Up - Gloria Estefan
· Besame Mucho - Xavier Cugat
· Falling Into You - Celine Dion
· Neon Moon - Brooks and Dunn
· Under the Boardwalk - The Drifters
· Kokomo - Beach Boys
· Girl from Ipanema - Frank Sinatra
BASIC STEPS
Rumba is usually danced to music written in 4/4 time, with four beats to each
measure. The basic step is a very simple box step. It consists of three basic steps
- two quick side steps and a slow forward or backward step.

Instructions and Diagrams:

You start dancing in a closed dance position. The man’s left hand is holding the
lady’s right hand with the elbows almost touching. The man’s right hand is placed
underneath the lady’s shoulder blade. The lady’s left hand is placed right behind the
man’s shoulder, flat on his back.
BASIC STEPS FOR MEN
The gentleman starts with his left foot stepping
forward. The man’s steps are as follows:
1. Step forward with your left foot
2. Sidestep to the right with your right foot
3. Move your left foot to your right foot
4. Step back with your right foot
5. Sidestep to the left with your left foot
6. Move your right foot to your left foot

BASIC STEPS FOR WOMEN

The lady starts with her right foot stepping backward.
The woman's steps are as follows:
1. Step back with your right foot
2. Sidestep to the left with your left foot
3. Move your right foot to your left foot
4. Step forward with your left foot
5. Sidestep to the right with your right foot
6. Move your left foot to your right foot
SAMBA
- is a lively dance of Brazilian
origin. It's a popular party dance,
characterized by simple forward
and backward steps and rhythmic
hip movements.
 QUICK INTRO
Samba is the national dance of Brazil, some say the spirit and soul of the
country. In Brazil, it is a solo dance, performed at street festivals and
carnivals. Ballroom samba, on the other hand, is a partner dance that has
little in common with the original form.
Although in Brazil samba remains a solo form, in other countries it
evolved into a partner dance and was standardized as a ballroom dance in
1956. Today it's one of the most common Latin American dances.

BASIC STEPS
Ballroom samba is usually danced to music written in 2/4 time, meaning there
are two beats in each measure. The basic box step consists of three steps. This
means that three steps are performed in two beats of music.
The basic rhythm is 1 & 2, 3 & 4, 5 & 6, 7 & 8, commonly described as "one, uh
two", "three, uh four", and so on. Usually you count 8 beats before resuming the
count.
The most characteristic element of samba is probably the so called samba
bounce, which is achieved through rhythmic bending and straightening of the
knees. See the video below for detailed explanation.
 INSTRUCTIONS AND DIAGRAMS:
Ballroom samba is danced in a closed position, with partners slightly apart. The lady's right
hand and the man's left hand are held about the lady's eye level. The man's right hand is
placed on the lady's shoulder blade. The lady's left hand is placed flat on the man's back.
Basic step is a very simple box step. Remember, the rhythm is 1-uh-2, 3-uh-4...

Basic Steps for Men

Step forward with your left foot (count 1)
Move your right foot to your left foot (uh)
Left foot in place, weight shifts to it (count 2)
Step backward with your right foot (count 3)
Move your left foot to your right foot (uh)
Right foot in place, weight shifts to it (count 4)
Basic Steps for Women
Step backward with your right foot (count 1)
Move your left foot to your right foot (uh)
Right foot in place, weight shifts to it (count 2)
Step forward with your left foot (count 3)
Move your right foot to your left foot (uh)
Left foot in place, weight shifts to it (count 4)