Definitions & Descriptions

Question 1

Positions of feet/foot positions

Answer 1

The position of one foot in relation to the other foot at the end of the step

Question 2

Alignment (including Direction in the Tango)

Answer 2

1. The position that the foot or feet are pointing in relation to the room
2. The tracking of the foot in relation to the other foot or the partner’s foot
3. Use facing or backing when the feet and body are in line and pointing when the foot is in a different alignment to the body
4. TANGO. Most forward and backward steps are directional. All other steps are alignments. Some are both

Question 3

Amount of turn

Answer 3

The amount of turn measured between the feet.

Question 4

Rise and fall

Answer 4

The upward lift and lowering which is felt through the body, legs and feet

Question 5

Footwork

Answer 5

1. The part or parts of the foot that make contact with the floor whilst dancing

Question 6

CBM

Answer 6

Contra body movement.

This is a body action. The turning of the opposite side of the body towards the moving foot (moving forwards or backwards) generally to initiate turn

Question 7

CBMP

Answer 7

Contra body movement position

This is a foot position where the foot is placed on or across the line of the supporting foot (either in front or behind) to maintain a body line

Question 8

Sway

Answer 8

Sway is the inclination of the body away from the moving foot and towards the inside of a turn. For example, step 2 of the Waltz natural turn

Sway can also be towards the moving foot (step 1 of the hover feather)

Broken sway is from the waist upwards

Question 9

Time signature - Waltz?

Answer 9

3/4

Question 10

Time signature - Foxtrot?

Answer 10

4/4

Question 11

Time signature - Quickstep?

Answer 11

4/4

Question 12

Time signature - Tango?

Answer 12

2/4

Question 13

Tempo - Waltz?

Answer 13

30 bars per minute

Question 14

Tempo - Foxtrot?

Answer 14

29 - 31 bars per minute

Question 15

Tempo - Quickstep?

Answer 15

50-52 bars per minute

Question 16

Tempo - Tango?

Answer 16

33 bars per minute

Question 17

Natural pivot

Answer 17

A turn to the right on the ball of the supporting foot, the non supporting foot is held in front or behind the supporting leg in CBMP

Question 18

Pivoting action

Answer 18

A turn on the ball of the supporting foot. The non-supporting leg is not held in CBMP

Question 19

Heel turn

Answer 19

A turn that is first commenced on the ball of the stepping foot and then continued on the heel, the closing foot being kept parallel throughout. The weight is transferred to the foot that has closed once the turn is completed

Question 20

Heel pull (pull step)

Answer 20

A type of heel turn. The turn to the right is made on the heel of the supporting foot and the moving foot is pulled back and to the side of the supporting foot (slightly apart). Heel first, inside edge of foot, then flat

Question 21

Brush step

Answer 21

When the stepping foot moves from one open position to another, it first closes to or towards the supporting foot without weight

Question 22

Hold (Waltz, Quickstep, Foxtrot)

Answer 22

The couple face one another with the Follower slightly to the Leader’s right side

The couple make 5 points of contact:
1. The right fronts together
2. The joined hands approx at eye level
3. Leader’s right hand on Follower’s shoulder blade
4. The Follower’s left hand and wrist on the Leader’s right upper arm
5. The Leader’s right forearm in contact underneath the Follower’s left upper arm

Question 23

Hold - Tango

Answer 23

Similar to hold in the other ballroom dances but more compact
1. Follower slightly further on the Leader’s right side
2. The Leader’s right hand is slightly further around the Follower’s back - fingers beyond the spine and the line of the forearm sloping slightly down wards
3. The Follower’s L hand will be placed on the Leader’s back just under the Leader’s armpit, palm facing down

Question 24

Forward walk

Answer 24

1. Stand in an upright position with the heels together and the weight slightly forwards towards the balls of the feet
2. Swinging from the hip, begin to move the foot forward with the ball of the foot in contact with the floor, then with the heel lightly skimming the floor and the toe slightly raised.
3. As soon as the front heel passes the back toe, the back heel will be released so that at the extent of the stride the weight will be equally distributed between the heel of the front foot and the ball of the back foot with the front knee straight and the back knee slightly flexed.
4. The front toe will then immediately lower as the weight of the body moves forward. The back foot commences to move forward with first the toe, then the ball of the foot skimming the floor until the feet are level.

Question 25

Backward walk

Answer 25

1. Stand in an upright position with the feet together and the weight held forward over the balls of the feet
2. Move the foot back with the ball of the foot, then the toe skimming the floor then lower again onto the ball of the foot.
3. The front toe will be released from the floor so that at the extent of the stride the weight will be equally distributed between the ball of the back foot and the heel of the front foot. The back knee will be slightly flexed and the front knee straight.
4. The front foot then commences to move back, first with the heel and then with the ball of the foot skimming the floor until the feet are level - only then will the back heel lower. It is important that the back heel lowers slowly and with control