Definitions Of Steps And Figures Flashcards
Step
A single movement of one foot in any direction and of any size. Weight transference to complete the step
Walk
A movement of the foot in any direction with a weight transference (multiple steps linked together)
Run
Moving forward or backward with legs moving faster than when walking
Drag run
Moving forward or backward in a run but as spring is taken onto the front foot, the back leg extends and delays in its forward movement giving the illusion of the foot being dragged
Hop
Taking off an landing on the same foot flexing knees and ankles
Spring
From the preparatory flexing of feet and ankles, body lightly elevates from one foot onto the other
Jump
With both feet leaving the floor, the body is elevated. Landing can be on one or both feet
Coupé
A cutting movement one foot takes the place of the foot that has just moved
Side lunge
Feet apart, side by side, outside of shoulder width, one knee bent and the other straight
Forward lunge
Feet apart, one forward one back, front knee bent, back leg extended and straight
Flick
Extending the leg forward from the knee with a kick action
Kick
A sharp, extended movement of the leg from the hip, keeping one foot on the ground. It can be at different levels and directions
Stamp
The foot is placed with firm pressure onto the floor. Either with feet together or apart
Shunt
Pushing one or both feet into the floor with a slight forward movement or backward movement
Scuff
Weight on one foot, the other moves to a closed position with stamp and continues to move forward finishing with an extended leg and stretched foot
Plié (squat)
The bending of the knees with feet either close together or far apart
Tap
A light sound made with the foot without a transfer of weight
Beat
This is a heavier sound made with the foot done with or without weight transference using the toe, heel or ball of foot
Point
To extend the leg in any direction, stretching the foot or ankle with instep fully arched and without weight
Spin/turns
A rotation on the spot or travelling
Ball change
Weight is taken onto the ball on one foot then immediately transferred to the other foot with foot normally flat
Attitude
A pose on one leg with the other leg lifted and flexed with the knee positioned slightly higher than the foot
Arabesque
The position of the body when supported on one leg, the feet may or may not be turned out, with the knee flexed or straight, the other leg fully extended back
Fouetté
A whipping movement, moving the foot from one direction to another with speed
Check
A step in any direction where the weight immediately returns to the other foot in place
Rond de jambe
A circling of the leg, may be performed on the ground or in the air, inwards or outwards, jumping or turning
Jété
From predatory flexing of the feet and ankles, the body lightly elevates from one foot onto another (also known as a spring)
Developpé
The weight is taken onto one foot while the other leg rises with knee lifting first then the leg moves out to an extended position
Chassé
A figure consisting of 3 steps in any direction.
I.e. left foot to side, right foot closes toward left foot, left foot to side.
Kick/flick ball change
A kick or flick of one leg before taking the foot back into a ball change
Bota fogo
A figure consisting of 3 steps
I.e. right foot travelling step forward or back, left food to side with part weight, replace weight to right foot
Spring jump kick
Spring from the balls of both feet into the ball of one foot, lifting the other leg forward and upward into a front kick
Jazz split
One leg extended forward in front of the body while the other leg is behind the body with knee flexed and turned out
Full split
Normally at an angle of 180 degrees with one left extended forward and one leg extended backwards. Shoulders, waist and hips facing front leg
Two step turn
A fell turn using 2 steps, the second step closing to the first
Open turn
Can be danced forward, side or back taking three steps for one complete turn. The feet can remain open or close on step 2
Switch turn
Turning to the left or right (example with left foot). Left foot forward - turn 1/2 to the right with feet apart and replace weight to the right foot keeping it in place
Spiral turn
A turn on one foot while the other foot is held in front, elevated so the heel is across the ankle or higher across the calf
Twist turn
Placing one foot in front or behind the other and untwisting finishing in the opposite direction with feet apart
Pivot turn
A turn on one foot while the other foot maintains extended line level with supporting foot.
This can be done twice to create a full turn
Jumping
Elevating the body into the air, flight through the air and landing.
There are 5 basic jumps within these 5 categories, many shapes may be held in the air
Star jump
An elevation of the body from both feet with arms and legs extending to a star shape and landing on both feet
Pin jump
An elevation of the body from both feet, stretching the body to a banana shape and landing on both feet
Tuck jump
An elevation of the body from both feet pulling both knees quickly up towards the chest maintaining a straight back and landing on both feet
Rebound jump
From two feet, elevate the body and land on one foot
Spring jump kick
Spring from the balls of both feet onto the ball of one foot, lifting the other leg forwards and upwards into a front kick
Leap (type 3)
An elevation of the body from a travelling movement, beginning on one foot and landing on two feet
Turning jump
An elevation of the body from one foot swinging the other leg up turning a minimum of 1/4 turn away from the swinging leg extended or tucked in keeping feet together landing on both feet
Leap (type 4)
An elevation of the body from a travelling movement landing on one foot
Jazz hop
- Left foot forward across right foot
- Raise right knee placing right foot next to calf of left leg
- Right food to side
Hop
Taking off on one foot, landing on the same foot, flexing knees and ankles
Elongated hop
A travelling hop taking off and landing on the same foot, flexing knees and ankles
Rotational hop
Spring from one foot and repeating the action “ad-lib” whilst extending the other leg to the side, back or bending the knee and keeping it elevated in front of the body
Jazz hop (type 5)
- Left foot forward across the right foot
- Raise right knee placing right foot next to calf of left leg
- Landing on same foot
