Ever been halfway through a line dance when the teacher calls out a step and your brain suddenly goes blank? Welcome to the club! I thought learning the dances would be the hard part. Nobody warned me there was practically a whole new language to learn.
Grapevine, coaster step, sailor step, jazz box... and just when you think you've got it, the teacher says, “Now do it on the other foot!” The good news? These combinations are building blocks you'll recognise again and again.
First, one little thing that makes a big difference
A step transfers your weight. A touch doesn't. Getting that wrong can leave you starting the next eight counts on the wrong foot. I've certainly done it!
1. Grapevine
Right vine: step right to the side, cross left behind, step right to the side, then touch left beside right. Reverse to travel left. Some dances finish with a scuff or step instead.
2. Coaster Step
Right coaster, counted 1 & 2: step right back, bring left beside right, then step right forward. Reverse for a left coaster.
3. Jazz Box
Cross right over left, step left back, step right to the side, then step left forward or beside right. A quarter-turn jazz box adds a turn.
4. Rock Step
Rock onto one foot, then recover your weight onto the other. You can rock forward, back, side or across.
5. Shuffle
Three weight changes in two counts (1 & 2). For a right forward shuffle: right forward, left together, right forward.
6. Chassé
A sideways shuffle: step right to the side, left together, right to the side (1 & 2). Reverse to travel left.
7. Step Touch
Step right, touch left beside right without transferring weight. Or reverse. That free foot matters for the next move!
8. Heel Digs, Toe Touches and Struts
A heel dig or toe touch usually has no weight change. A toe strut touches the toe then lowers the heel, taking weight; a heel strut does the reverse.
9. Kick-Ball-Change
Kick right forward, step onto the ball of right, then transfer weight to left. Count 1 & 2.
10. Sailor Step
Right sailor: cross right behind left, step left to the side, step right to the side. Usually counted 1 & 2.
Shop the Dance — Happy Feet
All those shuffles, pivots and turns remind us why comfortable dance shoes matter. Here are three styles to explore.
Women’s Crystal Suede-Sole Line Dance Boots
Women’s Buckle Suede-Sole Practice Line Dance Boots
Women’s Split-Sole Jazz-Style Line Dance Shoes
See all dancing shoes and boots →
11. Monterey Turn
Point right toe right; turn half right on left while bringing right in and taking weight; point left left; close left beside right. Quarter-turn versions also exist.
12. Pivot Turn
Step right forward, then pivot half left, transferring weight to left. Quarter pivots are common too.
13. Cross Shuffle
Travelling left: cross right over left, step left slightly left, cross right over left again (1 & 2).
14. Lock Step
Right forward lock: step right forward, lock left behind right, step right forward. A lock shuffle uses quicker 1 & 2 timing.
15. Weave
A series of crosses and side steps. One example travelling right: cross left over right, step right side, cross left behind right, step right side.
16. Rumba Box
One version: left side, right together, left forward; right side, left together, right back. Timing and holds depend on the dance.
17. Mambo Step
Right forward mambo: rock right forward, recover left, step right beside left, often counted 1 & 2.
18. Scuff, Brush, Hitch and Stomp
Scuff: brush heel against floor. Brush: sweep foot lightly against floor. Hitch: lift knee. Stomp: place foot firmly down; check whether the dance takes weight.
19. Behind-Side-Cross
Step right behind left, left to the side, cross right over left. Often counted 1 & 2.
20. Step, Tap and Touch
A step takes weight. A tap or touch normally doesn't. Mixing them up is an easy way to start the next eight counts on the wrong foot.
So how do you remember them all?
Don't try to remember every movement as a completely new dance. Recognise the little combinations and the next dance starts to feel more familiar. I still have moments when the music starts and my brain decides to take a little holiday!
For more help, read How to Learn New Line Dances Faster and our guide to tags, restarts, walls and counts.
Shop the Dance — Your Dance-Floor Style
Once you start learning more dances, you may find yourself collecting a few more dance clothes too. Funny how that happens, isn't it?
Browse more line dancing styles →
Remember, line dancing isn't about getting every step perfect. It's about enjoying the music, having a laugh, making friends and getting a little better every time you step onto the floor.
Happy dancing!
Lee-Anne
Step Culture Collective — More Than Just Steps