LINEDANCE TERMINOLOGY -D-E-F-

LINEDANCE TERMINOLOGY -D-E-F-

DEWEY STEP - See JAZZ BOX and also explanatory description Jazz Square

DIAGONAL - A Diagonal or Angle denotes an angle of 45 degrees from the forward or backward point of starting the dance.

DIFFICULTY LEVEL - The degree to which a dance is rated for ease of learning or performance. CDL only includes a DIFFICULTY LEVEL when the choreographer identifies it in their dance. Also, note that the DIFFICULTY LEVEL can be subject to the tempo of music and other factors in instructing. DIFFICULTY LEVELS in CDL are categorized by five levels:
*BEGINNER - for dancers with little or no dance experience
*BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE - for dancers who have progressed beyond the hesitant stage and are starting to feel comfortable with standard dance maneuvers
*INTERMEDIATE - for dancers with working knowledge and experience of musical rhythms and the ability to perform slightly intricate dance patterns
*INTERMEDAITE/ADVANCED - for those who are coming into their own as polished dancers and are able to follow most dance patterns and rhythms
*ADVANCED - for dancers familiar with the various rhythms and with abilities to perform intricate moves and patterns and improvise freely with them

DIG - A hard touch of the heel or toe of the unweighted foot to the floor as if "digging" a shallow hole with the foot

DIP - A slight bend of the support knee (plie) to a sitting position with the free leg extended forward. The thighs are parallel. ((Also called Corte (Corte'). A slight bend of the support knee (plie) to a sitting position, with the free leg extended forward))

DRAG - Slowly move your free foot next to your supporting foot. Also called by DRAW. See also SLIDE STEP.

DRAW - See DRAG & SLIDE STEP

DOROTHY CLICKS - Just Like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz click your heels twice. With weight on the toes of both feet, quickly swivel heels out and back together with a click. These clicks are quick. Two clicks to one beat of music.

ELECTRIC KICKS - Essentially a "Hip Hop" movement involving both steps & weight changes:
1. Step back on your Right foot while kicking Left foot backwards slightly off of floor
2. Step back on Left foot while kicking Right foot forwards slightly off of floor
3. Step back on Right foot while kicking Left foot forwards slightly off of floor
4. Step forward on Left foot while kicking Right foot backwards slightly off of floor
DOUBLE ELECTRIC KICKS is the above 4 beat manuever done twice or see below

DOUBLE ELECTRIC KICKS -
1. Step back on your Right foot & at the same time lift your Left foot up
&. Step forward on your Left foot & at the same time lift your Right foot up
2. Step forward on your Right foot & at the same time lift your Left foot up
&. Step back on your Left foot & at the same time lift your Right foot up
3. Step back on your Right foot & at the same time lift your Left foot up

FAN BRUSH - A brush where the free leg swings diagonally across, lift your Left foot up
&. Step forward on your Left foot & at the same time lift your Right foot up
4. Step forward on your Right foot & at the same time the weighted foot then sweeps around in a circular motion back to the free leg side before moving on to the next step

FANS (TOE) - With weight on the heel of one or both feet move toe(s) to side and return to center. This movement is like the opening and closing of a fan
Australian Variation-With feet together, turn Right toe out to right side, twist both heels to the right, twist both heels back to the center position and bring Rright toe together to center position.

FAST LANE - A dance floor is usually divided into concentric lanes, with the outside lane being described as the "FAST" lane. This is usually occupied by Two Step and Waltz dancers. Depending on the size of the dance floor there may also be an "INNER" lane for slower dances (Schottische). If you are doing a slow dance, stay in this inner lane and let other dancers pass you on the outside. The closer you go to the center, the slower you may go. Line and Swing dancers are usually located in the "CENTRE" of the floor. For further information see Dance Floor Etiquette.

FLARE - Keeping heel on the floor, move toe out to the side and then back in

FLICK - Lifting your foot while bending the leg at the knee

FLOOR ALIGNMENT - The position of the body with relation to the LINE OF DANCE(LOD)
*FORWARD LOD
*REVERSE LOD
*WALL
*CENTER
*FORWARD RIGHT DIAGONAL (wall)
*FORWARD LEFT DIAGONAL (center)
*REVERSE RIGHT DIAGONAL (wall
*REVERSE LEFT DIAGONAL (center)
*PARTNER ALIGNMENT: The symmetric alignment of a couple

FREEZE - A Universal Challenge By A Law Enforcement Officer. It Means Exactly What Its Says. STOP & DO NOT MOVE. See Also HOLD.

FRIEZE - Another term widely used by Australian Choreographers. Better known as a GRAPEVINE.
For a Frieze to the Right: Step Right foot to right, cross Left foot behind Right foot, step Right foot to the right & hitch the Left knee or touch Left foot together.
Simply reverse the above for a Frieze to the left.