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Social Dancing

Objectives:
 Identify the common dance term of social dance.
 Perform and complies the social dance guidelines.
 Apply the social dance etiquette.

Social Dance/Dancing is a non-competitive version of ballroom and latin

dancing. It is comprised of all the same dances, like Foxtrot, Tango, Swing, or Cha-
Cha, but designed to be used in practical settings like wedding receptions, nightclubs,
business functions, or informal gatherings. Social dancing is less formal that exhibition
dancing and is meant to be enjoyed while socializing.

Social Dances are usually done to introduce people with one another during a
formal social gathering or to welcome guests to a social gathering. Many of the social
dances like polka and mazurka
started as folk dances while
some were deliberately
designed for its social purpose,
such as the waltz, regoudon
and polonaise (Nimor, 2006).
Social dancing is believed to
had existed since the beginning
of human society in some
forms.

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Common Dance Terms

1. To Address Partner is to bow to partner. Facing partner, boys bow by bending

slightly from the waist as girls do curtsy. Curtsy is to bend knees and body slightly
with a bow of the head; the weight of the body is on one foot. One foot crosses the
other in rear.

2. An Amalgamation is a combination of two or more patterns or movements.

3. An Amateur Dancers is a person who is dancing as a hobby and who does not
seek financial gain from teaching or dancing.

4. A Ball change is a transfer of weight from the ball of one foot to the other foot.

5. A Basic figure is a standardized step pattern, which together with other constitute
the basics of a dance.

6. To Brush is to lightly touch the inside edge of the supporting foot with the inside
edge of the free foot between changes of weight.

7. A Chasse is composed of three changes of weight with a close on the second and
may be performed sideward or forward.

8. A Choreography is a creation or compilation of steps, patterns and movements,

which make up the dance or a dance routine.

9. To Close is to move the free foot next to supporting foot with one change of weight.

10. A Commando is a forward or backward rock and close.

11. A Combination is a group of consecutive patterns and choreography. It is similar

to amalgamation but it sometimes involves a slightly more advanced set of patterns.

12. A Continuity Movement is the continuous passing of the step from one step to
the next.

13. The Contrary body movement is the action of turning the opposite hip and
shoulder toward direction of the moving leg. It is used to begin all turning movements.

14. A Conversation is a position when partners stand side by side, right hand of the
gentleman holds the lady’s waist; L arm of the lady placed at the gentleman’s, outside
arm at the side.

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15. A Corte, in tango, is a stop and change of direction either forward or backward.

16. A Cuban motion is a discreet but expressive hip movement achieve by bending
and straightening the knees with carefully timed weight transfer.

17. Dance Sports is the official name given to competitive Ballroom Dancing.

18. The Floor chart is the ability of the leader to maneuver around the dance floor in
a skilled and controlled manner as to avoid colliding with the other dancers.

19. A Drop is a theatrical movement in which the follower’s body remains in contact
with the floor.

20. A Fan is a half a turn done on the ball of one foot while the free foot is kept directly
behind the foot on which the turn is made.

21. A Figure is a standardized step pattern that, together with the other patterns,
constitute the dance.

22. A Hip motion is a very general term to mean any type of hip movement used in
Latin dancing.

23. A Pivot is a turning movement during which the free foot is kept either in front or
directly behind the foot on which the turn is made.

24. A Spin is a turn done in place using both feet, usually done as a couple.

25. Variation is a varied or more advanced pattern than the corresponding basic
figure, which still contains the same main elements.

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Dance Positions

Ballroom or Social Dance Position – partners stand face to face, shoulders

and hips parallel. Boys R hand is placed around Girl’s waist. Girl’s L hand rests lightly
against his R shoulders. Boy’s L hand is raised to the side holding the Girl’s R hand.
The fingers of her R hand rest lightly in the palm of the Boy’s L.

Open or Conversation Position – partners stand side by side, both facing the
same direction. Girl R of partner. Boy’s R is around Girl’s waist in back. Girl’s L hand
rest lightly on Boy’s R shoulder. Outside hands may be joined with arms extended
forward or the outside hands maybe on hips or side.

Shoulder – Waist Position – partners face each other. Boy’s places hands on
Girl’s waist. Girl’s hands are on the Boy’s shoulders.

Cross – Hold Position – partners stand face to face, R hand joined over L
hands, extended about waist level.

Promenade Position – partners stand side by side, both facing on the same
direction. Girl at R of partner. The hand crossed in front, R hands joined over L.

Schottische Position – partners stand side by side, Girl to R of Boy both facing
the same direction. Boy’s R arm around Girl’s waist, her L arm shoulder behind his R
shoulder, her L hand resting lightly on that shoulder, free hands on waist.

Varsovienne Position – partners stand side by side, girls stands to the R and
slightly in front of Boy. Boy reaches R arm over the girl’s R shoulder and takes her R
hand in his, his L holds her L a little above his L shoulder.

Swing is a rhythmic rotation of a couple performed with a walking step or shift

steps.
Elbow Swing – hook designated elbows firmly of the hand carried at the height
of the locked elbows. While swinging, pull away from partner at shoulders.

One Hand Swing – with the elbow bent and down , join the designated hands
at shoulder height. In balancing “pull against pull” while swinging, apply pressure
against the thumbs and heels of hands, pulling away at shoulders.

Two – Hand Swing – Boy present hands at shoulder height with palms up,
elbows close to sides and should support while balancing “pull against pull” leaning
away at shoulders.

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Waist Swing – In a modified closed ballroom dance positions with R foot and
hips adjacent the support weight of the body on the R foot swing, balance “pull against
pull”, leaning away from partners at shoulder.

Hungarian or Russian Swing – dancers stand facing in opposite direction with

R(L) hips adjacent, each R(L) arm around each others waist in front, on partners hip,
L(R) arm curved over head, both lean slightly away from each other when turning.

Star Post – Partners are in opposite directions, their right hands holding each other,
lady facing away from audience ; while gentleman faces the audience. Challenge
position- Partners face each other about a step apart without touching.

Cuddle or Skating Position – Woman is at man’s left or right side, both facing the
same direction; one arm of man is across woman’s back.

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Social Dance Guidelines

1. Practice correct dancing position even without a partner.

2. Maintain a good standing position. Bring out the best in your look.

3. Keep your weight over the balls of your feet to make you feel quicker and lighter,
and place your weight even on the soles of your shoes. No weight on the heel.

4. Maintain the habit of keeping feet close together unless you are taking a definite
step. Feet apart are not a pretty sight.

5. For a graceful dancing, always turn your toes out, not in.

6. When dancing with a partner, adapt a comfortable position for both of you; not
too close and not too far.

7. Don’t lean forward or backward. Just assume a natural comfortable dancing

companion.

8. When facing the audience, the lady is at the right side of the male.

Social Dance Etiquette

1. Do not teach your partner on the dance floor.
2. Anticipate the next step.
3. Be confident strive to become a proficient dancer.
4. Don’t show off.
5. Find mutual topics of interest for conversation, never gossip.

Dancing Personalities

Dancing is an expression of one’s personality. We can read one’s

personality and character by the way he dances. Traits such as timidity,
aggressiveness, and consideration for others, arrogance, and other
characteristics are revealed when people dance.

1. Dancers who loves themselves--- point their toes too gracefully.

2. The cuddly couples--- are fun to watch if they are not related to you.

3. The bully type--- meanders around the dance floor, pushing his partner into
everything that comes his way.

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4. The casual dancers--- girl show that sloppy I don’t care posture and the
man just shuffling alone.

5. The possessive man--- holds tightly on his partner’s back. His posture is
crouching as though ready for a springing pounce.

6. The jealous girl--- clings to her partner like a glue, looks up in his eyes and
is always tremendously attentive.

7. The timid souls--- could almost sink to the floor if you stare at them. Males
have an apologetic manner and takes faltering steps, barely touches his
partner. He is hard to follow because he is too shy to lead. The girls of this
type take uncertain steps, droop their arms and get an until-death-do-us part
grip on their partner.

In common usage, Ballroom dance refers to the ten dances of International

Standard and International Latin, though the term is also often used interchangeably
with International standard dances. International Standard dances are normally
performed with Western Music. A couple dances counter clockwise around a
rectangular floor following the line of dance.

Costume
Women – full gown
Men - bow tie and tail coats or tuxedos, vest

Dances:
1. Slow Waltz 2. Tango 3. Viennese Waltz
4. Slow Foxtrot 5. Quick step

International Latin Dances are performed with contemporary Latin

American Music and with the exception of a few traveling
dances.
Costume
Women – Short skirted Latin outfits
Men - outfitted in tight fitting shirts and pants

Dances:
1. Cha-cha 2. Samba 3. Rumba 4. Paso doble 5.
Jive

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