Each dance begins with basic footwork and advances through beginner, intermediate, & advanced dance levels. Beginner level has limited dance experience and is looking for a more detailed explanation of the dance character and footwork. Intermediate level has a solid understanding of the dance character and footwork and is expecting the lesson to include more intricate moves and further details on leading and following. Advanced level is well versed in footwork and the character of the dance and has developed their own personality within the dance. The expectation for advanced dancers is usually more difficult moves to intricate almagamations.
Footwork for each dance follows specific characteristics and timing. For instance: two step is a 6 count dance (or beats) with phrasing to four or eight count music. It is danced in a continuous movement around the dance floor in a counter-clockwise direction. Waltz is also done in a continuous and counter- clockwise direction and danced to 3/4 or 6/4 music. The swing dances (West Coast & East Coast), NC2, & Cha-Cha are considered stationary dances; and, while the couple may move about the dance floor, they usually return near the point on the dance floor where they started the dance.
Two Step - counting is quick/quick/slow/slow for a complete basic with each quick requiring 1 beat of music and slow requiring 2 beats for a total of 6 beats/basic. Variations to the basic can be any combination of quicks and slows as long as there are enough variations to complete multiples of 12 to return to correct phrasing.
Waltz - the original counting for waltz was 1 - 2 - 3, 1 - 2 - 3 with 1 being on the heavy downbeat. It has become popular to count it as 1 - 2 - 3, 4 - 5 - 6 for a complete basic. Man's initial lead remains on the strong heavy downbeat of music with the left foot for 1. The right foot would then begin the second half of the basic to the secondary downbeat of music on 4.
West Coast Swing (WCS) is done mostly along a line consisting of the center rail, left rail, and right rail. Counting for this dance is 1-2, 3&4, 5&6. The distance between the lead and follower establishes the distance of separation as there is no formal "closed" position as in other dances; other than to "open" or begin the dance and as a pivot point for other moves (such as the whip and its variations). The basic dance progresses back and forth along this line.
East Coast Swing (ECS) is a stationary dance and typically done to more upbeat music than WCS. Counting for this dance is similar to WCS but notice the difference - 1&2, 3&4, 5-6. The basic opening has both partners facing line of dance and slightly angled to each other. This "closed" position can also be used as a move within the dance. The dance resembles Jive and Jitterbug but has its own characteristics and flow. However, it is danced to some of the same music as the Jive and Jitterbug.
Cha-Cha is a Latin dance with a lot of emphasis on the hip action of each partner. Opening for this dance is usually done in a closed position with several counting schemes used as a beginning. Although the emphasis is on the hips, the movement comes from the knees and footwork. To simply shake the hips does not follow the character of this dance.
Night Club 2 (NC2) is also considered a stationary dance. The dance progresses back and forth along a line parallel to the dance couple and crosses this line of dance reversing the relationship of the dancers to the line of dance. The basic dance usually begins along this line, however, in contrast to the other dances, the man will often make the initial step to his right.
