The Cha-Cha is a dance originating from Cuba and is danced to music

by the same name, derived from the synchronization of the fourth beat
in the music.

These instructions will teach you how to do the basic step of the Cha-
Cha.
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Step 1: Get Music, Shoes, and a Partner

Before getting started, it is good to have Cha-Cha music available.

To dance the Cha-Cha best, it is helpful to have proper footwear. For

beginners this can mean simple dress shoes with a thin, pliable sole for
men. For women, healed shoes that don't slip off the feetand are pliable.
For more advanced dancers, ballroom dance shoes or even specialized
"Latin Shoes" are best. Pictures of Latin shoes for both men and women
are shown.

The Cha-Cha is a social dance, meaning it is danced with a partner.

Work on the basic step can be done alone, but to get the feel of the
dance position and technique, a partner of the opposite gender is
necessary.
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Step 2: Dance Position
 Man: Place your right hand on the woman's back with the hand over the
left shoulder blade. With your other hand, hold the woman's right hand
at her eye level. The elbows should be up and about a foot apart from
each other.
 Woman: Place your left hand on the outside of the man's right shoulder,
with your arm on top his. With your other hand, hold the man's left hand
at your eye level. Elbows should be up and about a foot from the man's.
The woman should be slightly to the right of the man so that when they
step forward and back, their knees don't hit.
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 Step 3: Break Step (Counts Two-and-Three)

 Man:

Count "Two": Take one step forward with your left foot, placing all your
weight on that foot
Count "Three": Replace your weight onto your right foot

 Woman:

Count "Two": Take one step backward onto your right foot, placing all
your weight onto that foot
Count "Three": Replace your weight onto the left foot
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Step 4: Cha-Cha-Cha (Counts Four-and-One)
 Man:

Count "Four": Step to the left with your left foot about shoulder width
from your right foot
Count "and": Bring your right foot to your left foot
Count "One": Take another step to the left with your left foot about a
shoulder's width from your right foot

Woman:
Count "Four": Step to the right with your right foot about shoulder width
from your left foot
Count "and": Bring your left foot to your right foot
Count "One": Take another step to the right with your right foot about a
shoulder's width from your left foot
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 Step 5: Another Break Step (Counts Two-and-Three)

 Man:

Count "Two": Take one step back with your right foot, placing all your
weight on that foot
Count "Three": Replace your weight onto your left foot

 Woman:

Count "Two": Take one step forward onto your left foot, placing all your
weight onto that foot.
Count "Three": Replace your weight onto the right foot
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Step 6: Another Cha-Cha-Cha (Counts Four-and-One)
 Man:

Count "Four": Step to the right with your right foot about shoulder width
from your left foot
Count "and": Bring your left foot to your right
Count "One": Take another step to the right with your right foot about a
shoulder's width from your left foot

 Woman:

Count "Four": Step to the left with your left foot about shoulder width
from your right foot
Count "and": Bring your right foot to your left foot
Count "One": Take another step to the left with your left foot about a
shoulder's width from your right foot
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 Step 7: Technique
This final step is a list of technique issues to consider after you have
learned the sequence and placement of the steps.

In the Cha-Cha the feet are kept turned out, meaning the heels are
together and the toes are pointed out to make a "V" with the feet. The
turn-out shouldn't be more than an eighth of a turn.

When placing weight on a leg, all the weight should be on that leg with
the other leg bent inward under the body.

Whenever placing a foot, the ball of the foot should touch the ground
first and then the heel should touch when the entire weight on body is
on that foot.