COMMON DANCE TERM IN

FOLK DANCE
BOW OR SALUDO- partners bow to each other to
opposite dancers or to the audience.

OPPOSITE- the person standing in opposite position

across the set

PARTNER- Girl to right of the Boy and Boy the Left of

the girl
 ARMS MOVEMENTS
CLOCKWISE- like the motion on the handle of clock moving to the left
when facing the center of imaginary circle.

COUNTER CLOCKWISE- reverse direction of clockwise, the hands of

the clock moving to the right when facing the center of imaginary circle.

FREE HAND- the hand is not doing anything

 ARMS MOVEMENTS
INSIDE HAND- the hand near one’s partner when they stand side by side

OUTSIDE HAND- the hand away from one’s partner when they stand side by side.

ARMS IN LATERAL POSITION- both arms at one side, either sideward right or left.
This may be done at shoulder chest or waist level.

ARMS IN REVERSE “T” POSITION- arms are side horizontal, elbows bent at right
angles, forearms parallel to head, palms forward or facing inward, fists loosely closed.
 ARMS MOVEMENTS
HAYON-HAYON- to place one forearm in front and the
other at the back of waist
 FOOT MOVEMENTS
BRUSH- weight on one foot, swing the free foot in an arch, so that the ball or
heel strikes the floor at lowest point of the arch. This may be done sideward,
forward, or backward.

CUT- a quick change of weight from one foot to the other displacing the
supporting foot

DO-SI-DO- two people walk toward each other, pass by the right shoulder step
sideward to the right and return to position walking backward, passing left
shoulder.
 FOOT MOVEMENTS
FREE FOOT- the foot not supporting the weight of the body

HOP- spring on the supporting foot, and land on the same

INSIDE FOOT- the foot near one’s partner when they stand side by side

OUTSIDE FOOT- the foot away from one’s partner when they stand side
by side
 FOOT MOVEMENTS
PLACE- to put the foot (flat) in any desired position without putting the weight on it

POINT- touch or toe ball of free foot on floor remains there briefly

PIVOT- turning on ball, heel, of one or both feet on a fixed place

SLIDE- to slide one foot along the floor smoothly with or no transfer of weight

STAMP- to bring down one foot forcibly on the floor with or without transfer of
weight

STEP- touch toe or ball of free foot on floor and remains there briefly
 FOOT MOVEMENTS
WHIRL- to turn fast by executing small steps in place to right or left.

SUPPORTING FOOT- the foot is carrying the weight of the body

TAP- toe or ball of free foot is placed momentarily on floor and lifted
again immediately

TOUCH- see point