UNIT 2

FUNDAMENTAL ARMS
AND FEET POSITIONS,
AND DANCE TERMS
FUNDAMENTAL
FEET POSITIONS
FUNDAMENTAL
ARMS POSITIONS
Fundamental Principles of Arms Movements
1. The arm position follows the “Rule of Opposition.” When the Left foot is place in
front, the Right arm is raise upward.
2. Arms move from the shoulders. The movements of the arms should start from the
shoulders.
3. The arms make a round soft curve of the elbow.
4. The elbow must not sag but must be lifted high and out of sight so as to avoid sharp
angles.
5. Coordinate the head with the movement of the arms. The head turns and the eyes
look at the hand that moves. When both hands move at the same time, the heads turn
toward the hand which is near the object.
6. In overload positions, the arms must be slightly in front of the so that they are
visible when the eyes glance upward.
COMMON
DANCE
FORMATIONS
LEGENDS:
G – GIRLS X – BOY P-
PARTNER
B – BOYS O – GIRL -
AUDIENCE

- FACING DIRECTION
LINE
FORMATIONS
DANCE TERMS
COMMON TO
ALL DANCES
BOW/ SALUDO- partners bow to each other, to opposite partner, or to the audience. This is of Spanish
origin.

CABECERAS- the couples occupying the width of the dancing hall in a square formation. They are the
head couples.

COSTADOS- the couples occupying the length of the dancing hall in a square formation. They are the
side couples.

DO-SI-DO- two people walk towards each other, pass by their right shoulders, step sideward to the
right, and walk backward passing by left shoulders to original position.

DRAW- to pull one foot along the floor close to the other which has the weight of the body. The weight
may or may not be transferred.

PLACE- to put the foot flat on the floor in any desired position without putting weight on it.
SET- a unit formation of two or more couples.

FREE FOOT- the foot not bearing the weight of the body.

FREE HAND- the hand not placed anywhere or not doing anything.

HANDS ON WAIST- place hands at the waist line, knuckles in, fingers pointing rear.

INSIDE FOOT- the foot nearest one’s partner, when partner stand side by side.

INSIDE HAND- the hand nearest one’s partner, when partner stand side by side.

OUTSIDE FOOT- the foot away from one’s partner, when partner stand side by side.

OUTSIDE HAND- the hand away from one’s partner, when partner stand side by side.
PARTNER- girl to right of boy and boy to left of girl.

OPPOSITE- the person/partner across the set.

CLOCKWISE- like the motion of the hands of clock. Right shoulder is toward the center of an
imaginary circle. When facing center, the movement is toward the left.

COUNTERCLOCKWISE- the reverse direction of clockwise. Left shoulder is toward the center of an
imaginary circle. When facing center, the movement is toward the right.
COMMON TERMS
FOR ARMS AND
HANDS
MOVEMENTS
ABRASETE- girl at the right side of the boy, holds his R arm with her L hand, free hands down at
sides.

BILAO- hands in front parallel to each other at waist level, elbows close to the waist, palms down.
Reverse the position of the hands with palms up and down alternately.

HAYON-HAYON- a Visayan term meaning to place one forearm in front and the other hand behind the
waist.

JALEO- in standing position, partners are side by side facing the opposite direction, elbows are almost
touching each other. Using walking or any dance step, they turn around clockwise or counterclockwise.

KUMINTANG- moving the hand from the wrist either in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

MASIWAK- to turn the hand from the wrist half-way clockwise then raise and lower wrist once or
twice. This is an Ibanag term
LATERAL ARMS POSITION- to place both arms on one side of the body either right or left side. It
can be done on chest, shoulder or waist level.

PATAY- to bend the head downward and to support the forehead with the R(L) forearm or with the
crook of the R(L) elbow while the L (r) hand support lightly the palm of the R(L) hand. This is usually
done with the L (r) foot pointing in rear and knees slightly bent. Commonly found in Ilocano dances.

SALOK- to scoop or swing the arm downward-upward in front of the body, the trunk following the
movement of the scooping arm. This is Tagalog term.

SAROK- cross the R(L) in front of the L(r) foot, bend the body slightly forward and cross the hands
down in front R(L) over L(r). This is Visayan term.

ARMS IN REVERSE “T”- arms are side horizontal, elbows bent at right angles, forearms parallel to
head, palms forward or facing inward, fist loosely closed.
CROSS ARMS- partners are facing each other or standing side by side, girl at the right boy. They join
their L hands together and their R hands together, either R over L or L over R hands.

HAPAY- to flourish or offer a handkerchief, hat or glass of wine to somebody as a sign of invitation.

GRAND CHAIN or GRAND RIGHT and LEFT (CADENA DE AMOR)- partners join hands facing
each other. Boys all move counterclockwise and girls clockwise. Each boy in starting passes his partner
on her right and drops her hand, join left hand with the left of the next girl, who advances to meet him,
and passes her on his left, and drop hand, joining right hand with the next advancing girl, and so on. The
girls do the same giving right and left hands to each succeeding boy. When partners meet for the first
time they continue until they meet for the second time in their proper places. Then all turn about and
reverse direction.

STAR WITH RIGHT HAND- four or more people join R hands at center and circle around clockwise
using walking, or any kind of dance steps.

STAR WITH LEFT HAND- four or more people join L hands at center and circle around
counterclockwise using walking, or any kind of dance steps.
COMMON FEET
MOVEMENTS
HEEL PLACE- to bring down the heel on the floor without transfer of body weight.

PANADYAK- to stamp the foot in front or at the side, close the same foot to L (r) foot, weight of the
body is on the L (R).

PIVOT- turning the ball, heel of one or both feet on a fixed place. There are pivot with a point, pivot
turn, and cross pivot.

PLACE- to bring down the foot on the floor without transfer of body weight.

POINT- to touch the floor with the toes of the foot, heels slightly raise. No transfer of body weight.

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

STEP- to advance or recede by raising or moving one foot to another resting place. There is a complete
transfer weight from one foot to another.

TAP- to rap slightly with the ball or toe of the free foot, flexing the ankle joint keeping weight of the
body on the other foot. There is no change or transfer of weight.

TOUCH- to put down the toes of one foot on the floor, heels slightly raised.

WHIRL- to make fast turns by executing small steps in place to the right or to the place.

BRUSH- weight on one foot, hit the floor with the ball or heel of the other foot (the free foot) after
which that foot is lifted from the floor to any direction.
CUT- to displace quickly one foot with the other, thus completely taking off the weight of the body
from the displaced foot.

HOP- a spring one foot landing on the same foot in the place or in any direction. The other foot may be
raised in any direction(in front, in rear, sideward or across)

JUMP- a spring on one foot or both feet landing on both feet in any direction.

LEAP- spring on the supporting foot and land on both feet.