Cha Cha Basic

These are Newcomer Level figures. This online reference gives a detailed description of the different variation of the dance steps, including timing, footwork, alignment, and movement; a list of figures that may precede or follow the pattern; and videos providing instruction and demonstration of the figure, techniques and practice routines that include it.

Cha Cha Cha Closed Basic

Chasse to the side. Danced in Closed Position. With or Without turns.

Leader

• 2: LF fwd

• 3: Transfer weight to RF

• 4 & 1: LF to side, slightly back to chasse LRL | 1/8 to L over 2-5

  • Variation: No Turn or 1/4 turn

• 2: RF back

• 3: Transfer weight to LF

• 4 & 1: RF to side to chasse RLR | 1/8 to L over 7-10

  • Variation: No Turn or 1/4 turn

  • Ending variation: could be in Open CPP over 8-10.

Follower

• 2: RF back

  • Hip rotate half circle to R

• 3: Transfer weight to LF

  • Hip rotate half circle to L

• 4 & 1: LF to side, chasse RLR | 1/8 to L over 2-5

  • 4&: very small step

  • Opinion 1: lateral movement (minimal rotation)

  • Opinion 2: hip does continuous figure 8 even on chasse for movement.

  • On "1", push off LF. slightly bigger step. Hip settle on "1&".

  • Variation; No Turn or 1/4 Turn,

• 2: LF fwd

  • Quick check action

  • Option 1: "2" immediate check. split weight (not too forward)

  • Option 2: "2&" or "2a": check R knee on "&" or "a".

• 3: Transfer weight to RF

• 4 & 1: LF to side, slightly back to chasse LRL | 1/8 to L over 7-10

  • Variation: No Turn or 1/4 turn

  • Ending variation: could be in Open CPP over 8-10.

Note:

• Closed Position is maintained throughout the figure.

• Closed Basic can end with Man and Lady turning to Open CPP over 8-10. Man Turning 1/8 R and Lady 1/8 L, man release R hand hold.

Closed Basic Preceding Figures

1. Aida

2. Alemana

3. Basic Movement In Place

4. Closed Basic Movement

5. Cross Basic

6. Cuban Break LF

7. Cuban Break RF

8. Foot Changes - Method 1: Normal Opposite to Same Foot - 2341 Turn on LF on 1

9. Foot Changes - Method 3: Normal Opposite to Same Foot - Turn on LF on 2, hold 3

10. Hand To Hand LSP

11. Hand To Hand RSP

12. Natural Opening Out Movement

13. Natural Top

14. New York LSP

15. New York RSP

16. Open Basic Movement

17. Reverse Top

18. Rope Spinning

19. Shoulder To Shoulder Left Side

20. Shoulder To Shoulder Right Side

21. Side Step To Left commenced with LF

22. Side Step To Left commenced with RF

23. Side Step To Right commenced with LF

24. Side Step To Right commenced with RF

25. Split Cuban Break LF

26. Split Cuban Break RF

27. Spot or Switch Turn To L (Lady to R)

28. Spot or Switch Turn To R (Lady to L)

29. There And Back

30. Three Cha Cha Chas Back

31. Three Cha Cha Chas Forward

32. Time Step LF

33. Time Step RF

34. Underarm Turn to L

35. Underarm Turn To R

Closed Basic Following Figures

1. Time Step RF (after 1-5)

2. Open Basic Movement (normal; or after step 1-5 of Closed Basic, follow with 6-10 Open Basic)

3. Closed Basic Movement

4. New York LSP (after having turned to Open CPP over 8-10)

5. Spot or Switch Turn To R (Lady to L)

6. Underarm Turn to L

7. Shoulder To Shoulder Left Side

8. Side Step To Left commenced with LF

9. Side Step To Right commenced with LF

10. Hand To Hand RSP (with alternative hold)

11. There And Back

12. Time Step LF

13. Fan

14. Cross Basic

15. Cuban Break LF

16. Split Cuban Break LF

17. Three Cha Cha Chas Back (afer step 1-2)

18. Spot or Switch Turn To L (Lady to R) (after step 1-5)

19. Underarm Turn To R (after step 1-5)

20. Hand To Hand LSP (after step 1-5)

21. Side Step To Left commenced with RF (after step 1-5)

22. Side Step To Right commenced with RF (after step 1-5)

23. Natural Top (step 3-5 LF side to chasse of Closed Basic turns slightly R. Lady Chasse fwd)

24. Three Cha Cha Chas Forward (after step 1-7)

25. Reverse Top (turn 3/8 to L over step 7-10 of Closed Basic to Contact Position, Man taking the Chasse to side and slightly fwd, Lady 8-10 LF behind RF as Cuban Cross to Chasse LRL, Follow with 6-10 or 6-15 of Reverse Top)

Cha Cha Cha In Place Basic

• The figure is danced in place with feet almost together for all 5 (or 10 steps).

• No Turn. Can be danced in place of Closed Basic.

• Closed position. Really show off hip twisting left and right, bending and straightening the knees. Sudden energy.

• Try to open as big a gap as possible between the front knee and the back leg, while keeping feet turned out. In order to do this, it will be necessary to extend with the hips, enhancing the Latin action.

• Connecting Figures: same as Closed Basic.

Cha Cha Cha Open Basic

• Similar to Closed Basic, except that it goes straight back and forward, not to the side like in Closed Basic.

  • No Turn

  • first Chasse is back chasse for Man and forward chasse for Lady, instead to the side.

  • second Chasse is forward chasse for Man and back chasse for lady, instead of to the side.

• Forward and backward lock technique: See Cha Cha Technique.

• Could be danced in Closed or Open position, in normal hold, L to R hold, or without hold.

Open Basic Preceding Figures

1. Advanced Hip Twist

2. Aida

3. Alemana

4. Basic Movement In Place

5. Chase

6. Closed Basic Movement

7. Closed Hip Twist

8. Curl

9. Follow My Leader

10. Foot Changes - Method 1: Normal Opposite to Same Foot - 2341 Turn on LF on 1

11. Foot Changes - Method 2: Same Foot to Normal Opposite - 2341 Turn on LF on 1

12. Foot Changes - Method 3: Normal Opposite to Same Foot - Turn on LF on 2, hold 3

13. Foot Changes - Method 4: Same Foot to Normal Opposite - Turn on LF on 2, hold 3

14. Hand To Hand LSP

15. Hand To Hand RSP

16. Hockey Stick

17. Natural Opening Out Movement

18. Natural Top

19. New York LSP

20. New York RSP

21. Open Basic Movement

22. Open Hip Twist

23. Reverse Top

24. Rope Spinning

25. Shoulder To Shoulder Left Side

26. Shoulder To Shoulder Right Side

27. Side Step To Left commenced with LF

28. Side Step To Left commenced with RF

29. Side Step To Right commenced with LF

30. Side Step To Right commenced with RF

31. Spiral

32. Spot or Switch Turn To L (Lady to R)

33. Spot or Switch Turn To R (Lady to L)

34. There And Back

35. Three Cha Cha Chas Back

36. Three Cha Cha Chas Forward

37. Time Step LF

38. Time Step RF

39. Turkish Towel

40. Underarm Turn to L

41. Underarm Turn To R

Open Basic Following Figures

1. Fan

2. Closed Basic Movement (in Closed Position; or after step 1-5 of Open Basic, follow with 6-10 Closed Basic)

3. Open Basic Movement (in Closed Position; or in Open Position)

4. Three Cha Cha Chas Back (after step 1-2)

5. Natural Top (after step 1-5, Man taking the chasse to side, turning slightly to R)

6. Three Cha Cha Chas Forward (after step 1-7)

7. Alemana (in Open Position)

8. Open Hip Twist (in Open Position)

9. Curl (in Open Position)

10. Chase (in Open Position)

11. Turkish Towel (in Open Position)

12. Sweetheart (in Open Position)

13. Follow My Leader (in Open Position)

14. Foot Changes - Method 1: Normal Opposite to Same Foot - 2341 Turn on LF on 1 (after steps 1-5)

15. Foot Changes - Method 3: Normal Opposite to Same Foot - Turn on LF on 2, hold 3 (after steps 1-5)