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)