Closed Hip Twist

Cha Cha Cha Closed Hip Twist

The Cha Cha Closed Hip Twist is a Bronze Level figure. This online reference gives a detailed description of the dance steps, including timing, and movement, technique; 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.

Leader

  • 2: LF to side or fwd in RSP | slight body turn to R

  • 3: Transfer weight to RF

  • 4 & 1: Compact Chasse LRL | very slight body turn to L

    • lower L arm.

  • 2: RF back | slight body turn to L, to normal position

  • 3: Transfer weight to LF

    • End of "3", twist, Man facing Lady, RF ankle below knee.

  • 4 & 1: RF to side to chasse RLR, end in Fan Position

    • Hip Twist Chasse. RF fwd, LF together, turning to R, RF to side, slightly forward.

Follower

  • 2: RF back in RSP | 1/2 to R

    • Turn starts at e/o previous beat "4&1": small locks toward Man, build the tension, till the end, sharp half turn to R (turn body first, then snap hips and head).

    • Settle.

  • 3: Transfer weight to LF

    • e/o beat, starts turn by turning shoulder first, then snap hips and turn more.

  • 4 & 1: RF fwd in line with LF towards Man's R side to chasse RLR | 1/2 to L

    • Turn starts at e/o previous beat

    • "4": This is pressed walk with RF fwd, a big diagonal to L. (it's a fwd step, really throw L hip back. hip should not be flat), knee flexed. heel is not lowered.

    • "&": LF closed to RF, both knees bent.

    • "1": RF to side, slightly back, still facing Man at this moment. (Connected movement with L side twisting and RF stepping to side.)

    • "&": turn 1/2 to R.

    • Keep head stable, not moving left and right.

  • 2: LF fwd passing in front of Man | 1/4 to R

    • Turn starts at e/o previous beat,

    • Turn is initiated from hips, which are turned more than upper body

    • Small step

  • 3: RF fwd in line with LF, then turn to end RF back | 1/2 to L, body turns less

    • Turn at end of beat.

  • 4 & 1: Back Lock LRL, end in Fan Position | body completes turn

    • Man holding lady on palm, not around fingers. arms low, at Lady's waist level.

    • End of "1": drop heel

    • "1&" - on "&", settle L hip, which draws in RF, preparing for next step, i.e. Hockey Stick.

Notes:

Other finishing positions:

  • Open Position

    • Man turns 1/4 to L over 7-10

  • Open CPP

    • Man turn 1/8 L over 7 & 8, leading lady to overturn on 7, both taking 8 diagonally fwd to chasse in Open CPP

    • Lady turns an additional 1/8 L on 7 using a loosely crossed spiral action

  • Contact Position

    • Man 1/2 L over 7-10, dancing the ahsse side and slightly fwd.

    • Lady 3/4 L over 7-10 dancing the chasse with LF behind RF as Cuban Cross.

    • Normal hold retained throughout.

Preceding Figures

  1. Alemana

  2. Hand To Hand RSP

  3. Natural Top

  4. New York LSP

  5. Rope Spinning

  6. Shoulder To Shoulder Left Side

Following Figures

  1. Alemana (normal; or when ending Open Position)

  2. Hockey Stick

  3. Open Basic Movement (when ending Open Position; or when ending Open Position, follow with 1-2 Open Basic into Three Cha Cha Chas Back; or when ending Open Position, follow with 1-5 Open Basic into Natural Top)

  4. Time Step LF (when ending Open Position)

  5. Open Hip Twist (when ending Open Position)

  6. Curl (when ending Open Position)

  7. Cuban Break LF (when ending Open Position; or when ending Open CPP)

  8. Split Cuban Break LF (when ending Open Position; or when ending Open CPP)

  9. Chase (when ending Open Position)

  10. Turkish Towel (when ending Open Position)

  11. Sweetheart (when ending Open Position)

  12. Follow My Leader (when ending Open Position)

  13. New York LSP (when ending Open CPP)

  14. Spot or Switch Turn To R (Lady to L) (when ending Open CPP)

  15. Underarm Turn to L (when ending Open CPP)

  16. Three Cha Cha Chas Forward (when ending Open CPP, follow with 4-9 Three Cha Cha Chas Fwd in LSP)

  17. Reverse Top (when ending in Contact Position, follow with 6-10 or 6-15 of Reverse Top)