Natural Top

Cha Cha Cha Natural Top

The Cha Cha Natural Top 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.

Closed Hold.

Leader

  • 2: RF behind LF (Cuban Cross) | up to 3 complete turns over 1-15

  • 3: LF to side

  • 4&1 234&1 234& Repeat steps 1 and 2 six times

    • 1, 7, 11 are Pressed Backward Walks (when RF crosses behind LF on whole count)

    • Heel of RF (after crossing behind LF) need not lower fully and should never lower until LF commences to move for the next step.

  • 1: Close RF to LF

    • 11-15 of the steps may be danced.

Follower

  • 2: LF to side

    • Walking tangent to circle.

    • Keep a compact frame, maintain closed hold, do not slide off each other, shoulders square to each other. Pick up center, look at partner, not too tight with partner, try to create volume, slightly pushing away from each other, arm should feel a bit of tension, but not too much.

    • Use standing foot to push to side 2nd position.

  • 3: RF in front of LF, toe turned out

    • RF pretty much stays in place in between man's leg, Man and Lady will circle around imaginary center spot, keep bodies centered to each other.

    • No hip action, keep hip flat. The goal is to show off the amount of rotation. Because of the continuous turn, knees will not straighten fully, so only a slight natural hip movement is used.

  • 4&1 234&1 234&: Repeat 1 & 2 six times

    • Up to 3 complete turns over 1-15

  • 1: LF to side

    • Last step, more linear movement, not rotating any more.

    • 11-15 of the steps may be danced.

Gold variation - with Lady's Left turn

  • While dancing 6, 7 of Natural Top, Man leads Lady to turn L under raised L arm, having release R hand hold.

  • Lady RF fwd and slightly across LF, turning 1/4 L on 6, then continue to turn L on RF and LF side almost facing partner on 7.

  • Regain normal hold and continue with 8-15 of Natural Top.

  • Lady's turn between 6 and 7 will depend on Man's turn.

Preceding Figures

  1. Basic Movement In Place

  2. Closed Basic Movement

  3. Open Basic Movement

  4. Three Cha Cha Chas Back

  5. Underarm Turn to L

Following Figures

  1. Open Basic Movement

  2. Closed Basic Movement

  3. Fan

  4. Natural Opening Out Movement (on last step of Natural Top, Man leads Lady towawrds his R side)

  5. Closed Hip Twist (on last step of Natural Top, Man leads Lady towawrds his R side)

  6. Spiral (on last step of Natural Top, Man leads Lady towawrds his R side)

  7. Rope Spinning (on last step of Natural Top, Man leads Lady towawrds his R side)

  8. Advanced Hip Twist (Man RF fwd in line with LF on step 13 into fwd Lock RLR, Lady fwd Lock toward his R side, then continuing to turn up to 1/4 R to follow with Advanced Hip Twist; or Man RF fwd in line with LF on 15, lady LF fwd towards his R side)

  9. Hip Twist Spiral (Man RF fwd in line with LF on step 13 into fwd Lock RLR, Lady fwd Lock toward his R side, then continuing to turn up to 1/4 R to follow with Hip Twist Sprial; or Man RF fwd in line with LF on 15, lady LF fwd towards his R side)

  10. Hockey Stick (6-10 Hockey Stick after step 10 of Natural Top)