Spiral

Cha Cha Cha Spiral

Cha Cha Spiral is a Silver 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.

A spiral turn is danced by Lady and is a turn made on RF turning L or on LF turning R, allowing the other foot to cross in front without weight. Normally a spiral turn will end with ankles crossed although the cross in the Curl is looser.

Spiral commences in Closed Position.

Leader

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

    • Steps are very similar to that of Closed Hip Twist. Increase tone and lower L arm to R at chest level. Widen R arm in hold to R side.

  • 3: Transfer weight to RF

    • Keep tone in arms

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

    • Return arms to normal position over 3 & 4. Raise L hand above Lady's R shoulder to circle counterclockwise on step 5. If preferred, Man can keep his fingers lightly in contact with Lady's waist as Lady does her spiral turn.

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

    • L arm to L side lowering L hand to waist level.

  • 3: Transfer weight to LF | 1/8 to L over 7-10

    • Increase tone in L arm.

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

    • Slightly extend L arm. L hand still. (Man can do a slip twist chasse.)

Follower

  • 2: RF back in RSP | 1/2 to R

    • Turn is commenced at end of previous beat.

  • 3: Transfer weight to LF

  • 4 & 1: RF fwd and slightly across LF in front of Man to chasse RLR, then turn underarm, allowing LF to cross in front without weight (Spiral turn) | 1/4 to L between 2 &3. Then a further 7/8 on step 5 doing spiral.

    • Count 1:

      • Lady may use an Extended Forward Walk.

      • Spiral: turn is made on ball of RF with foot flat (T of LF). Turn could also be made on R toe with heel well off the floor.

      • See Note on Spiral Turn.

  • 2: LF fwd | 1/8 to L

  • 3: RF fwd and slightly across, then turn to end RF back | 1/8 to L, then a further 1/2 to L. Body turns less.

  • 4 & 1: Back lock LRL. End in Fan Position | Body completes turn

    • Can also finish in other positions, see Note below.

Notes

  • Spiral Turn:

    • Put full weight on the spiral foot (in this case, RF), with head, center, hips all stacked up. Do not leave hip behind. Put whole weight on foot as fast as possible before doing spiral.

    • Turning, Man lead arm, move elbow across body, do not turn and leave arm and elbow behind.

    • As spiraling, keep thighs crossed, helps to pull legs together fast.

  • Undertuned spiral - an alternative:

    • Man: turn 1/8 L over 7-10, dancing a fwd lock to end in Open Position.

    • Lady:

      • 3/4 L after placing step 5, to end in Tandem Position.

      • Step 6: LF fwd

      • Step 7: RF fwd in line with LF, then continue to turn 1/2 to end with RF back.

      • Step 8-10: Back lock LRL.

  • Alternative finishing positions

    • Open Position: Man turns 3/8 to L over steps 7-10.

    • Open CPP

    • Contact Position: ( Known as Closed Spiral)

      • Man turn 5/8 to L over steps 7-10, dancing the chasse side and slightly fwd, overturning Lady, keeping fingers lightly in contact with Lady's waist throughout as Lady turns within the circle of his R arm. On 6: lower arms to normal position. Man keeps his RH in contact with Lady's back to indicate finishing in contact position

      • Lady makes a complete turn L over steps 6-10, dancing the chasse with LF behind RF as Cuban Cross.

    • Left Side Position

      • Man: no turn over 7 to 10, leading Lady to overturn on 7, lowering L arm and taking it slightly fwd.

      • Lady: turn an additional 1/8 to L on 7, using a loosely crossed spiral action

      • Both dance a fwd lock on steps 8-10.

Preceding Figures

  1. Alemana

  2. Cross Basic

  3. Hand To Hand RSP

  4. Natural Top

  5. Reverse Top

  6. Rope Spinning

Following Figures

  1. Chase

  2. Alemana (normal; or when ending in Open Position)

  3. Hockey Stick

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

  5. Time Step LF (when ending in Open Position)

  6. Open Hip Twist (when ending in Open Position)

  7. Curl (when ending in Open Position)

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

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

  10. Turkish Towel (when ending in Open Position)

  11. Sweetheart (when ending in Open Position)

  12. Follow My Leader (when ending in Open Position)

  13. New York LSP (when ending in Open CPP; or when ending in LSP, follow with New York LSP, no turn on first step)

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

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

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

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