The steps of the country dance
ALLEMANDE Turn of the lady under the raised arm of the knight with balancè or pas de valse in 2 measures. It is used both for
exchanging places between partners and for a simple rotation of the lady under the arm of the knight, both remaining in their places.
ARMS Together with the right arm bent, the partners complete a turn with eight steps.
BACK TO BACK Facing your partner, proceed by passing with the right shoulder and return to the position by passing to the left. It can
also start by passing to the left and falling to the right (in France it is called dos a dos).
BALANCÉ Plié and lateral step on the toe. Holding the position, transfer your weight and bring your feet together in first
position.
BOTTOM In a longway it is the bottom of the set.
CAST Movement towards the outside of the dance line.
CAST OFF or CAST DOWN The partners divide and move along the outer side of the column of dancers.
CHAINE DES DAMES It takes place in 8 bars between two couples facing each other. 1-2 The ladies cross giving each other the right hand,
the knights turn to the left taking the place of their partner; 3-4 half turns of the left hand vis a vis; 5-6 the ladies recross giving each other
right hands, the knights continue to dance towards the ladies' place; 7-8 half turn of the left hand with the partner.
CHASE or CHASSÉ Step slid to the right or left.
CLOSE Closing of the feet after a single or double step.
CORNER In a set of two couples are the dancers diagonally opposite, that is, the first man and the second woman, the first woman and
the second man.
DOUBLE Four steps forward or backward, closing on the fourth.
FIGURE EIGHT A couple draws a figure eight, walking around another couple and then returning to the starting position.
GIPSY The two partners move on the circle around each other looking at each other and without contact.
HEY Figure in which the dancers divide into two rows moving in opposite directions, also known as Reels. The dancers move up and down
the line passing each other alternately from left and right in a meandering path forming a weave.
HEY THREE A three-way chain in which the dancers are arranged in a triangle. The first takes the place of the second and exchanges with
the third; you continue as if there were a quarter to return to your place.
HONOR Reverence at the end and beginning of the dance. For men it is a bow, for women it is a curtsey. You arch your right foot
forward, turning your toes out, then bending your left knee. A slight bend at the waist completes the movement.
LEAD Partners join hands and move together.
PAS DE BOURRÈE Slight bending of the knees (plié) and three steps forward with a sliding movement, without bending the knee and without
jumping; is used to transition from one movement to another in any direction.
POUSSETTE With chassé or pas de bourrè the partners, holding both hands, perform a circular path inside the yoke or set, returning to
their place or taking the place of the couple next to them. In the couple in first position it will be the lady who pushes, in the couple in second
position the knight, until the positions of the two couples are reversed.
SET The formation of dancers performing a dance. Very often the set consists of a longways: the couples are lined up one behind the
other, arranged in two lines facing each other, the men on the left side and the women on the right side. The first couple is closer to the musical
source, the knights have their left shoulder towards the top of the set, consequently the ladies have their right shoulder towards the top. In this type
of configuration, the first couple dances continuously until they reach the bottom of the set (BOTTOM), where they remain still for a musical sequence
and when they resume from first couple they become second couple. The same happens to the second couple who danced from the button to the top, once they
reach the top they stop for a turn and start dancing as the first couple again
SET AND TURN It is performed with a jump to the right, a short shift of weight to the left foot and return to the right, a jump to the
left, a shift of weight to the right foot and return to the left, a turn in a circle in four phases.
SIDE OR SIDING Exchange positions with your partner and then return to your seat. The movement includes four steps to move forward,
starting with the right foot, and another four steps to go back.
SINGLE Two steps in any direction closing on the second.
SWING Quick turn with partner holding both hands.
TURN Turn around 360 degrees with four steps.
UP A DOUBLE AND BACK Sequence in which the dancers, holding hands on the dance line, advance with a double and retreat with another
double.