Ever watched a dance video and thought, “What’s that move called?” or tried explaining a step to someone without knowing its proper name? Whether you’re learning choreography, teaching others, or just want to sound like you know what you’re talking about at dance class, knowing the right terminology makes all the difference.
This comprehensive guide breaks down over 100 dance move names across different styles – from beginner basics to viral TikTok trends, classic ballet positions to hip-hop fundamentals. We’ve organized everything by category so you can quickly find what you need, improve your technique, and speak the language of dance with confidence.
Beginner Dance Move Names
Box Step
A fundamental dance pattern where your feet trace the four corners of a square. Start with your right foot forward, left foot to the side, right foot closes to left, left foot back, right foot to the side, left foot closes. This forms the foundation for many ballroom dances including waltz and rumba.
Grapevine
A sideways traveling step where you cross one foot behind or in front of the other. Step right with right foot, cross left behind, step right again, then touch or step with the left foot. This versatile move appears in line dancing, aerobics, and many social dances.
Chassé
A smooth gliding step where one foot “chases” the other. Step to the side with one foot, bring the other foot to meet it, then step out again with the first foot. This creates a smooth side-to-side movement used in many dance styles from ballroom to jazz.
Three-Step Turn
A simple turning movement where you pivot on one foot while stepping with the other to complete a full rotation. Step forward on right foot, pivot a half-turn to the left, step left, then right to complete the turn. This basic turn appears in nearly every dance style.
Pivot Turn
A quick rotation where partners turn together while maintaining frame. Step forward, place weight on that foot, then pivot on the ball of that foot while the other foot stays in place. This creates a smooth, connected turn essential in partner dancing.
Step-Touch
The simplest rhythmic movement where you step to the side with one foot and touch the other foot beside it without transferring weight. Repeat on the other side to create a basic side-to-side pattern. This beginner-friendly move works with almost any music.
Jazz Square
A four-count pattern that traces a square on the floor. Cross right foot over left, step back with left foot, step right foot to the side, step left foot forward. This versatile pattern appears in jazz, musical theater, and many social dances.
Kick-Ball-Change
A quick three-count movement where you kick one foot forward, place the ball of that same foot down, then shift weight to the opposite foot. This creates a rhythmic accent used in jazz, tap, and many contemporary styles.
Hip-Hop Dance Moves Names
The Running Man
A classic hip-hop move that mimics running in place. Lift one knee while sliding the opposite foot backward, then switch sides in a continuous motion. This iconic 90s move creates an illusion of running forward while staying in place.
Roger Rabbit
The reverse of the Running Man. Lift one heel while sliding the opposite foot forward, then switch sides. This creates a backward running illusion popularized in the late 80s and early 90s hip-hop scene.
Six Step
A foundational breaking (breakdancing) floor move where the dancer creates a circular pattern with their feet while supporting their weight on their hands. The six distinct steps form the basis for many breaking routines and power moves.
Krumping
An expressive, high-energy street dance style characterized by free, expressive, exaggerated movements. Key elements include chest pops, stomps, swings, and jabs that channel emotion through aggressive, rhythmic movements.
Top Rock
The upright dancing performed before going down to the floor in breaking. Includes rhythmic steps, rocks, and bounces that showcase a b-boy or b-girl’s style and rhythm before transitioning to floor moves.
Harlem Shake
Not the viral video trend, but the original dance move involving a shoulder shake combined with a subtle side-to-side movement. The shoulders move independently from the rest of the body in a distinctive shaking motion.
Dougie
A hip-hop dance that involves swaying and moving the body in a smooth, cool fashion while passing your hand through or over your hair. Popularized by the song “Teach Me How to Dougie” by Cali Swag District.
Milly Rock
A two-step dance with distinctive wrist and arm rotations. The dancer rocks from side to side while swinging their arms in circular motions, creating a casual yet rhythmic movement popularized by rapper 2 Milly.
Woah
A move where the dancer builds tension in their arms and upper body, then freezes in a pose with arms extended. The sudden stop creates a dramatic effect often used as an accent on strong beats.
Cat Daddy
A dance move where you cross your arms in front of you while thrusting your hips and moving your knees in and out. The movement resembles a wheel-like motion with the lower body while the upper body remains relatively controlled.
Viral Dance Moves Names from TikTok & Social Media
The Renegade
A complex hand choreography sequence created by Jalaiah Harmon to K Camp’s “Lottery.” The dance combines quick arm movements, claps, and body rolls in a specific sequence that became one of TikTok’s most recognizable routines.
Savage
A choreography set to Megan Thee Stallion’s song featuring sharp arm movements, body rolls, and attitude-filled poses. The dance emphasizes the lyrics with matching movements that highlight the song’s confident vibe.
Say So
A routine choreographed by Haley Sharpe to Doja Cat’s hit song. The dance combines hip movements, arm waves, and playful gestures in a sequence that’s both flirty and accessible to beginners.
Git Up Challenge
A line dance-inspired routine to Blanco Brown’s country-rap hit. The dance includes specific movements mentioned in the lyrics like “lean and rock” and “cowboy boogie,” making it easy to follow along with the song’s instructions.
Toosie Slide
A simple, walking-based dance created for Drake’s song of the same name. The core moves involve sliding right, sliding left, then crossing your feet – exactly as instructed in the lyrics “right foot up, left foot slide.”
Smeeze
A bouncy, rhythmic dance characterized by smooth arm waves combined with a subtle two-step. The upper body creates fluid movements while the lower body maintains a consistent bounce.
The Griddy
A football celebration turned viral dance featuring alternating high knees while swinging arms side to side and pretending to look through binoculars. The simple yet distinctive movement became popular among athletes and casual dancers alike.
Kick Drop
A move where dancers kick one leg forward while dropping into a partial squat, then repeat on the opposite side. This dynamic movement creates a bouncy, energetic effect popular in many TikTok routines.
Latin Dance Moves Names
Salsa Basic Step
The foundation of salsa dancing, performed in an eight-count pattern. Step forward with one foot, return weight to the original position, then step in place with the first foot. Repeat on the opposite side while maintaining the characteristic hip movement.
Bachata Hip Movement
The distinctive lateral hip motion in bachata where dancers shift weight from one foot to the other while accentuating hip movement. The hips move side to side on counts 1, 2, and 3, with a hip lift or tap on count 4.
Samba Bounce
The characteristic up-and-down movement in samba created through subtle knee flexion and extension. This continuous bouncing action gives samba its distinctive energetic, buoyant quality.
Rumba Cucaracha
A side step where weight shifts to one foot while the other foot extends to the side without taking weight. The name means “cockroach” in Spanish, referring to the squishing motion of the weighted foot.
Cha-Cha Lock Step
The basic cha-cha-cha rhythm pattern: step, step, cha-cha-cha. The “cha-cha-cha” portion consists of three quick weight changes that create the dance’s characteristic rhythm and sound.
Merengue Marching Step
The fundamental merengue movement involving a simple marching step with pronounced hip movement. Weight shifts from one foot to the other while the hips naturally move up and down with each step.
Tango Corte
A sudden stop or break in movement where the leader steps backward and the follower steps forward. This dramatic pause creates tension and contrast in the otherwise flowing tango movements.
Cumbia Basic Step
A four-count pattern where dancers step forward, return to center, step backward, and return to center again, all while maintaining the characteristic cumbia hip movement and slightly bent knees.
Ballet Dance Moves Names
Plié
A bending of the knees while maintaining turnout from the hips. Can be demi (halfway) or grand (full). This fundamental movement appears in virtually every ballet combination and creates elasticity and control.
Tendu
Extending the working foot from a closed position to an open position while keeping the toe in contact with the floor. The name comes from the French “to stretch,” describing the lengthening action through the leg and foot.
Relevé
Rising from a flat foot position to balance on the balls of the feet or toes (in pointe shoes). This lifting action strengthens the calves and ankles while creating the characteristic lightness of ballet.
Arabesque
A position where the dancer stands on one leg with the other extended behind the body while the arms create a complementary line. The extended leg remains straight, creating a long, elegant line from fingertips to toes.
Pirouette
A complete turn of the body on one foot. The dancer prepares, rises to relevé, and rotates while maintaining a fixed spot with the eyes (spotting) to maintain balance and orientation.
Pas de Bourrée
A traveling step consisting of three small, quick steps that can change direction or simply move side to side. The feet move in a close pattern of behind, side, front (or the reverse).
Battement
A beating action of the extended or working leg. In grand battement, the leg is raised high in the air; in petit battement, the movement is small and rapid around the ankle of the supporting leg.
Fouetté
A turning movement where the working leg whips around to generate momentum for the turn. In fouetté turns, this whipping action allows dancers to perform multiple rotations in sequence, one of ballet’s most spectacular technical feats.
Jazz and Musical Theatre Dance Moves Names
Jazz Hands
The iconic position with fingers spread wide, palms facing forward, and hands either shaking slightly or held in a tense, splayed position. This expressive hand position instantly communicates theatrical jazz style.
Fan Kick
A high kick where the leg sweeps from one side to the other in a fan-like arc. The working leg starts crossed in front of the supporting leg, then sweeps out and around in a semi-circular path.
Pas de Bourree Turn
A turning version of the pas de bourree where the three-step pattern rotates the dancer in a complete circle. The quick footwork creates a smooth, spinning transition often used in jazz combinations.
Pencil Turn
A turn performed with both legs straight and close together, resembling a pencil spinning on its point. The dancer maintains a straight, vertical alignment throughout the rotation.
Layout
A position where the upper body arches backward while one leg extends forward in a high battement. This creates a dramatic curved line with the body and is often used as a striking pose in jazz choreography.
Barrel Jump
A sideways leap where both legs tuck up to the side in a barrel shape. The dancer jumps sideways while bringing both knees up and to the side, creating a rounded shape with the legs.
Shoulder Roll
A smooth, circular movement of the shoulders either forward, backward, or alternating. This isolates the shoulder joint and creates a fluid, rhythmic motion popular in both jazz and musical theatre styles.
Chug
A traveling movement where the dancer keeps one foot on the ground and hops forward on it while the other leg extends. This creates a distinctive dragging or “chugging” action across the floor.
Contemporary and Modern Dance Moves Names
Contract and Release
The fundamental movement principle developed by Martha Graham. Contraction pulls the spine into a curved C-shape, while release returns it to a neutral or slightly arched position, expressing emotional tension and resolution.
Fall and Recovery
A concept from Doris Humphrey’s technique where dancers explore giving in to and resisting gravity. The body surrenders to gravity in the fall, then actively works against it in the recovery.
Spiral
A twisting movement that initiates from the spine and creates a three-dimensional curve through the torso. The rotation begins from one specific point (often the head or pelvis) and sequences through the entire spine.
Tilt
A position where the dancer stands on one leg while the torso leans to one side and the other leg extends in the opposite direction, creating a straight line from foot to head. This off-balance position creates dramatic diagonal lines.
Undercurve and Overcurve
Movement pathways where energy either scoops under (undercurve) or arcs over (overcurve). These contrasting energy patterns create different qualities and emotional resonances in contemporary movement.
Suspension
A moment of weightlessness at the peak of a movement, where the dancer appears to hover briefly before yielding to gravity. This quality of temporarily defying gravity creates a sense of ethereal lightness.
Swoop
A fluid, sweeping movement where the upper body and arms move in a continuous arc, often while traveling through space. The movement typically involves the torso folding forward and the arms extending to create a sense of flight.
Release Swing
A pendular movement where one body part initiates a swing that then transfers momentum through the rest of the body. The initial action releases tension, allowing gravity and momentum to carry the movement forward.
Party Dance Move Names Everyone Knows
The Sprinkler
A move mimicking a lawn sprinkler where one arm bends at the elbow pointing upward while the other arm extends and makes a horizontal sweeping motion. The extended arm typically moves in rhythmic jerks like water spraying from a sprinkler.
The Robot
A style mimicking mechanical movements with isolated body parts moving in sharp, precise angles. Dancers create the illusion of being a robot through stiff movements, right angles, and mechanical-looking transitions between positions.
The Cabbage Patch
A circular motion with both fists moving in unison as if stirring a pot, while the body rocks side to side. The arms rotate in front of the chest in a continuous, rhythmic pattern.
The Shopping Cart
A move where one hand grips an imaginary shopping cart handle while the other arm reaches out, grabs items, and places them in the cart. The feet typically walk forward in a casual stroll during this pantomime.
The Lawn Mower
A dance move mimicking starting a lawn mower by pulling an imaginary cord with one hand while the other hand steers. The pulling motion is typically sharp and can be repeated to the beat of the music.
The Moonwalk
Michael Jackson’s signature move creating the illusion of walking forward while actually moving backward. The dancer appears to glide backward smoothly by keeping one foot flat while the other foot’s heel lifts and slides back.
The Twist
A classic 1960s dance where the lower body twists from side to side with knees bent while the arms move in opposition. The feet pivot on the balls of the feet while the hips and shoulders rotate in opposite directions.
The Electric Slide
A line dance performed to various songs including “Electric Boogie.” Dancers move in unison through a sequence of steps to the right, left, back, and forward, typically with a quarter turn at the end of each sequence.
How to Learn and Practice Dance Moves at Home
Learning dance moves at home has never been easier, thanks to online resources and digital platforms. The key is balancing structured learning with freestyle practice to develop both technique and personal style.
Start by breaking down each move into smaller components. For example, if you’re learning the Running Man, first practice the leg movements slowly without music, then add the arm movements, and finally combine everything with music. This methodical approach helps build muscle memory and proper technique.
For structured learning, Perspire.tv offers a wide range of dance classes from professional instructors across various styles. Their platform lets you join live sessions where you can get real-time feedback or access on-demand videos to practice at your own pace. The advantage of learning through a platform like Perspire is that you can rewatch difficult sections as many times as needed until you master the movement.
Create a practice schedule that works for you – even 15-20 minutes daily is more effective than one long session weekly. Set up a practice space with enough room to move freely, ideally with a mirror to check your form. If you don’t have a mirror, recording yourself with your phone can provide similar feedback.
Remember that knowing the proper names of dance moves accelerates your learning. When you can identify and name specific movements, you can search for tutorials targeting exactly what you want to improve. This vocabulary also helps you communicate with other dancers and instructors when you’re ready to take your skills to the next level.
For more structured guidance, check out online dance classes, which offer everything from beginner-friendly tutorials to advanced choreography sessions across all the styles covered in this glossary.
FAQs About Dance Moves Names
What is the most well-known dance move?
The Moonwalk is arguably the most globally recognized dance move, popularized by Michael Jackson in the 1980s. Other contenders include the Macarena, the Dab, and the classic Twist, which have all transcended dance communities to become cultural phenomena.
Why are ballet steps in French?
Ballet terminology is in French because ballet was formalized in the courts of France, particularly under King Louis XIV in the 17th century. The French Royal Academy of Dance standardized the vocabulary, and these terms have remained consistent for centuries, providing dancers worldwide with a common language regardless of their native tongue.
Are TikTok dances real dance styles?
TikTok dances incorporate elements from established styles like hip-hop and jazz but are specifically choreographed for the platform’s short-form video format. While they may not constitute a separate “style,” they represent a legitimate evolution of dance that emphasizes upper body movements and facial expressions that work well on camera.
How can I learn more moves at home?
The best approach combines online tutorials, mirror practice, recording yourself, and joining virtual classes. Platforms like Perspire.tv offer both live and on-demand dance classes that can help you learn proper technique from professional instructors without leaving home.
The Bottom Line
Knowing the names of dance moves transforms how you learn, practice, and talk about dance. Whether you’re trying to follow a choreography tutorial, communicate with other dancers, or simply appreciate the artistry behind the movement, this vocabulary gives you the tools to engage more deeply with dance. Start by learning the terms in your favorite style, then gradually expand your knowledge. Try incorporating a few new named moves into your practice routine each week. The more familiar you become with proper terminology, the faster you’ll progress and the more confidently you’ll move. So next time you watch a dance video or join a class, listen for these terms and notice how naming the movements helps turn abstract motion into clear, precise art. Your body already knows how to dance; now your vocabulary can keep up!