Cha-Cha is one of the most popular and fun dances. By learning the basic steps, your dance start will look professional. You can perform basic Cha-Cha steps using any energetic song with 4/4 measure. Vary your dance by occasionally adding a side step and you'll look like a pro!
Step
Part 1 of 4: Starting from the Beginning
Step 1. Start by bringing your feet together
Bring your feet together before you start dancing, and lift your left leg slightly so that you're balancing on the base of your toes. Most of the body weight should be supported by the right foot.
Step 2. Step foot to the left
Don't move your right foot and step to the left until it's slightly past your shoulder width. As you step to the left, allow your pelvis to follow your feet. The left hip should pop slightly to the left, just over the left leg.
Step 3. Drag your right foot until it meets your left foot, then back
After you pop your left leg, slowly drag your right leg until it touches your left foot. After that, drag your right leg behind you. As you drag your right leg back, slightly lift your left leg.
Step 4. Swing forward towards the left leg
Once your right foot is behind you, rock forward so that your weight shifts from your right foot to your left foot. After that, bring your right foot forward to meet your left foot. This is the main starting position for the Cha-Cha dance.
Part 2 of 4: Performing Basic Cha-Cha Steps
Step 1. Start with triple step
Bring your legs together. Slightly pop your right foot, but keep the base of your toes touching the floor. Lower the heel of your right foot to the floor as you raise your left foot. Then, lower the heel of your left foot and raise the heel of your right foot. Repeat one more time on your right side.
- The rhythm of this step is "cha cha cha" which later became the name of this dance. It should take two beats to dance to any song.
- The step ends with your right heel on the floor and your left heel slightly off the floor, resting on the base of your toes.
- This triple step is one of the most basic Cha-Cha dance steps so you should practice it diligently.
Step 2. Perform a forward rocking step with your left foot
Do not step wide, your left foot only moves about 30 cm forward. As you step forward, your right heel should come off the floor as you sway to the base of your right toes.
- This step should be done on the third beat of the song.
- Swinging steps should be smooth, your feet should always be halfway to the floor when transferring your weight from one foot to the other. As you do this, bring your left foot back until it meets your right foot in the starting position.
Step 3. Perform a swinging step from right foot to left foot
Swing your right leg back so that your heel touches the floor again. Meanwhile, step your left foot until it meets your right foot to the starting position.
This step should be done on the fourth beat of the song being danced
Step 4. Repeat triple step
Once you've brought your left leg back to its starting position, repeat the triple step, and this time starting with your left foot.
Step 5. Perform a back sway with your right foot
Step back with your right foot so that the base of your toe is off the floor and your heel doesn't move at all. After that, rock back towards your left foot and step your right foot back to return to the starting position.
Part 3 of 4: Trying Basic Side Steps
Step 1. Start from the initial stance
The basic side step starts with the same basic Cha-Cha dance stance. Stand with your feet together, then drag your left leg out to the side while shifting your weight. Slide your right leg to the left and back in a sway so that your weight shifts as you raise your left leg. After that, rock forward so that your weight is back on your left leg.
Step 2. Step foot to the right
Instead of stepping your right foot back to meet your left foot and returning to the starting position, bring your right foot to your left foot and out to the side. Your right leg should be wider than shoulder width apart.
Step 3. Drag your left foot until it meets your right foot
Transfer your weight to your right leg, and slowly drag your left leg until it touches your right foot. Pop your right foot when it hits your left foot.
Step 4. Step back to the right foot
Once your feet are back in the starting position, transfer your weight to your left leg and step out back to your right to accept your weight.
Step 5. Perform a forward rocking step
While your right foot is still slightly out, step diagonally with your left foot so that your feet are less than shoulder width apart but your left foot is in front of your right foot. Place your left foot on the floor, and rock forward so that your right heel lifts. After that, rock to the right leg and return the left leg to the starting position.
Step 6. Repeat the side step on the left side
Support your weight on your right leg and step to the left. Then, lift your right leg so that only the base of your toes is touching the floor. After that, slide your right foot to the left so that your feet meet each other and support your weight on your right foot. Then, step to the left once more.
Step 7. Perform a rocking back step
Transfer your weight to your left leg, and step back with your right foot. Once your right heel touches the floor, lift your left foot slightly until only your heel touches the floor. When you step your right foot forward again, step outside to the right and repeat the side step.
Part 4 of 4: Dance Cha-Cha Like a Professional
Step 1. Continue to move the pelvis
Pelvic movement is an important part of Cha-Cha dance. Your pelvis should move with your feet. Move your pelvis to the left as you pop your left leg. Turn back and right to follow behind your feet.
Step 2. Relax your arms
If you dance Cha-Cha alone, both arms will be relaxed without a partner to hold on to. Please continue to move your arms to the beat of the music and follow your pelvis while adjusting them to the movement of your feet.
Step 3. Dress like a Cha-Cha dancer
If you are a girl, wear skirts and dresses that flow with lots of movement. You can also wrap a scarf around your hips to accentuate the movement. Men can wear high-waisted trousers to accentuate the length of the legs. Men and women must wear dance shoes.
Tips
- If you are dancing with a partner, the female dancer should start with the left foot supporting the weight and popping the right leg. Male dancers must start with the right foot supporting the weight and popping the left foot.
- Music will help you learn the rhythm needed to dance Cha-Cha. Try dancing to the song "Sway" sung by Michael Buble.
- Practice as much as possible. The stride patterns for even the basic Cha-Cha steps are quite complicated, and you'll need a lot of practice before you really get good at it. Even better if you practice with a partner.
- Girls usually dance in high heels so you should get used to practicing wearing high heels.
