Line of Dance

The line of dance is an imaginary line that runs around the perimeter of the ballroom. The line of dance is important in order to keep all couples moving in the same general direction on the dance floor.

There are three types of dances: Progressive (traveling), Spot/Stationary (in-place), and Line dances. In dance, being conscious of the line of dance is very important so the dance floor can be shared by all types of dancers

Spot/Stationary dances are dances that are done “on the spot”, or “in place”. The couple stays in the same general spot in the center of the dance floor throughout the entire dance. These include Cha Cha, Rumba, Swing/Jive, Mambo/Salsa, fast in-place dancing, and slow dancing.

Progressive dances, on the other hand, travel around the dance floor. Two-Step, Waltz, Traveling Cha Cha, and Foxtrot are examples of Progressive dances. Progressive dances have patterns and movements that cause the couple to travel continuously, so line of dance applies and becomes critical, when doing these dances. Progressive dancers move counter-clockwise around the floor, with couples moving faster on the very outside of the dance floor.

Line Dances are patterned dances done in lines with all dancers facing the same direction. Normally line dances are done in the center of the floor, but due to the shape and size of the dance floor in the ballroom of the Madera Clubhouse, line dances are done at the top of the “T” of the dance floor in front of the stage.

The Line of Dance Diagram illustrates these positions on the dance floor.