How to Do Cha-Cha Forward and Back Steps

The secret to doing the cha-cha (or cha-cha-cha) is to learn not to move on the first beat. Practice first without a partner, listening to the music and stepping back and forth according to the pattern until it comes naturally.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Step back with the right foot on the second beat of the measure.

2. Lift the left foot and set it back down in the same place on the third beat of the measure.

3. Step forward with the right foot, step in place with the left and step in place again with the right foot. These three steps happen on the fourth beat of the first measure and the first beat of the second measure (three steps in two beats).

4. Step forward with the left foot on the next beat.

5. Lift the right foot and set it back down in the same place

6. Step back with the left foot, step in place with the right and step in place again with the left foot.

Tips & Warnings

• Count the steps as 2, 3, 4-and-1. Or you can say "slow, slow, slow-quick-slow" or "2, 3, cha-cha-cha."
• Take each step on the ball of your foot and then set your heel down. Always transfer your weight on each step; don't shuffle.
• The tempo of the music to dance the cha-cha to is from 100 to 130 beats per minute.
• Don't work at making your hips sway. The swaying movement will come naturally as you transfer your weight from one foot to the other.