How to Dance the International Latin Cha Cha

Max doing the Cha Cha

The International Latin Cha Cha is the first of 5 dances in the International Latin category. By learning the basic steps of this dance, you will be able to use the techniques and patterns in a social or competitive atmosphere.

Things You'll Need

• Dance shoes

Instructions

1. Men must place left food forward and transfer full body weight over it. Right foot is free and pointed behind you. Your body should be facing on a 45 degree angle to the right of facing the wall (on a diagonal). Women must assume the complementary position of a weighted right foot with left foot pointed forward. Body positioning is on the same diagonal line.

2. Commence a basic forward chasse for men, backward chasse for women on beats "4 and 1" (4 + 1). This is the "Cha cha cha" part of the rhythm in this dance. End with forward break for the man, back break for the woman on counts "2" and "3." Ending positions should be left foot free for the man and right foot free for the woman.

3. You now must complete a basic hip twist. The man will do a slip chasse while the woman will perform a forward chasse and quarter turn to her right on counts "4 and 1." Woman now has left foot free and man has right foot free.

4. Man will lead the woman to his left by stepping back with his right foot and remaining parallel to the woman's body during beat "2." Woman will step forward with her left foot. On beat "3," man will recover weight onto his left foot while woman will step forward with her right foot. The compressing action of the bodies will result in a half turn for the lady (180 degrees) and a quarter turn for the man. Man is now facing forward on his left foot, while lady has turned to face the man and has left foot free.

5. Man must now perform a hip twist chasse while the woman does a back chasse on "4 and 1." Ending position should be left foot free for the man and right foot free for the woman.

6. While man breaks forward and recovers on "2" and "3," woman performs a fan action by closing her feet and stepping forward with left foot. Man's left foot is free while woman's right foot is free.

7. Proceed to forward chasse for the woman and slip chasse for the man on "4 and 1."

8. On beats "2" and "3" the woman steps across and the man leads hand connection over her left shoulder as he closes his right foot on beat "2" and steps forward with the woman on beat "3." Partners are now back to the beginning of the step pattern.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep mindful of the timing of each step and always have your full body weight over the foot when you arrive to the beat.

• Always dance slow, isolating each measure, before attempting this at full speed.

Resources

• National Dance Council of America homepage
• United States Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association homepage