Country Line Dance Steps

Line dance is a popular style of dancing in which people dance across the floor in a line. The dance is supported by country and western music.

Country line dancing is a different style of dance that has gathered fans all around the world. Country line dancing became popular within the common masses, with the release of 'Achy Breaky Heart' a massive hit country music song by Billy Ray Cyrus. The dance steps in the song were choreographed by Melanie Greenwood. The dance steps created a rage among the masses; bringing country music and country dancing to pubs and discos. Billy Ray Cyrus is a country music artist and this song has since been associated with country line dancing.

According to accomplished country line dancers; country line dancing began around 10 BC, where men and women used to dance in separate lines to celebrate a good hunt or birth of a young one. Country line dance today has evolved from the very vintage "CONTRA" dance which was popular in England in 1800's. Contra dance in 18th century would consist of two lines with men in one line and women in the other. Couples would enter the dance between two lines and do their dance in the middle. When they would reach the end of the lines, they parted and joined back in their respective lines and the next couple would begin the dance. Contra style dances are still popular with tribal groups, Red Indians and aborigines all around the world.

How to Country Line Dance

Country line dancing is a fun activity. It has also been introduced in grade school as an attempt to enhance the creativity of young children. It is also a fun exercise and a great way to socialize and meet new people. Let's have a look at some country line dance instructions.

• The first thing necessary for country dance is to feel that you are actually dancing in a country side. So dress up in country clothes and boots. It's always fun to dress according to dance.
• Country line dance is a form of dance where steps are repeated again and again. So get used to repetitive steps.
• Move to the right and cross your one foot over the next and continue the crossing as you move towards the right. Thumbs should be in the pockets or along your belt. This dance style is called the grapevine.
• Try doing heel taps. Try heel taps with both the legs and repeat. Tap to the front, to the right, the back and to the left. This step is popularly known as a cross move.

Learning country line dance is not hard. You just require some coordination and a little bit of confidence to get on the dance floor and do your thing. Let's have a look at some more country line dance steps.

Brush Kick
Brush kick is a simple forward kick in which your foot touches the ground, before it moves forward. You perform this step in a single motion.

Chasse
Chasse is a dance step used in many dance styles. It is a common ballet term which means chase. In chasse one foot of the dancer moves to a side and the other follows it. Then the first foot moves again and the entire step repeats.

Triple Step
This a 3 step dance, which is performed in 2 beats of music in any direction. The dance line can move forward, backward, right, left or on the same spot.

Shuffle Step
It's a sliding triple step on either of the 4 directions starting on either foot. It is counted as 1&2, 3&4 etc. Shuffle step is extensively used in the popular "Two Step Dance".

Lock Step
Lock step refers to dance steps which involves the locking of the foot in motion. The foot in motion approaches the standing foot, crosses in front or behind it in the direction and stopped close to the standing foot. The weight is fully transferred to the previously moving foot.

Other country line dancing steps include applejack, butterfly, coaster step, hitch, jazz, box, kick ball change, lunge, mambo steps, paddle, pivot turn, rock step, sugarfoot, vaudeville and many more.

Country line dance is gathering fans rapidly. If this genre of dance interests you; then I suggest you enroll yourself in a class to learn country line dance steps.