| Cabaret | A special single-dance division of Dancesoprt in which couples dance an exhibition-style piece to their own selection of music. The dance may incorporate lifts and/or drops, and is not limited to the pre-defined dance styles such as Smooth or Latin. |
| cadence | A definitive ending to a musical phrase. |
| canter timing | A rhythm used in 3/4 music where two steps are taken over the course of 3 beats; the second beat is skipped. |
| carriage | The position of the arms and top line while in dance position. |
| center | The place on the body just below the abdomen and above the groin. Balance is determined primarily by the placement of the center in relationship to the feet. |
| Cha Cha | An exciting, syncopated Latin dance which originated in the 1950's as a slowed-down Mambo. The Cha Cha gets its name and character from its distinct repetitive foot rhythm. |
| chainé turn | A turn or chain of turns which are continuous and directional in nature, in which one full turn is made with each two steps. |
| Chair | A strong checking action taken forward and across in Promenade Position, with the man's right and lady's left foot. |
| challenge position | A dance position where the man and lady are apart and without contact, facing each other. |
| change of weight | The full movement or transference of body weight from one foot to the other. |
| Closed Change | A movement used in the ballroom swinging dances which consists of three steps, the feet closing on the third step. The Change step is most frequently used to change back and forth between Left and Right Box Turns ( Closed Turns ). |
| chassé | A series of 2 or 3 consecutive lateral steps, where the feet are closed on the second step. |
| chassé turn | A turn consisting of 3 steps, where the feet are closed on the second or third step. |
| check | A pronounced discontinuation of movement through the feet. |
| choreography | A compilation of movements which make up a dance or dance routine. |
| clave | A musical instrument included in the rhythm section of many Latin bands, commonly used in the playing of Mambo and Salsa music. |
| closed division | A division of competition which involves the dancing of figures specific to a syllabus, to the exclusion of variations and choreography. |
| closed facing position | (Latin & Rhythm)
A dance position where partners face each other slightly apart, with the normal hold. |
| closed figure | A figure which ends with one foot closing to the other, with a change of weight. |
| closed finish | The last part of a figure which ends with feet together, such as steps 4-6 of a Waltz Twinkle. |
| closed position | Refers to the normal hold where man and lady stand facing each other. In the smooth ballroom dances, partners stand very close together in body contact, slightly offset to the left. In the Latin dances, partners stand a few inches apart, either directly in front of each other or very slightly offset. |
| closed facing position | (Latin & Rhythm)
A dance position where partners face each other, either slightly apart or in body contact. |
| closed turn | A turn consisting of 3 steps, where the feet are closed on the second or third step. |
| coaster step | A triple step in which the first step is taken in the opposite direction of the third, and the feet close on the second step. |
| collect | To complete the changing of weight to the standing foot by drawing the moving foot underneath the body. |
| combination | A group of consecutive patterns and choreography. |
| component | An small, individual unit of movement. |
| compression | The lowering of the center resulting from the bending of the knees, for the purpose of commencing movement. |
| connection | A means of communication between partners, either visually, or as an actual physical point of contact. |
| continuity movement | The continuous passing of the feet from one step to the next, without closing or chasse action. The concept of continuity-style movement is usually specific to the ballroom swing dances, and pertains to the third or last step in a measure. In American Style competitive dancing, continuity is not allowed in the Bronze Level. |
| contra body movement | The turning of the body against the standing foot, in the direction of the moving leg. Contra Body Movement is used to commence turns in the ballroom dances. Also known as: Contrary Body Movement, Contra Body Motion. |
| contra body movement position | The foot position achieved by placing the moving foot along the path of the standing foot, either in front or behind. |
| contra position | Dance position where man and lady are both moving toward each other's left/right side, both using the same foot. |
| control | The ability to maintain balance and stability throughout the body while dancing. |
| Corté | Spanish word meaning, "cut". The word Corte is used to describe several different figures, including the American style Tango Corte (Lunge), the International style Tango Back Corte, and the Waltz Reverse Corte and Hover Corte. |
| counterpart | The corresponding part to a pattern danced by the partner. |
| counter promenade position | A V-shaped Dance Position with the lady on the man's left side. |
| counter weight | Tension applied to a connection through the opposition of of the partners' body weight. |
| cross body lead | An American Style basic figure in which the man turns perpendicular the lady, leading her to dance forward on a path which crosses in front of his body. |
| cross body position | Dance Position where man and lady are at right-angles to each other, lady moving in front of man from his right to his left side. |
| cross turn | A turn consisting of 3 steps, where the feet are crossed on the second or third step. |
| cruzara | Spanish word meaning, "cross": A step taken with one foot crossed tightly over the other, either in front or behind. |
| cuban motion | The rotation of the hips around the spine achieved by the alternate bending and straightening of the knees. Specific to American Style Rhythm dancing. |
| cuban walks | Forward or Backward walks taken with Cuban-style hip motion. |
| Cucarachas | A basic International figure consisting of side breaks to the left and right. Also used in American Style, but under the alias Side Breaks or 2nd Position Breaks. |
| cuddle position | A variation of the Shadow Position where the man and lady are in very close contact. Usually, the hands are connected in the following way: Man's LH to Lady's RH, and Man's RH to Lady's LH. Also known as Flirtation Position. |
| cut time | The time signature of 2/4. Each measure contains two beats. Samba and Tango are examples of music written in Cut Time. |
| center | [Ballroom] The middle of the dance floor. In the Alignments section of the charts, the Center is the direction exactly opposite the Wall. |
| connection | Tension applied to a physical point of contact through the manipulation of body weight toward or away from it. |
| clave | The common, underlying two-measure rhythm of Afro-Cuban music such as the Mambo. The Clave rhythm accents specific beats within the two measure phrase; One measure contains two accents while the other contains three. |
| choreography | The creation of movement which makes up a dance or dance routine. |
| change weight | To completely move or transfer the body weight from one foot to the other. |
