| heel | The part of the foot directly below the ankle and behind the arch. |
| heel-ball twist turn | A type of Twist Turn taken with the weight distributed equally between feet, on the heel of one foot, and the ball of the other. The turn is executed by crossing one foot either in front of or behind the other, and then twisting in the direction of the forward foot. When the turn is complete, the feet will have closed into first position, having turned approximately 3/4 of a full turn. |
| heel pull | A type of Heel Turn where the moving foot is "pulled" back and to the side of the supporting foot, slightly apart. The footwork of the moving foot is as follows: Heel first, then Inside Edge of Foot, then Whole Foot. |
| heel turn | A turn taken with the weight over the heel of the supporting foot. The movement commences with back step (Toe-Heel). The turn begins when the free foot closes to the supporting foot, being held parallel throughout the turn. The weight then transfers to the closing foot at the end of the turn. |
| hesitation | An action in which progression is temporarily suspended or checked, the weight being held on the supporting foot for one or more beats. |
| hip motion | Any movement of the hips, either independently of the torso and spine (such as Latin hip motion), or in unison with the torso and spine (such as is the case in the smooth/swinging dances). |
| hip twist | Any twisting action of the hips around the spine. |
| Hockey Stick | A basic figure used in International Rumba and Cha Cha, taken from Fan Position and involving a Loop Turn for the lady. The figure gets its name from the hockey stick- shape of the path that the lady moves along throughout. |
| hover | A step taken high on the balls of the feet, for the purpose of changing of direction and/or rotation, and allowing enough time for the moving foot to brush toward (or to) the standing foot. |
| Hustle | A fast but smooth-moving dance which originated in the nightclubs of the 1970's disco era, as a modified version of swing. Hustle is noted for its fast and elaborate spins and turns, especially for the lady. It is also very easily adapted to crowded, nightclub dance floors. |
| heel | A type of footwork, abbreviated "H", or "HF" (for Heel-Flat). A "heel" step is taken first with the heel in contact with the floor, and then with the whole foot flat. (The "Flat" is usually implied). |
| heel lead | A step which is taken commencing with only the heel in contact with the floor. The toe lowers to the floor when the majority of body weight is placed on it. This type of footwork is often notated "heel", or simply, "H". |
| heel-toe | A type of footwork, abbreviated "HT". A "heel-toe" step is taken commencing with only the heel in contact with the floor. The toe lowers when the majority of body weight is placed on it. Near the end of the step, the heel lifts from the floor, causing the body to rise. |
| heel-ball | A type of footwork, abbreviated "HB". A "heel-ball" step is taken commencing with only the heel in contact with the floor. The toe lowers when the majority of body weight is placed on it. The heel then disengages from the floor without body weight, although not enough to cause any rise of the body. |
| Hip Twist | A Latin dance figure involving a twisting action of the hips danced by the lady. |
