Step of the Week: Chasse

Level:
Beginner

Step count:
2 syncopated counts (1&2)

Directions:
Step foot A to side A (1), step foot B next to foot A (&), step foot A to side A (2)
Example: Step right to right side, step left foot next to right (“step together”), step right to right side.

Dances featuring this move:
Askin’ Questions, Gives Me Shivers, Toes In the Water, I Love a Rainy Night, Swamp Thang, DHSS, Beach Cowboy, Hillbilly Girl, The Door

Tips for this move:
Chasse and shuffle are often used synonymously, but the basic difference is a shuffle moves forward/backward and a chasse moves right/left. You may even hear a chasse called a “side shuffle” or “triple side” by those not as familiar with the terminology, but it’s the same move.

Unlike with shuffles, you can make larger steps in a chasse, but keep in mind that because there is still a half-step in this move, you will need to be light on your feet – you are squeezing 3 steps into 2 beats – so stay on your toes (it’s ok to flat foot the last step though).

Note:

Chasse’s can happen on their own, but they are often paired with a rock back. Those two steps combined make their own move, a Lindy Step.