The hardest step in line dancing

We all know that line dancing is basically an amalgamation of different steps put together to match the tempo of a song (we all knew that, RIGHT?!?).  So, in the many years I’ve been teaching, I’ve taught a lot of different steps.

Some of the harder steps I’ve taught include wizard step, sailor step, scissor step, vaudeville step, basic steps with odd turns, cross chasse, etc.  However, I have finally nailed down the absolute hardest step that I’ve ever taught.  It is… wait for it…. the pause!

Literally, I’ve found that having to hold for a beat in a dance is the Achilles heel to most dances.  We are so used to making a move on every step (or even every half step) that the idea of just standing there for a beat is more than our bodies are willing to allow.  

The following are some of our dances that have pauses in them (how many have you mastered??):

• Rockin’ The Wagon Wheel
• Teach Me How to Diffie
• The Bone Dance
• Bombshel Stomp
• Bartender Stomp
• Come Dance With Me
• Cowgirl Shuffle
• One Way Ticket

The best way to combat the pause problem is to count steps (literally).  Pretty much all dances are done in 8 counts*, so as you’re doing the steps, count them off.  For example:

1-2-3-PAUSE-5-6-7-8

Keep in mind that there are a lot of half counts in our dances too though, but it will still have the same 8 counts, so it may be more like this, but you still get your 8 counts:

1&2-3-4-PAUSE-6-7&8

So next time a dance looks easy, take a “pause” and see if you can stop your momentum once you get going!  If not, come see me and we’ll work through that stinkin’ pause together!

*Disclaimer: In my experience, every line dance is done in 8 counts.  I have yet to come across one that isn’t, but since anyone can choreograph a dance and there are no rules, technically someone could break this pattern and some probably have, so that’s the only reason I say “pretty much all” instead of “all”.