Line dance steps glossary

The steps you'll hear called most often, in plain English.

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Stomp: Bring the foot down firmly, taking your weight onto it.
Stomp up: Bring the foot down firmly without putting weight on it — the next step is on the same foot.
Touch: Touch the toe (or ball) of the foot to the floor without taking weight.
Point: Touch the toe out to the side or front, leg straight, no weight.
Scuff: Brush the heel forward along the floor, ending with the foot slightly raised.
Hitch: Lift the knee up in front of you.
Kick: Kick the foot forward from the knee, without taking weight.
Flick: Flick the foot backwards from the knee, usually to the side.
Hook: Lift the foot and cross it in front of the other shin.
Heel / toe strut: Touch the heel (or toe) down first, then drop the rest of the foot to take weight.
Rock step: Rock your weight onto one foot (forward, back or to the side), then recover onto the other.
Rocking chair: Rock forward, recover, rock back, recover — four counts.
Shuffle (triple step): Three quick steps in two beats — step, close, step — counted "1&2". Can travel forward, back or sideways.
Coaster step: Step back, step the other foot beside it, step forward — counted "3&4".
Sailor step: Cross one foot behind the other, step the other foot to the side, step back in place — counted "1&2".
Kick ball change: Kick forward, step on the ball of that foot beside the other, then change weight back — counted "1&2".
Mambo step: Rock forward (or back), recover, then step the foot back beside the other — counted "1&2".
Vine (grapevine): Step to the side, cross the other foot behind, step to the side again, then touch or scuff — four counts.
Weave: A longer vine, crossing in front and behind alternately as you travel sideways.
Jazz box: Cross one foot over the other, step back, step to the side, step forward — a little square.
Lock step: Step forward, lock the back foot behind the front heel, step forward again.
Pivot turn: Step forward, then turn (usually ½ or ¼) on the balls of both feet, shifting weight onto the back foot.
Paddle turn: Turn in small stages on one foot while the other foot pushes you round like a paddle.
Monterey turn: Point to the side, make a ½ turn bringing that foot together, point the other foot to the side, bring it together.
Charleston: Step forward, kick or touch forward, step back, touch back — with a swing.
Heel grind: Put the heel down with toes in, then swivel the toes out as you take weight.
Sway / hip bump: Move the hips from side to side in time with the music, weight shifting each time.
Wall: The direction you face. A ¼ turn takes you to a new wall.
Tag / restart: Extra steps added (tag), or starting the dance again early (restart), to fit the music.

Descriptions are a general guide — always follow the step sheet for the dance you're learning.