Basic directions of movement with respect to the room
- along LOD
- against LOD
- to the center
- to the wall
- diagonally to the center (DC)
- diagonally to the wall (DW)
- diagonally to the center against the LOD (DC against LOD)
- diagonally to the wall against the LOD (DW against LOD)
These directions may be taken either facing or backing. For example, "backing DC against LOD".
Basic directions of step with respect to body position
These are decribed in one of the following ways.
- By compass points: Assuming that the dancer faces North at any moment, one may say, e.g., "take a step North-West".
- By clock: Assuming that the dancer stands at the center of a clock with hands and faces 12, one may say, e.g., "take a step at two o'clock".
- With respect to the line of the supporting foot, the next step may be placed
- forward,
- back,
- sideways,
- diagonally forward,
- diagonally back,
- forward and across,
- back and across.
A more detailed diagram of step directions of this kind can be found at ballroomdancers.com
Related topics
Glossary of ballroom dance terms - Dance basic topics