Jazz Vocabulary

2. Palm of the hand can face forward or backward with the fingers fully stretched.
3. An exchange of weight from one foot to another with the hip leading.
4. A jump where you push off of one foot into a split position and then land on the opposite leg.
7. A movement that is initiated in the hip. A step on one foot while dragging the other leg and pointed foot along the floor. This movement can take you all the way to the floor.
8. To whirl or spin, a turn. This may be performed in a parallel or turned out position in jazz dance.
9. The transfer of weight from one foot to the other on the ball of the foot.
10. Begins with a side chase as a preparation. While completing a half tour in the air the body faces the front in an X position. Landing with a plié crossover.
12. To chase. A step in which one foot literally chases the other foot our of its position.
16. A movement of only one part of the body.
18. A movement performed on the floor in which both legs fan through the air to roll the body from one side to the other.
19. A movement go the head while doing turns. The dancer chooses a spot in front or in the direction they are turning. As the turn is made way from the spot the head is the last to leave and the first to arrive as the body completes the turn.
20. You step to the side then bring your non weight bearing leg in and tap it next to your standing leg.

1. A three step movement that can be done two ways (over or under). This movement includes a ball change. This move is used to change directions.
5. Undulation of the body.
6. A movement in which the leg makes a sweeping arch through space. It crosses in front of the body and sweeps up to make a half circle before touching the ground. The arm moves in opposition of the leg.
11. A movement performed on the balls of both feet, quickly changing the direction of the body 180°.
12. This is done in parallel positions. You will cross one foot in front of the other foot and the leg that is behind will come out to the side and the pointed toes will tap the floor. Then the leg that is extended side will cross in front of the standing leg.
13. A traveling step that crosses in front and in back and goes sideways in direction.
14. The non-weight bearing foot kicks and touches behind to begin the ball change step.
15. A movement consisting of four walking steps performance in a square (cross, backward, side, and front)
17. To bend. Can be completed in all of the basic feet positions. Strengthens the legs in preparation for jumping and provides a gentle landing from jumps.