1. Dance is the art of movement of the body, usually rhythmically and to music, using
prescribed or improvised steps andgestures. "A dance" is any one prescribed sequence
of such movements, or the music to which it is performed, or an event at which it takes
place.[1] Dance may also be regarded as a form of nonverbal
communication recognisable in other animals; in bee dances and behaviour
patterns such as mating dances.
Dance can be categorized and described in various ways. It may be analysed purely by
its choreography, its repertoire of movements, or it may be classified according to
its time or place of origin. Yet study reveals many generic similarities in many different
times and places.
An important distinction is to be drawn
between theatrical and participatory dance.[2] Nevertheless, these two categories are
not completely separate. Each may borrow from the other. Social dancers may become
professional or competitive dancers, may be watched by millions. Both may also have
special functions; they may be ceremonial dances performed only at one time of year,
they may be intended as an erotic dance, a war dance or a sacred or liturgical dance.
Such dances allow both emotional expression and invocation.
Martial arts kata are often compared to dances, and sports such as gymnastics, figure
skating and synchronized swimming are generally thought to incorporate dance.
What is Dance?
Dance is the art form in which human movement becomes the medium for sensing,
understanding, and communicating ideas, feelings, and experiences. Dance provides a
way of learning—one that develops communication abilities, problem solving
techniques, and creative and critical thinking skills along with kinesthetic abilities. At its
core, the goal of dance education is to engage students in artistic experiences through
the processes of creation, performance and response.
The Elements of Dance
Dance has its own content, vocabulary, skills, and techniques, which must be
understood and applied to be proficient in the art. The elements of dance are the
foundational concepts and vocabulary for developing movement skills as well as
understanding dance as an art form. All these elements are simultaneously present in a
dance or even in a short movement phrase.
Body
Action
Space
Time

2. Energy
The acronym BASTE helps educators and students recall these elements of dance. Use
the links above and in the right sidebar to find out more about each element and see
video clip examples from outstanding Minnesota dancers and choreographers.
The 6 Elements of Dance
Dancing is made up of 6 elements of dance. Whether you are a world class competitor or an
absolute beginner you will ultimately need all six elements. As a beginner dancer it is typical to
learn only the first 3 initially. Learning more than the first 3 in your first 10 lessons would be
confusing. Conquering a level of comfort and muscle memory of the first 3 elements is ideal
before adding the other 3 elements.
1- Step Pattern
The step pattern is the combination of steps put together to create mini sequences. These
sequences can then be linked to create routines or variations.
2- Footwork
Footwork is the action in which we use the foot to create the technical element of the dance. For
example heel, toe actions commonly used in the smooth and standard dances to create rise and
fall. Ball, flat footwork commonly used in the rhythm and Latin dances.
3- Timing
Timing is the beats of the music we move our feet to. For example a box step can be danced in
waltz to a 1, 2, 3, timing. This is the feet being placed on the floor to those specific beats. A box
step can also be danced in rumba but with a slow, quick quick timing, making the 2 dances very
different in appearance. All dances have their own unique timing.
4- Lead and Follow
Lead is what the gentleman is doing to maneuver the lady around the floor and through changes
of direction within step patterns. Follow is the lady reacting to the mans lead. The lead and
follow element is paramount to 2 people ultimately moving as a 1 in harmony.
5- Style
Style is the element that is added to create the character of each individual dance. This can be
done through hip action, arm style, body position, movement across the floor. It can be grace and
elegance common for waltz, the staccato action common for Tango or even the sexy hip action
used in most Latin dances. Although style is the icing on the cake to create the “Look” it is
achieved by the technical elements in 1-4.
6- Continuity
Continuity is the ability to maintain the consistency of the dance. Whether it be to link the step
patterns together with ease or maintain the timing of the dance throughout the music or even be
consistent with the correct footwork we all aim to achieve that perfect dance performance. A
perfect dance performance is ultimately unrealistic but to become as consistent as possible is
definitely a good feeling and will build confidence in your dancing

3. Basic Cheerleading Motions
There are a few motions that cheerleaders learn and use right from the
beginning. Even when you advance to higher levels in your cheer career, you
will still use these basic motions over and over again.
Ready Position
This is a basic starting position for almost every routine. Feet are shoulder
width apart and both hands are in fists resting just where the hips begin.
Elbows should be straight out to the sides and not pointed to the front.
Hand Clasp
Although it may appear that a cheerleader is clapping, more than likely she
is clasping her hands together. This creates a sharp look to the routine and
is more dramatic when the cheerleader is trying to get the audience to clap
with her.
T Motion
Arms are straight out to the sides at shoulder height and hands should be
turned so that the thumbs face forward and the pinky fingers face to the
back. Hands are in tight fists. Feet are typically together, but this can vary
by routine.
Broken T
To create a broken T motion, raise both arms so that your fists rest on your
chest at shoulder height. The thumb should be to the back, closest to your
body and the pinky finger toward the front, facing out. Be careful to keep
your elbows raised and not drop them. Keep your fists close to your body for
a tight, sharp movement.
Intermediate Motions for Cheerleaders
Touchdown

4. To perform a touchdown motion, straighten your arms and bring them up on
either side of your ears. Hands are in a fist with the pinky finger forward.
Feet are together. There is also a motion called the low touchdown. To
perform a low touchdown, straighten your arms and bring them straight
down so they are on either side of the thighs. The thumbs point forward in
the low touchdown.
V Motion
The V motion can be done as a high V or low V. Start with legs shoulder
width apart. To complete a high V motion, the arms are straight up but out
from the head by about 45 degrees. Make the arms about the same width
apart as the legs and you'll be very close to a perfect high V. Thumbs face
forward. To do a low V, reverse the motion and bring arms out about 45
degrees from the legs.
Right and Left Punch
This move may seem simple, but the alternating motion of one hand on the
hip and the other hand punching up can be confusing for very young or new
cheerleaders. However, if you stick with cheerleading, you will learn this
motion fairly early on in your cheer career. To perform a right punch, as
shown above, place your left hand on your hip with your elbow straight out
to your side. The right arm should be straight up beside your ear. To
perform a left punch, reverse the motion and put your right hand on your
hip and your left arm straight up in the air.
Advanced Moves
L Motion
Imagine that your arms are creating a straight letter "L" and you should be
able to complete this cheer motion. Although the cheerleader above has the
right idea with her right arm straight to the side and her left arm up, she
needs to move her arms into better position to be an advanced cheerleader.
To perform a right L, place your right arm straight out to the side at
shoulder height (the cheerleader above needs to raise her arm a bit). The
thumb should face forward. The left arm is straight up next to the ear (the

5. cheerleader above needs to straighten her left arm and bring it closer to her
head). To perform a left L, simply reverse the motions and put the left arm
out straight to the side and the right arm straight up next to your head.
Right and Left K
The K is an advanced cheerleading motion that takes a lot of practice and
coordination to perform correctly, especially in the middle of a routine when
you are trying to remember multiple moves. To perform a right K, the right
leg is to the side in a partial lunge and the left leg faces forward with your
toes pointed to the front as well. The right arm goes straight up and into a
45 degree position away from the head. Remember, if your feet are shoulder
width apart, then your arm will match the width about where the outside of
your right foot is. The left arm is lowered and comes across your chest and
to the right side. To perform a left K, place the left arm up and the right arm
across the body.