LINE OF DANCE

The line of dance is an imaginary line that runs around the perimeter of the ballroom. Not only is the line of dance important in order to keep all couples moving in the same general direction on the dance floor, but dancers will find that being aware of line of dance, in conjunction with their body position relative to the walls and center of the room, will be important as they learn more intermediate and advanced level patterns in the Progressive dances.

In ballroom dance, being conscious of the line of dance is very important when doing what are called Progressive dances. There are two types of ballroom dances. Spot Dances are dances that are done "on the spot." The couple stays in one general area of the dance floor throughout the entire dance. These are Cha Cha, Rumba, Bolero, Swing/Jive, Merengue and Mambo/Salsa.

Progressive dances, on the other hand, travel around the dance floor. Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Samba and Paso Doble are Progressive dances. Progressive dances have patterns and movements that cause the couple to travel continuously, so line of dance applies, and becomes critical, when doing these dances.

 

LINE OF DANCE DIRECTION OF DANCER'S FEET AND ALIGNMENT OF BODY IN RELATION TO THE ROOM
The Line of Dance (L.O.D.) is an imaginary line which represents the counterclockwise flow of traffic around the dance floor. During Progressive Dances all couples need to move in the same general counterclockwise direction in order to avoid collisions. Progressive Dances (these travel along the Line of Dance) Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Quickstep, Samba, Paso Doble. The Line of Dance (L.O.D.), as well as the walls and center of the room, are used to orient the direction of the ballroom dancers' feet and the alignment of their bodies when performing dance patterns.

See Importance of line
of dance in patterns like
Quarter Turns in Foxtrot