How to Do Line Dancing

Line dancing is a form of synchronized dancing in which dancers are arranged in rows, or lines, facing either in the same direction or each other. Dancers move in unison and do not come into physical contact with one another during the dance. Anyone can join a line dance just by knowing a few simple steps.^{[1]
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Things You Should Know

For the grapevine, stand with your feet together then cross your left foot behind and to the right of your right. Step your right foot to the right to bring your feet together.
Shuffle by stepping your right foot 1-1/2 feet forward. Slide your left foot to meet it, then repeat the steps with your left foot forward first.
Do a kickball change by kicking your right foot forward slightly off the ground. Lean forward to step on the ball of your right foot, then bring it back next to your left.

Part 1

Part 1 of 6:

Dancing the Grapevine

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Keep your arms relaxed at your sides.
Your feet should now be about a shoulder's width apart.

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Your legs should now be crossing one another.
Your feet should once again be a shoulder's width apart.
The speed of the steps will be based on the rhythm of the song your are dancing to.
The grapevine is used in popular line dances such as the Cowboy Boogie.^{[2]
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Part 2

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Shuffling Steps

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Keep your arms relaxed at your sides. Step forward about 1-1/2 feet with your right foot.
At least part of your foot should be touching the ground the entire time.
This is the last step of the sequence.
Step forward with your left foot about 1-1/2 feet. Slide your right foot up to meet your left foot. Step forward again with your left foot.
One of the most popular line dances to use this step is the Cupid Shuffle.^{[3]
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Making a Kickball Change

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Kick your right foot forward a few inches above the ground, then lean forward and step on the ball of that foot, but only for a second.
Then step down with your left foot.
The kickball change^{[4]
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Making Pivot Turns

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Place your weight on the ball of your foot and pivot 90-degrees to your left.
Bring your feet back together.
Pivot turns are used in many line dances, including the popular Cupid Shuffle,^{[6]
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Putting Steps Together

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1
Line dance to the song, "The Cupid Shuffle." Put the above steps together to perform the Cupid Shuffle Line Dance.
- Step four steps to the left using either the grapevine or a side shuffle, keeping rhythm with the song. Then make four similar steps to the right.
- Complete the kickball change with your left foot, followed by your right foot. Repeat the step with each foot.
- Pivot turn to the left, adding extra steps, turns and hip movements in tune to the music.
- Repeat the sequence.
2
Step to the "Electric Slide." You can also combine the above steps to perform the Electric Slide.
- Similar to the Cupid Shuffle, the Electric Slide begins with four grapevine steps to the left followed by four to the right.
- After grape-vining to each side, take four shuffle steps back followed by four shuffle steps forward.
- Complete a kickball change with each foot.
- Pivot turn 90 degrees to the left.
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Learn the Cowboy Boogie.^{[7]
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Research source} The dance is a popular sequence used with many country songs.
- Do one grapevine to the left, followed by a half-step with your knee up, known as a hitch. Complete the action to the right.
- Step forward and hitch, then step forward and hitch again.
- Take three steps back and hitch.
- "Boogie" by shaking your hips as you stand in place.
- Pivot step to the left, hitch and repeat.

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Joining a Line Dance

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1
Join a line dance at any club, party or reception by walking to the end of one line. Once in place, you can start stepping in time with the other dancers.
- If there is no more room on either side of the current lines, form a new line in the front or back.
- The rhythm of the line dance will be based on the tempo of the song playing. Step in time with the other dancers to stay on track.
When practicing the different moves, make an effort to always be moving in a straight line either to the side, front and back. This will be especially important when you are dancing with groups of people.
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Choose personal movements. While the steps and the counts or each dance are set, your own style will make your dancing stand out. You can choose how to move your hips, upper torso and arms to stand apart from the crowd.
- While some line dances have arm movements built in, most of the time you can hold you arms however you're comfortable. Hold your arms steady to your sides or in front of you, or you can even make up your own arm movements, as long as they're not too distracting.
Line dances can be held at barns, nightclubs, school dances, wedding receptions or even birthday parties.^{[8]
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Tips

Learn the count of each song you line dance to. Every step, hip movement and wobble has to be timed to the music.^{[9]
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In line dancing, a "tap" refers to stepping lightly with your foot without placing all of your weight down on it. For example, if you are doing a tap with your left foot, you will rest (or "tap") it on the ground while still keeping all of your weight on your right foot. Taps are oftentimes used in between moves to bring your feet back to a starting position so that you can begin moving in a new direction. Some dances even require you to tap with your heel.

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