Cha Cha Cha Basic and Advanced Routine with Hockey Stick
The short answer: this lesson gives you two Cha Cha Cha routines. The basic routine focuses on good chasse actions, using Basic Movements, Hand to Hand, Forward Lock, New York and Spot Turn. The advanced routine adds a Ronde Basic, Twist Chasse, a Time Step with Guapacha timing, Cuban Breaks, Zig Zags and a Hockey Stick ending. Each routine is danced in full, then named figure by figure and counted 2, 3, 4-and-1.
What is in this Cha Cha Cha lesson?
Two routines in one video. The basic Cha Cha Cha builds clean chasse actions. The advanced Cha Cha Cha is great for solo work, or as an entry for you and your partner to begin a routine. For each one you see the routine danced in full, then every figure named, then the timing counted out loud.
What steps are in the basic Cha Cha Cha routine?
- 2 Basic Movements: repeat them as many times as you feel comfortable.
- Hand to Hand: the man takes right hand to left hand hold to open the lady out.
- Forward Lock
- New York
- Spot Turn
- Hand to Hand, Forward Lock, New York and Spot Turn again
- Chasse to the side
What steps are in the advanced Cha Cha Cha routine?
- Chasse to the left from Left Side Position
- 3 Cha Cha Chas forward
- Ronde Basic
- Twist Chasse, then hold
- Time Step with Guapacha timing: the heel doesn't lower
- RF Cuban Break, then double-time Cuban Breaks and one more Cuban Break
- LF Cuban Break into a High Cross, then hold
- Ronde Basic on the other leg
- 2 Zig Zags
- 2 x 2 Walks and Forward Lock
- Hockey Stick ending for the lady, finishing facing your partner
Common mistakes
- Skipping chasse practice. Side chasses and Forward Locks are both chasse actions, and they run through both routines.
- Lowering the heel in the Time Step with Guapacha timing.
- Moving on to the advanced routine before the basic routine feels comfortable.
Try this in your next practice
Practise your chasses. Dance side chasses and Forward Locks while counting 4-and-1 out loud. Then dance the basic routine along with the timing section of the video, and only move on to the advanced routine when it feels easy.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count Cha Cha Cha?
2, 3, 4-and-1. I count both routines out loud in the video.
How fast is Cha Cha Cha music?
WDSF competition rules set Cha Cha Cha at 30 to 32 bars a minute.
Does the heel lower in the Guapacha Time Step?
No. In this routine the heel doesn't go down on the Time Step with Guapacha timing.
Can I dance the advanced routine on my own?
Yes. It's great for solo practice, and it also works as an entry for you and your partner to start a routine.
What should I practise most in Cha Cha Cha?
Your chasses, including the Forward Lock, which is also a chasse action.
Related lessons
- How to dance Cha Cha Cha forward and backward locks
- Cha Cha Cha Cuban Break with Double Take
- Cha Cha Cha basic and advanced routine
- How to use your feet for Latin American dancing
Vaughan Liddicoat is a 4 time World Professional 10 Dance representative for Australia, an accredited coach and the founder of Ballroom Mastery. He has a passion for dance and wants to help you become the best dancer you can be and have an amazing time doing it.
Fix one thing in your dancing every week.
Most dancers practise for years without knowing what's really holding them back. The Mastery Letter is my free weekly letter that shows you, one clear lesson at a time.
Every week you get one lesson, one tip and one story from me, a 4 time World Professional 10 Dance representative for Australia. Ballroom and Latin, from frame and footwork to timing and hip action.
It takes under five minutes to read, so you can take it straight into your next practice.
Enter your email below. Edition 1 is yours as soon as you confirm.
Free. Unsubscribe any time. Your email is never shared or sold.
