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Footwork6 minutes

How to Dance the Cha Cha Cha Chassé Without Hopping

By Bernhard De LucaUpdated

In brief
  • The side chassé consists of three steps: step to the side, close the other foot, then step to the side again.
  • As you close, transfer your weight fully onto the foot you bring in, so the next side step is free.
  • Short steps and flexible knees keep your upper body at roughly the same height, without consciously pushing upward.
  • First practice closing your feet slowly without music, then link the three steps without hopping.

A tiny gap between your shoes is barely noticeable. A missing weight shift, on the other hand, makes the next side step difficult and tempts you to save yourself with a little hop.

What you need for the exercise

  • Level, clear floor without tripping hazards
  • Well-fitting shoes with soles that let you control your glide
  • Clothing that allows freedom of movement at the hips and knees
  • A secure stance on one foot at a time
  • A mirror or a side-view video recording

The closing step is a step with weight

In the side chasse in Cha-Cha, the middle step looks unremarkable: One foot comes to the other, and you immediately move on. That is exactly why it is often only tapped. Then your weight stays on the supporting leg. That leg is supposed to move sideways again, even though it is still supporting you. This can lead to pulling, a late step, or a small hop.

Feet together does not mean your weight should stay on both feet. The foot that comes in becomes your new supporting leg. The other is then free for the final side step. Keep your knees flexible as you bring your foot in, and straighten the supporting leg in a controlled way without locking it. A deep dip before every step would create just as much instability as pushing upward. Extra hip movement cannot replace transferring your weight either.

This exercise isolates the side step. You can find out how it fits into the dance in Getting started with Cha Cha, steps and music. For choosing a course later on, Understanding the differences between Cha-Cha-Cha, Rumba, Jive, and Paso Doble will help you tell the dances in a Latin dance program apart.

A sole that sticks to the floor can make it unnecessarily difficult to bring your feet together.
A sole that sticks to the floor can make it unnecessarily difficult to bring your feet together.

Practice the Side Chassé in Seven Steps

  1. Find a steady stance on the left

    Stand with your feet close together and shift your weight onto your left foot. Keep your upper body upright without locking your knees. You should be able to briefly take the weight off your right foot without tipping to the side.

  2. Take a small step to the right

    Step your right foot just far enough to the right that you can comfortably land on it. First touch the floor with the ball of your foot, then lower your heel in a controlled way. Shift your weight onto your right foot until your left foot can move freely.

  3. Bring the left foot in

    Bring your left foot close to your right, just above the floor, without pushing firmly with the sole. Your feet should be side by side, not crossed or one behind the other. Leave just enough space so your shoes don't block each other.

  4. Fully transfer your weight to the left

    Shift your weight onto your left foot in closed position. Pause briefly to check, and lift your right foot a few millimeters off the floor. If you can do this without leaning any further, your left foot is already carrying your weight; merely touching the floor with your right foot wouldn’t be enough.

  5. Set your right foot down to the side again

    Take a small step to the right again with your now-free right foot and transfer your weight onto it. Don't push yourself up onto both balls of your feet beforehand. Your head should stay at roughly the same height during this step.

  6. Connect the three steps smoothly

    Repeat the sequence without pauses to check, and say “side, close, side” as you do it. Here, the words mark only the movement sequence, not musical counts. Keep all three steps small and include each foot change, rather than skipping the middle.

  7. Perform the left direction too

    Starting with your weight on your right foot, mirror the movement: step left to the side, close your right foot, step left to the side. Practice both directions separately before adding them to your familiar basic step. You’ve got it when you don’t need a little hop to save either direction.

Small adjustments for a smooth side step

Like this

  • Place your feet next to each other as you close
  • Keep the step small enough to shift your weight over it
  • Keep your knees flexible without sinking too low
  • If your shoes touch, repeat the foot closure more slowly

Not like this

  • Hide the foot you’re bringing in behind the supporting foot
  • Place the foot far out and drag your body after it
  • Lock your knees or bend deeply before every step
  • When your shoes touch, bring your feet together with a swing

Your check-in before and after practice

Before the first run-through

Preparation

After the slow run-throughs

Control

After the Smooth Run-Through

Review

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. No, you don't have to press your shoes against each other when closing. Bring your feet side by side and close together without twisting them. Depending on the shape of your shoes, a narrow gap may remain. What matters is that the foot you bring in ends up under you and can take your weight, rather than staying out to the side.

Latin courses for confident side steps

Practice your foot close in Cha-Cha-Cha with technique feedback on your supporting leg, knees, and weight transfer.

See all matching courses

Practice closing your feet together

On udansa, you can find dance partners to practice short technique exercises before dancing Cha-Cha-Cha together. Find someone at a similar learning level so you have enough time for slow repetitions.

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Practice closing your feet together

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