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Choreographies6 minutes

Stroll Along Cha Cha Line Dance: Steps with Hand Contact

By Bernhard De LucaUpdated

In brief
  • Stroll Along Cha Cha by John and Janette Sandham is a 32-count, four-wall beginner line dance.
  • You dance cross-rock steps, forward and backward rock steps, Cha-Cha steps in place, and two turns.
  • During the cross-rock steps, you can hold the hands of the people directly next to you without forming a fixed pair.
  • To One Night at a Time by George Strait, you start on the left after a 32-count intro.

When an entire line crosses their feet at the same time, the sequence looks more complicated than it feels. The real learning point comes later: After the turns, your feet need to know again which step takes your weight next.

What you need for your first round

  • Flat, comfortable shoes with soles that can pivot
  • Open space for small cross steps and turns
  • The recording “One Night at a Time” by George Strait
  • A clearly identifiable starting wall as the 12 o’clock direction
  • Neighbors in a row for the hand-contact section

The Cha-Cha steps stay in place here

The name refers to a set Line Dance choreography, not a Cha Cha lesson as a partner dance. Everyone starts with the same foot and faces the same direction. Handholds temporarily connect neighbors in a line; nobody leads a partner figure. You can also learn the foot sequence on your own and add the handholds only when dancing through it together.

In this guide, Cha-Cha in place always means three complete weight changes over two counts: left, right, left on “3 and 4”, then right, left, right on “7 and 8”. The “and” falls between the two full beats. Your feet stay under you; you don't travel across the floor with every triple step. This also makes the choreography suitable for a tightly packed line. So a traveling-forward Line Dance Shuffle Step is not the version you want here.

On a rock, you transfer your weight onto the named foot and return to the other one. A mere tap isn't enough: afterward, the wrong foot would be free. Since the handholds require extra attention, it helps to follow the principle of coordinating arms and legs separately at first. The four walls are created by changing direction at the end of each complete round.

The lower bodies of women in a dance studio
Taking a water break between run-throughs is better than suddenly stepping out in the middle of a connected line.

Dance the 32 counts step by step

  1. Counting in to the recording

    Use the album version of One Night at a Time by George Strait from Carrying Your Love with Me. Starting from the steady beat, count four sets of eight, 32 counts in total. The foot sequence begins with the left foot on the next beat.

  2. Cross-rock left and right

    Counts 1-8: 1 cross left over right and transfer your weight, 2 step back onto right, 3&4 Cha-Cha in place, left, right, left; 5 cross right over left and transfer your weight, 6 step back onto left, 7&8 right, left, right. Hold hands with your neighbors loosely and low.

  3. Repeat the cross rocks

    Counts 9-16: Repeat the same eight-count sequence: cross rock left, recover, left, right, left; cross rock right, recover, right, left, right. Stay facing the starting wall; after count 16, your weight is on your right foot, and you release your neighbors' hands.

  4. Rocking Forward and Back

    Counts 17-24: 17 rock forward onto your left, 18 rock back onto your right, 19&20 Cha-Cha in place, left, right, left. 21 rock back onto your right, 22 recover onto your left, 23&24 right, left, right; your facing direction remains unchanged.

  5. Make a Half Turn to the Right

    Counts 25-28: 25 step forward on the left, 26 make a half turn to the right and finish on the right. 27&28 Cha-Cha in place, left, right, left; starting from 12 o'clock, you're now facing 6 o'clock.

  6. Step a quarter turn to the left

    Counts 29-32: 29 step forward on the right, 30 make a quarter turn to the left and transfer your weight onto the left. 31&32 Cha-Cha in place, right, left, right; you are now facing 3 o’clock, with your left foot free for the restart.

  7. Continue toward the new wall

    Begin again without pausing with the left cross-rock step. First, practice four rounds without handholds: Start facing 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock; after the fourth round, you'll be facing the original wall again.

These differences make the sequence clean

Like this

  • When cross-rocking, only cross as far as you can stay stable
  • On the “and,” take a small, complete step
  • During a pivot, keep your heel free to move as you turn
  • Dance Cha-Cha steps with soft knees under your body

Not like this

  • Extend the cross step until your knees twist
  • Tap your foot on the “and” without shifting your weight
  • Force your knee into the turn with your sole stuck to the floor
  • Push your Cha-Cha steps outward with straight knees

Check off your practice run

Before the Music

Orientation

After the practice run

Check

After the music run-through

Reinforcement

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. No, you don’t need a regular partner and can join the group on your own. You connect with the people directly beside you in the line, not as part of a permanent pair. When practicing at home, leave out the handholds; the footwork stays exactly the same.

The next round, you dance together

On udansa, you’ll find dance partners to regularly practice cross-rock steps and wall changes with. Set up a run-through to George Strait, first without holding hands, then in a line.

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The next round, you dance together

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