The information on this page and throughout the whole dance represents the authentic technique for Cha Cha Cha.

The Time Step is used as a teaching figure to practise and rehearse the rhythmical timing and hip action.

It is the only figure in Cha Cha Cha that commences on beat 1, this is to make dancers familiar with the Cha Cha Cha timing. It is also an ideal figure to practise the chasse actions.

Explanation of Time Step for the man:

Step 1: Side step using right foot, taken on beat 1. Both knees will straighten and lock back, the hip will transfer and the weight will be felt towards the heel.

Step 2: Foot close with weight change, the hip will transfer onto the left foot and will finish with the weight towards the heel.

Step 3: Transfer of weight in place, there will be no foot movement, the hip will transfer fully to the right leg and the weight will be felt towards the heel of the foot.

Steps 4-6: Cha Cha Cha Chasse Left Right Left moving to the side (for a fuller explanation of the actions in this movement see Cha Cha Cha Chasse to Right and Left). Step 6 is a repeat of step 1 on the left foot.

Steps 7-11: A repeat of steps 2-6 travelling to the right.

Explanation of Time Step for the lady:

Steps 1-11: The lady does the normal opposite to the man’s steps, using all the same technical details.

Explanation of Precedes and Follows:

Because this movement starts with the man’s right foot (lady’s left foot) on beat 1, the last step of all precedes will also be the first step of this figure.

Suitable Precedes:

• Close Basic
• Spot Turn to Left
• Underarm Turn to Right
• Check from Open PP
• 1-10 of Hand to Hand
• Alemana
• Alemana from Open Position with Left to Right Hand Hold

Suitable Follows:

• • Close Basic
  • Close Basic finished in Open CPP
  • Fan
  • Spot Turn to Right

After step 6:

• Spot Turn to Left
• Underarm Turn to Right

Explanation of Footwork:

• Throughout the figure the footwork is Ball flat for both the man and the lady.

Explanation of Hold:

• This figure can be danced with or without hold.

Examination Tip:

• Because this is the only figure which commences on beat 1 and because it is recommended to be used as a teaching figure to introduce the rhythm, it is a very popular examination question.