Direction and Alignment

Direction and alignment are used to describe the orientation of the body in relation to the Line of Dance (LOD). They provide a universal method of describing the direction of movement and the body’s position on the dance floor.

The Line of Dance (LOD) is an imaginary line of progression that travels anti-clockwise around the dance floor, parallel to the wall. It serves as the reference point for describing the direction of all steps and movements.

The Eight Alignments

The eight standard alignments divide the dance floor into the principal directions used in ballroom, sequence and social dancing.

Line of Dance (LOD)

The direction of travel around the dance floor in an anti-clockwise direction, parallel to the wall.

Diagonal to Wall (DW)

Halfway between Line of Dance and Wall (approximately ⅛ turn to the right of LOD).

Wall (W)

Facing directly towards the wall (¼ turn to the right of LOD). When facing LOD, the wall is on the dancer’s right.

Diagonal to Wall Against LOD (DW against LOD)

Halfway between Against LOD and Wall.

Against Line of Dance (Against LOD)

The direction opposite to the Line of Dance. Movement is clockwise around the room, parallel to the wall.

Diagonal to Centre Against LOD (DC against LOD)

Halfway between Against LOD and Centre.

Centre (C)

Facing towards the centre of the room (¼ turn to the left of LOD). When facing LOD, the centre is directly to the left. The centre refers to the centre of the dance floor, not necessarily the centre of the room.

Diagonal to Centre (DC)

Halfway between Line of Dance and Centre (approximately ⅛ turn to the left of LOD).

Understanding Alignment

Alignment describes the direction in which the body is facing or moving at the completion of a step. It is always related to the Line of Dance.

The terms Facing, Backing, and Pointing are used to describe alignment.

Alignment may be determined from either:

• the body’s position when using Five-Foot Position Technique, or

• the feet when using Parallel Foot Position Technique.

Facing

The term Facing is used when a step moves forward, or when a side step has a forward component.

For example, a step that moves sideways and slightly forward has a Facing Alignment.

Backing

The term Backing is used when a step moves backward, or when a side step has a backward component.

For example, a step that moves sideways and slightly backward has a Backing Alignment.

If the feet close after a backward step, the closing foot also takes the same Backing Alignment.

Neutral Steps

A side or closing step may not have a definite forward or backward direction. In these cases, the alignment is determined by the direction of the following movement.

For example, if the next step is forward, the preceding side step is described using a Facing Alignment. If the next movement is backward, it is described using a Backing Alignment.

Each of the eight alignments may be used with either Facing or Backing, depending on the direction of travel.

The starting alignment for each dance is normally shown in the heading of the corresponding dance chart.

Towards the Alignment of…

During a turning movement, the body may not yet have completed its rotation into the next alignment. In this case there is no definite alignment, and the expression:

“Towards the Alignment of the Next Step”

is used until the turn is completed.

Direction and Alignment in Five-Foot Position Technique

In Five-Foot Position Technique, the feet are turned out, so alignment is determined by the position of the body, not by the feet.

Alignment describes where the body is facing or backing in relation to the Line of Dance (LOD) at the completion of a step. If a foot points in a different direction from the body, the term Pointing is used to describe the foot position.

Example

If the alignment is Facing LOD:

* The body is facing the Line of Dance.

* The RF may be pointing towards LOD.

* The LF may be pointing towards Diagonal to Wall (DW).

Whenever a foot points in a different direction from the body’s alignment, the pointing direction is taken from the feet.

Dance charts may also include a Directional Term together with the Alignment. The directional term always appears first and describes the direction of travel.

Example:

Moving Down LOD, Facing DC

* Moving Down LOD describes the direction of travel.

* Facing DC describes the body’s alignment at the end of the step.

Example – Pas de Valse

A Left Foot Forward Pas de Valse commencing Facing DW illustrates the difference between direction and alignment.

* Step 1: The body and feet face the same direction, so the alignment is Facing LOD.

* Step 2: The movement travels Down LOD, while the body finishes Facing DC. This is written as Moving Down LOD, Facing DC.

* Step 3: The closing step has no directional movement, so only the alignment is recorded as Facing DC.

Direction and Alignment in Parallel Foot Position Technique

In Parallel Foot Position Technique, the feet usually face the same direction as the body. Therefore, alignment is generally determined by the position of the feet rather than the body.

Alignment describes where the feet are Facing, Backing, or Pointing in relation to the Line of Dance at the end of the step.

If the feet point in a different direction from the body’s movement, the term Pointing is used instead of Facing.

For example, during walks in Promenade Position, the body may travel in one direction while the feet point in another. In these cases, both the direction of travel and the foot alignment are recorded.

Example:

Moving Along LOD, Pointing DW

This indicates that the body is progressing along the Line of Dance while the feet are pointing towards Diagonal to Wall.

Directional Terms

The following terms describe the direction of movement:

* Moving

* Down

* Towards

* Along

* Against

These terms appear in the Direction/Alignment column of dance charts before the alignment.

Moving Down LOD describes a step that travels in the direction of the Line of Dance while the body finishes slightly turned away from the direction of travel, usually by approximately ⅛ of a turn.

This is commonly used for forward and backward steps with a forward or backward component.

Example:

Moving Down LOD, Facing DC

Moving Along LOD

This term is commonly used in Promenade Position, where the body travels in one direction while the feet point in another.

Examples include:

* Moving Along LOD, Pointing DW

* Moving Towards Centre, Pointing DC