Move · Videos · Technique · 9 min

Cha Cha for Beginners: Basic in Place and Side Basic

Cha Cha for Beginners: Basic in Place and Side Basic — video by Passion4dancing Play · 9:25

Video by Passion4dancing on YouTube · Open on YouTube

Leon and Kim teach two American-style cha cha basics, the basic in place and the side basic, for both leader and follower, then dance them to music. A classic wedding and party dance that starts with simple rock steps and triples.

  • 9 min
  • Beginner
  • Low impact (no jumping)
  • No equipment
  • Ballroom

Good forDancing for fun

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Step by step 8

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  1. Basic in place: prep step to the side, rock back and replace, triple step together, then rock forward and triple. 1:00
  2. Count it 'one, two, three, cha-cha-one', switching your weight every time and letting the hips join in. 2:11
  3. As a couple: leaders start to the side with the left foot, followers with the right; then dance it together. 2:58
  4. The basic in place danced to music. 4:17
  5. Side basic: the same rock steps, but the triple step travels to the side: side, close, side. 4:54
  6. Side basic as a couple, leaders starting with the left foot and followers with the right. 5:59
  7. Once it feels easy, turn the side basic gradually around on one spot; then dance it to music. 7:05
  8. Demo: the two basics combined with other cha cha steps, to music. 8:16

The steps are a summary in our words, checked against the video — the coach shows every move.

Form cues from the coach

  • Rock step back, replace, then a triple step: cha-cha-one, two, three
  • Switch your weight from foot to foot every time and let the hips join in
  • Leaders start with the left foot to the side and followers with the right

What it works

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Joints it uses light on the joints

  • Hips movesrock steps, triples, hip action
  • Knees movesrock steps, triple steps, weight changes
  • Ankles & feet movesrock steps, quick triples, ball-flat steps

A guide to the joints this video’s moves load, from what the coach does — not medical advice. Some ache is normal; stop if a joint hurts sharply. How joints are rated

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Video by Passion4dancing; the summary, steps, cues, body areas and joint notes are Notbroken’s, written from what the coach actually does in the video and checked a second time. Warm up first, take the easier options until a move feels easy, and stop if you feel sharp pain, chest pain or dizziness. General instruction, not advice for your body. About & safety