The word step can be used in two senses - and depending on context it might be used in either sense in the dance instructions on this web-site. The first sense is as an individual movement that involves a complete transfer or change of weight from one foot to another. The second is as a combination of movements, some of which may involve a complete transfer of weight (e.g. a simple step forward, a leap/jete or a glide), others a partial transfer (going from weight on one foot to weight on two fee as in a 'step-draw' or 'assemble), and other no transfer at all (e.g. a bend/'plie' as the other foot draws up near, a pause while the other foot either cuts, points, swings through or does nothing, a slight lift, a bounce,  a hop/'saute' on one foot or a jump on two feet).

Most people don't want or need to think in terms of weight transfer, but do appreciate brief descriptions of what is meant by some terms. Here is such a glossary. For those who want to go into more detail, the notes at the end of this section might be of interest.

balance   Sometimes a simple step forward followed by a step back. Sometimes two lots of three steps - step onto first specified foot, bring other up to briefly take weight and step onto the first foot again, then repeat with other foot in other direction.

bourr¯e   Sometimes a single lilting step (with or without an extra stomp on front foot). More often 3 quick small down-beat steps (l, r, l then r, l, r) - the first the more accentuated.

chass¯e   Sliding step to the side, together, step, together

double   Three steps and then bring first foot up to close without putting weight on it å as in up a double and back.

galop   face-to-face with partner, 2, 4 or 8 sliding steps to side å by not putting down trailing foot on final step can flip about cw to galop looking over other sh. and using other lead foot.

mazurka   a family of travelling couples dance steps in triple time characterised by a strong first step. For the ÇSkaterÁs MazurkaÁ glide forward with outside foot, hold rear leg extended and hop on front foot bringing rear foot up to cut in front of outside shin, then repeat starting on inside foot. For the ÇHop MazurkaÁ glide forward with the outside foot, and hop on front foot twice while bringing rear foot up to cut behind and in front, then repeat starting on inside foot. For the ÇHobble MazurkaÁ glide forward on outside foot, bring inside foot up to meet and take weight and hop on rear foot then either repeat on same foot or turn using a redowa step å as above except instead of final hop both leap onto first foot while turning as a couple 180Æ cw.

pivot   Using a walking step, M stepping around partner with l.f. then between her feet with r.f. while W steps between MÁs feet with r.f. then around with l.f., a facing couple turns cw.

polka   With weight off the indicated starting foot, hop on the other foot and then take 3 small steps. å i.e. either hop on the r.f., then step onto left, right, left, or hop on l.f., and step onto right, left, right.

redowa   See Mazurka.

running   Run forward with a slight spring in your gait, knees loose but not bent.

schottische   The first part is not unlike the chass¯e described above, but 2 step-together-step-hops forward on on alternating forward diagonals are often followed by 4 step-hops on alternating feet. The later can be used to turn as a couple by stepping around partner with l.f. and between partnerÁs feet with r.f.

single   Step with leading foot, close other foot up to it and take weight on both feet.

sliding   Spring sideways to the right or left, bringing trailing foot up to the lead foot, takes the weights and the spring is repeated.

slipping   Same as ÇslidingÁ and usually danced sideways.

walk   Walking forward with an easy gait and gracious lilt.

waltz   To turn with, M start l.f., W r.f. and take step, together, close. To travel with, starting on specified foot use a lilting walking step å ensuring that the feet pass each other and do not interrupt the flow by coming to a close.     

Possible weight changing combinations

All of the above steps (and many others besides) could be represented as combinations of changing weight (C) and not-changing weight (N). I've not yet attempted to draw up a table of possible permutations in double time, but to help the enthusiast (or broaden the horizon of the novice who thought triple time just meant 'waltz') here are 8 possible permutations in triple time. I have not included permutations involve equal sharing of weight between feet (movement that are neither C nor N) and I have not included in the examples triple time dance steps that involve 6 movements/beats - as in a Galliard (CCCCCN), Minuet (CNCCCN) or La Volta (starts NCN but then harder to represent).