Cha Cha is one of the funnest Social Ballroom dances you can learn. The videos below will teach you the most basic Cha Cha dance steps for men and women.
The Cha Cha originated in Cuba and has been named so because of the “triple shuffle” that is apparent in most basic steps. It’s a dance that incorporates small quick steps to match the fast Cha Cha music. This dance has lots of hip and body action on every step to give it a latin look. Social style cha cha fits many modern Latin and pop songs like Marc Anthony’s “I need to know” and Santana’s “Smooth” (Feat. Rob Thomas).
The way you count the cha cha dance is: “1,2,3, Cha, Cha” and repeat. The 1,2,3 counts are all full beats, while the Cha, Cha are half beats (therefore faster). An alternative way to count it is “Slow, Slow, Slow, Quick, Quick”. It’s 4/4 time signature.
In the first video you’ll learn 2 most popular Cha Cha basic steps. Right below it you will learn the progressive basic step, another popular cha cha step.
If you enjoy these 2 videos let us know in the comments below.
How to Dance Cha Cha – Most Basic Steps:
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Start Your 7-Day Free TrialSummary of Cha Cha Basic Steps
Men:
Side with left foot
Back with right foot
Replace weight on left foot
Triple step in place/side
Fwd with left foot
Replace weight on right foot
Triple step in place/side
Women
Side with right foot
Fwd with left foot
Replace weight on right foot
Triple step in place/side
Back with right foot
Replace weight on left foot
Triple step in place/side
Pro Tip:
You want to do what is called “cuban motion” technique – which can be achieved just by bending and straightening your knees through out this dance.
Next, Progressive Basic Step in Cha Cha:
Summary of Cha Cha Progressive Steps
Men:
Side with left foot
Back with right foot
Replace weight on left foot
Triple step fwd (right, left, right)
Fwd with left foot
Replace weight on right foot
Triple step back (left, right, left)
Back with right foot
Replace weight on left foot
*Start over into triple fwd steps.
Women:
Side with right foot
Fwd with left foot
Replace weight on right foot
Triple step back (left, right, left)
Back with right foot
Replace weight on left foot
Triple step fwd (right, left, right)
Fwd with left foot
Replace weight on right foot
*Start over into triple back steps.
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I love your videos. Easy to pick and something I can apply the very next day.
Hey Sid,
Thanks! I am glad you are finding the videos easy to pick up. I am working on many more videos and my biggest goal is to make sure each video is very easy to follow. That’s why it takes us sometimes 1-2 hours to make a 5 min video!
You have great cha cha dance lessons. Easy to absorb..How about posting rumba dance lessons?
Thanks Melissa. I will post Rumba lessons too in the future so stay tuned.
I tried chacha for the first time last night. Thanks to your video, now I know what I was doing! Another good one, Leon. 🙂
Awesome Pamela!
Where did you try it?
The dance studio I attend had a dance party on Saturday night. We had a bachata lesson, followed by open dancing of many styles. It was a good chance to try out some new steps. 🙂
Your Videos ARE well done if I have’t said that before.
I learned chacha as foward left replace right close chacha back right replace leftt close chacha.
Also Ive seen a latin style! So good to learn a different style!
Thanks Mike. We are working on a lot more videos, so stay tuned.
Yes the videos are well done and relatively easy to follow . I am always forward for new videos so I can use them when I go dancing.
I think music is most important besides the steps. It will be helpful for more explanation vs. music beat.
very good this will realy help to learn dancing
I like cha cha
I am a new member. I am excited for I want to really learn how to dance. I am a beginner.
This is different than what is called the “social cha cha”. I am not sure I understand why the difference.
This is the “American Style” Cha Cha – Which is very social. This is the most basic step. There are other basic steps in cha cha including the side basic and the progressive basic. Make sure to watch all of them.
Hi Leon,
It should be pointed out that in American cha cha one always starts on 2 (rock-step) as the beat is very accented on 2,3
otherwise one will be dancing OFF beat thruout the whole dance. One can start on 1 only in International cha cha because in International cha cha music has a monotonous, equal lengths beat so it doesn’t matter one one starts !
Hi Zoran,
Actually it doesn’t matter on which beat you start. And I always start on count “1”. It doesn’t matter if it’s International or American style. The key is to know which step is on the right count.
This is great. I am trying to learn to dance, so that I can teach a couple of my classmates. We have these parties at the school that we call Fun Nights, and no one there knows how to dance.
Hey Leon,
Your videos are good! Now I have to try to talk my girlfriend into it! Her bithday is coming up so an annual membership would make a nice gift!
Julian
Hey Julian,
Sounds awesome, yes the annual membership is a great value and a great gift idea!
Very teaching video, clear and explaining.
I really like the way you teach, very clear and showing the smooth dance steps that you do with your partner. Very refreshing Thank you.
Are these videos only accessable on certain bandwaves as I cant view them.
Hi Jenny, The videos should be able to load on most bandwidths…If it doesn’t load instantly, just wait for it load first and then play.
This was the video that convinced me that Leon can get the moves across.
Congratulations on the new HD re-do of the
lesson, Leon.
The advice for the three cha-cha movements shows up well – it has helped me get into a better shape for doing these standstill moves!
Your video are great thorough and detailed. My wife and I enjoyed very much. We practice in the evening after works.
What i can’t do is the hips thing while doing the cha-cha
Very good post! We will be linking to this great post on our
site. Keep up the good writing.
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The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been a little
bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear idea
What is the trick to do the hip thing?
Hi Pierre,
Hip action comes from bending and straightening the knees we did an extensive 3 part cuban motion technique videos where we talk more about it.
Easy to understand and able to develop the step, thanks for the videos. The Cha Cha I love ….
Joined only a few weeks ago, have some Cha Cha exposure, but never really understood the music’s beat structure. Now I do! Very pleased!
I tried cha cha with your video today. Thanks a lot for this tutorial!
I`m happy now
how do i cancel my membership ?