MATSEC SEC Dance key terms

The stacking of body parts, such as head over shoulders and hips over feet, so weight passes efficiently through the skeleton. Good alignment supports balance and reduces strain during movement.

The overall carriage of the body while standing or moving. It depends on alignment, muscle tone and habit, and it affects how freely a dancer can breathe and balance.

The use of deep trunk muscles to support the spine and pelvis while limbs move. Dancers rely on it for controlled turns, jumps and lifts, and for safe landings.

A bending of the knees while the legs stay turned out and the heels may or may not lift. It cushions landings, prepares for jumps and turns, and builds leg strength.

The outward rotation of the legs from the hip joints, used especially in ballet. It must come from the hips, not the knees or feet, to avoid injury.

The height a dancer achieves in the air during a jump. It depends on the strength of the push from the floor, the timing of the take-off and the shape of the body in flight.

The way a dancer absorbs the impact of a jump, usually through the feet, bending knees and hips. Soft, controlled landings protect joints and show technical control.

A technique for turns in which the dancer fixes the eyes on one point and whips the head around faster than the body. It prevents dizziness and keeps the turn travelling in place.

A turn on one leg, usually in a turned-out position with the other leg held at the knee or extended. It requires a strong preparation, a fixed centre and consistent spotting.

Moving one body part, such as the ribcage, shoulder or hip, while the rest of the body stays still. It is central to jazz and contemporary technique and builds body awareness.

A sharp inward curving of the spine, often starting from the pelvis, used in Graham-based modern technique. It expresses effort and breath and strengthens abdominal control.

The outward lengthening and opening of the torso that follows a contraction. It allows the breath to flow and gives a sense of expansion and recovery in modern dance.

Creating movement spontaneously in response to a stimulus such as music, a word or a partner. It develops creativity, listening and the ability to make quick movement choices.

A duet form in which dancers share weight and follow points of physical contact without a set sequence. It relies on trust, listening and clear communication through touch.

Giving and taking body weight between dancers, as in lifts, leans and counterbalances. It requires timing, trust and a shared sense of the centre of gravity.

A position in which two dancers lean away from each other so their weights balance. It creates tension and shape without a full lift and needs secure grip and timing.

A short movement phrase that carries the idea of a dance and can be repeated, varied or developed. Choreographers use motifs to unify a piece and build structure.

A group of movements that form a single unit, often with a clear beginning and end. Phrases are the building blocks of longer sequences and sections in a dance.

The overall structure of a dance, such as binary, ternary, rondo or narrative. Form helps an audience follow the work and gives the choreography shape and logic.

Two or more dancers performing the same movement at the same time. Unison creates impact and clarity, and it demands precise timing and shared spatial awareness.

A device in which dancers perform the same phrase one after another, overlapping in time. It creates a ripple effect and can build texture or momentum in a group work.

The arrangement of dancers in the performance space, such as a line, circle, diagonal or V shape. Changing formation shifts focus and can suggest relationships or mood.

The areas of the performance area, often described as upstage, downstage, stage left and stage right. Knowing these zones helps dancers place movement and direct focus.

The route a dancer travels through space, such as straight, curved, zigzag or spiral. Pathways affect the flow of movement and the visual interest of a dance.

The heights at which movement happens: low, middle and high. Varying levels adds contrast and can show status, emotion or changes in energy.

How movement is performed in terms of energy and quality, for example sharp, sustained, swinging or percussive. Dynamics give a phrase expression beyond its steps.

The pattern of beats and accents in music or movement. Dancers use rhythm to stay together, to phrase movement and to create contrast between fast and slow sections.

The speed at which music or movement is performed. Changing tempo alters the mood of a dance and tests a dancer's control and musicality.

The ability to hear and respond to the music's pulse, phrasing and accents through movement. Musical dancers make their steps feel connected to the score rather than counting mechanically.

A movement of a body part, often the hands or head, that communicates meaning or feeling. Gesture can be literal or abstract and is a key expressive tool in dance.

The communication of feeling, idea or character through movement, face and focus. It helps an audience connect with the dance and understand its intention.

The direction of a dancer's gaze and attention, whether towards the audience, a partner or a point in space. Focus shapes meaning and guides where the audience looks.

The art of selecting, arranging and structuring movement into a dance. It involves choices about space, time, dynamics and meaning, and results in a repeatable work.

A period of gentle activity that raises body temperature and prepares muscles and joints for dancing. It reduces injury risk and improves performance quality.

Gentle activity and stretching at the end of a dance session that helps the body recover. It lowers heart rate gradually and can reduce stiffness and soreness.

The habits that keep dancers healthy, including warming up, using correct technique, suitable flooring and footwear, hydration, and resting when injured. It applies in class and performance.