How To Do the Cha-Cha Slide

Party Dances 101

Cha-Cha Slide.

Sherry Schons/Flickr.com

If you've been to a wedding or other party with dancing lately, you've probably seen the Cha-Cha Slide in action. This easy-to-learn dance is often a hit at special events.

Besides being a blast to perform with your friends, it's also a good cardiovascular workout. Chicago D.J. Mr. C (Casper) created the line dance in 1996 as an aerobic workout for Bally's Total Fitness.

Illustrated Guide to the Cha-Cha Slide

Learn the steps below so you'll know what to do the next time you are pulled onto the dance floor. During the song, you will hear Mr. C calling out steps to guide you, so there's really no need to memorize the steps. Simply listen closely to his calls and follow his instructions -- with rhythm in each step!

How To Do the Cha-Cha Slide

  1. "Take it to the left!" or "Take it to the right!"
    (This is a "grapevine" step with a "touch.")
    Step to the side with the left (right) foot, step across left (right) foot with the right (left) foot, step to the side with the left (right) foot, touch the right (left) foot beside the left (right.)
  2. "Take it back now!"
    (This is simply three steps to the back with a touch.)
    Step back with the left foot, step back with the right foot, step back with the left foot, touch right foot beside left.
  3. "One hop this time!"
    (Number of hops will vary.) Hop forward with both feet.
  4. "Right (Left) foot let's stomp!"
    Stomp right (left) foot in front. (Add your own personality with your arms if you dare.)
  5. "Now, Cha-Cha!"
    (This step is actually from the Latin dance form, the Cha-Cha. It is simply a "jazz square.") Cross the right foot over the left, step back with the left foot, step to the right with the right foot, step forward with the left foot.
  6. "Turn it out!" or "Let's Go to Work!"
    (Begin a "grapevine" step with a slight turn.) Make a slight turn to the left, step to the right with the right foot, step across the right foot with your left foot, step to the side with the right foot, touch the left foot beside the right.
  7. "Clap your hands!"
    Clap your hands (fast) to the beat.
  8. "Criss Cross!"
    Jump both feet out, jump and cross right over left, jump both feet out, jump both feet together.
  9. "Slide to the left!"
    Step to the left with the left foot, slide right foot to meet the left. "Slide to the right!" Step to the right with the right foot, slide left foot to meet the right.
  10. "Reverse, Reverse!"
    Do the slide to the opposite side.
  11. "How low can you go?" (This is the classic "limbo" step.) Lean back toward the floor, bending down as low as you can go.
  12. "Bring it to the top!"
    Pull yourself back up to a standing position, waving your arms above your head.
  13. "Hands on your knees!"
    With your hands crossing from knee-to-knee, bend your knees and bounce to the beat.
  14. "Charlie Brown!"
    (This is a "running man" step.) Rock forward on ​the right foot while kicking left foot back.
  15. "Freeze!" Freeze and strike a pose...with attitude!

Tips for the Cha-Cha Slide

  1. After the last step, the dance will begin again.
  2. There are several versions of this dance, but most of the steps will remain basic.
  3. Relax on the dance floor and have fun.