Chassé
Beginner Level
The foundation — what every new dancer needs to know
A quick side-together-side triple step that lets you cover ground while staying locked into the rhythm.
Beginner focus
Start by doing your normal basic step to the right. Now, instead of stepping right-tap, try right-together-right-tap. That quick 'together' in the middle is the chassé. Keep it small — your feet should barely leave the floor. The most common beginner mistake is making it too big and bouncy. Think 'slide' not 'jump.'
Tips
- •Practice against a wall: slide sideways with your back lightly touching the wall. If your head bobs up and down, you're bouncing.
- •Count it as 'and-a-one' instead of thinking three separate steps. The rhythm is what matters, not the geometry.
- •Film yourself from the front. Your shoulders should stay level the entire time.
Common mistakes
- •Bouncing up and down — the chassé is lateral, not vertical. Keep your head at the same height throughout.
- •Making the steps too wide, which throws off your center of gravity and makes it impossible to chain smoothly.
- •Losing the timing by rushing the 'together' step — all three steps need to fit precisely within two beats.
- •Forgetting to lead the chassé — your partner needs a clear signal through the frame, not just legs doing their own thing.
Practice drill
Put on a medium-tempo bachata track. Do four basics to the right, then replace the last basic with a chassé. Repeat to the left. Once comfortable, alternate: basic-chassé-basic-chassé. Then try double chassés. The goal is smooth transitions — your upper body shouldn't reveal when you switch patterns.