Chassé
Intermediate Level
Going deeper — techniques and nuances for experienced dancers
A quick side-together-side triple step that lets you cover ground while staying locked into the rhythm.
Intermediate focus
Now chain chassés together: two or three in a row to travel across the floor during a musical phrase. Start mixing them into your basic unpredictably — one basic, one chassé, two basics, chassé. Your partner should feel the variation but never be thrown off balance. In partner work, use the chassé to reposition for the next move.
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.