How to Dance the Cha Cha Slide

Co-authored by Leela Fazzuoli & Daniele Cavallo

Last Updated: January 19, 2023 References

The Cha-Cha Slide is a fun party dance, and you do it along to a song called The Cha-Cha Slide. You have to follow the moves as the song instructs. You’ll need to hop, clap, stomp, do the cha-cha step, and run in place when you’re told to. You may also add your own personal touches to some of the dance moves. Once you know this dance, you’ll be able to do it at any party when the song comes up.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Performing the Initial Steps

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Your feet should be touching as close as possible. You can use a dance studio or a gym to practice this dance. You can also do this outside with some friends.
This is just a simple hand-clapping motion on the offbeat of the song. While you’re clapping, bounce your body with the beat of the music. Don’t bounce too hard on your knees, and keep your body loose. ^{[1]
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From the left, walk back and hop forward once. Keep your knees loose and gently bent slightly when you move. ^{[2]
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First, stomp your right foot forward once. Firmly plant it on the ground in front of you. This should be a firm, stomping motion. ^{[3]
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Follow your right foot with your left foot stomping out in front of you. It should also be as firm of a stomp as the right foot. ^{[4]
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6
Do the cha-cha when the song says, “Cha-cha real smooth.” Step your right foot in front of your left. Your right foot should be just a few inches in front of your left foot. Sway your body as your foot goes in front of the other one, and move your arms with the flow of the music being played. ^{[5]
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- Step the left foot in front of the right foot. Like the previous step, move your left foot a few inches in front of the right while swaying your hip to the side. Move your arms with the music being played.
7
Turn to your right and repeat the dance facing the other side of the room. While facing the right side of the room, take a step to your left and then back. This time you will hop forward twice. Land softly on the balls of your feet. Stomp your right and left feet twice in this round. ^{[6]
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- Slide to the left and then the right.
Jump up and down to make them move in a scissor-like motion. The song tells you to do this twice while still facing the right side of the room. ^{[7]
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Make sure to rock back and forth on your feet as you move. Cross your right foot over your left, step back with the left foot. Step to the right, and step forward with the left foot. ^{[8]
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Put your hands on your knees and move downwards. With your hands on your bent knees, move in a bouncing motion as you get lower to the ground. Move your whole body in this step, including your head and your rear end. ^{[9]
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You should freeze in a pose for a few seconds. You should choose the most outrageous and fun position you can think of to freeze in, accented with a funny facial expression. ^{[10]
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The song will tell you to clap your hands. Keep clapping to the beat until the next instruction is given. Bounce a bit on your knees in time with the beat of the song. ^{[11]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Making the Moves Your Own

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1
Pose funny when you freeze in place. When the song tells you to freeze as you’re moving up from crouching, you can freeze in a crazy pose with a wild face. Hold your arms and hands at an angle, and make your face look silly.
- For example, you can stick out your tongue with your hands on both sides of your head.
2

Hop like a rabbit to look cute. When you’re instructed to hop at different points in the song, hop like a rabbit. Even a frog or a kangaroo kind of hop would be fun and cute to do to make the move your own.
3

Stomp with attitude. When your stomp throughout the dance, put some force into your stomp to give it some attitude or style. Maybe you’re feeling frustrated and need to stomp to blow off steam. That’s a great excuse to stomp without being told you’re having a tantrum!
4

Cha-Cha with more flare by moving your hips more. If you’ve got the hang of the cha-cha step, you can do it with more flare and style. Move your hips more or move your arms more gracefully at your sides. Be lighter on your feet.

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Question

When doing the cha-cha slide should you sing loudly with the music?

Ruthann M. Alexander

Community Answer

From what I've seen, that doesn't seem to be necessary. You can if you want to.

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Question

What is the punishment for messing up a step in the Cha Cha Slide?

Buggylu25

Top Answerer

There's no real punishment for messing up a step, although you may be a little embarrassed and get out of sync with everyone else dancing. But no worries! Just jump back into the moves and keep enjoying yourself.

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What is the Charlie Brown?

Diana A.C.

Community Answer

In the cartoon, the characters walk in a sort of front-to-back step, so the Charlie Brown is literally having one leg in front and one in the back and hopping off of each leg.

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Tips

Stretch first, because sometimes it's hard to go down low without stretching.

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When learning the Cha Cha, understanding the syncopated step—4 and 1—is key to a good execution. Whether you are learning for social or competitive purposes, this rhythm is the foundation of the dance.

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Warnings

If you are doing this on skates, be careful on hops so you do not fall.

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Things You'll Need

Cha Cha Slide song

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How to Dance the Cha Cha Slide

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Performing the Initial Steps

Making the Moves Your Own

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Warnings

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