Chasse

For other uses, see Chasse (disambiguation).
Chassé in ballet

Chasse or chassé (Fr. "to chase") is a dance step used in many dances in many variations. All variations are triple-step patterns of gliding character in a "step-together-step" pattern. The word came from ballet terminology.

Varieties of Chasse

There is a large variety of Chasses across many dances. Variations include:

Ballet

A slide with both legs bent either forwards, backwards or sideways and meeting in the air straightened. It can be done either in a gallop (like children pretending to ride a horse) or by pushing the first foot along the floor in a plié and springing into the air where both legs meet stretched.

Ballroom

A number of specific dance variations in the International Style ballroom dances are named "chasse".

Ice dancing or roller dancing

In ice dancing, chassés are basic dance steps which appear, for example, in many compulsory dances. The International Skating Union rules define the following variants:[1]

Line dancing

In line dancing the term chasse is used for a triple step sequence in any direction (forward, side, back, diagonally, or curving). For instance, if the chasse is to be done to the right, the right foot steps right, the left foot is placed next to the right, with the weight being transferred to the left foot so that the right foot can complete the chasse by stepping to the right. The call is usually: "step, together, step". The step is often called the shuffle by line dancers.

References

  1. ISU technical regulations