Selfnurture.com - Cowboy Cha Cha Variations

Cowboy Cha Cha - Variations

Count	Basic pattern this variation replaces:	Military Turns Both Turn, or Just the Woman
1 - 22	Same as basic pattern
23 - 24	sway	Coming out of pivot turn, M keeps R hand free and L hand raises over W's head rock fwd L replace R as make 1/2 turn to R
25 - 26	sway	rock fwd L replace R as make 1/2 turn to R
27 & 28	Same as basic pattern

Count	Basic pattern this variation replaces:	Slow Spoon (Men, only do this if you know the woman well enough!)
1 - 22	Same as basic pattern
23 - 24	sway	hold her tight and do one s-l-o-w, subtle sway forward/left
25 - 26	sway	hold her tight and do one s-l-o-w, subtle sway back/right
27 - 28	Same as basic pattern

Count	Basic pattern this variation replaces:	Crossed Hands - Facing Woman Stays in place
1 - 5	Same as basic pattern
7 & 8	cha cha left	M lifts both hands over her head, keeping her in place M does usual footwork W dances in place without turning
9 - 10	rock turn	M lowers hands, which are now crossed Face each other
11 & 12	cha cha right	M lifts hands again to get back to position and does his usual footwork W continues to dance in place as he rejoins her
13 - 28	Same as basic pattern

Count	Basic pattern this variation replaces:	Crossed Hands - Facing Man Stays in place
1 - 5	Same as basic pattern
7 & 8	cha cha left	M lifts both hands over her head, dancing in place while W does her usual footwork
9 - 10	rock turn	M lowers hands, which are now crossed Face each other
11 & 12	cha cha right	M lifts hands again to get W back to position and does his usual footwork
13 - 28	Same as basic pattern

Count	Basic pattern this variation replaces:	Woman's Fast Spin (can do either - or one right after the other)
1 - 5	Same as basic pattern
7 & 8	cha cha left	M releases L hand and raises R W spins clockwise
9 - 10	Same as basic pattern
11 & 12	cha cha right	M releases L hand and raises R W spins counterclockwise
? - 28	Same as basic pattern

Count	Basic pattern this variation replaces:	Variations you can do without your partner (and without messing up your parther!)
1 - 2	rock replace	(1) rock fwd R (&) tap L foot behind and slightly outside standing foot (2) replace L
3 & 4	cha cha back	R L hook step R
5 - 6	rock turn
7 & 8	cha cha left
9 - 10	rock turn	(9) rock back R (&) tap L foot in front and slightly outside standing foot (10) replace L
11 & 12	cha cha right
13 - 14	rock turn	(13) rock back L (&) tap R foot in front and slightly outside standing foot (14) replace L
15 & 16	cha cha fwd	R L hook step R
17 - 18	rock pivot
19 & 20	she's behind	R L hook step R
21 - 22	rock pivot
23 - 24	sway
25 - 26	sway
27 & 28	cha cha fwd	R L hook step R

I've seen people HOLD on the cha cha cha.
I don't know if it's because they're tired, have a bad knee, or think it looks cool.
Anyway, it's an option.

Example: The man takes a large step on 3 and holds there on & 4 while the woman catches up to him. Both will still end up with weight on the correct foot, but he hasn't had to exert himself!

Borrow or make up add your own variations!

To help you keep track of new patterns, print out this form, make copies, and carry them with you when you go dancing.

Count	Basic pattern this variation replaces:	In the appropriate section, write a description of the variation.
1 - 2	rock replace
3 & 4	cha cha back
5 - 6	rock turn
7 & 8	cha cha left
9 - 10	rock turn
11 & 12	cha cha right
13 - 14	rock turn
15 & 16	cha cha fwd
17 - 18	rock pivot
19 & 20	she's behind
21 - 22	rock pivot
23 - 24	sway
25 - 26	sway
27 & 28	cha cha fwd