Caller - The person who teaches the dances and "calls the moves" during the dancing.

Set - A group of couples. The numbers vary according to the dance.

Formation - The arrangement of the couples and / or sets ready for a dance. There are many arrangements, including:-

Longways - All face their partner to make 2 long lines with the men on the Callers right and the lady on the Callers left. The set may have any number of couples but some dances may require a fixed number - 3, 4 or 5 couples

Square - A 4 couple set. Each couple is on a side of a square. Lady on the right of her partner.

Circle - A circle around the room. Lady on the right of her partner.

Sicilian Circle - Couple facing couple. Each group of 4 makes a larger circle around the room.

Becket Formation - A longways set. Lady on the right of her partner, facing another couple.

Proper / Improper - A proper dance is as described in "Longways" above. All the men on one side of the set face all the ladies on the other. An Improper dance is where alternate couples stand on the "Wrong" side of the set.

Hands Four - A term used by Callers when a set is being made up. It identifies the couple nearest to the top of the set in each four. (designated 1st Couples). The couples farthest from the top are designated 2nd Couples.

Progression - Many longways sets will have been started with "Hands Four". The progression will be for each 1st couple to move down the set to a new 2nd Couple and each 2nd Couple to move up the set to a new 1st Couple, each time through the dance. When a couple reaches either end of the set they normally stand out for one turn of the dance. If it is "Improper" they should change sides whilst standing out.

Triple minor - Some longways sets operate with 3 couples dancing together rather than 2 couples. Here the Caller will have started with "Hands Six" rather than "Hands Four". In this case the progression will be different,

Right hand turn or Allemande Right - Give the right hand to either your partner or another member of the set as instructed and walk a full turn clockwise back to place

Left hand turn or Allemande Left – The above, anti-clockwise.

Two hand turn - Give two hands to partner and walk a complete turn clockwise.

Basket - A swing for 2 couples, with the men's hands supporting their partners' backs and with the ladies' hands resting on their partner's shoulders. In a properly balanced set the men's hands will take almost no weight at all. The feet are used as in a normal swing (q.v.) and the ladies' body weight should be directed backwards. IT IS ESSENTIAL that the ladies' bodyweight should not be directed forwards allowing their feet to leave the ground - it creates a potentially dangerous situation. The key to success is in achieving equal balance among each of the four people involved.

Right hand star - Usually danced by two couples giving right hand to the diagonally opposite persons to form a cross and dancing around to finish back in place. (Travelling in an clockwise direction

Left hand star - As above but with the left hands. (Travelling in an anti-clockwise direction)

Do Si Do - Take 3 steps forward (to just pass partner’s right shoulder), side step once to the right and take 3 steps backwards to original place.

Promenade - With lady at man’s right, hold right hands and left hands and move forward in the direction instructed.

Swing

 1. American Walk Swing. Using the ballroom hold, and positioned slightly to the left of partner, walk around each other clockwise. OR

2. The the Pivot Swing. using the ballroom hold, each put your right foot into the centre and use the left foot to push off as if riding a childs scooter in a circle. OR

3.Cross hands with partner and pivot swing.

Ladies Chain - With 2 couples facing and the lady on the man’s right. The ladies give right hands to each other to pull by and give left hand to the opposite man’s left. The man puts his right arm around the lady's waist to turn her around so that the 2 couples are again facing and the lady is on the right. Repeat the movement from the opposite side so that the ladies return to place.

All 4 Ladies Chain - Similar to ladies chain but often done from a "Square" formation. The ladies give 4 hands to make a star and the Opposite men carry out the chaining movement described in the Ladies Chain.

A Figure of 8 - One couple stands still whilst the other couple, with the lady in the lead, passes between them, around the person on the opposite side of the set, between them again and around the other stationary person, to finish back in place.

Reel or Hey - Usually done with 3 or 4 people who weave in and out along a straight line until they all get back to place

Siding (Cecil Sharp) - Facing partner throughout, walk 4 steps forward passing partner by left shoulder and 4 steps back passing right shoulder.

Siding (Pat Shaw) - Walk 4 small steps forward to be right shoulder to right shoulder with partner, reverse to place and repeat with left shoulders.

Right and Left Through - Give right hand to the opposite person and pull past, face the person in the same group of 4 and give left hand and pull past. NOTE : Right and Left Through and Back means continue the same move until you are back to place.

Grand Chain - Similar to Right and Left Through. The ladies move around the set clockwise while the men move around the set anticlockwise. Men give alternate right and left hands to the ladies they meet, pulling past for the number of times instructed or until back in original place.

Cast - Turn away from partner and move to the position instructed.

Lead - Take nearest hand with partner and move in direction as instructed.

Turn single - Turn on the spot (normally clockwise) in 4 small steps

Set (or Balance) - Take a step to the right and bring left foot to it introducing a slight bounce by putting more weight on the leading foot and move left foot back followed by the right with a similar bounce. NOTE : in some dances the balance may be more vigorous with the trailing foot swung across in front of the supporting leg.