The ''chassé'' (,

French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...

for 'to chase'; sometimes anglicized to chasse ) is a

dance step Dance moves or dance steps (more complex dance moves are called dance patterns, dance figures, dance movements, or dance variations) are usually isolated, defined, and organized so that beginning dancers can learn and use them independently of each ...

used in many dances in many variations. All variations are

triple-step Triple step is a generic term for dance step patterns that describes three steps done on two main beats of music. Usually they are two quick steps and one slow one, i.e., often they are counted as "quick-quick-slow", "one-and-two", "three-and-fou ...

patterns of gliding character in a "step-together-step" pattern. The word came from

ballet terminology Because ballet became formalized in France, a significant part of ballet terminology is in the French language. A À la seconde () (Literally "to second") If a step is done "à la seconde," it is done to the side. 'Second position'. It can als ...

Varieties

There is a large variety of chasses across many dances. Variations include: * The direction may be sideways, diagonal or even curving. * Sizes of steps may vary. This also concerns the second, "Together", step: the moving foot may land right beside the standing foot or leave some space, or even barely move from its previous position. * Timing may vary. Typical timings in ballroom dances are qqS (1/4, 1/4, 1/2) and SaS ("slow-and-slow", 3/8, 1/8, 1/2). * Footwork may vary. The chassé in waltz dancing has several defined forms or ''figures''.

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 The canter and gallop are variations on the fastest gait that can be performed by a horse or other equine. The canter is a controlled three-beat gait, while the gallop is a faster, four-beat variation of the same gait. It is a natural gait pos ...

(like children pretending to ride a horse) or by pushing the first foot along the floor in a

plié Because ballet became formalized in France, a significant part of ballet terminology is in the French language. A À la seconde () (Literally "to second") If a step is done "à la seconde," it is done to the side. 'Second position'. It can also ...

and springing into the air where both legs meet stretched.

Ballroom

A number of specific dance variations in the International Style

ballroom dance Ballroom dance is a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world, mostly because of its performance and entertainment aspects. Ballroom dancing is also widely enjoyed on stage, film, and television ...

s are named "chassé". *Tipple chassé *Scatter chassé *

Chassé from promenade position The ''chassé'' (, French for 'to chase'; sometimes anglicized to chasse ) 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 fro ...

* Progressive chassé * Progressive chassé to right *Turning chassé *Cross chassé *Tipsy chassé, also called simply "tipsy" *Diagonal chassé *Chassé roll *Chassé turn *Quick chassé, a chassé done on count q&q, rather than qqS *Chassé reverse turn *Chassés to right and left *Chassé cape

Ice dancing or roller dancing

ice dancing Ice dance (sometimes referred to as ice dancing) is a discipline of figure skating that historically draws from ballroom dancing. It joined the World Figure Skating Championships in 1952, and became a Winter Olympic Games medal sport in 1976. A ...

, chassés are basic dance steps which appear, for example, in many

compulsory dance The compulsory dance (CD), now called the pattern dance, is a part of the figure skating segment of ice dance competitions in which all the competing couples perform the same standardized steps and holds to the music of a specified tempo and gen ...

s. The

International Skating Union The International Skating Union (ISU) is the international governing body for competitive ice skating disciplines, including figure skating, synchronized skating, speed skating, and short track speed skating. It was founded in Scheveningen, N ...

rules define the following variants:ISU technical regulations
/ref> * Simple chassé: a step in which the free foot is placed on the ice beside the skating foot, which is then lifted close to the new skating foot with the blade parallel to the ice. The two steps are skated on the same lobe, usually stepping from outside to inside edge. * Cross chassé: a chassé in which the free foot is placed on the ice crossing behind the skating foot when skating forward, or in front when skating backward. * Slide chassé: a chassé in which, instead of lifting the new free foot after the step, it slides off the ice in front when skating forward, or in back when skating backward.

Line dancing

line dancing A line dance is a choreographed dance in which a group of people dance along to a repeating sequence of steps while arranged in one or more lines or rows. These lines usually face all in the same direction, or less commonly face each other.Knight, ...

the term chassé is used for a triple-step sequence in any direction (forward, side, back, diagonally, or curving). For instance, if the chassé 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 chassé by stepping to the right. The call is usually "step, together, step". The step is often called "the shuffle" by line dancers, but that has several unrelated meanings in other dance contexts.

Varieties

Ballet

Ballroom

Ice dancing or roller dancing

Line dancing

References

Further reading