29/07/2026
Helpful Information for New Line Dancers
Clothing
Wear whatever you feel comfortable in.
Footwear
For your safety, your dancing, and the health of your knees, it is important to wear shoes with soles that allow you to turn and slide easily. Leather-soled shoes or boots are ideal, or trainers with flat, well-worn soles.
Line dancing involves sliding, spinning and turning. Most modern trainers are designed to grip the floor and prevent these movements, which can place extra strain on your knees. Wearing suitable footwear will make dancing easier, more comfortable and much safer.
If you're just starting out, an old pair of trainers with worn, flat soles is a good choice.
Dancing
Here are a few tips to help you get off on the right (or left!) foot.
Each line dance is a sequence of steps. You will learn that sequence facing one direction and then usually repeat it while facing different directions. There are only a limited number of basic steps, and every dance is made up of combinations of these. Although it may seem complicated at first, once you become familiar with the basic steps, you will find it much easier to learn new dances.
After a few weeks, everything will start to flow more naturally. You'll find yourself thinking less about the steps and simply enjoying the dance. Everyone learns at a different pace, depending on their previous dance or musical experience. We have seen some of the most uncoordinated people become excellent dancers simply because they didn't give up too soon.
If there are any movements you cannot do for medical reasons—for example, spinning—please let me know. I will be happy to suggest a suitable alternative.
If you forget what you're supposed to do and everyone else is going left, just smile and go with the flow! At some point during the class, you will almost certainly end up facing the wrong direction. It happens to all of us—often—and usually adds to the fun!
Floor Etiquette
Following a few simple rules helps keep everyone safe and ensures everyone enjoys the class.
Always walk around the outside of the dance floor rather than through active lines.
Keep drinks and food off the dance floor.
Adapt the size of your steps if the room is crowded.
Beginners should dance in the middle rows, while more experienced dancers should dance at the back or around the sides.
Most of All...
The most important thing to remember about line dancing is that it's all about HAVING FUN!
..while enjoying healthy exercise and making new friends.
