2, 3, 4 Point-turn
A turn done in 2, 3, or 4 beats.
Annihilation
Right:
R,L,R, turn over R shoulder to face back out (swinging L leg and L arm out during the turn... picture knocking down a table lamp in the process);
Left:
L,R,L, turn over L shoulder to face back in (swinging your R leg and R arm out)
Balance
(2 bts) Facing center: Shift weight on R, then shift weight on L, in place.
Box-step
Is called the "box" step because of its 4-beat step done in the shape of a box; R foot steps on the top left corner, L foot crosses in front of R to step on the top right corner, R foot steps back on the bottom right corner, and L foot steps on the bottom left corner. Steps can be done with either foot.
Cactus-Style
...Refers to the shape your arms are making. Hold your arms straight out at your sides, bent at the elbow with hands up as if worshipping.
Cat-hop
A hop to the side with both feet, one foot followed by the other.
Cha-cha-cha
A quick step-together-step.
Coupe
Probably the most common step in Davidic dance, besides the Mayim. With weight on Left foot, cross your Right over your Left. Put your weight back on your Left foot, and place your Right beside your Left. (Steps can be done with either foot.)
CCW
Counter-clockwise
CW
Clockwise
Daven
Small, short bowing movements from the waist up, slightly bending knees when bowing.
Debka
Is a hop on one foot, and at the same time brushing the other foot forward. The actual definition of a debka will vary greatly according to the choreographer, dance instructor, or dance.
Double-coupe
A coupe to both sides; to the Left and then the Right (or vice versa).
Flying Hora
Open mayim R (or L), 3-pt turn R (or L), double coupe, balance R,L,R,L (or L,R,L,R)
Grapevine
A series of Mayims.
Hand Motions
Ever wonder what to do with your hands, when the notes only tell you what to do with your feet? Well, for each step you do, there's usually a corresponding motion for your hands. After a while you don't even think about what your hands are doing, you just do it! But for the time being, I'll try to be as specific as possible and list the hand motions that follow (at least) the basic steps here in the definition list.
Harmonica
A combination of a double coupe and step-hops: coupe L (R crosses over L), step back on L then R foot and hop; coupe R (L crosses over R), step back on R then L foot and hop.
HH
Holding Hands
Israeli Walk
Is a walk (R,L), but with exaggerated knee-bends (2 bts ea. step).
John Travolta
Sway R (RH pointing up in the air), sway L (RH crossing hips and pointing down), and R, and L
Kibbutz
(4 bts) Facing center: R steps to right side, L steps behind R, R steps to right side, With weight on R leaning to the right, stick out L heel so it touches the floor. Can also be done to the left.
Kick-Spin
Similar to a paddle turn, only instead of pushing yourself forward into a turn, you're pushing yourself backward into a turn.
L
Left
Mayim
Generally there are two types of mayims; an open mayim and a closed mayim. The most used is the closed mayim, unless specified. Steps are as follows: Right foot cross over Left, Left to the side, Right behind Left, Left to the side. (the mayim can start with either foot, depending on the direction.)
NHH
Not Holding Hands
Open Mayim
(5 bts) Facing center: L steps to left side, R crosses in front of L, L steps to left side, R crosses behind L, and L steps again to the side. Steps can be done starting with either foot.
Paddle-turn
Refers to putting weight on one foot, and using the other foot to turn in a circle. (Number of beats depends on how many beats in the turn there is.)
Pancake Turn/Flip
A two-point turn, or series of two-point turns.
Polka, or Step-Ball-Change
(3 bts) Right: R steps to right side, Bring L next to R and raise R, R steps back down in place. Left: Reverse the above.
Pony
Is a three-beat step; a cat-hop, and two steps in place (over all it's R-L-R, or L-R-L).
Praise Circle
A four-beat turn in a circle CW: walking in a small circle, step LF, R-heel; LF, R-heel; LF, R-heel; LF, R-heel, raising hands in front of you for every step with the R-heel.
R
Right
Recover
Standing position
Spread-Eagle
Hop and spread feet apart.
Sunburst
Crossing your arms in front, and bringing them up, out, and down. Sometimes it's done with one arm.
Tcherk
Half of a Tcherkessia: Step forward, rock back, recover.
Tcherkessia
Step forward on RF Step back on LF Step back on RF Step forward on LF
Turns
It helps to remember that most turns are in the direction of movement. However, not all turns are done like this; these will be specified in the dance notes.
Walrus step
Slang for a side step-together. Step to the side with one foot, then drag the other foot next to the first. Can be accompanied with a clap of the hands when the feet meet.
Waltz
Also a type of dance. The basic step is a step in the direction of movement with one foot, and 2 steps in place, to create a 3/4 beat. Generally it starts out with the Right foot, and is repeated with the other foot.
Windmill
Actually a double-coupe: facing CW or CCW, coupe into the center, bringing outside arm up, over the head, and dip into center and back up and down to side. Coupe out, bringing inside arm up and over the head, and dip it to the outside, back up and down to side.
Yemenite
Can be referred to as the triangle step. (Picture a triangle on the floor, with the point pointing down.) Right foot steps to the Right point, Left foot steps to the point at the bottom, and the Right foot crosses over the Left foot to the Left point. Steps can be done starting with either foot.
Yemenite-hop
(4 bts) Right: R steps to right side, L steps behind R, R steps forward and across L, hop on R. Left: Reverse the above.