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Mexican Folkloric English Glossary
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ball: Also called a metatarsal step in traditional folkloric dance; step in which the ball of the foot strikes the floor.
brush: Moving the foot to a direction staying on the floor; toes stay unless instructions are given about when to lift the foot.
deslizamiento (to slide): Steps that slide or travel from point A to point B.
floreo (bloom): The action of stepping on the heel with the leg rotated so that the toes point inward, then rotating the leg so that the toes point outward; the weight is on the heel.
gatillo (trigger of a gun): Heel drop and heel tap.
heel: Called tacón in traditional folkloric dance; stepping on the heel; the heel takes the weight of the body.
heel drop: The heel strikes the floor, with weight transfer.
heel tap: The heel strikes the floor, without weight transfer.
paso planta: Literally flatfoot step; see stamp and stomp.
pespuenteado (loosely translated as metatarsal step): A three-sound step that is executed on the balls of the feet. Depending on choreography, it may start with the right or left foot. The knees are bent and the back is straight.
remate (conclusion): An accented stamp that indicates the end of a sequence or the start of another phrase.
stamp: The full foot hits the floor and accepts the weight, creating a decisive sound. Stamps repeat by alternating feet with weight transfer.
stomp-stamp: A stomp quickly followed by a stamp; also called paso planta doble or doble zapateado.
stomp: The full foot hits the floor and quickly releases without any weight transfer. Stomps can repeat with the same foot.
tacón: See heel; a heel dig.
zapateados (footwork): The combinations or sequences of footwork.
