Tier 2

Why intros & outros matter

Your start and finish control the mood, the photos, and your nerves. A clean entrance gives you time to breathe, find the beat, and connect. A planned ending creates the “wow” moment—and tells your DJ and photographer exactly when to capture it. We’ll keep everything small-step, camera-ready, and beginner-friendly so it works in formalwear and on tight floors.

Universal intro (works with any style, any song)

Universal ending (photographer-approved, zero risk)

Goal: Land a clean, elegant picture moment for 2–3 counts, then exit on the music.

1. Lead a simple figure you know (underarm, promenade, or basic).
   
   
2. Open to a soft V-shape or side-by-side line (heads up, hands relaxed).
   
   
3. Hold 2–3 counts (or one “Slow,” depending on style) for photos.
   
   
4. Close frame and walk off together in time.
   
   

Safety first: skip big dips/lifts unless you’ve rehearsed them in coaching. “Dip-lite” alternatives are listed per style below.

Style-based intros (plug-and-play)

Rumba – “Soft Open + Underarm”

• Counts: Slow, QQ | Slow, QQ
  
  
• Intro: Box x1 → side basic → follower right underarm → reconnect.
  
  
• Why it works: Slow start calms nerves; underarm reads big on camera without travel.

Waltz – “Box + Hesitation”

• Counts: 1-2-3 | 1-2-3
  
  
• Intro: Box x1 → hesitation (hold on “1,” rise on “2-3”) → natural turn.
  
  
• Why it works: The hesitation gives you a graceful breath and a photo line in bar two.
  

Foxtrot – “Basic + Promenade”

• Counts: S-S-Q-Q
  
  
• Intro: Basic x1 → promenade one measure → close.
  
  
• Why it works: Smooth, classy travel that’s easy to shrink on a small floor.
  

Swing – “Groove + Inside Turn”

• Counts: 1&2, 3&4, 5-6
  
  
• Intro: Basic x2 → inside underarm → reconnect.
  
  
• Why it works: Crowd hears the bounce; a single clean turn looks lively but safe.
  

Salsa – “Basic + CBL”

• Counts: 1-2-3, 5-6-7
  
  
• Intro: Basic x2 → cross-body lead → basic.
  
  
• Why it works: Establishes slot control early; simple and photogenic.
  

Tango – “Basic + Promenade Set”

• Counts: S-S-Q-Q-S
  
  
• Intro: Basic x1 → promenade (one line) → close.
  
  
• Why it works: Immediate “Tango shape” without risk.
  

Cha-Cha – “Basic + New Yorker”

• Counts: 2-3-4&1
  
  
• Intro: Basic x2 → New Yorker R, New Yorker L → basic.
  
  
• Why it works: Sharp, modern lines; minimal travel.
  

Style-based outros (three safe finishers each)

Rumba – finishes

1. Underarm → Soft V-pose: Invite turn, open to V, hold a Slow, exit.
   
   
2. Cucaracha accent → Close: One measure of small accents, close and hold.
   
   
3. Dip-lite: From closed, follower steps slightly behind, both bend tiny in the knees, keep backs tall, hold—no backbend.
   

Waltz – finishes

1. Promenade Picture: Open to promenade line, hold “1”, float “2-3,” exit.
   
   
2. Hesitation Line: Pause travel on “1,” stretch shape, hold, then close.
   
   
3. Underarm → V-pose: Gentle turn, rejoin into V, hold “1.”
   

Foxtrot – finishes

1. Promenade → Picture Slow: Open, hold the Slow, walk off.
   
   
2. Hesitation Hold: Rise/hold, then close on Q-Q and exit on Slow.
   
   
3. Underarm Catch: Small underarm, connect early, hold Slow side-by-side.
   

Swing – finishes

1. Tuck Turn → Side-by-Side Line: Spin, catch, freeze one beat.
   
   
2. Inside Turn → Cuddle Close: Finish in cuddle, smile & hold, release.
   
   
3. Basic Freeze: Stop the bounce on 5-6, hit a playful line, walk off.
   

Salsa – finishes

1. CBL + Right Turn → Line: Turn, finish side-by-side, hold 1-2, exit.
   
   
2. Single Right Turn → Close: Tight turn, reconnect, small pose, basic off.
   
   
3. Open Break Picture: Tiny away-together, open line, hold, reconnect.
   

Tango – finishes

1. Corte: Lower slightly, picture, hold last Slow, side-close, exit.
   
   
2. Open Fan: Shallow V, hold Slow, re-square, walk off.
   
   
3. Rocks → Close: Two tiny rocks, settle, close, exit.
   

Cha-Cha – finishes

1. New Yorker Line: Open line on “2,” hold the “1,” close and end.
   
   
2. Alemana Catch: Compact turn, reconnect by “1,” pose, walk off.
   
   
3. Cuban Break Accent: One measure, freeze center, exit.
   

Small-space plans & Plan B

• If the floor is crowded: insert an in-place basic (Box / Hesitation / Rocks / Basics) and wait for space.
  
  
• If you lose the count: leaders say “basic” out loud; both reset to your anchor step.
  
  
• If the dress fights you: shorten steps, keep turns tight, avoid wide arm lines.
  
  
• Fail-safe ending (any song): take hands, open to a soft V or side-by-side line, hold 2–3 counts, close, walk off.
  

How to cue your DJ/MC/photographer

• Song length: Aim for 60–90 seconds. Ask for a clean intro (so you can walk-on) and a clear outro (to land your hold).
  
  
• Verbal cue: “We’ll start on the first chorus” or “on the beat after the intro fill.”
  
  
• End cue: “Please fade down after our pose.”
  
  
• Photographer note: “We’ll hold 2–3 counts at the end—please capture front and three-quarter angles.”
  

Safety & accessibility

• No deep dips/lifts unless a coach has cleared it with you (and with your dress/shoes).
  
  
• Frames stay inside your safe arc (watch veils, trains, beadwork).
  
  
• Keep steps compact, posture tall, elbows softly bent.
  
  
• If anything feels unstable, default to your basic and smile—elegant beats risky.

Dress, shoes, & staging

• Practice in rehearsal shoes and a skirt that mimics the final hem.
  
  
• Confirm bustle plan and who helps you if it loosens.
  
  
• Check floor edges, speaker stands, candles, and cables before you dance.
  
  
• Decide your entrance route and exit route (and a backup if guests crowd the floor).
  

Special moments: parent & party dances (quick starters & finishers)

Father–Daughter / Mother–Son – intros (choose one)

• Walk-in hug → Sway (8–12 counts) → simple basic (Waltz or Rumba).
  
  
• Hand-in-hand walk → Turn-in place (tiny) → basic.
  
  

Outros

• Hug finish: Sway to the last line, hug, hold for photo.
  
  
• Spin-to-hug (Rumba/Cha-Cha/Swing): Tiny underarm, hug, hold.
  

Wedding Party – intros

• Couple-by-couple entry, each hits one 4-count pose, then all join.
  
  
• Single line walk-on, quick groove, then couple of basics.
  
  

Outros

• All-line freeze on the last beat (arms up or soft V), hold, dissolve into applause.
  
  
• Two rows face-in, couple in the middle holds picture, everyone cheers.
  

Day-of checklist (print this)

• Entrance route clear & confirmed
  
  
• “Start cue” agreed with DJ/MC
  
  
• Photographer knows the final hold
  
  
• Dress bustle checked; shoes secure
  
  
• One fail-safe intro and fail-safe outro rehearsed
  
  
• Agree on Plan B (basic only + universal ending)
  

Practice plan (25 minutes total)

• 5 min: Universal intro + your chosen style intro (2 reps)
  
  
• 10 min: Run your routine once; practice your chosen outro twice
  
  
• 5 min: Practice the fail-safe ending from any figure
  
  
• 5 min: Full “walk-on → dance → pose → exit” with music
  

Quick reference (counts at a glance)

• Rumba: S, QQ | S, QQ — underarm to V, hold a Slow
  
  
• Waltz: 1-2-3 — promenade/hesitation, hold “1”
  
  
• Foxtrot: S-S-Q-Q — promenade to picture Slow
  
  
• Swing: 1&2, 3&4, 5-6 — tuck or inside turn to side-by-side hold
  
  
• Salsa (On1): 1-2-3, 5-6-7 — CBL+right turn to side-by-side hold
  
  
• Tango: S-S-Q-Q-S — Corte or Fan, hold last Slow
  
  
• Cha-Cha: 2-3-4&1 — New Yorker line, hold “1”