I tend to think in terms of families of movements, with a million variations within each family. I also say things like, "I only know four moves". One of my favourite teachers once said, "every move in ceroc is a beginner's move" - a strangely true comment. All of this is getting at the point that dancing is not about moves. So, the favourite families:
1. Change of place variations - most often using a travelling return or a sort of arm jive variation
2. First Move variations - including the waltz turns (whatever they're called) and columbians
3. Mambo variations - both open and closed, with a bunch of changes and different exits
4. Sway or Neck break variations - most of these are pretty similar movements
5. Catapult variations - with either hand and a bunch of different entries and exits
All of the variations include using either hand and different holds, include adding dips and drops either as part of the move or on the exit. The big things for me are playing to the music and making the dance flow from one movement to the next smoothly and easily for both partners. I do use specific sequences that I like and which might be considered a move, but they can take a while to explain and other people might call it four moves.
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