God Bless the V-Step. It’s nice, easy, calm - like a place of rest. Wait, was I supposed to do syncopated splits there?! Those are like playing the floor is lava! How could anyone possibly confuse the two? Maybe because they are both  called using the same terminology. 👀 below.

V-Step

1 - R steps diagonally forward to the R
2 - L steps diagonally forward to the L
3 - R steps home where it began
4 - L steps home

This combo is often called “out-out-in-in”…
🔥 and that’s not a problem… UNTIL…

Syncopated Splits a.k.a. Syncopated Jacks

& - R foot steps side R
1 - L foot steps side L
& - R foot returns home
2 - L foot returns home

🧐 So how do you know which “out-out-in-in” they mean if you can’t see the instructor's feet?

✨ If the move fits 4 beats, you’re doing a V-step.
⚡️ If it fits 2 beats, you’re doing syncopated splits.

SIMPLE! ✔️ 

📣 And this, my friends, is why counts matter.

Without clear counts, you’re left discerning between:
“out_out_in_in” 🤔
or
“OUTOUTININ” 😳​

Your feet deserve clarity.
Your brain deserves peace.
Your dancing deserves counts + cues! 💃🕺

​During this holiday season, I couldn’t help but think of my line dance family. This season of gratitude always reminds me just how blessed I am to dance through life with such an amazing community. You bring joy into my world—whether it’s during the good times or those tougher days when we all need a little extra encouragement.
My heart genuinely lights up every time I spot one of your familiar faces on the dance floor. I love the eye rolls when that dance comes back around, the run to the floor when your favorite song starts, and the high-fives when you finally nail that tricky step at the Cotton Eyed Joe. These moments—our moments—are what make this community so special. Thank you for letting me share them with you.
I also want to give a warm, grateful shout-out to those who have purchased lessons, made donations on my YouTube channel, or even patiently sat through those YouTube ads. You may not realize it, but your support is what keeps all of this going.
Your contributions fund my newsletter, website hosting, domain fees, ASCAP/BMI/SESAC music licenses, Apple song purchases, K&K insurance, studio rental at the Senior Center and PSTCC, Canva for video editing, Virtual DJ (so we can slow those fast songs down!), upgraded microphones, iCloud storage, my desk chair, cables and equipment, and my ability to attend workshops so I can continue to improve as a dancer and instructor.
Every dollar you invest in me becomes something larger—a class, a resource, a tutorial, a video, a sense of community for dancers near and far. Your support stretches far beyond our local dance floor. It reaches dancers in rural areas, seniors who don’t have a nearby center, beginners who are learning from home, and seasoned dancers who just want to keep growing. You’re helping me teach, create, and spread joy in ways you may never fully see—but I do, and I’m deeply grateful.
Thank you for believing in the work I do. Thank you for allowing me to show up, create, and help you chase your line dance dreams. It’s an honor to be part of your journey.
From my family to yours, 
Merry Christmas and a season full of joy, warmth, and wonderful dancing.

​Let’s be honest: if you’ve ever line danced, you’ve grapevined right and left, weaved, rolled, and turned those vines. These combos are the bread and butter of line dancing! Because these moves are “beginner,” we can take them for granted and get sloppy with them.
So today, we’re going to get into the weeds🌿 — or should I say vines — and untangle these classic steps for smoother💃, safer, and ✨better-looking dancing! 
​
🍇 The Grapevine (a.k.a. “Vine”)
The grapevine is a three-count combination that travels sideways with three weight changes. Most instructors just call it a vine — because who has time for all those syllables while calling a dance?
Grapevine:
1️⃣ Step R foot to the right side.
2️⃣ Step the ball of your L foot behind the right.
3️⃣ Step R foot to the right side again.
 
👉 Pro tip: Keep that “behind” step on the ball of your foot — not flat!
 If you put your heel down, you’ll slow your momentum and risk stepping into the dancer behind you. The toes of the L should be near the heel of the R, keeping your steps small, and under your body.
 
Count 4 is usually a touch, but depending on the dance, it could also be a stomp, kick, scuff, brush, cross, or whatever the choreography calls for.

👉 Pro tip: Absolute beginners and older dancers can find vines and weaves tricky, there’s no shame in simplifying to “side-together-side.” Safety first, always! 💃❤️
 
🔄 Turning Vines
Ready to change direction? Let’s turn those vines!

¼ Turning Vine:
1️⃣ Step R to the side.
2️⃣ Step L ball of foot behind R.
3️⃣ Turn ¼ right on L ball and step R forward.
 
½ Turning Vine:
1️⃣ Step R to the side.
2️⃣ Step L ball of foot behind R.
3️⃣ Turn ¼ right, step R forward on the ball.
4️⃣ Turn another ¼ right, step L to the side.
 
👉 Remember: your heel is your brake! Stay on the balls of your feet to keep it smooth, stylish, and just enough turn to keep things interesting!
 
💫 Three-Step Turn (The Rolling Vine)
For dancers who love to twirl, you can often swap a grapevine for a Three-Step Turn. The 3-step turn is a progressive turn — not stationary — that travels down the line of dance (like a Chainé).

Three Step Turn:
1️⃣ Step R ¼ right on the ball of foot in the direction of the turn.
2️⃣ Draw the L foot under your body as you Step L ball of foot ¼ right.
3️⃣ Draw the R foot under your body as you turn ½ right stepping R to the side, completing the turn.
 
🕺 Tip: Match your turn speed to the music.
 Fast song? Fast turn. Slow song? Slow turn.
 If you finish your turn early and just stand there waiting for the beat… you’ve gone too fast!
 
🧵 The Weave (Vine’s red-headed step-Cousin)
Here’s where it gets interesting — and a little controversial!
According to the NTA Dance Terminology Booklet (p. 66), a weave is “a continuous grapevine pattern crossing behind and in front, taking at least 8 counts or beats of music.”
But… many instructors (myself included!) define it differently.
 
💡 My take:

• If the combination starts with a step to the side, it’s a grapevine.
• If it starts by crossing in front, it’s a weave.
• If it starts behind, we’ll often call it behind-side-cross. 

For example: 

• “Side-behind-side-cross” I would call “Vine-Cross” 
• “Cross-Side-Behind-Side” I would call “Weave -2-3-4”
• “Behind-Side-Cross” I would call “Behind-Side-Cross”  

So, if a new instructor calls a weave, be ready to cross both in front and behind, usually for at least four counts, maybe starting to the side or across. You will have to discern what this instructor means by “weave”.
 
💬 Your Turn!
 
How do you call these moves?
Have you heard other terms used for vines or weaves?
Which terminology makes the most sense to you?
 
Drop me a message — I’d love to know how your dance community talks about these classic line dance steps!