Ukrainian Dancing/Central Ukraine/Basic and Common Steps

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Pokhid Skladniy or Triple Step

Ukrainian Name	Pokhid Skladniy; Potriyniy Krok; Pereminniy Krok; Pokhid Tankoviy Skladaniy; Pokhid Tankoviy Skladniy
Cyrillic	Похід складний
English Name	Triple Step; 1-2-3; Plain Step; Basic Step
Direction of the Step	Stationary
Music	One step per beat. Count is 1-2-3-pause or 1-and-2-pause.
Opening Position	Sixth position. Step is performed on the balls of both feet.

Description

Before the first beat, raise the right foot.
On one, hop onto the right foot. This is often described as a big step to the right.
On two (or and), bring the left foot next to the right foot and step onto the left foot. This is often described as a little step.
On three (or two, if using a 1-and-2-and count), step back onto the right foot.
There is a brief pause on the fourth count, but most dancers probably will not notice it.

Repeat on the next beat, starting with the left foot.

Bihunets or Triple Step

Ukrainian Name	Bihunets; sometimes referred to as a travelling pokhid skladniy
Cyrillic	Бігунець
English Name	Triple Step; 1-2-3; Plain Step; Basic Step
Direction of the Step	Travelling
Music	One step per beat. Count is 1-2-3-pause or 1-and-2-pause.
Opening Position	Sixth position. Step is performed on the balls of both feet.

Description

Before the first beat, raise the right foot.
On one, take a large step forward with the right foot.
On two (or and), bring the left foot forward and only slightly in front of the right foot, and step onto the left foot. This is often described as a little step.
On three (or two, if using a 1-and-2-and count), take another small step forward onto the right foot.
There is a brief pause on the fourth count, but most dancers probably will not notice it.

Repeat on the next beat, starting with the left foot.

Most of the forward movement in this step occurs during the initial large step forward on the first count.

Prytup or Stamp

Ukrainian Name	Prytup.
Cyrillic	Притуп
English Name	Stamp
Direction of the Step	Stationary
Music	One step per beat. Count is and-1.
Opening Position	First, third, or sixth position.

Description

On the last and of the previous beat, raise right foot.
On one stamp the right foot, placing it back in its original position.

Potriinyi Prytup or Triple Stamp

Ukrainian Name	Potriinyi Prytup
Cyrillic	Пoтрійний Притуп
English Name	Triple Stamp
Direction of the Step	Stationary
Music	One step per beat. Count is 1-and-2-and or 1-2-3-pause.
Opening Position	Sixth position, knees slightly bent in a demi-plié.

Description

On one stamp the right foot.
On and(or two) stamp the left foot.
On two (or three) stamp the right foot.
On and pause.

Repeat on the next beat, beginning with the left foot.

Tynok

Ukrainian Name	Tynok
Cyrillic	Тинок
English Name	Tynok (Little Fence or Little Hedge)
Direction of the Step	Stationary or Travelling
Music	One step per beat. Count is 1-2-3-pause.
Opening Position	Third position. Step is performed on the balls of both feet.

Description

Before the first beat, sweep right foot in an arc from left to right.
On one step onto the right foot, as though stepping your foot over a low picket fence.
On two sweep the left foot in front and across the right foot, as though bringing the left foot over the fence. Lead with the heel to maintain the turn-out. Raise the right foot slightly.
On three step back on to the right foot, placing it back in its original position.
On pause prepare to repeat the step to the left.

Repeat counts 1,2,3 and the pause, alternating sides. Repeat on the next beat, beginning with the left foot.

Some authors distinguish different versions of tynok, based on the height of sweeping motions. A low sweeping motion, where the feet are kept close to the ground, is called "small" or "maliy." A medium sized sweeping motion, where the feet are brought about mid-calf height is called an intermediate tynok or "tynok seredniy." A large tynok, where the feet are brought to about knee height, is performed only by men and boys and referred to as "tynok velykiy."

When performed as a travelling step, most of the forward movement occurs during the initial sweep before the count of one. The motion is to leap forward onto right foot, cross the left foot over, and step again onto the right foot; then, leap forward with the left foot, cross the right foot over, step onto the left foot.

Arm Movement

Tynok may be performed with hands on hips, or by opening the arms to second position on the odd-numbered counts, and then closing them to the waist on the even-numbered counts.

Vykhyliasnyk or Toe-Heel

Ukrainian Name	Vykhyliasnyk
Cyrillic	Вихилясник
English Name	Toe-heel
Direction of the Step	Stationary
Music	One step per beat. Count is 1-2.
Opening Position	Third or sixth position. Step is performed on the balls of the feet.

Description

Weight is on the left foot. On one hop on the left foot. At the same time, extend the right foot to the right side, turn the foot under, and place the toes on the ground, heel turned up. The foot should be in slightly extended.
On two hop on the left foot. At the same time, turn the right foot up, and place the heel on the ground in the same spot as the toes, with the toes facing up and the foot flexed.

Repeat, hopping onto the right foot and repeating the toe-heel movement with the left foot.

Variations

The toe-heel movement can be performed without the hop on the supporting leg.

Toe-heel, 1-2-3 (vykhyliasnyk skladnyi) - perform the toe-heel movement on the first count. On the next count, perform pokhid skladnyi, leading with the right foot. Repeat, shifting weight to the right foot and performing the movement with the left foot.

Toe-heel, triple stamp (vykhyliasnyk z potriinym prytupom) - perform the toe-heel movement on the first count. On the next count, perform a triple-stamp, leading with the right foot. Repeat, shifting weight to the right foot and performing the movement with the left foot.

Toe-heel with feet close together (nocok-kabluk) - One one hop on the left foot, and at the same time place the right toes on the ground, next to the heel of the left foot. On two hop on the left foot, and at the seme time place the heel of the right foot next to the toes of the left foot.

Uhynannya or Knee-kick

Ukrainian Name	Uhynannya or Vyhynannya
Cyrillic	Угинання
English Name	Knee-kick
Direction of the Step	Stationary
Music	One step per beat. Count is 1-2.
Opening Position	Third position. Step is performed on the balls of the feet.

Description

Weight is on the left foot. On one hop on the left foot. At the same time, bend the right leg and place the heel of the right foot so that it touches the knee of the left leg, just under the kneecap. Toes should be pointed. Knees should be turned out.
On two hop on the left foot. At the same time, extend the right foot forward and at a slight angle, toes pointed. The upper part of the right leg should not change position while the leg is extended.

Repeat, hopping onto the right foot and repeating the knee-kick movement with the left foot.

Variation

Knee-kick, 1-2-3 (uhynannya skladnyi) - perform the knee-kick movement on the first count. On the next count, perform pokhid skladnyi, leading with the right foot. Repeat, shifting weight to the right foot and performing the movement with the left foot.

Vypad or Stamp-Kick/Touch-Point

Ukrainian Name	Vypad
Cyrillic	Випад
English Name	Stamp-kick or touch-point
Direction of the Step	Stationary or travelling
Music	One step per beat. Count is 1-2
Opening Position	Third position. Step is performed on the balls of the feet.

Description

Weight is on the left foot. On one step onto the right foot. Weight is placed on the whole foot. The foot should be placed slightly in between third and fourth positions.
On two hop on the left foot. At the same time, raise the right foot forward and on a slight angle. The foot should be about knee height. Toes should be pointed.

Vypad is usually followed by one beat of pokhid skladniy, performed to the right. Then the dancer switches the working and supporting leg, and performs vypad skladniy to the left side. Vypad may also be used in combination with other steps.

Back-kick

Ukrainian Name
Cyrillic
English Name	Back-kick
Direction of the Step	Stationary
Music	One step per beat. Count is 1-2
Opening Position	Third position. Step is performed on the balls of the feet.

Description

Weight is on the left foot. On one hop on the left foot. At the same time, bend the right leg and place the right foot behind the left knee. Toes should be pointed. Knees should be turned out.
On two hop on the left foot. At the same time, extend the right foot forward and at a slight angle, toes pointed. The upper part of the right leg should not change position while the leg is extended.

Repeat, hopping onto the right foot and repeating the back-kick movement with the left foot.

Cross-kick

Ukrainian Name
Cyrillic
English Name	Cross-kick
Direction of the Step	Stationary
Music	One step per beat. Count is 1-2
Opening Position	Third position. Step is performed on the balls of the feet.

Description

On one step the right foot across and in front of the left leg. At the same time, bend the left leg and place the left foot behind the right knee. Toes should be pointed. Knees should be turned out.
On two hop on the right foot. At the same time, extend the left foot forward and at a slight angle, toes pointed. The upper part of the left leg should not change position while the leg is extended.

Repeat, hopping onto the left foot and repeating the back-kick movement with the right foot.

Merezhka

Ukrainian Name	Merezhka
Cyrillic	Мережка
English Name	Merezhka; 1-2-side
Direction of the Step	Stationary or travelling
Music	One step per beat. Count is 1-2-3 or 1-and-2
Opening Position	First position. Step is performed on the balls of the feet.

Description

On one step on to the right foot.
On two step on to the left foot.
On three step on to the right foot and extend the left foot towards the side, toes pointed.

Repeat, stepping onto the left foot.

1-2-Front

Ukrainian Name
Cyrillic
English Name	1-2-Front
Direction of the Step	Stationary or travelling backwards
Music	One step per beat. Count is 1-2-3 or 1-and-2
Opening Position	First position. Step is performed on the balls of the feet.

Description

On one step on to the right foot.
On two step on to the left foot.
On three step on to the right foot and extend the left foot towards the front, toes pointed.

Repeat, stepping onto the left foot.

Vidryvanka Zvychaina or Kicks

Ukrainian Name	Vidryvanka Zvychaina
Cyrillic	Відриванка Звичайна
English Name	Kicks (standing)
Direction of the Step	Stationary or travelling backwards
Music	One step per beat. Count is 1-2
Opening Position	First position. Step is performed on the balls of the feet.

Description

On one hop on to the right foot and extend the left foot forward, toes pointed.
On two hop on to the left foot and extend the right foot forward, toes pointed.

Dorizhka or Little Step

Ukrainian Name	Dorizhka
Cyrillic	Дорижка
English Name	Side-step; Little Step
Direction of the Step	Travelling
Music	One step per beat. Count is 1-and-2-and
Opening Position	First position. Step is performed on the balls of the feet.

Description

On one take a small step to the right with the right foot. Weight is on the left foot.
On and bring the left foot up to meet the right foot.
On two take a small step to the right with the right foot. Weight is on the left foot.
On and bring the left foot up to meet the right foot.

Step may also be performed travelling to the forward or backward. It may be performed travelling to the left by reversing the working and supporting legs.

Pletenna or Back-step

Ukrainian Name	Pletenna; Dorizhka-nazad; Viryovochka
Cyrillic	Плетення
English Name	Back-step
Direction of the Step	Stationary or travelling backwards
Music	One step per beat. Count is 1-and-2-and
Opening Position	Third position. Step is performed on the balls of the feet.

Description

Before the first beat, bring the right foot slightly in front.
On one-and, bring the right foot up the front of the left leg, and then bring it down behind the left leg. Shift weight onto the balls of the right foot. Feet and knees are turned out. The right foot should almost slide down the back of the left leg.
On two-and, raise the left leg up the front of the right leg and then bring it down behind the right leg.

Holubtsi or Clicks

Ukrainian Name	Holubtsi
Cyrillic	Голубці
English Name	Clicks
Direction of the Step	Stationary or travelling sideways
Music	One step per beat. Count is 1-and-2-and.
Opening Position	First position.

Description

Before the first beat, shift weight onto the ball of the left foot. Extend the right leg to the side.
On one-and hop upward on the left foot and beat the left heel against the right heel. The left heel should move upwards to meet the right heel, which remains stationary. Feet should be turned out in first position. Land on the ball of the left foot.
On two-and, repeat the movements of one-and.

The step may be performed to the left, reversing the working and supporting legs.

Male and Female Variations

When performed by men, holubtsi are characterized by large leap upwards. Both legs are bent at the knees. The working leg is extended in a kick on landing.

In contrast, when performed by women, holubsti are low to the ground and the legs are kept straight. The step should appear light and dainty.

Cross-click

Ukrainian Name
Cyrillic
English Name	Cross-click
Direction of the Step	Stationary or travelling sideways
Music	One step per beat. Count is 1-2.
Opening Position	First position.

Description

On one, hop onto the ball of the right foot, crossing it in front of the left foot. The left foot is extended to the side.
On two, hop upward on the right foot and beat the heel of the right foot against the heel of the left foot. The left leg remains stationary, while the right leg moves to meet the left leg. Feet should be turned out in first position. Land on the ball of the right foot.

The step may be performed to the right, reversing the working and supporting legs.

Male and Female Variations

When performed by men, cross-clicks are characterized by large leap upwards. Both legs are bent at the knees. The working leg is extended in a kick on landing.

In contrast, when performed by women, cross-clicks are low to the ground and the legs are kept straight. The step should appear light and dainty.