Lariat

The Lariat is a standardized figure in competitive ballroom Cha-Cha-Cha, recognized by organizations such as Roundalab as a Phase 3 movement ^{[1, 2]}. It involves a circular progression where the leader moves around the follower, who remains largely stationary or executes a pivot, while maintaining a consistent hand-to-hand or closed-position connection ^[3]. The figure relies on the characteristic Cuban motion of the dance—a staccato, rhythmic hip action generated through the feet and knees rather than isolated hip movement ^{[3, 5]}. The rhythm follows the standard Cha-Cha-Cha structure of two slow steps followed by three quick steps, typically counted as one, two, three, cha-cha-cha ^{[3, 4]}. The Lariat is often compared to the Rope Spin, which is distinguished by the addition of a spiral turn for the follower at the initiation of the figure ^[3]. As with other standardized Cha-Cha-Cha figures, the Lariat reflects the international influence of teachers like Pierre Lavelle, who helped codify these patterns following the dance's emergence from Cuban danzón-mambo in the early 1950s ^{[4, 6]}. The movement is performed with a loose but firm hold, emphasizing the sharp, precise footwork typical of the International Latin style ^{[3, 5]}.