New Orleans Buck Jumping (Second Lining) definition, information, & videos (2026 Reprint)

BigRedCotton, Uploaded on Dec 24, 2009

TBC Brass Band performing Donny Hathaway's 'This Christmas' at the Big Nine 2009 Second Line Parade

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Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision- September 5, 2026

[This is a complete 2026 reprint of a 2024 updated version of a pancocojams post that was originally published in 2013. That post is still available on this pancocojams blog.

Corrections for the information that is given in this post are very welcome.]

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This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series on the 19th century dance known as the "buck & wing", and the "buck jumping" dances may be derived from it or whose terms are sometimes mistaken for it.

This post features information about & several videos of New Orleans "buck jumping" (also referred to as "second lining" and "footwork" (although the  term "footwork" may refer to very similar but also different types of dancing and/or competitive dance activities).

Part I provides information & video demonstrations of buck & wing, buck dancing, and several wing movements in tap dancing.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-pigeon-wing-buck-wing-and-buck.html for Part I of this series.

The content of this post is presented for folkloric, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owner.

Disclaimer: I'm not a dancer or a dance historian. My comments are shared in the interest of eliciting more information & opinions about this subject.
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Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/09/videos-of-black-americans-in-new.html for the related 2026 pancocojams post entitled "Videos Of Black Americans In New Orleans, Louisiana Second Lining While Holding A Handkerchief".

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THE DIFFERENT MEANINGS FOR THE TERM "BUCKING"
The term "bucking" is currently used to describe a rodeo event, and three completely different African American originated dance movements.

In this pancocojams post "buck jumping" refers to New Orleans, Louisiana second lining (dance movements).

The other definitions of "bucking" refers to 
1. a rodeo event.

2. "buck dancing" ("flat foot dancing" and "clogging") or the pre-tap dance movements called "buck and the wing"..

3. majorette "bucking" (as performed by Jackson State University's Prancing J-Settes, the Dancing Dolls from the television series Bring It among others). Those movements consists of rhythmic pelvic thrusts (pelvic contractions) that are done within a dance routine.

-snip-
In addition, the verb "buck" is a shortened form of the term "buck wild". The saying "Knuck if you buck" means "Fight" (Knuckle) if you have the nerve to (if you dare to; if you're crazy enough to challenge me knowing that I'm formidable and you will lose).

Also,"buck" is positive adjective that term is associated with the Hip Hop dance form "krumping" 

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DEFINITIONS OF AND INFORMATION ABOUT BUCK JUMPING (SECOND LINING)
These article excerpts are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.

Online Source #1
From https://bittersoutherner.com/a-dance-of-liberation-buckjumping "A Dance Of Liberation"

Lily Keber’s upcoming, feature-length documentary, “Buckjumping,” will take filmgoers deep into more than a half dozen New Orleans neighborhoods, where second-line parades boost the spirits and bring communities together in a way that happens nowhere else.
-Chuck Reece; no publishing date given; 2019? 

"The Oxford English Dictionary defines “buck jumping” as “a rodeo event in which a rider attempts to stay in the saddle of a bucking horse.”

The Pigeon Town Steppers, one of New Orleans’ many community-based social aid and pleasure clubs, would define buck jumping differently. They would tell you it’s the dance style associated with the city’s second line parades and that without it, New Orleans would not be New Orleans."
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Online Source #2 
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG6KH905cGU&t=30s "You better second line! Jazz funeral in New Orleans for Juanita Brooks", posted by kookydave, Oct 20, 2009
Come pay your respects like we do down here in Nawlin's. Experience a real New Orleans second line jazz funeral for the lovely and talented Juanita Brooks.
1. @wb7ptr, 2013
"The first line is the actual family of the deceased, close friends, etc. who are right up with the hearse. Not sure but I think the band is part of that as well. The second line is the people behind the band. The tradition has been around New Orleans several hundred years. Many here believe a person must EARN a jazz funeral but I'm not sure on the common thought on that. Just about any decent musician, Mardis Gras Indian or other "culture bearer" can expect one."
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2. @seanlambert2865, 2015
"the first line is the family and friends who would normally dance to the music. That's why when the band plays, it's called second lining."

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Reply
3. @seanlambert2865, 2015
"Well the hired musicians are usually a brass band that travel with the 1st line. The actual "second line" is made up of random musicians playing out of respect and the pure enjoyment of playing. And it's all good, it's a very beautiful thing that should be shared with everyone "

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Reply
4.@amybaker4654, 2017
"Sean Lambert..Thank you for explaining that.I wondered what second lining meant."

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Online Source #3
From http://nolabounce.com/?p=4499 "Second Line Jump: New Orleans Rap And Brass Band Music" By Matt Miller; September 27, 2010

"The number of brass bands has expanded along with the proliferation of “second Line” clubs, so-called “social and pleasure” organizations which hire bands for parades. These clubs stage parades on Sunday afternoons throughout the second line “season” (which spans much of the Fall, Winter and Spring), often to celebrate the anniversary of the club’s founding. These second line parades, along with the “jazz funerals” and Mardi Gras parades that often define New Orleans in the national imagination, serve as a central venue for brass bands and play a key role in disseminating and reinforcing a commonly-held musical sensibility. To outsiders, second line parades might seem like a purely celebratory event, but they can also channel more destructive energies.

The bands are often joined by a rowdy group of spontaneous participants (often teenagers or young men) who contribute highly expressive dance and ad-hoc music-making. “Buck jumping,” an individual dance form associated with both brass bands and local rap, is one of the many features of New Orleans’s musical culture that in concept and nomenclature can be traced back to the 19th century and the era of slavery.”...
-snip-
This article was reformatted to increase its readability.

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Online Source #4
From https://gambinos.com/history-second-line/ "Jump In The Line: History of Second Lines [Gambinos Bakery"*; no publishing date given; retrieved September 17, 2023]
"Second Line Basics

For those of you who are new to the idea of a second line, at its base it is a brass band parade.  The brass band usually is made up of a trumpet, a trombone, a saxophone, a tuba, a bass drum, and a snare drum, but these instruments vary depending on the band and the event.  At the core of the parade is what’s called the “main line,” this includes the band itself, the krewe or club with which the band is affiliated, and in the case of funerals or weddings it includes the funeral and wedding party.

The “second line” refers to the spectators who join or follow the main line and contribute to the walking parade.  This is what separates a second line from any other New Orleans parade: groups are not only welcome but encouraged to follow along, allowing the second line to grow as it marches.  The term “second line” doesn’t only refer to the parade itself, it also speaks to the type of dancing you will find during those parades.  “Second lining” is a highly recognizable strutting, chicken-like dance move that many people use to keep pace with the band.  So “second line” is a term with many meanings; it applies to a type of parade, a part of the parade, and a dance move used within that parade.

Second lines have a multifaceted history that blends traditions of both European and African cultures and while the second line can be said to have developed in conjunction with a number of events, the one we most closely relate it to is the jazz funeral.  A jazz funeral is a New Orleans tradition that has a brass band following the hearse and leading the funeral procession to the cemetery.  On the march to intern the body, the brass band usually plays solemn dirges, a more classic way of experiencing a funeral.  What makes the jazz funeral different from other funerals, however, is that after buying the body, the brass band transitions to upbeat, happy, and celebratory music.  They lead the funeral procession away from the cemetery with a brightness that is meant to allow them to reflect on the dead’s life with joy and help them to celebrate being alive.

Second lines are still used for funerals in New Orleans, but they have evolved with a number of differences from the classic jazz funeral.  Second lines tend to use upbeat songs for the entirety of their march, leaving out the dirges.  Where jazz funerals are usually restricted to the family and friends of the deceased, a second line allows for others to join in, helping to celebrate and honor the life of the one who passed.

Where Do They Come From, Where Do They Go?

Most research shows the second line dating back to the mid to late 19th century, its development deeply ingrained in the African-American community in New Orleans.  In large part the second line’s creation and evolution can be attributed to what we now refer to as Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs.  In the period following the Civil War, African-American citizens struggled to attain proper governmental support and insurance, which incited the development of communal societies or co-ops that would provide social aid for their members.  These neighborhood organizations would charge their members dues which would contribute to a fund used for basic health and funeral insurance.

One of the earliest social aid organizations was the New Orleans Freedman’s Aid Association which was founded in 1865.  This specific social aid group worked to provide loans, education, and insurance to recently freed slaves in the post-Civil War era.  This club, and many like it, often hosted parades and block parties to advertise their services as well as celebrate and honor members when they died.  These celebrations coincided with jazz funerals and together evolved into what we now recognize as second lines.

As racial segregation began to fade in the south, the need for individualized organizations to provide insurance faded as well.  This is what created the transition from social aid clubs, to pleasure clubs or benevolent societies.  Contemporary Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs in New Orleans, like Zulu or the Jolly Bunch, usually don’t provide insurance anymore.  Instead they are used as clubs to allow locals to engage with one another and socialize in celebratory ways.  Their name, however, still references the purpose they originally served.

The Contemporary Second Line

It is New Orleans tradition to use second lines to celebrate weddings as well as funerals, but nowadays we second line for more than just these purposes.  Many Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs use second lines as a way of introducing themselves to the community or providing a reason for their members to get together.  It’s rare that a Sunday afternoon goes by in the French Quarter without being able to catch at least one or two second lines put on by these clubs.”…

*Here's information from that page about Gambino's Bakery
"In New Orleans and around the world, Gambino’s Bakery is a household tradition that offers over 74 years of experience with delicious baked goods."...
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Buck jumping is closely related to- if not the same as- the 21st century HIp-Hop dances known as "footwork", "gangsta walkin", "jookin", "buckin", and other terms. Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangsta_Walking for information about these Hip Hop dances. That Wikipedia article traces the origin of "gangsta walkin" and suggests that dance may have "a New Orleans connection. Early gangsta-walking in Memphis was often called "buck jumping", and "buck jumping" is another name for second-lining in New Orleans.”...

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SOME INFORMATION ABOUT NEW ORLEANS SOCIAL AID AND PLEASURE CLUBS 
http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/multicultural/multiculturaltraditions/socialaid.html
"Strutting and jumping and high-stepping underneath their decorated parasols, blowing whistles and waving feathered fans, the African-American members of New Orleans’ social aid and pleasure clubs are the organizers, originators, and sponsors of the second line parades for which the city is famous. The brass band that follows the parade’s grand marshal and club members, who are always dressed in coordinated suits and classy hats, blast out exuberant rhythms to propel everyone’s high-spirited march through the streets. The club and brass band are known as the first line, and the audience that forms behind the parade to join in the festivities is the second, hence the term second line parade.

African-American social aid and pleasure clubs aren’t just about parading, however. They grew out of organizations of the mid to late 1800s called benevolent societies, which many different ethnic groups in New Orleans formed. Serving a purpose that today has largely been supplanted by insurance companies, benevolent societies would help dues-paying members defray health care costs, funeral expenses, and financial hardships. They also fostered a sense of unity in the community, performed charitable works, and hosted social events. Benevolent societies always had strong support in the African-American population, and some scholars trace the roots of the African-American societies back to initiation associations of West African cultures from where the majority of New Orleans blacks originally came."
-snip-
The members of New Orleans Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs (SAPC) & the second line paraders strut while they perform footwork that consist of particular fast hopping kinds of jumping, sometimes with leg lifts and squatting (dips). These movements typify "buck jumping". 

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FEATURED VIDEOS
These videos are posted in chronological order with the videos with the oldest dates posted first.

Video #1: New Orleans Secondline Dancing



SneakinSal, Uploaded on Dec 25, 2006

Secondline dancing on a porch on Washington Avenue, New Orleans. New Generation Social Aid & Pleasure Club parade, December 10, 2006.

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Video #2: Sudan 2008 Second Line featuring Rebirth



Posted by BigRedCotton, December 03, 2008
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Notice the dancer crawling under the legs of another dancer. I've seen videos in which that same dance movement in some traditional Senegalese dances. I've also noticed that movement in performed in certain videos of African American Jazz dancing (swing dancing) and in videos of African American "krumping".

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Video #3: The Hot 8 Brass Band with Ladies And Men of Unity -'Poppa Was A Rolling Stone'



Uploaded by BigRedCotton on Apr 6, 2009

Ladies and Men of Unity Social Aid and Pleasure Club 2nd Annual Second Line Uptown

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Video #4: Divine Ladies Social Aid & Pleasure Club 2009 Annual Parade



Uploaded by BigRedCotton on May 17, 2009


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Video #5: Buck-jumping dance-off on Oak St. during the Pigeon Town Steppers Easter Second Line



Lisa Pal, Uploaded on Apr 5, 2010

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This concludes Part II of this series.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to those who are featured in these videos, and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

HBCU Dance Line Terms In The Discussion Thread For The Video "Southern University Dancing Dolls vs ASU Stingettes "FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS 2015"

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases a video of Southern University Dancing Dolls vs ASU Stingettes "FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS" 2015. This post also includes selected comments from that video's discussion thread that include a number of the HBCU majorette dance line terms are listed in this pancocojams post: http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/08/hbcu-majorette-dance-line-terms.html HBCU Majorette Dance Line Terms.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the Southern University Dancing Dolls and the Alabama State University Stingettes for their performances. Thanks to all those who have been or are now involved in HBCU majorette dance lines. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the producer and publisher of this video on YouTube.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO: Southern University Dancing Dolls vs ASU Stingettes "FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS" 2015



Marvin Price, Published on Oct 12, 2015

I Apoligize in advance for the side angle on the Stingettes. We started out in front, but the ASU Hornets Head band director made one of our team members move to the side. Still Pretty good footage nevertheless. Hope you all enjoy! This video was filmed by @gvdess_x and @DrPrice_IsRight

Thank you all for wathing!
Please SUbscribe!!!!!!!

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SELECTED COMMENTS
These comments are given in relative chronological order, with the oldest dated comments given first, except for responses. However, these comments may not be in consecutive order.

I've assigned numbers for referencing purposes only.

WARNING: As is the case with a number of YouTube discussion threads, a number of comments in this discussion thread contain profanity, what is known as the "n word", and/or examples of sexually explicit language. None of those comments are included below.

Explanation of the abbreviations:
HBCU = Historically Black Colleges And Universities

SU - Southern University Dancing Dolls (also referred to as "the dolls")

ASU - Alabama State University Stingettes


2015
1. Keyonna Baker
"Both teams did well man! this was a true battle!"

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2. AriesBoy1988
"These stingettes are the baddest squad/danceline in the HBCU this yr...That Asia is evolving these girls into something that have never been before.....There are the #1 HBCU danceline this yr while those Jsettes and Alabama A&M Divas are coming in the top 3 baddest dancelines this yr.......Sorry SU dancin dolls but I'm just not really feeling you all this yr and think yall come in as #4 because yall are becoming boring and predictable."

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3. arbary williams
"+AriesBoy1988 These ladies aren't out to battle each other. They're their for entertainment and entertainment purposes ONLY. And ranking these squads doesn't define what they do from week to week. All of these squads brings something different that's unique."

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4. EGC 93
"+arbary williams I agree with you, can't place the dolls or stingettes in any category because they both have their own unique styles., dolls never battle. No need to."

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5. mybro7279 months ago
"Ok let me clear this up right now! The Stingettes aren't #1 because they bend over and grind. The Dancing Dolls (whom I love) also bend over and grind, that's pretty much all the Dolls do. The Stingettes are #1 because of their creativity, ability to perform outside of the ordinary HBCU Dance box, and their unmatched swagger and sex appeal. The Stingettes are trendsetters; REFRESHING, creative, classy, sexy and sassy."

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6. arbary williams
"+mybro727 If the Stingettes are "number 1" then you can make an argument for the Dolls, J-settes, Black Foxes, Orchesis, Golden Delight, Golden Girls, and etc. because all the stuff you listed is what the majority of what all HBCU squads do on a week to week basis. Therefore I don't believe you can't put or give a ranking for any squad because it really takes away from what these women do and that's ENTERTAIN! I'm pretty sure all these squads respect each other craft on and off the field. So at the end of the day just RESPECT what all these women do."

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7. mybro727
"+arbary williams by no means am I trying to take anything away from any other danceline. I love my Dolls, I like Golden Delight and I even think the Jsettes, GG's, Orchesis, Black Foxes and 14K are entertaining squads. When I say the Stingettes are #1 it's because TO ME they are. No other can keep ME on the edge of my seat the way they do. They're MY preference. My point is it was unnecessary to call Aries a punk and then try to discredit his judgment by stating what you THINK his reasons are for the Stingettes being "#1" (his preference). That was silly and it was also senseless because ultimately the Dolls bend over and grind too! I personally have love for all HBCU dancelines but don't come for the Stingettes!!"

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8. Tee Jack2000
"No dance team in the swac needs to be ranked period because at the end of the day, they do a damn good job each week. We as fans should be thankful these girls do what they do. I won't rank them, but i mean Swac Dancers RUN the HBCU dance world & thats not up for debate"

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9. Bdot Ebony
"why the dolls dont buck like the other dance teams......i live their style tho"

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10. RebelKidd504
" "To become a Dancing Doll you must display great dancing techniques (ballet, jazz and modern dance), as well as be a beautiful, graceful woman with a super personality," "

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11. RebelKidd504
"Dancing Dolls dates back to 1969, the were the first HBU dance line to form. Back when SU was once in New Orleans and when at a Time in period when ladies were more poised, graceful, and sexy without looking for attention. Dancing Dolls are all about that grace, jazz, ballet, modern dance, beauty, and respect. The women before them kept that legacy going and the girls whom came after had and has to keep it up as well... So when they dance you will see real seductive and soft movement drawing an awe eye dazzling crowd bc how they move. It wasn't until the later teams came after... And started forming their own identity is when bucking came into play JSU TSU ..... That's what makes them unique they do what no other teams has failed to do keep it sexy soft gentle poised and eye catching you will never ever see a doll or dolls buck... It's not their style"

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12. Keandre Wilcox
"Man kayla is still giving me CAPTAIN ! Girl you better slay 😍😍😍"
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In this game Kayla Pittman (KP) was the captain of Southern University Dancing Dolls. However, for some reason, she was suspended for two games and performed behind the co-captain Conner in this game.

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13. Patricia August
"connor throws the perfect counts"
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Connor was the co-captain of the Dancing Dolls and led that dance line during the captain's suspension. "Leading the dance team" means that she was the one who threw the counts.

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14. Jasmine Patterson
"I hate all the tension in this video with the dolls. all the old heads look irritated with Kayla but she's doing what captains do. take control and make sure their team looks good they know they're against the stingettes and everyone is watching. they want her help but at the same time don't (in my opinion). but either way the [icon of a crown] is back"

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15. V Darnell
"Best Battle of the Season DOLLS vs. STING is always a delight!"

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16. Kory Kent
"Stingettes far surpassed the Dolls in synchronization, cleanliness and POWER. Considering their counts were more complicated and faster, the fact that they did it all in sync should be a damn wake up call to the Dolls to step it up. Their counts are easier, slower and they still weren't fully synchronized. In addition, I know "high-energy" isn't their style, but SOME energy would be nice. Stingettes won."

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17. Jss Pss
"Stingettes won ... more new count, better uniforms, better look, and they didn't repeat counts more than the Dolls"

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18. kolby935
"yall must not know asia well. lets not do it everyone knows the stingettes just murdered the dolls! stingettes are high energy, technique, real dance, and all in synch. Stingettes are a combination of many types of dance not just one. Basic dolls, im sleep. they have good field shows though i give them that."
-snip-
In this video, Asia Martin was the captain of the Stingettes.

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19. Keith Rogers
"I'm sorry but my Dolls definitely won this. Idk what people see in the Stingettes their counts always look so stiff looking lmao. Plus they remind of the Jsettes. And someone said the Stingettes uniform look better but it's like the exact same version of the dancing dolls version of one of their uniforms that's silver with gold lining lol. The Dolls are the best hbcu band their performing at NFl games, Super Bowls, and even marched mayweather in with his fight against pacqiou 😭. Hell Southern University got paid 700,000 to perform at UGA halftime which is the top school in Georgia and also PWI(Predominantly white institute). Just saying Southern is going places other than just going against college bands lmao 😭"

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20. darkinetix, 2016
"+Keith Rogers I loooooves me some Dolls... and maybe this video doesn't really reveal (I haven't watched in full yet) but the Stingettes have definitely been killing the stands in 2015 across the board. No contest. And again, I'm an avid Doll fan. It's a very slight advantage, but I'd still rank them higher than the Dolls as far as entertainment value.


The Dolls get more work in things like the Super Bowl and performing for PWIs because they're what white people would say is "classically beautiful" for black women, and their moves aren't as "raunchy" or "ghetto" to them... it's a matter of respectability politics ultimately. Not saying they don't deserve it whatsoever, because they absolutely do, but we can't ignore the truth. Dolls will always be the safest bet for the world outside of HBCUs."

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21. coco butta
"Though su's captain gives second row face and body and not captain swag that count at 7:15 is the business. I love it. Asia and her girls still have too much precision to be touched by the dolls. Two epic teams tho"
-snip-
For greater reading clarity, a comma should be placed after the word "swag". The commenter id dissin Southern captain by saying that she has second row face and body, but praising the count that she did at &:15 in this video.

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22. malatrex, 2016
" "Second row face and body". #deadandgone"

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23. Nathan Peo
"It's almost impossible to compare the two squads because of they have their own styles. I can't call it but they both clearly excel at what they do. Especially the captain of the Stingettes. I haven't seen an ASU captain with that much fire and personality since Victoria Betts (09)."

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2016
24. Angela Duah
"STINGETTES ARE THE BEST.. the Dolls are good at what they do but they were not as together as the Stingettes, their techniques were too soft, no passion, and somehow make them boring to watch after a while. The stingettes dances like its LIFE their energy is off the roof, they keep you engage in their performance"

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25. RebelKidd504
"No passion grace is not having not passion? Cleanliness is not having passion? Have technic is boring. Every dance team does not have to buck or pop that coochie yo. Lol we boring cause we keep it clean short and sexy. But yet acknowledged by Beyoncé even get her counts from the dancing dolls, acknowledged by Madonna as the best, Nicki Minaj thinks there great and celebs like Brandy, kamp K, keke Palmer, Nicole Murphy, T.I come just see them. I'm not understanding but I understanding the hate is real but the stingettes are great and has come long way but still has some growing

That's like y'all comparing Beyoncé to Keri Hillson lmfao"

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26. HBCU ALUM
"+Angela Duah Can't compare the two teams, SU have designed a traditional program around the Dolls that work for them, the Dolls dance that SU tradition. the ASU Stingettes and most HBCU dance teams dance more hip hop. I personally hope that SU Dolls never change from their tradition. The Dolls and Stingettes did a good job. Much love to all HBCU's."

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27. Demetrius Hickerson
"The Stingettes ate this. Both teams are phenomal and you may prefer a softer style of dance but me personally, I have to give it to the Stingettes because they can give me softer moves when needed but they can buck out as well. They brought new counts and new ripples. They executed well in the stands, no doubt about it. They just give me more as far as CREATIVITY and ENTERTAINMENT. Dolls on the other hand have great counts and are always in sync but I just want MORE from them but it's not in their style to give more. They perform the count and sit and look pretty."
-snip-
"The Stingettes ate this" means that (in the writer's opinion) they won the dance line battle since they devoured the competing dance line..

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28. Chris Bob
"the su dolls always do it big especially for the homecoming parade no other squad could come close to the excellence that the dolls have been doing since I was a kid and the dolls uniforms always make them stand out to me"

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29. Waylon Vines
"the dolls and the juke try to out do the year before, they dont compete against others"
-snip-
"Juke" - a clip of Southern University's band name "The Human Jukebox"

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30. RebelKidd504
"Speak speak son let them know cause everybody compete against them when southern is always trying to find a way to out beat themselves"

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31. JaiJaiCrazzii
"I love both teams but Stingettes takes the win because their dancing seems more clean. KP should've led and I think she'll be a better competitor against Asia. But in regards to sound, Southern is better. I'm an ASU fan but I'm always excited to go to the game when they play Southern just for the band."

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32. RebelKidd504
"I'm not understanding y'all definition of clean lol I got to watch this again cause the stingettes did great but counts are crammed up like they were trying to over do the dolls but still threw out some damn good counts but I think much wilder counts than the dolls doll counts are soft and controlled"

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33. HBCU ALUM
"Great Job SU Dolls and ASU Stingettes, both represent HBCU's well."

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35. MindRegulatorMusic
"Alcorn State, Alabama State, or Albany State University? Please let us know which HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) you are referring to. Some people (like me)who are viewing may be from other parts of the country...or the world. I appreciate your work! Are you the director?"

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Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Meanings Of "Bucking", "Stands", "Ace", "Tail" & Some Other Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) Majorette Dance Squads Terms

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision: June 14, 2024 [Title change]

This pancocojams post presents a list of Historically Black Colleges And Universities (HBCU) majorette dance squads terms and their meanings.

I've compiled this list from reading a number of HBCU majorette dance squad video discussion threads, reading other online articles on HBCU majorette dance lines, and reading other internet articles and blog discussion threads.

The content of this post is presented for historical and cultural purpose.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who have been or are now involved in HBCU majorette dance squads. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.

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DISCLAIMER: 

I'm an African American community folklorist who is interested in documenting and sharing information about HBCU majorette dance squads. I'm interested in this subject because HBCU dance lines are a part of African American culture which isn't well documented on the internet and may also not be well documented outside of the internet.

By no means do I consider myself an expert on HBCU dance line cultures. I really need the help of HBCU majorette dancers and fans to add to and correct this list and improve the way these definitions are phrased.

Some of these terms (such as "ace" and "tail") are also used by historically Black Greek letter organizations with similar meanings..  

The content of this post is presented for cultural and linguistic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Please share your additions and corrections in the comment section below. Thanks!
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 Click the "HBCU majorette dance squad" tag below to find pancocojams posts about these dance squads.

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LIST OF HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (HBCU) MAJORETTE DANCE SQUAD TERMS

Pancocojams Editor's note: If you know what these terms mean, please share additions and corrections in the comment section of this post. Thanks! 

Ace (n) - 

The Ace is the dancer that is right behind the captain when they march in. In the stands the ace is at the beginning of the first row (on the left) behind the captain who is in front of the other dancers. The "Ace" position (spot) is usually the shortest dancer in the majorette dance squad/team.

**
Battle (v); (n) - a term for the competition that occurs between the dance lines of  two competing universities (and their marching bands) during a football game. Unlike some stomp and shake cheerleading battles, these dance lines don't compete face to face on a field or in the same section of the football stadium bleachers. However, there's still a competition going on, especially among fans of those HBCU dance lines, and fans of other HBCU dance lines that aren't performing in a particular football game

Read the comments that I wrote regarding "stand battle" in the second entry for "stands"

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Buck (v) - a dance movement that is a major element in many HBCU majorette dance lines, but every HBCU majorette dance line does not buck. "Bucking" refers to performing pelvic thrusts (pelvic contractions) in time to the music; "bucking" in HBCU majorette dance lines isn't the same as the African American originated fast foot work known as "buck dancing" and "buck jumping" that are precursors of tap dancing (buck and a wing), flatfooting, and clogging

**
Bucking arrangements (n) - a referent for music that sounds like it would be good for bucking (because of that music's percussive nature)

**
Buck down (v) - to buck real hard (real good)

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Captain (n) - the leader of the dance line; the captain stands in front of the other dancers during performance; the captain throws (i.e. "calls") counts, and often choreographs dance routines, the captain is a strong dancer who shows leadership abilities and who is chosen by the director of that majorette dance line; in some dance line, the captain must be a junior or a senior

**
Catch-on = the call and response pattern in which the captain, standing facing forward in front on the stands (bleachers), "throws" a count (movement) and it is then performed by the dancers standing behind her

**
Counts (n)- a reference for a HBCU dance performance; the term "counts" is used in many other dance genres; here's a quote from http://www.ehow.com/facts_7194768_8-count-mean-dancing_.html
"Significance

When learning or practicing dance, most songs are broken up into segments or units called 8-counts. Each of these segments is measured in counts of eight beats, or how long it would take to count out "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8" in a rhythmic fashion. Once the count of eight is reached, dancers start over from one and a new segment begins.

Function
Dancers and choreographers use 8-counts on a regular basis to learn and teach dancing because most popular dance forms are based on 8-counts, which are essentially two 4-count measures back-to-back.

Fun Fact
Even though the majority of dance styles are based around 8-count divisions, the number of counts in each segment can vary. Certain styles of dance can feature 3-count, 6-count, and even 12-count segments."
-end of quote-
Some commenters in HBCU dance line discussion threads referred to 16 count routines.

In HBCU dance line culture, "counts" are also known as "cadences", and "stands". In HBCU dance lines, each count is known by a specific name, new counts are choreographed each season, but a dance line may perform certain count routines for decades or may only slightly revise an older count that was well received by the dance line's fans; although Bring It!, the nationally televised (United States) series on majorette youth dance lines uses the term "stands", it appears from my reading that most HBCU majorette dance lines and fans of those dance lines use the term "counts". Read the definition below for the term "throw counts"

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Crab (n)- a first year member of a HBCU dance line, often a university freshman; according to MACKG, a commenter on http://www.hbcusports.com/forums/threads/whats-a-crab.8534/ "What's a Crab?", May 30, 2002
"..."most Freshmen are known as CRABS. When I was a crab in the band...they said Freshmen wondered* about the campus lost all over the place like a CRAB fresh out of the water. Hence the term CRAB."
-snip-
*wondered = a typo for "wandered"

Notice that this term is also used in HBCU marching bands. On a HBCU dance line (and probably also in HBCU marching bands) the opposite of a "crab" is a "vet" (veteran); the term "seasoned vet" may also be used, meaning that dance member knows what she is doing on that dance squad because she has been a member of that squad for two or more years

**
Dance Line (n) - a team (group, squad) of HBCU majorette dancers; also known as "dance squad", "dance team"; HBCU majorette dance lines are auxiliaries of their university's marching band and perform to the instrumental music played by that marching band; each year dancers (including previous members) must audition for a spot on that team. For example, click http://www.southerndigest.com/article_674b99ab-a7e5-5f02-b11b-d126a6b56855.html for an article about the requirements to be a member of Southern University's Dancing Dolls.

HBCU dance lines perform during their university's football game competitions, perform off season at their university's basketball games, and also march in university parades and other university events; some HBCU majorette dance lines or members of those dance lines have also performed in other venues such as back-ups in recording stars' videos or live performances including the Superbowl; as of this date, HBCU dance lines only consist of females; unlike HBCU step teams or HBCU cheerleaders, HBCU dance lines are always silent when they perform, the university's dance line has a given name which may be similar to the name of their marching band (for example, Texas Southern University's Marching Band is named "Ocean of Soul" and their dance line is named "Motion of the Ocean".

**
Field Show (n) - performances that the HBCU marching band accompanied by its majorette dance line does in the football stadium field during a game's half time

**
HBCU (n) = Historical Black Colleges And Universities
From http://sites.ed.gov/whhbcu/one-hundred-and-five-historically-black-colleges-and-universities/ "The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, defines an HBCU as: “…any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary [of Education] to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered or is, according to such an agency or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation.” HBCUs offer all students, regardless of race, an opportunity to develop their skills and talents."...
-snip-
Almost all HBCUs are in the southern region of the United States. Click a link on that page for a list of HBCUs.

**
Field Show- routines performed by the dance line on the football field during that game's half time; the dance line performed to the live music of their university's band 

**

Grandstanding = a term that refers to majorette dance lines performing in the stands (bleachers)

**
Jsetting (n) (also given as j-setting)- a term that has become one of the generic references by the general public for the types of dancing that are performed by HBCU majorette dance lines. Howevr, this term may not be used by majorette dance lines themselves. The the term comes from the name of Jackson State University's majorette dance line, the Prancing J-Settes.

**
Majorettes (n) - according to http://www.thefreedictionary.com/majorette, the definition of majorette is
"1. A female dancer who twirls a baton, usually in a group and sometimes with a marching band.
2. A drum majorette.
-snip-
It should be noted that males also have performed and still perform as majorettes. However, the reason why the all female HBCU dance lines have been referred to as "majorette dance lines" is because historically, majorette dance lines began as twirling baton majorette squads.

**
Marching band (n) - a HBCU majorette dance line is an auxiliary of the university's marching band; the band plays instrumental music and the dance line performs with that music; Sometime the name of their majorette dance line is similar to the name of the marching band (for example "The Crimson Pipers is the name of Tuskegee University's marching band and "Piperettes" is the name of that university's dance line.

**
Milk (noun); "to milk" (a dance move); "milking" (verb) 
From https://www.b-better.org.uk/the-alternative-directory-of-street-dance-slang/#M
"Milking it – Prolonging a movement as a kind of ‘bridge’ into the next dance move / phrase"

**
From teezy.co/posts/dance-terms-dictionary#:~:text=Milking,re%20dragging%20out%20that%20move. 
"Milking:
When you extend movements throughout a portion of the piece or music.

At the end of a move, instead of “putting a period” on it and ending it definitely by stopping the movement, think of it as a “…” – like you’re dragging out that move."
-snip-

"Milking" results in a smooth, silky, sensuous style of dancing.

I've read comments in YouTube discussion threads of Historically Black Colleges And University videos about certain majorette dancers "milking that dance" or "serving milk".  For instance, some commenters in discussion threads for Southern University, wrote that Kayla Pittman's dancing was "smooth like milk and honey". Kayla Pittman is a former captain of Southern University's Fabulous Dancing Dolls.

**
Ramp kick (n) - a custom found in many HBCU dance lines or individual members performing the same high kick when they begin to climb the ramp to their seats in the football stadium

**
Routines (dance routines) (n) - a referent for the choreography that is performed by the HBCU majorette dancers

**
Singles (n) - a referent for individual count performances that are done one at a time by HBCU majorette dance line members, the last person to perform her count is the tail, who purposely ends with a showy, elongated movement; in some video, the captain is shown raising her right arm straight above her head to signal to the dance line to perform singles

**
Stands (n) - a referent for the football stadium bleachers; the HBCU marching bands and their dance line auxiliaries perform in the stands during football games

**
Stands (stand routines) (n) - another way of saying "counts", a referent for a HBCU majorette dance lines' performance of counts in the stands of the football stadium; the term "count" is used much more often in the HBCU video comments that I've read than the term "stands", however the term "stands" may be gaining in popularity because it and not "counts" is the term that is used on Bring It!, the national television series about Jackson, Mississippi's Dancing Dolls and other youth j-setting squads.

Note that the term "battle stands" (a face to face competition between two majorette dance squads or the captains of those squads) which has been popularized by the Bring It! television series and which occurs at gay male j-setting team events doesn't appear to be used by HBCU dance lines because that type of face to face competition rarely [never?] occurs. That said, there are some off-season majorette competitions where HBCU dance squads perform one at a time in a gymnasium setting*, but "battle stands" don't occur during those events

*The Asymmetrix Indoor Nationals Competition is an example of majorette dance lines competing against each other. Here's a link for a video of a 2012 competition in which four HBCU university dance lines participated https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRsJX1UuMZw
Essence of Troy danceline from VSU performing at The Asymmetrix Indoor Nationals Competition"
-snip-
Update: 8/3/2016: I've found comments about "stand battles" in this discussion thread of HBCU marching band Morris Brown College and Tennessee State University https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2ybU5Zn5TA. "Stand Battle" refers to the marching bands musically competing against each other in the stands (bleachers) of the football field. That definition is different from the definition for "battle stands" that is used in the Bring It! television series.

**
Swac (n) - from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southwestern_Athletic_Conference
"The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is a collegiate athletic conference headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, which is made up of historically black universities (HBCUs) in the Southern United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I for all sports; in football, it participates in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), still frequently referred to by its former designation of Division I-AA.
The SWAC is widely considered the premier HBCU conference and ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of alumni affiliated with professional sports teams, particularly in football"

**

"Tail (noun)- the tail is the Historically Black Colleges And Univesities (HBCU) majorette dance position that is the second most important position in the dance squad (after the captain)

Tailing (verb) - performing the movements of the tail position

Traditionally, the person in the tail position was the tallest dancer. Because the members of the dance line were arranged by height, the tail was the last person in the (horizontal) row of dancers. However, dancers are no longer assigned the position of the tail based on their height. Instead, every dancer on the squad/team- including the captain and the tail - have to compete every year for a position and the Squad's Director decides who has the best skills for that position. A "crab" (first year member of the squad) can be a Tail, but the Captain is almost always an upperclassman. Also, a dancer who was a Tail can advance to the Captain position.

The tail is known to exaggerate her end movements at the end of the squad's dance routines, dancing in slow motion, and performing other motions such as how she sits down at the end of the routine. These exaggerated, slow dance movements attracts attention to her. The dancer is said to be "extra" (in this context, "extra" is a complimentary term that means that the person is doing a lot more than what other people are doing. The person is "over the top". excessive, dramatic, doing a lot). For example, the Tail takes her time sitting down at the end of her majorette squad's routine. Her "tailing" movements are designed to bring attention to her. 
-snip-
Added 8/3/2016 - My daughter reminded me that historically Black Greek Letter organizations (BGLOs i.e . fraternities and sororities) also use the term "tail". The tail is (or was?) the tallest person in that fraternity's or sororities' line (of people who are "pledging" or working to join that organization). In BGLO yard shows/step shows, the tail is the last person in a horizontal or vertical row. The tail usually exaggerates his or her movements, moving in slow motion and is "extra". This exaggerated, slow motion movement can especially be seen during a ripple (the movement is done in a staggered manner, each person does the same movement or similar movements, one right after each other).

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Throw Counts -(v) a term which refers to the action by the majorette dance line's captain in designating which count is to be performed; the action of performing counts, (also sometimes given as "throwing stands", or "throwing cadences")

**
Uniforms (n) - the outfits that the majorette dance line wears; "costume" is an incorrect referent for these outfits

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Visitor comments are welcome.

Stand Battles & The Changing Meaning Of "Majorettes" In African American Culture

Edited by Azizi Powell

[latest revision: October 24, 2018]

This post provides definitions for "stand battles" and provides video examples of stand routines (battle stands) that are performed by community based groups such as Jackson, Mississippi's "Dancing Dolls", Jackson, Mississippi's "Purple Diamonds, and Memphis, Tennessee's "Prancing Tigerettes".

The Addendum to this post provides examples of Southern University's "Dancing Dolls", Alcorn State University's "Golden Girls", and Jackson State University's "Prancing J-Settes", three of the historically Black colleges & universities (HBCU) marching band affiliated dance lines whose performance styles have greatly influenced the (Jackson, Mississippi) "Dancing Dolls" and other community based dance groups (majorettes) who are featured on the American television series Bring It!. Note that the names of the Jackson, Mississippi "Dancing Dolls" group and their competitors the Memphis, Tennessee group "The Prancing Tigerettes" (and other competitors) were influenced by the names of historically Black colleges and universities' marching band affiliated dance lines.

The Addendum to this post also provides information about how the female groups that are auxiliaries of historically Black universities' marching bands changed their referent from "majorettes" to "dance lines". That excerpt also documents changes in the performance styles of those groups.

The content of this post is posted for historical, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

RELATED LINKS
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/04/j-setting-jsus-prancing-j-settes-and.html
"J-Setting, JSU's Prancing J-Settes, And Black Gay J-Setters"

http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/04/dance-stand-routines-from-hbcu-dance.html
"Stand Routines From Historically Black Colleges & Universities Dance Line Auditions"

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DIFFERENT MEANINGS OF "MAJORETTE"
Drum & Bugle Corp Majorettes
The older meaning of "majorette" (also known as "drum majorette") is "a young woman or girl who wears a uniform and makes a pattern of movements with a baton (= stick) by turning it and throwing it into the air, as part of a group of girls who do this or as the leader of a musical group" http://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/british/majorette
-snip-
While there are some YouTube videos of African American drum majorettes, it appears that there are fewer of this type of majorette group among African Americans than there has ever been.

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Hip Hop Majorettes
At present, Hip Hop majorettes are [usually] entirely African American female groups from the Southern states. The groups refer to themselves as "majorettes"* and battle (compete) with other groups in majorette tours. One such group is Jackson, Mississippi's Dancing Dolls who are featured on the American television series "Bring It!". This post includes videos of "the Dancing Dolls" and "the Prancing Tigerettes" prior to these groups being showcased on the television series "Bring It!"

*In the "Bring It" series edition that aired on September 10, 2014, the coach of the showcased group the "Dancing Dolls" referred to that group's performance style as "Hip Hop majorettes". Here's the definition of "majorettes" that is given by Jackson Mississippi "Dancing Dolls" Coach Miss D (Diana Williams) in the video:
"'Majorette' is a form of dance that incorporates hip-hop, ballet, jazz, and a mixture of lyrical dance all together. It’s high energy, high paced. It’s fun, energetic, and it’s entertaining. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_k7UfFcoQA
"Miss D's Dance Dictionary "Dance Styles" [.14-.26]
-snip-
The Jackson, Mississippi "Dancing Dolls" and other majorette groups that they compete with perform choreographed, synchronized movements to percussive music. However, that music is recorded, not played by live drummers. Also, those new style majorette groups don't twirl and catch any batons or sticks.

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HIP HOP MAJORETTE TERMS
Stand Battles
From http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/bring-it/dance-dictionary “Bring It! [television show]
"Stand Battle: The stand battle works like a single elimination bracket tournament. The teams draw numbers and are randomly paired together. Each pair take turns trying to out dance each other. The teams go back and forth until the judges determine that one team wins. This is the most intense of all the categories because while the dance sequences are choreographed, when they are used is decided on the fly. The Captain must decide when to use what sequence based on the opposing team's sequence."
-snip-
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xrio6Fp6bHw [quote beginning at 1:24 of that video]
" “What is a stand battle?”
“A stand battle is when two teams take the dance floor at the same time. They take turns throwing eight counts back and forth until the judges declare a winner. “An eight count” is known as a stand.

Exchanging an eight count is like two boxers in the ring throwing punches back and forth with each team trying to land a killer combination. In war it’s back and forth shootin at each other. It’s the same thing. The only difference is that we don’t do that-we throw stands."
-Miss D (Diane Williams), Founder & Instructor/Coach - The Dancing Dolls (Jackson, Mississippi)
-snip-
This video is embedded as Example #6 below and features a definition of "bucking" and other definitions.

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Bucking
One of the dance movements that Hip Hop majorettes perform is "bucking". "Bucking" -as performed by some African American majorette groups, particularly in the South- consists of performing rhythmic pelvic thrusts (pops) as part of a dance routine.

The term "bucking" is probably a new name for this very old African originated dance movement. The Houston, Texas group X-Treme Motion was the first to popularize "bucking" on television. That group competed on the 2010 television show "America's Best Dance Crew. Here's a link to a January 4, 2010 video of dance crew from a historically Black university in Houston, Texas whose summary statement mentions "bucking": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apu78i3-K1s. Here's the summary statement from the publisher's Trecia KneCole Fan Page's summary statement:
"X-Treme Motion Dance Crew is a Houston Based Crew from "The Motion of the Ocean" Majorettes at Texas Southern University. They specialize in Hip-Hop, Jazz, Ballet, Funky Jazz, and Modern. But, Showcasing and bring their own dance style called "Bucking" to the forefront"
-snip-
(Majorette) bucking isn't the same as a 19th century American term "buck dancing" which refers to clogging/tap dancing ("buck and wing"). Nor is "majorette bucking" the same as "buck jumping", a very old style of dancing and processional marching that members of New Orleans Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs & New Orleans second line paraders do.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-pigeon-wing-buck-wing-and-buck.html for information and video examples of both of these types of dancing.

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Death drop- Read the comments under Example #5: "Stand Battle 2013" below.
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FEATURED VIDEOS
These examples are presented in chronological order based on their posting dates with the oldest dated examples given first.

WARNING: A number of comments on some of these videos’ viewer comment threads contain profanity, racist language, and other objectionable content.

Example #1: The Dancing Dolls of Jackson...AKA "MINI J-SETTES"



oneyouluvtohate, Uploaded on Oct 30, 2009
-snip-
"aka" means "also known as". Information about & a video of the "Jackson State University J-Settes" are found in the Addendum to this post.

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Example #2: DIP IT DOWN LOW BATTLE PURPLE DIAMONDS



dixie2176, Uploaded on Aug 16, 2011

THIS BATTLE WAS W I L D... YOU BE THE JUDGE!!!!! LOVE THIS PERFORMANCE... THESE GIRLS ARE ALL REALLY GOOD...YET PURPLE DIAMONDS TOOK THE WIN... video by D & M PRODUCTION Of Djamale's Dancingdivas
-snip-
Given the comments in the summary statement, I think the dance (majorette?) team "battling" the Purple Diamonds is the Dancing Divas.

I'm particularly interested in this video because it documents stand battles taking place on stages (as opposed to the floor of a gymnasium). I'm also interested in the way that the audience in this video reacts to the performances ("battles"), and the way that the dance captains shook hands when the result of the competition was announced.

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Example #3: PURPLE DIAMONDS VS DANCING DOLLS



TDABEST2011, Published on Aug 11, 2012

STAND BATTLE...DIP IT LOW 8/11/2012 THE MOST CRUNKEST STAND BATTLE I HAVE SEEN WITH MY OWN EYES TAKE 1..
-snip-
This 2012 video example of two Jackson, Mississippi pre-university dance groups feature “The Dancing Dolls” before they were showcased on the American television series “Bring It!”. These dance teams refer to themselves as “majorettes”.* This style of majorette performance is a distinct change from the “old style” of majorette performances.**

*http://www.dollhousedancefactory.com/ http://www.dollhousedancefactory.com/. The Dancing Dolls (Jackson, Mississippi)'s home page includes “pre-majorette, majorette I and majorette II” in the list of dance classes that are offered. Also, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dancing-Dolls/116220078408472
Comment posted by “Dancing Dolls” March 28 [2014] “Majorette Tour is underway!!!”

**Here's a comment that I wrote on the pancocojams post http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/01/african-american-south-african-batons.html
"...it appears that many (if not most) contemporary African American marching bands and African American drill teams have changed the definition of majorettes from "female baton twirlers" to "females who perform certain styles of dancing and/or marching/step movements to certain types of music", which rarely includes snare drums.

It's very difficult to find any video of a HBCU (historically Black college and university) or an African American high school unit (or predominately African American high school unit) that features baton twirling. However, three examples of that majorette style are included in that 2014 pancocojams post.

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Example #4: Memphis elite battles tigerettes



pimp1908, Published on Jun 9, 2013
-snip-
Notice that the Memphis Elite is a male group who are performing in a Hip-Hop/breakdancestyle and not the same style as the "Prancing Tigerette" or other "majorette" dance group. However, to date, I've only found one video of a stand battle that includes a high school group that included two males with its female members. That video is given as Example #2 in the Bonus video section below.

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Example #5: Stand Battle 2013



BayAreaThuggn, Published on Aug 18, 2013

Dynamic Dancing Dollz vs. Purple Diamonds
Buck or Die 2013
Jackson, MS
-snip-
Notice that the Dancing Dolls performed a death drop. "Death drops" came from voguing, a performance style that originated in New York City gay ballroom scenes.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vogue_(dance)
Vogue, or voguing, is a highly stylized, modern house dance that evolved out of the Harlem [gay] ballroom scene in the 1980s...
"The dip is the fall, drop, or descent backward onto one's back with one's leg folded underneath. Mainstream dance forms popularized the dip, which is occasionally called the "death drop" when done in dramatics style. Due to popular media, the dip is sometimes incorrectly termed the "5000", "shablam", and "shabam"; such misnomers likely stem from older commentators chanting the word "shawam" when a voguer successfully completed a dip."
-snip-
I don't think that this definition of the death drop has anything to do with the use of the phrase "dip it low" in the video title of Example #2 and the summary statement of Example #3.

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Example #6: Bring It!: Buzzwords



Lifetime Published on Mar 6, 2014

Check out a dictionary of the different dance routines that the Dancing Dolls participate in, in this Bring It! video extra.
-snip-
Here's a comment from that video's viewer comment thread
Book Multimedia, 2014
"This show is an accurate display of how many dance teams function. and it would be no different without the cameras. i believe those kids and their sponsors are doing a great job. they train those girls with basic to advanced collegiate & Professional dance technique. if you were a fan of the marching band culture in the south. you would understand.. this is how Many dance teams function. i see influence from the A few teams in the SWAC on display."
-snip-
Two examples of SWAC dance teams are presented in the Addendum to this post
-snip-
BONUS VIDEOS
I've just come across a number of videos of dance battles whose performances are very similar to the performances shown above. However, those performance styles differ from those previously showcased groups n that the dance teams represent specific high schools AND the dance teams perform to the beat of live (snare) drums & cymbals. Unfortunately, no location is given for these events, but I've identified one of the groups as "the Dancing Diamonds" from Lovejoy High School in Lucas, Texas. It's likely that the other competing dance groups are also from Texas, if not from that Texas city. If you have any information about these groups, please add it in the comment section below. Thanks!

Bonus Example #1: Battle Of The Dance Lines 2012 - (Stands Competition Group -1)



atlbattle, Published on Jan 13, 2013

high school band
-snip-
One of these competing groups include two males.

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Bonus Example #2: Battle Of The Dance Lines 2012 - ( Stands Competition Group - 4 )



atlbattle, Published on Jan 13, 2013

high school band

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ADDENDUM - INFORMATION ABOUT HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES MARCHING BAND AFFILIATED DANCE LINES
[Revised October 24, 2018]

From http://websites.one.jsums.edu/sonicboom/?page_id=522" The Prancing J-Settes, Jackson State University Auxiliary Dancers: “Origin and Development of the Prancing J-Settes”
" “Prancing J-Settes” is the official name of the Jackson State University dance line, an auxiliary group of the Jackson State University Marching Band, “The Sonic Boom of the South.” ...

In 1971, Shirley Middleton, a former majorette, initiated the concept of the majorettes abandoning their batons and dancing to popular musical selections. As the majorette sponsor, Shirley Middleton and the majorettes met with Dr. John A. Peoples, the University’s sixth president, and requested that they be permitted to “put down their batons.”

Dr. Peoples agreed and thus legends were born. In 1970, Middleton assembled 18 majorettes, and their notoriety immediately began to soar in rapid proportions...

The group was initially named the “Prancing Jaycettes.” The group’s name became official in 1971. However, in 1982, the Prancing Jaycette organization officially changed its name to Prancing J-Settes, because of a name conflict with a local organization known as the Jackson Jaycees/Jaycettes.

Shirley Middleton served as sponsor of the J-Settes from 1970-1975. In 1975, Narah Oatis was appointed the sponsor of the J-Settes. Under her leadership, the Prancing J-Settes became nationally renowned. During her reign, J-Sette marching technics such as the “Salt and Pepper,” “J-Sette Walk,” “Strut,” and “Tip Toe” were perfected. The J-Settes consisted of lines of 12-16 young ladies who marched in rows affectionately named “Short and Sassy,” “Magnificent Middle,” or a “Tall and Tough.” ...
end of quote
The marching band affiliated dance lines at many historically Black colleges & university in the Southern region of the United States have greatly influenced the creation of pre-university Hip Hop majorette dance lines. That said, the performance styles of those university affiliated dance lines differ considerably from Hip Hop majorette dance lines such as Jackson, Mississippi's Dancing Doll community group that is featured on the United States' television series Bring It! which debuted March 5, 2014 and began its fifth season in March 2018. . Notice that the "Dancing Doll" name of that Jackson, Mississippi Hip Hop majorette grou is the same name as Baton Rouge, Louisiana's Southern University's marching band affiliated dance line. And the name of Jackson, Mississippi "Dancing Dolls"'s competitor's "The Prancing Tigerettes" (from Memphis, Tennessee) is modeled after the name of the Jackson State University's "The Prancing J-Settes". Indeed, "The Tigerettes" was another name for the Prancing J-Settes "back in the day":
*from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHz8GK1Y2Uk The Prancing Jsettes I go to Work, published by ChicagoMarchingBands in Apr 24, 2008
karamalebro, 2008
"The J-Settes are always known as the J-Settes-the Prancing J-Settes to be exact. Under the supervision of Ms. Oatis, however, the J-Settes went under the pseudonym-the TIGERETTES-whenever they put on those tiger print uniforms. Remember I stated, "Back in the day."
Thanks for enligtening all on the name of the uniform.
JSU Alumni, 1996."
-snip-
The fact that the Prancing J-Settes' signature moves have greatly influenced the Jackson, Mississippi Dancing Dolls and other majorette groups is documented by the content of this announcement for auditions on the (Jackson, Miss.) Dancing Doll's website http://www.dollhousedancefactory.com/DWilliams_Dance_Company_2_3.html
"Dancing Dolls Dance Team 2015 Tryouts are February 2015 at the Dollhouse Dance Factory....

Dancing Dolls is for girls ages 10-17. Dancing Dolls FINAL tryouts for the 2013 season will be held February 2015 at the Dollhouse Dance Factory. There is a $20 fee per dancer. Troyout Camp times are as follows...

Dancing Dolls require the following: Marching (Salt N Pepper & Swing), Struts (J-Sette Walk & Prancing), Splits, Kicks (both legs), Rollovers (front and Back), Cartwheel, Toe Touch, Back bend and Deathdrop. All moves are taught during camp sessions. A group dance will be taught consisting of 9-12 eight counts..."

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TWO VIDEOS OF UNIVERSITY MARCHING BAND AFFILIATED DANCE LINES
Example #1: SU Dancing Dolls at SWAC Championship 2013



HBCUBANDS.COM, Published on Dec 9, 2013

SU Dancing Dolls at SWAC Championship 2013
-snip-
Southern University is a historically Black university that is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. "Dancing Dolls" is the name of that university band's dance line.

"HBCU" = Historically Black Colleges & Universities
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is a collegiate athletic conference headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, which is made up of historically black universities in the Southern United States. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southwestern_Athletic_Conference

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Example #2: The Golden Girls vs The Prancing J-Settes Both Dancing to Bad Girls @ The SWAC Championship



HBCUBANDS.COM, Published on Dec 12, 2013

Which Squad had the Better Routine?...
-snip-
The Golden Girls is the name of the dance team that is an auxiliary of the Alcorn State University (Lorman, Mississippi) marching band.

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Visitor comments are welcome.

New Orleans Buck Jumping (Second Lining) definition, information, & videos

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest Revision -September 5, 2026

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TBC Brass Band performing Donny Hathaway's 'This Christmas' at the Big Nine 2009 Second Line Parade



BigRedCotton, Uploaded on Dec 24, 2009

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This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series on the 19th century dance known as the "buck & wing", and the "buck jumping" dances may be derived from it or whose terms are sometimes mistaken for it.

This post features information about & several videos of New Orleans "buck jumping" (also referred to as "second lining" and "footwork" (although the  term "footwork" may refer to very similar but also different types of dancing and/or competitive dance activities).

Part I provides information & video demonstrations of buck & wing, buck dancing, and several wing movements in tap dancing.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-pigeon-wing-buck-wing-and-buck.html for Part I of this series.

The content of this post is presented for folkloric, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owner.

Disclaimer: I'm not a dancer or a dance historian. My comments are shared in the interest of eliciting more information & opinions about this subject.

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THE DIFFERENT MEANINGS FOR THE TERM "BUCKING"
The term "bucking" is currently used to describe a rodeo event, and three completely different African American originated dance movements.

In this pancocojams post "buck jumping" refers to New Orleans, Louisiana second lining (dance movements).

The other definitions of "bucking" refers to 
1. a rodeo event.

2. "buck dancing" ("flat foot dancing" and "clogging") or the pre-tap dance movements called "buck and the wing"..

3. majorette "bucking" (as performed by Jackson State University's Prancing J-Settes, the Dancing Dolls from the television series Bring It among others). Those movements consists of rhythmic pelvic thrusts (pelvic contractions) that are done within a dance routine.

-snip-
In addition, the verb "buck" is a shortened form of the term "buck wild". The saying "Knuck if you buck" means "Fight" (Knuckle) if you have the nerve to (if you dare to; if you're crazy enough to challenge me knowing that I'm formidable and you will lose).

Also,"buck" is positive adjective that term is associated with the Hip Hop dance form "krumping" 
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DEFINITIONS OF AND INFORMATION ABOUT BUCK JUMPING (SECOND LINING)
These article excerpts are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.

Online Source #1
From https://bittersoutherner.com/a-dance-of-liberation-buckjumping "A Dance Of Liberation"

Lily Keber’s upcoming, feature-length documentary, “Buckjumping,” will take filmgoers deep into more than a half dozen New Orleans neighborhoods, where second-line parades boost the spirits and bring communities together in a way that happens nowhere else.
-Chuck Reece; no publishing date given; 2019? 

"The Oxford English Dictionary defines “buck jumping” as “a rodeo event in which a rider attempts to stay in the saddle of a bucking horse.”

The Pigeon Town Steppers, one of New Orleans’ many community-based social aid and pleasure clubs, would define buck jumping differently. They would tell you it’s the dance style associated with the city’s second line parades and that without it, New Orleans would not be New Orleans."
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Online Source #2 
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG6KH905cGU&t=30s "You better second line! Jazz funeral in New Orleans for Juanita Brooks", posted by kookydave, Oct 20, 2009
Come pay your respects like we do down here in Nawlin's. Experience a real New Orleans second line jazz funeral for the lovely and talented Juanita Brooks.
1. @wb7ptr, 2013
"The first line is the actual family of the deceased, close friends, etc. who are right up with the hearse. Not sure but I think the band is part of that as well. The second line is the people behind the band. The tradition has been around New Orleans several hundred years. Many here believe a person must EARN a jazz funeral but I'm not sure on the common thought on that. Just about any decent musician, Mardis Gras Indian or other "culture bearer" can expect one."
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2. @seanlambert2865, 2015
"the first line is the family and friends who would normally dance to the music. That's why when the band plays, it's called second lining."

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Reply
3. @seanlambert2865, 2015
"Well the hired musicians are usually a brass band that travel with the 1st line. The actual "second line" is made up of random musicians playing out of respect and the pure enjoyment of playing. And it's all good, it's a very beautiful thing that should be shared with everyone "

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Reply
4.@amybaker4654, 2017
"Sean Lambert..Thank you for explaining that.I wondered what second lining meant."

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Online Source #3
From http://nolabounce.com/?p=4499 "Second Line Jump: New Orleans Rap And Brass Band Music" By Matt Miller; September 27, 2010
"The number of brass bands has expanded along with the proliferation of “second Line” clubs, so-called “social and pleasure” organizations which hire bands for parades. These clubs stage parades on Sunday afternoons throughout the second line “season” (which spans much of the Fall, Winter and Spring), often to celebrate the anniversary of the club’s founding. These second line parades, along with the “jazz funerals” and Mardi Gras parades that often define New Orleans in the national imagination, serve as a central venue for brass bands and play a key role in disseminating and reinforcing a commonly-held musical sensibility. To outsiders, second line parades might seem like a purely celebratory event, but they can also channel more destructive energies.

The bands are often joined by a rowdy group of spontaneous participants (often teenagers or young men) who contribute highly expressive dance and ad-hoc music-making. “Buck jumping,” an individual dance form associated with both brass bands and local rap, is one of the many features of New Orleans’s musical culture that in concept and nomenclature can be traced back to the 19th century and the era of slavery.”...
-snip-
This article was reformatted to increase its readability.

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Online Source #4
From https://gambinos.com/history-second-line/ "Jump In The Line: History of Second Lines [Gambinos Bakery"*; no publishing date given; retrieved September 17, 2023]
"Second Line Basics

For those of you who are new to the idea of a second line, at its base it is a brass band parade.  The brass band usually is made up of a trumpet, a trombone, a saxophone, a tuba, a bass drum, and a snare drum, but these instruments vary depending on the band and the event.  At the core of the parade is what’s called the “main line,” this includes the band itself, the krewe or club with which the band is affiliated, and in the case of funerals or weddings it includes the funeral and wedding party.

The “second line” refers to the spectators who join or follow the main line and contribute to the walking parade.  This is what separates a second line from any other New Orleans parade: groups are not only welcome but encouraged to follow along, allowing the second line to grow as it marches.  The term “second line” doesn’t only refer to the parade itself, it also speaks to the type of dancing you will find during those parades.  “Second lining” is a highly recognizable strutting, chicken-like dance move that many people use to keep pace with the band.  So “second line” is a term with many meanings; it applies to a type of parade, a part of the parade, and a dance move used within that parade.

Second lines have a multifaceted history that blends traditions of both European and African cultures and while the second line can be said to have developed in conjunction with a number of events, the one we most closely relate it to is the jazz funeral.  A jazz funeral is a New Orleans tradition that has a brass band following the hearse and leading the funeral procession to the cemetery.  On the march to intern the body, the brass band usually plays solemn dirges, a more classic way of experiencing a funeral.  What makes the jazz funeral different from other funerals, however, is that after buying the body, the brass band transitions to upbeat, happy, and celebratory music.  They lead the funeral procession away from the cemetery with a brightness that is meant to allow them to reflect on the dead’s life with joy and help them to celebrate being alive.

Second lines are still used for funerals in New Orleans, but they have evolved with a number of differences from the classic jazz funeral.  Second lines tend to use upbeat songs for the entirety of their march, leaving out the dirges.  Where jazz funerals are usually restricted to the family and friends of the deceased, a second line allows for others to join in, helping to celebrate and honor the life of the one who passed.

Where Do They Come From, Where Do They Go?

Most research shows the second line dating back to the mid to late 19th century, its development deeply ingrained in the African-American community in New Orleans.  In large part the second line’s creation and evolution can be attributed to what we now refer to as Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs.  In the period following the Civil War, African-American citizens struggled to attain proper governmental support and insurance, which incited the development of communal societies or co-ops that would provide social aid for their members.  These neighborhood organizations would charge their members dues which would contribute to a fund used for basic health and funeral insurance.

One of the earliest social aid organizations was the New Orleans Freedman’s Aid Association which was founded in 1865.  This specific social aid group worked to provide loans, education, and insurance to recently freed slaves in the post-Civil War era.  This club, and many like it, often hosted parades and block parties to advertise their services as well as celebrate and honor members when they died.  These celebrations coincided with jazz funerals and together evolved into what we now recognize as second lines.

As racial segregation began to fade in the south, the need for individualized organizations to provide insurance faded as well.  This is what created the transition from social aid clubs, to pleasure clubs or benevolent societies.  Contemporary Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs in New Orleans, like Zulu or the Jolly Bunch, usually don’t provide insurance anymore.  Instead they are used as clubs to allow locals to engage with one another and socialize in celebratory ways.  Their name, however, still references the purpose they originally served.

The Contemporary Second Line

It is New Orleans tradition to use second lines to celebrate weddings as well as funerals, but nowadays we second line for more than just these purposes.  Many Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs use second lines as a way of introducing themselves to the community or providing a reason for their members to get together.  It’s rare that a Sunday afternoon goes by in the French Quarter without being able to catch at least one or two second lines put on by these clubs.”…

*Here's information from that page about Gambino's Bakery
"In New Orleans and around the world, Gambino’s Bakery is a household tradition that offers over 74 years of experience with delicious baked goods."...
-snip-
Buck jumping is closely related to- if not the same as- the 21st century HIp-Hop dances known as "footwork", "gangsta walkin", "jookin", "buckin", and other terms. Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangsta_Walking for information about these Hip Hop dances. That Wikipedia article traces the origin of "gangsta walkin" and suggests that dance may have "a New Orleans connection. Early gangsta-walking in Memphis was often called "buck jumping", and "buck jumping" is another name for second-lining in New Orleans.”...

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SOME INFORMATION ABOUT NEW ORLEANS SOCIAL AID AND PLEASURE CLUBS 
http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/multicultural/multiculturaltraditions/socialaid.html
"Strutting and jumping and high-stepping underneath their decorated parasols, blowing whistles and waving feathered fans, the African-American members of New Orleans’ social aid and pleasure clubs are the organizers, originators, and sponsors of the second line parades for which the city is famous. The brass band that follows the parade’s grand marshal and club members, who are always dressed in coordinated suits and classy hats, blast out exuberant rhythms to propel everyone’s high-spirited march through the streets. The club and brass band are known as the first line, and the audience that forms behind the parade to join in the festivities is the second, hence the term second line parade.

African-American social aid and pleasure clubs aren’t just about parading, however. They grew out of organizations of the mid to late 1800s called benevolent societies, which many different ethnic groups in New Orleans formed. Serving a purpose that today has largely been supplanted by insurance companies, benevolent societies would help dues-paying members defray health care costs, funeral expenses, and financial hardships. They also fostered a sense of unity in the community, performed charitable works, and hosted social events. Benevolent societies always had strong support in the African-American population, and some scholars trace the roots of the African-American societies back to initiation associations of West African cultures from where the majority of New Orleans blacks originally came."
-snip-
The members of New Orleans Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs (SAPC) & the second line paraders strut while they perform footwork that consist of particular fast hopping kinds of jumping, sometimes with leg lifts and squatting (dips). These movements typify "buck jumping". 

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FEATURED VIDEOS
These videos are posted in chronological order with the videos with the oldest dates posted first.

Video #1: New Orleans Secondline Dancing



SneakinSal, Uploaded on Dec 25, 2006

Secondline dancing on a porch on Washington Avenue, New Orleans. New Generation Social Aid & Pleasure Club parade, December 10, 2006.

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Video #2: Sudan 2008 Second Line featuring Rebirth



Posted by BigRedCotton, December 03, 2008
-snip-
Notice the dancer crawling under the legs of another dancer. I've seen videos in which that same dance movement in some traditional Senegalese dances. I've also noticed that movement in performed in certain videos of African American Jazz dancing (swing dancing) and in videos of African American "krumping".

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Video #3: The Hot 8 Brass Band with Ladies And Men of Unity -'Poppa Was A Rolling Stone'



Uploaded by BigRedCotton on Apr 6, 2009

Ladies and Men of Unity Social Aid and Pleasure Club 2nd Annual Second Line Uptown

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Video #4: Divine Ladies Social Aid & Pleasure Club 2009 Annual Parade



Uploaded by BigRedCotton on May 17, 2009

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Video #5: Buck-jumping dance-off on Oak St. during the Pigeon Town Steppers Easter Second Line



Lisa Pal, Uploaded on Apr 5, 2010

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This concludes Part II of this series.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to those who are featured in these videos, and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.