In Int.Nat.style the man starts with his left foot forward on step 2.
An easy way to start cha cha is as follow:
-wait until you hear the beat.
-bring your weight on the right foot on 1.
-step fwrd with the left foot on 2.
-then go on,counting 2-3-4&-1, 2-3-4&-1
Besides this standard timing, many figures in the Cha cha lend themselves to a variation whereby the step that is taken on the second beat of the bar is delayed and taken a half beat later. This is called the Guapacha-timing. Better leave this for a later time.

That's an easy variation: just count two-and-three, cha-cha-cha, two-and-three, cha cha cha - stepping on the 'and'.

Thanks

-A

I am sorry, but I do not agree with you Alec. One could count two, three, cha cha and step fwd (or bwd) on the two. But one can not count two AND three cha cha cha and certainly not step on the 'and'.

Belgium Boy. Maybe Alec is getting muddled with two dances Rumba and Cha Cha. In the Rumba the more advanced dancers count & 2 & 3 & 4 1 . The & is because the hips keep moving and don't stop.

"I am sorry, but I do not agree with you Alec. One could count two, three, cha cha and step fwd (or bwd) on the two. But one can not count two AND three cha cha cha and certainly not step on the 'and'."

Sorry but this is just plain wrong. There are at least two options that put a step on the & after two.

Alternate timing: don't step on 2, instead step on & 3 4 & 1 (usually number of steps per measure)

Double syncopation: 2 & 3 4 & 1

and all sorts of other uses of ands counts in complicated groupings

I have ballroom danced for almost 3 years now (including Chacha and Rumba). I found the counting method a little bit odd. Since I also play music (incl Chacha and Rumba style), I found that all the dance teachers are correct regardless how they count.
Chacha and Rumba are 4/4 (4 beats in a measure). The first beat is always the strong beat.
So for ChaCha, some may count 1 2 3 & 4
or 1 2 cha cha cha, the count 1 matches with the first beat of the measure.
Some others couont 2 3 cha cha cha, and the count 2 match with the first beat of the measure.
So, does not matter how they count their steps are identical.

For those who count 2 3 cha cha cha, he start with the left foot (as always) sideways on count 1 (the only count 1 when you start) on beat 4 and he step back ward with his right foot on count 2 (beat 1).

For those who count 1 2 cha cha cha, they move their left foot forward on count 1 (beat 1).

All of them are correct.

For (American style) Rumba, I see similar difference in how dance teachers count. The key is on beat 1 move (SLOW), beat 2 pause, beat 3 move (QUICK) and beat 4 move (QUICK).

If you recognize where beat 1 is of the music, you will never step on the wrong beat, regardless of how you count.

Just my two cents.

"So for ChaCha, some may count 1 2 3 & 4
or 1 2 cha cha cha, the count 1 matches with the first beat of the measure.
Some others couont 2 3 cha cha cha, and the count 2 match with the first beat of the measure."

Sorry, but you are wrong.

The "cha cha cha" occupies counts 4, &, and 1 of the musical measure - it's an embellishment of the turnaround in the rhythm.

When a dance counts 2, 3, cha cha cha, they are dancing on beats 2, 3, 4 & 1

When someone counts 1, 2, 3, cha cha cha
they are most likely off time (ie, actually dancing on those beats), or possibly counting "1" on what is actually beat two, or in very rare cases dancing to music recorded with the accents in the wrong place.

Unfortunately,just lately many DJ's are playing the wrong music for cha cha even in competition the music is upbeat and more disco than cha cha, In fact you could just as easy dance a jive to it.

I kind of skimmed the responses, but didn't read them all. Yes, the basic timing on cha cha is 234&1 and for rumba 234 holding the 1. The leader can begin the dance with the weight on the RF and step fwd on the LF on 2 for either dance. However, most of the people I know will do it a little differently. In rumba, we usually start with our weight on the LF, RF held to the side, and shift weight sideways to the RF on the 4-1, then step fwd on the 2. For cha cha, you can do the same thing, shifting weight sideways on 1. The idea here is not to surprise your partner with a step fwd immediately. By shifting the weight sideways first, you've got a bit of preparation to lead into that first fwd step. A nice alternative in cha cha is to start in an open facing position, RF held back for the leader, LF fwd for the lady, and begin on the 4&1 taking the cha-cha-cha steps fwd (RLR for leader). The open facing position makes it a bit easier to start fwd without surprising your partner. In a closed position, if the follower doesn't move right away, you could end up tangled up. In the open facing position, you've got some room and time along with a bit of a visual lead, so it's not as much of a problem. Generally speaking, you can start off any dance pretty much however you like. Just shift your weight around to make sure the follower knows for sure which foot you're on before you begin, then go for it. There are some standard ways to start, but you don't necessarily have to use them.

If we are talking competition here the way you set up to start is very important. In a round with maybe twelve or more couples on the floor, the judges are already looking even before the music starts playing. So make sure you look smart ,alive and ready to go. It doesn't matter which style or which dance the rule is the same. Look good from the moment you step on the floor.