Two lines of dancers form side-by-side in order to do the stroll. A single dancer from each line meets his partner at the head of the line, then the couple "strolls" down the line of waiting dancers, doing a simple step pattern. When the couple reaches the end of the line, both lines do a simple step pattern all at one time, then the next couple meets at the head of the line to take their stroll. This process is repeated until the song ends or all the dancers in line have had their turn to stroll.
High energy rock and roll couples dances of the 50s were usually some form of the Jitterbug, which was a holdover from the 30s and 40s big band swing dances. A basic 8-count dance step is performed by the couple to a fast piece of music, with gymnastic accents in the form of the male flipping and swinging his female dance partner over his back and around the dance floor.
When romantic love ballads were played in dance halls during the 50s, couples poured onto the dance floor to slow dance. A simple box step is performed by the male, and the female performs a mirror image of the same step. The man puts one hand on the woman's waist, and the woman puts one hand on the man's shoulder. The couple clasps their free hands together, holding hands with one another while they sway.
The Rewind the Fifties website reports that the Cha Cha is a combination of, "the Puerto Rican Danzonette and the Cuban Danzon." This sexy dance is performed by a couple to a 4/4 rhythm, with two slow and three quick steps being executed per each bar of music.