Simple moves and tricks to help you look cool dancing

If you're self-conscious about dancing, nights out can be miserable. But you don't have to sit out for every song just because you don't have a great sense of rhythm or the "right moves." Here are some easy tricks and moves that can make anyone look and feel better on the dance floor.

With most club and party music (especially hip hop), the key is to listen for the "boom" and the "clap."

The boom is the heavier beat, and the clap sounds like a drum cymbal or a snap. Use these sounds to guide your movements.

For instance, match each step of your feet to the clap.

But if you find yourself in doubt of when the boom and clap happen (or you lose track of them), just watch everyone else's rhythm and follow along.

All you need to do is step to your right with your right leg/foot, then bring the left leg in to meet it on the next beat. Then, to repeat on the other side starting with the next beat, step to the left and bring your right foot in to meet your left foot.

To add a little extra effect to this move, clap your hands every time you bring your feet back together.

Or, to make the two-step cooler, throw in a little slide. To pull of this little modification, simply sweep your foot over to meet the other in a smooth, quick dusting motion and then tap your foot down when it's in place.

Bend your knees on the "one" count, and come back up with the next beat, the "two" count.

Once you're comfortable with that, try rotating your hips to twist your torso to one side with each bounce.

While you're moving like this, keep your arms loose. If you don't know what to do with them, just keep one arm up in the air and the other one relaxed at your side.

This move is just shifting your weight from one leg to the other while swaying your torso around a little on top.

Here's how you do it:

• Bend your right knee, letting your right side tilt slightly down in that direction.
• Then, push off with the right leg as you extend it, and shift your weight to your left leg as you do.
• Bend the right knee and repeat.

This is the easiest (and sexiest) move for a gal who isn't the greatest dancer.

Here's how to do it:

• Stand with your feet together and put your palms at your thighs.
• Bend your knees to the beat and as you do, move your hips to the right.
• Repeat, but this time roll your hips to the left.
• The dip looks much better when your back is arched.

The biggest tool any dancer has in his or her tool kit is confidence.

If you act like you know what you're doing and project that, most people watching you will assume that you do.

So, keep your posture straight and your shoulders back but relaxed while dancing to project this confidence.

And, above all, have a good time and don't over think what you're doing — just have fun and follow these moves and tricks!