West Coast Swing "Basics Syllabus"

This syllabus has been developed to provide the content to be delivered during a typical month with 4 Sundays (4 hours) available for teaching. During the occasional months when 4 hours of teaching time is not available the instructor should use their judgment on what content to provide the class. During those months with 5 Sundays (4 times per year) it is recommended that the 5 th hour be used for review.

 

Slight variations on the specifics of the basic steps and footwork are acceptable based on the instructor's choice. Students are encouraged to attend two or more months of the introductory class to learn from different teachers and more firmly embed the basics into their dance.

1. Basic Footwork Rhythm
   • 6 Count Patterns: 1, 2, - 3 & 4, - 5 & 6 or walk, walk, triple step, triple step.
   • 8 Count Patterns: 1, 2, - 3 & 4, 5, 6, - 7 & 8 or walk, walk, triple step, walk, walk, triple step
   • Follower starts with right foot.
   • Leader starts with left foot
2. Eight Count Basic Rhythm
   1. 1, 2 – 3 & 4, 5, 6 – 7 & 8 Walk, Walk, Triple Step, Walk, Walk, Triple Step
3. Left Side Pass (Six Count) 180 degree rotation
   • Follower walks 1, 2, on a single track, then 3 cross on & faces 4, anchor steps 5 & 6 with Left foot slightly behind Right – while connecting away from partner
   • Leader Opens body up to the Left ¼ turn while bringing Left foot beside Right on 1 then finishes opening up another ¼ turn while stepping together on 2, then triple steps 3 & in place, steps into slot on 4, then anchor steps 5 & 6 with right foot slightly behind left – while connecting away from partner
   • Arm work ...Single hand hold ( man 's left, lady's right) down slot keeping hand between waist line & center of body
     (NEVER lead by Pulling with arm ...always lead by moving the body away from the follower)
4. Ladies Right Side Under Arm Pass (aka-Underarm Turn) (Six Count) 180 degree rotation
   • Follower walks 1, 2, on a single track, then 3 cross on & faces 4, anchor steps 5 & 6 with Left foot slightly behind Right – while connecting away from partner (Same as Left Side Pass )
   • Leader Steps Left foot back diagonally on 1, leading with the body, step together with Right on 2, with 3 & in place while staying off the ladies slot. Stepping back into the slot on 4 then anchor steps 5 & 6 with right foot slightly behind left – while connecting away from partner.
     Arm work ...Single hand hold ( man 's left, lady's right) Flip thumb down with left hand forming an arch for the lady to pass under.
     (NEVER lead by Pulling with arm ...always lead by moving the body away from the follower
5. Push Break (Sugar Push) (Six Count) No rotation
   • ...Follower walks 1, 2, on a single track, then presses forward on 3 stepping together with Left foot on &, steps back on 4, anchor steps 5 & 6 with Left foot slightly behind Right – while connecting away from partner.
   • Leader Steps back on 1, leading with the body, Small step or bring feet together on 2, 3 & in place leading forward on 4, then anchor steps 5 & 6 with right foot slightly behind left – while connecting away from partner.
   • Arm work ...Single hand hold ( man 's left, lady's right) offer right hand to follower by 2 ...keeping forearms parallel to the slot and floor bringing follower into the leaders core .
     (NEVER lead by Pulling with arm ...always lead by moving the body away from the follower)
6. Tuck Turn (Six Count) 180 degree rotation for leaders & followers
   • Follower Travels forward 1, 2, then side together forward on 3 & 4, pivots on Right foot ¼ turn and turns clockwise to face the leader on the anchor steps 5 & 6 with Left foot slightly behind Right – while connecting away from partner . ( move away from the hand on 5 to connection)
   • Leader Opens body up while bringing Left foot down the slot behind Right on 1, finishes the open ¼ turn to open up on 2, then triple steps 3 & in place, step into slot on 4 and anchor steps 5 & 6 with right foot slightly behind left – while connecting away from partner
   • Arm work ...Single hand hold ( man 's left, lady's right) bring the follower forward on 1...Prep across the slot on 2...rotate the follower in to the left (approx. 1/4 turn) on 3 & while stopping her with the left hand ...redirect the follower down the slot on 4 with left hand over the followers head. follower passes under the arch on 4 and faces leader on the anchor step, 5&6.
     (NEVER lead by Pulling with arm ...always lead by moving the body away from the follower)
7. Locked Whip (aka-Basket Whip) (Eight Count) No Rotation for Follower, 360 degree rotation for leader
• Basic Rhythm - 1, 2 – 3 & 4, 5, 6 – 7 & 8 Walk, Walk, Triple Step, Walk, Walk, Triple Step
• Follower Travels forward 1, 2 , then does a forward together back on 3 & 4, steps back 5, 6 then anchor steps 7 & 8 with Left foot slightly behind Right – while connecting away from partner.
• Leader Steps back diagonally on 1, leading with the body, stepping together on 2, 3 & in place while staying off the ladies slot, stepping across the slot on 4 (straddling the slot). Opens up ¼ to the right on 5, continue the rotation a ¼ turn on 6 while stepping into the slot and then anchor steps 7 & 8 with right foot slightly behind left – while connecting away from partner.
• Arm work ...Single hand hold ( man 's left, lady's right) Flip thumb down with left hand forming an arch for the lady to pass under and offer the right hand by 2...this puts the follower into a wrap position...lead back equally with both hand on 5 letting go of left hand by 6, ending in single hand position.
  (NEVER lead by Pulling with arm ...always lead by moving the body away from the follower)
8. Basic Whip (Eight Count) 360 degrees for leaders & followers
   • Follower Travels forward 1, ½ right turn on 2 , then does a back together forward on 3 & 4, (back coaster step) ½ turn and small step back on 5, back step on 6 then anchor steps 7 & 8 with Left foot slightly behind Right – while connecting away from partner.
   • Leader Steps back diagonally on 1, leading with the body, stepping together on 2, 3 & in place while staying off the ladies slot then stepping across the slot on 4 (straddling the slot). Leader opens up ¼ to the right on 5, continue the rotation a ¼ turn on 6 while stepping into the slot then anchor step 7 & 8 with right foot slightly behind left – while connecting away from partner. (Same as the Locked Whip)
   • Arm work ...Single hand hold ( man 's left, lady's right) Rotate lady by shaping leaders core to the right...while offering frame with the right arm by 2, ending in a closed frame position by 4...rotate the follower with right side of frame on 5 ...ending in single hand position.
     (NEVER lead by Pulling with arm ...always lead by moving the body away from the follower)

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