West Coast Swing
7 WEST COAST SWING BASICS & ITS BREAK DOWNS:
6 Count Patterns: (Under Arm Turn or Right side Pass), (Left Side Pass), (Sugar Push or Push Break), (Tuck Turn)
and the (Starter Step)
Teaching Methods: ● ● Pause ○ ○ ● Pause ○ ○ ●
6 Count: 1 2 3 & 4 5 & 6 8 Steps
Numbers Break Down: 1 1 1/2 1/2 1 1/2 1/2 1 6 Count Pattern
Quicks/Slows: S S Q Q S Q Q S
Walk-Walk Triple Step W W Triple Step Triple Step
Walk-Walk AIP: W W Anchor in Place Anchor in Place
Teaching Jargon: 1-2-3: 1 2 1 2 3 1 2 3
Beats Per Rhythm: (2) (2) (2) = 6 Count Pattern
Starter Step: ○ ○ ● ○ ○ ●
Count: 1 2 3 4 5 6
Side Together Side Anchor in Place
8 Count Patterns: (Basic Whip, Standard Whip and Regular Whip all of which are the same Move) ( Basket Whip or Lock Whip)
Teaching Methods: ● ● Pause ○ ○ ● Pause ● ● Pause ○ ○ ●
8 Count: 1 2 3 & 4 5 6 7 & 8 10 Steps
Numbers Break Down: 1 1 1/2 1/2 1 1 1 1/2 1/2 1 8 Count Pattern
Quicks/Slows: S S Q Q S S S Q Q S
Walk-Walk Triple Step W W Triple Step W W Triple Step
Walk-Walk AIP: W W Anchor in Place W W Anchor in Place
Teaching Jargon: 1-2-3: 1 2 1 2 3 1 2 1 2 3
Beats Per Rhythm: (2) (2) (2) (2) = 8 Count Pattern
1. UNDERARM TURN - (6 count patterns)
Leader steps back diagonal on count 1, forward on count 2, in place on counts 3 &, then step across on count 4 facing the follower, step in place on counts 5 &, settling into the right hip on count 6.
Follower walks forward on counts 1 2, turning to left on count 3 stretching to the connection of the leader. On the & count, she starts to turn more to her left, giving her a leverage feel. On count 4, she should be facing the Leader. On counts 5& step in place and on count 6 step back settling into the left hip awaiting the lead to start again.
2. LEFT SIDE PASS - (6 count patterns)
Leader steps quarter turn to his left side on count 1, together on count 2, in place on 3& face follower on count 4, step in place on counts 5&, step in place settling into the right hip on count 6.
Follower walks forward on counts 1 2, turning to left on count 3 stretching to the connection of the leader. On the & count she starts to turn more to her left giving her a leverage feel. On count 4 she should be facing the Leader. On counts 5& step in place and on count 6 step back settling into the left hip awaiting the lead to start again.
3. SUGAR PUSH - (6 count patterns)
Leader step back on count 1, together on count 2, in place on counts 3& step with small step on count 4, step in place on counts 5&, step in place settling into the right hip on count 6.
Follower walks forward on counts 1 2, on counts 3& you compress into leader and on count 4 you step back settling into the right hip, On counts 5& step in place and on count 6 step back settling into the left hip awaiting the lead to start again.
4. TUCK TURN - (6 count patterns) - Two hand hold
Leader steps back quarter turn to his left side on count 1, together on count 2 lifting his left hand connecting to the follower on counts 3& than placing the follower on count 4, step in place on counts 5& as she turns (clock wise), Face her on count 6 replacing your weight to the right hip to end the move.
Follower walks forward on counts 1 2, quarter turn on counts 3&, stepping forward on count 4, turning clock wise on counts 5&, step down settling into the left hip awaiting the lead on count 6.
5. BASIC WHIP - (8 count pattern)
Leader steps back diagonal on count 1, forward on count 2, in place on counts 3& than step across on Count 4 facing the follower, Quarter turn to the leaders right side on count 5, step forward on count 6 placing follower, on counts 7&, step in place and on count 8 settling into the right hip placing your weight to the right hip.
Follower walks forward on count 1 pivoting to her right side on count 2, back together forward which is counts 3&4, quarter turn to her right on count 5, step back on count 6, On counts 7& step in place and
on count 8 step back settling into the left hip awaiting the lead to start again.
6. BASKET WHIP - (8 count pattern)
Leader steps back diagonal on count 1, forward on count 2, in place on counts 3& than step across on Count 4 facing the follower, Quarter turn to the leaders right side on count 5, step forward on count 6 placing follower, on counts 7&, step in place and on count 8 settling into the right hip placing your weight to the right hip.
Follower walks forward on counts 1 2 3, bring left foot together on the AND count, step back on count 4 step back on counts 5 6, On counts 7& step in place and on count 8 step back settling into the left hip awaiting the lead to start again.
7. STARTER STEP - (6 count pattern)
Leader steps to the his left side latterly on counts 1,2,3 then to his right side on counts 4,5,6.
Follower steps to her right side latterly on counts 1,2,3 then to her left side 4,5,6 on counts.
“While I dance, I cannot judge, I cannot hate,
I cannot separate myself from life.
I can only be joyful and whole.
That is why I dance.” ~~ Hans Bos