Prerequisite: A desire to learn West Coast Swing

Basic or Sugarpush

· Anchored open position, firm arms, forearms parallel to the floor

· Men – lead with your body, step back on 1, pick up the lady’s hand on 2, push back on 4, anchor on 5 & 6

· Ladies – wait for the lead, 2 steps forward with the lead, triple steps back on 4, anchoring back on 5 & 6

· Finish the anchor with your CPB over your heel

Closed Position Basic

· Men - Pull the lady closer on 1, right hand on the shoulder blade on 2, finish the basic footwork in closed position with body leads

· Ladies – follow the lead, left hand on the front of the man’s shoulder with tone or pressure

· With a push out to open position

Left Side Pass

· Men – Pivot and step back and out of the slot to the right, replace weight on right foot on 2, triple step “3 &” out of the slot stepping into the slot on 4, anchoring 5 & 6. Hands are low at waist level.

· Ladies – Follow your right hand, 1 & 2 down the slot, step left in front of right foot on “3 &”, turning on 4, anchoring back on 5 & 6

Variation – Two Arm Left Side Pass

Variation – With push back

Right Side Pass (Underarm Turn)

· Men – Step back and out of the slot to the left, step forward (out of the slot) on beat 2, triple step “3 &” out of the slot stepping into the slot on 4, anchoring 5 & 6. Lead her forward on 1 rotating the hand to the front of her shoulder on 2, moving her hand in an arch over her head on 3 & 4. Connection is firm and quiet at 4 5 & 6.

· Ladies – Follow the lead (your right hand). Make the hook. Relax the arm on 3 & 4. Footwork is the same as left side pass

Left Side Pass W/spin or traveling turn

· Men – Pivot and step back out of the slot and raise the hand slightly on 1, move the lady’s hand forward and out at her eye level on 2, turn the lady down the slot on 3 & 4, hand comes down to waist level on 4, anchor on 5 & 6.

· Ladies – Follow the lead (your right hand), 1&1/2 turns on 3 & 4, feet close together, relax the right arm

Basic with outside turn (push back)

· Men – Step back on 1, together 2, raising her right hand to eye level, tap on 3 pushing her hand over her head and down to waist level on 4, anchor back 5 & 6

· Ladies – Follow your right hand, watch the leader. Step forward on 1-2, tap on 3, turn around and step on 4 (right foot), relax the arm. Anchor on 5 & 6

8 Beat rhythm – 1-2 3&4 5-6 7&8 (walk walk triple step, walk walk triple step)

Walk Around – 8 count

· Men – Open position with both hands, step back and to the left on 1, your left hand moves to her right shoulder, your right hand to her waist on 2. Triple step behind her on 3 & 4 moving your left hand over her head to her left shoulder. Pivot and step back on your right foot on 5 leading the lady with the right hand, release the hand on 6 and step back into the slot, then anchor on 7 & 8

· Ladies – Step forward on 1 & 2, continue forward with small steps on 3 & 4, Step back on 5 when you feel the lead, another step back on 6 for the anchor on 7 & 8

Hook Step – 8 count

· Men – Step left foot behind right out of the slot to your right on 1 - 2, triple step back to your left on 3 & 4, moving your left hand over your head and down to waist level on 3 & 4, step 5 – 6 in place leading the lady down the slot. Anchor back on 7 & 8.

· Ladies – Follow your right hand, step forward on 1-2 with a coaster step behind the gentleman on 3 & 4 to his right side, follow the lead stepping forward on your left foot on 5, turn and step on 6, anchor on 7 & 8

One Arm Turn In (push through)

Two Arm Turn In with side pass

Notes: Explanation of slotted dance - Leader and follower

Explanation of hand positions, dance frame and connection

Stress Footwork, anchoring, body leads

No Coaster steps except where needed (change of direction)