Doin' That East Coast Swing Thing

By Don Deyne

    While there is a whole 'nuther "community" of dancers in this world devoted to swing, country dancers predominately do 2 forms of swing - East Coast and West Coast. While West Coast is still relatively new to the social country scene (but VERY big at the competitive level), and Hustle (yes it is related-they tell me-to the ole disco Hustle) is just now entering the scene, East Coast has long been a staple on the country dance floor.

    Looking much like the Jitterbug and other related dances of years gone by East Coast Swing takes on many styles and it's movement around the floor is limited only by space available. The style I'll discuss is intended to keep the partner closer together than some dancers you might have seen on TV or at your favorite night spot. For those that want to keep your partner out on the end of your extend arm, OK. But remember I warned ya that all that tugging on the arm can out right HURT! :-)

    I'll begin by emphasizing the points I feel help us stay closer to our partners, then reinforce it as we get into the subject

  1. Keep your elbows bent. This will help them act as a sort of shock absorber.
  2. Stay UP on your toes as much as possible ESPECIALLY on the rock/steps.
  3. Execute PIVOTS between the triple steps.

Now LET'S SWING!

FRAMEWORK:

    Couples begin in close couple position that is slightly opened to the man's left/lady's right. The man's right hand is on lady's back, his arm passing under her left arm. The lady's left hand is on the man's right shoulder. The man's left hand is held down with the palm facing up. Remember-we never grip our partner's hand - finger tips are all we need. The lady lays her fingertips in his. Keep your left hand down, guys, when doing a basic patter, since raising the left hand could be misinterpreted as a lead. The body's of the partners form a V shape. We begin with the heel lead foot (man's left, lady's right) near the instep of the weighted foot (man's right, lady's left). We call this "3rd dance position" (heel to instep) and "doing the dance in 3rd".

RHYTHM:

The basic triple count swing step pattern is:

Triple steptriple steprock, step
count1&23&45-6
MenShuffle leftshuffle rightrock back left,recover right
LadiesShuffle rightshuffle leftrock back right,recover left

 

The 1st "triple" is slightly forward, the second slightly back. Forward and back being relative to our open body position. If you think of the "V" our bodies form, forward would be towards the top of the "V" and backwards to the bottom. Let your upper body move with the rhythm.

On count 5 step on the ball of the foot just behind the heel of your right (left) foot (this is 5th position for those who wanna know). This will put some spring in your ROCK, bringing you right back to the other foot for count 6 (STEP). Also, once again, keep your elbows slightly bent so they keep you from rocking to far away from your partner.

There are 2 other rhythm patterns:
Single count swing pattern: Step, hold, step, hold, rock, step.
Double (or Delayed Single) count swing pattern: Touch, step, touch, step, rock, step. (Remember: men lead left, ladies right)

You can use these patterns, independent of your partner, to add some style variation. Or, if your like me, you just don't like triple count swing at high tempos. By shifting to these patterns, you can still swing when the music strikes you.


SOME BASIC TURNS

This is the sequence I teach these turns in. As you learn it helps to follow a particular pattern (this applies not just to swing but any couples dance). Then as you get more comfortable with the dance and gain confidence, you start mixing the patterns up.

TUCK-TURN
On the first triple step raise your left hand up and inward while pressing lightly on the right hand, turning the lady slightly to her left, building torque and momentum. At the end of 2 (a concept that will take a little time for beginners) men move the lady's right hand (in your left) up and over her head, as the lady pivots beginning a full turn to her right. Men do your triple pretty much in place

Remember, guys, we lead the turn, place our hand over her head for support, and THAT'S IT! Let her turn on her own. If you force her around, she will most likely lose her balance, rhythm or maybe even her current dance partner (you). Men LEAD - Ladies - TURN. To steal an idea from Dan Eshner - The words "Briggs & Stratton" are not stamped anywhere on your partner's body (just in case - if they are? - I don't think we wanna hear about it)

On the second triple step the lady completes her turn, you bring your left hand down to a normal position with your elbow bent.

Right hands are still free and will remain so until you're ready to go back to closed position.

On counts 5&6 remember to keep your rock/step "tight". Stepping on the ball of the left (ladies right) foot JUST behind your right (ladies left) on 5. DO NOT PUT THE HEEL DOWN, and you will find it easier to spring right back to your right (left) for count 6.

If you're ready to go to closed (or when you are) simply pull the lady slightly towards you, and assume the position as you hit your first triple step.

The remaining moves begin from a 1 hand open position except the wrap and duck out.

SIDE PASS (OR LADIES UNDER ARM TURN)
1&2----Couple moves toward each other, passing right shoulder to right shoulder. Pivot at the end of 2.
3&4----Lady: 1/2 turn left
----------Man: 1/2 turn right
Mans left/lady's right hands pass over lady's head as she turns

WAIST PASS
Move toward your partner, right shoulder to right shoulder. Place her right hand at you right waist and release. Men turn left and lady's turn right. Lady's keep your hand on the man's waist as you both turn. When you find his elbow, simply pass your hand down his arm to his hand. Guys, keep your left hand facing palm up. I learnt this from Kelly Gellette: with the palm up the elbow tucks safely against your left side. This way you don't bonk your partner in the head and she can find your arm easier as she you both turn

NECK PASS
Much like the Waist Pass, but place lady's hand on man's right shoulder. (NOT on your neck, don't trust your partner that much) As the couple turns, lady's hand slides from the man's right shoulder to the mans neck, to the left shoulder and down the left arm.

HAND EXCHANGE PASS (my name for it for lack of a better one): As partners pass, place lady's right hand in man's right, and pass lady under the mans right arm. Men, bring your right hand down behind your back and place her right hand in your left (which you also placed back there). Again lady's turn right men left. Men may turn on between triple or on the rock/step (I pivot left at the end of 4) adding some snap to your turn, giving 2 different looks to the same move.

SUGAR-PUSH: Man presents right palm facing lady on the 1st triple, she pushes her left against it on the second, push away on the rock-step. OR you can assume a two hand hold (which your gonna need for the next move) and do multiple Sugar Pushes, turning while you do your triple steps

WRAP From a 2-hand hold (or a sugar push) turn lady to her left, keeping your right hand at waist level and your left overhead. Lady moves in to wrap on the mans right side.

EXITS
Unwrap: (Relate to the tuck-turn) On 1st triple, tuck lady to the left, then unwrap on the 2nd triple.
Duck-out: Push lady's hands down, leading her to bend over and slip out of the wrap under man's right arm on the 1st triple. Men, think of trying to put your right elbow through the ceiling, yet keeping your hands down. This creates a larger hole for the lady to slip through. On 2nd triple (men having done a right pivot) release your right hand. Again, the man can delay his turn till the rock-step, adding snap to his turn.


ETIQUETTE

We want to begin our swing dances in the corners of the center of the floor. There will be times that you may have to contend with line dancers in this area, but if we all respect each others right to have a little fun, and don't encroach on someone whose claimed some space already, this shouldn't be too big of a problem.

Remember the specific areas each dance type belongs in: continually progressing dances around the outside of the floor, flow dances 1 lane in, line and swing dances in the center.

These step instructions were copied directly from Super Dance Floor