West Coast Swing Volume 1
(Beginner-Intermediate)

Recently revised and expanded, this video has two hours of material, including awesome scenes from televised west coast swing performances and scenes from the biggest dance competitions. This tape covers the complete standard syllabus (including the push, side passes, underarm turns, whips, tuck turns, etc.) but goes on to show variations on these basic figures. This video shows almost all types of whip patterns, including reverse whips, spin whips, continuous whips, pivoting whips, whip combinations, and the accelerated whip. There are many west coast swing tapes on the market, but unlike most, this one shows the most popular variations on the basic figures. This video also covers the important subjects of frame, connection and timing. Almost all beginners do several things wrong. This video points out and addresses these common problems.

1. a. The Push (also called Sugar Push). Standard footwork timing: 1, 2, 3&4, 5&6.
   b. The Push (also called Sugar Push). "Touch Step" footwork timing: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5&6. The first triple step is replaced by a touch step.
   c. The Push (also called Sugar Push). Side, cross, side variation. Standard footwork timing: 1, 2, 3&4, 5&6. The lady turns slightly to the right at the end of count 2, then dances a side, cross, side triple step for the first triple step.
   d. The Push (also called Sugar Push). Kick variation. Footwork timing: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5&6. The lady kicks with her right leg to gentleman's right side on count 3, then replaces on count 4.
2. a. The Right Side Pass (Underarm Turn). Standard footwork timing: 1, 2, 3&4, 5&6. The lady dances a side, cross, side (crossing in front) on the first triple step.
   b. The Right Side Pass (Underarm Turn). "Touch Step" footwork timing: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5&6. The first triple step is replaced by a touch step.
   c. The Right Side Pass (Underarm Turn). Similar to #2a, this pattern uses the popular "&3" timing for the crossing step. Footwork timing: 1, 2, &3, 4, 5&6.
3. a. The Left Side Pass. Standard footwork timing: 1, 2, 3&4, 5&6. Note: as the lady's footwork is the same for the left side pass as for the right side pass, she may select any timing shown for the right side pass.
   b. The Left Side Pass. "Touch Step" footwork timing: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5&6.
4. a. The Tuck Turn (from open). "Touch Step" footwork timing: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5&6.
   b. The Tuck Turn (from open). This pattern uses the popular "&3" timing for a crossing (in front) step. Footwork timing: 1, 2, &3, 4, 5&6.
   c. The Tuck Turn (from open). Standard footwork timing: 1, 2, 3&4, 5&6.
5. The Spinning Left Side Pass. The lady makes a spin to the left on the first triple step as she travels by the gentleman's left side. Standard footwork timing: 1, 2, 3&4, 5&6.
6. She Goes / He Goes. Standard footwork timing: 1, 2, 3&4, 5&6. The lady performs a right side pass (underarm turn) and the gentleman turns to his left (under his left hand) on the second triple step.
7. a. Triple, Triple Starter Step. The lady moves from closed to open via a tuck turn using touch step timing. The complete figure would have timing of 1&2, 3&4 (starter step), then 1, 2, 3, 4, 5&6 (tuck turn).
   b. Triple, Triple Starter Step. The lady moves from closed to open via a tuck turn using "&3" (crossing) step timing.
   c. Triple, Triple Starter Step. The lady moves from closed to open via walk, walk, triple, triple. In other words, she moves to open as if dancing a left side pass.
   d. Triple, Triple Starter Step. The lady moves from closed to open via a spinning left side pass.
8. a. Rock Step Starter Step. The lady moves from closed to open via a tuck turn using touch step timing. Though the triple, triple starter step is the "classic" beginner starter step, some teachers prefer to teach a rock step starter step. This move is the same as 7a. above, but the triple, triple beginning is omitted.
   b. Rock Step Starter Step. The lady moves from closed to open via a tuck turn using "&3" (crossing) step timing.
   c. Rock Step Starter Step. The lady moves from closed to open via a tuck turn using 1, 2, 3&4, 5&6 timing.
9. Lady's Movement from Open to Closed. Then tuck turn back out to open. The lady moves in to closed dance position via a 1, 2, 3&4, 5&6 foot timing. Next, she moves back to open via a tuck turn.
10. The Cut Off. The lady makes a half turn to the left, is "cut off," then makes a half turn back to the right to end up where she started. A six-count figure with standard footwork timing: 1, 2, 3&4, 5&6.
11. The Reverse. This move is similar to the cutoff, except that the lady makes a half turn to the left coming in and then another half turn to the left going back out. A six-count figure with standard footwork timing: 1, 2, 3&4, 5&6.
12. A Hitch (shown with an underarm turn following). This move is popular in the Texas push. At the end of a six-count figure, such as a sugar push, the gentleman leads toward himself on count 5, then away (toward her) on count 6. It's a "pull/push" that occurs on what would otherwise be a standard anchor step.
    
13. Accelerated Side Pass. Arguably this is not a figure for a basic syllabus. However, I included it because of its enormous popularity.
    
14. Spinning Left Side Pass with Head Loop to Closed. This is a basic six-count figure that starts with the partners "open" and finishes with the partners in "closed."
    
15. Closed Whip (Regular Whip). An eight-count figure.
    
16. Locked (or "Basket" Whip). An eight-count figure.
    
17. Whip with an Inside Turn. An eight-count figure.
    
18. Closed Whip with Two Turns to the Right.
    
19. Locked Whip with Two Turns to the Right.
    
20. Whip with Behind the Back (her back) Hand Change (also called back whip or spin whip).
    
21. Whip with Behind the Back (her back) Hand Change with an extra turn.
    
22. The Reverse Whip. Starts in a "handshake" hand connection.
    
23. The Reverse Whip with Two Turns to the Right.
    
24. The Basic "Bow" Whip.
    
25. The Accelerated Whip.
    
26. The Continuous Whip.
    
27. A popular footwork syncopation. Many folks use this as their "basic" timing: 1, 2, 3&4, 5&touch (6), &1. A small, forward touch is performed on count 6.

In addition to the above, the video contains more combinations and whip patterns, including the following additional whip structures:

1. Double hand cross whip.
2. The "bow tie" whip.
   
3. The closed whip with roll in.
   
4. The pivot whip.
   
5. The "snap in" whip.

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Instructors: Joe, Sarah and Patricia Length: 2 hours Number of Patterns: over 40 DVD: $30