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West Coast Swing Dance Lessons
Here are Dr Matt's lessons for learning West Coast Swing:
Archive 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 pics
Doing the Whip in the West Coast Swing
by Dr Matt
Here's a Demo of West Coast Swing Steps we've learned.
The couple begins with a Starter Step into a Left Side Pass. They also do an Underarm Turn. The Starter Step they do lasts only 4 counts and you'll notice that they are doing a Sideward Salsa pattern = Behind Replace Side . . . Behind Replace Side
In contrast , I've been teaching an 8 count Starter Step keeping the Body in ONE Single Center position: Behind Side Replace . . . Behind Side Replace
At 0:41 the couple demonstrates a Basic WHIP, and
At 0:46 they do a Basket WHIP (also called a Cuddle WHIP or Lock Whip)
Here's the Woman's footwork explained for the Basic Whip:
Leslie Sack calls this an "open whip," but this terminology is not good, because this Whip is done in "closed" position — there's nothing "open" about this Whip. Hence, we will call it a Basic Whip.
Here's the Woman's footwork explained for the Basket Whip:
Leslie Sack calls this a "lock whip" — this is a good name, because it describes a "locking" action as the woman comes into Cuddle Position.
Guy's watch Michael Kiehm demonstrate a Basic WHIP at 3:30 of this video:
The Man's Whip footwork is very similar to the Underarm Turn, . . . but Two Walking Steps and a Half Turn are added — also, the Man must learn to Lead the woman into a WHIP TURN. This Step is called "The Whip" because the lead is vaguely similar to flicking a whip! The centrifugal force that is created while Turning, is another reason this step is called "The Whip."
Here's a description of the Lead for a Basic Whip:
Count 1 = Man leads the Lady Forward
Count 1 & = Man moves his Left Hand slightly out & away from his body
This causes the Lady to Turn Right
The Lady commences her Right Turn on Count 1 &
She completes her Right Turn on Count 2, ready to do the Coaster Step
Count 2 & = Man leads Lady directly Backward, into her Coaster Step
Coaster Step = Back, Together, Forward — danced on Counts 3 & 4
On count 2 & Ladies are also led Backward into the Man's Right Hand
As the Man catches the Lady with his Right Hand—which is placed on the Lady's Shoulder Blade—a "Rubber-Band" action is created that causes the couple to stretch into the Coaster Step, then Snap Back, completing a Full Right Turn, ending in a Release and Anchor Step.
Both the Guys and the Girls need to learn the following: At 4:27 Michael Kiehm explains some subtle points about "tone" and "leading with your body"—pay attention, this is fantastic stuff! He describes a "Rubber-Band" effect between the partners at 4:27
From 6:06, Michael explains an approach to West Coast Swing that is different from the way it is taught and danced at BYU--the leads are subtle, the dancing is relaxed and INTO THE FLOOR; in the style Michael Kiehm explains, the Man does NOT forcefully push and pull the Woman around.
The style we're aiming for is opposite from the way some do "Cowboy Dancing" — meaning, DON'T muscle a lady around the dance floor, forcefully jerking her body about.
:o)
Matt
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