EAST COAST SWING - BASKET PATTERN See Video

The basket is one of the most-often done patterns in East Coast Swing. It is a basic level Swing pattern, but is a pretty step, easy for the gentleman to lead and fun to do.

East Coast Swing can be done in single, double and triple step. We will be using Triple Step. Note that our pattern begins on the final "5, 6" count of the basic triple step.

Gentleman's Footwork - The man starts with his left foot in 3rd position (heel touching his instep) and starts in closed closed dance position. He begins with a rock step on the count "5, 6', then steps left, right left to the count of "1, &, 2". He then does a triple step, stepping right, left, right for the count of "3, &, 4". And rock steps on 5, 6". This is his basic Swing triple step. He then repeats the sequence.

As he does his second basic triple step, he releases his partner for the "3, &, 4" count, getting himself and his partner in a hand to hand position (or what we call open dance position.) The man rocks back on "5, 6", as he does so, he begins his lead into the basket on the "6". To do this he brings both his arms to the right, raising his left hand over his partner's head, so she is lead in a turn and winds up standing beside him (in the '"basket,") as he takes his "1, &, 2" steps in place.

Then for his triple step to the "3, &, 4" count, he keeps his partner in the basket position and the triple step is done backward, finishing with his rock step on the "5, 6". On "6" he raises his left hand to lead his partner forward out of the basket. On "1, &, 2" he triples in place. He begins to release his right hand on "3, &, 4", as he moves a little to the right. He keeps hold of his partner with his left hand and finishes with a rock step ("5, 6"). He then leads his partner in an inside underarm turn to finish.

Lady's Footwork - The lady begins with a rock step on her right foot for the count of "5, 6". She does a triple step -- right, left, right --for "1, &, 2". She does another triple -- left, right, left -- for "3, & 4", and rocks back on "5, 6". This constitutes our basic triple Swing step . She repeats this basic step. The gentleman will release her on this second "3, &, 4" and brings her into open dance position -- or hand to hand position - before the rock step on "5, 6".

He begins his lead for the basket on the last "6", while the lady travels forward to her left, turning into the "basket" on "1, &, 2". The lady then does a triple step backward on "3, &, 4", staying in the basket position with her partner. She finishes with a rock step on "5, 6". The gentleman will raise her right hand on the "6" to lead her forward in a turn out of the basket for "1, &, 2", finishing the turn on "2". The lady moves a little to her left for the triple step on "3, &, 4', and does the rock step on "5, 6". The gentleman will then lead her in an underarm turn to finish.See Video on how to do the Basket.

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