WEST COAST SWING BASIC See Video

West Coast Swing really has 2 basic steps. The first is a basic step very similar to the East Coast Swing basic step. The second is the Sugar Push basic step. West Coast Basic Video

First West Coast Swing Basic

Frame: As in East Coast Swing the partners are in promenade dance position. This is a "V" shaped dance position where the man's right hip and the lady's left hip are close at the point of the "V". The dancers' heads face the open end of the "V". The feet are in third position, which is heel to instep.

First WC Basic Step - Gentleman

The man takes step tap forward, than a triple step back and finishes with a rock step. All this is done in promenade dance position. The gentleman can do this basic step one or two times until he is ready to lead his partner into the second West Coast Swing basic, the Sugar Push.

Throw Out into The Sugar Push

The Throw Out into the Sugar Push is the transition between the first West Coast Basic Step and the second basic, or Sugar Push. When he is ready to lead his partner into the Sugar Push, the gentleman will use slightly different footwork than if he were doing a regular basic step. Instead of doing a rock step, the gentleman takes a side step, in second foot positioning, with his left foot as the lady is rocking back. He then leads the lady to take 3 running steps forward, with a turn at the end.

While the lady is doing her running steps, the gentleman does a triple step in place. At the end of her turn, he triples away from her slightly. The partners are now facing each other and they are ready to begin the Sugar Push basic step.

Sugar Push - Second Basic Step - Gentleman

The gentleman takes two small steps back starting with his left foot (count 1,2). Stopping all movement back on the second step, he then does a tap with his left foot (count of "3"). He then recovers the distance he traveled backward by taking a step forward with his left foot (count of "4") and then does a triple step in place (count of "5 & 6").

First WC Basic Step - Lady

Starting on her right foot, the lady takes a step tap forward then a triple step back and finishes with a rock step. All done in promenade position. The lady follows as the gentleman repeats this step one or two times, and until he is ready to lead her into the second basic, the Sugar Push.

Throw Out for the Lady

While the gentleman changes his footwork from rock step to side step, he will lead the lady's running steps. The lady will still do her rock back, then runs for three quick steps, passing in front of her gentleman and swiveling to face her partner on the third step. She then adds her triple step in place.

Sugar Push - Second Basic Step - Lady

West Coast Swing is not a dance where the partner "mirror" each other. The lady begins the Sugar Push with her right foot and takes 2 steps forward (for the count "1, 2"), taps with her right foot (count of "3"). Reaches back to recover the distance with her next step (count "4"). She then finishes with a triple step, starting with her left foot count of "5 & 6"). See Video on West Coast Basic Steps.ond West Coast Swing Whip Patterns

 

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