Have a question or don't quite fully recall a move from a Tuesday night lesson? Here are some key words that we used during the lesson that may help jog your memory:

 

Open Position

triple step - triple step - back step

Leads: Start on your left foot

Follows: Start on your right foot
 

Outside Turn

Leads: stop sign (with your left hand), open the door (with your left hand), and push the follow through (with your right hand)

Follows: keep triple stepping!

Inside Turn

Leads: think punch across the face (BUT NOT REALLY!) with your left hand

Follows: keep triple stepping!

 

Basic Chain - Outside/Inside Turn

This is a fabulous way to fix that awkward had position you get after an outside turn. To fix it, follow your outside turn by an immediate inside turn, and ta-da, instant fix!

The Guy Turn
Leads: Place the follows right hand (this would be the hand you're holding with your left hand) on your RIGHT side and then keep on triple stepping right on around. Don't forget to get that right arm out of the way so it doesn't get stuck!

Follows: Keep the connection on the lead's back so the lead can find you after the turn!

 

Cuddle Position

Leads: Think inside turn, but keep holding on so that the follow ends up at your right side.

Follows: Keep triple stepping and don't jerk your hand out of the lead's

Cuddle Dip

Lead: Inside Turn but hold on to both of the follow’s hands; lung to the left after completing the turn

Follow: Stay stiff like a board, keep you feet together, don’t overstep

Closed Position

Think “V” shaped

 

Headlights

Leads: Be clear about the signaling with your right hand; keep your hands and feet doing the same thing

Follows: Be attentive to the lead’s signals

 

Hip Turn

Leads: Catch the follow’s waist early in the outside turn and spin the other direction

Follows: Just go with it

 

Texas Tommy

Leads: Break the follow’s wrists behind her back, switch hands and follow through with your spins

Follows: Be malleable so you don’t get hurt!

 

Inside Push Turn

 

Outside Push Turn

 

Bridge

 

Lindy Hop Basic Step

8 counts, this one you’re going to have to just ask about next week, words alone cannot describe it. All I can really give you is: COUNTER-BALANCE!!!

 

Lindy Hop Outside Turn

 

Lindy Hop Inside Turn

 

Basic 30s Charleston

“back-step-kick-step-kick-hitch-back-step”