Type Other, Pony Step
Level Level 4 Intermediate
Other Names Follower’s Head Loop
Comes From Crossed Arm Slide, Cross-Handed Open Position, Double Lasso, Lasso
Leads To Fall For Me Dip, Outside Turn (right-to-right), Double Lasso, Cross-Handed Open Position, Break Up
In the Waterfall, the leader loops the follower’s arms over the back of her head one at a time in a continuous motion.
Continue reading “Waterfall”Type Spin
Level Level 5 Intermediate
Other Names
Comes From Inside Turn
Leads To Open Facing
This is a variation to the Toss Away Spin or Revolver where the leader pushes against the follower’s arm to generate extra momentum for a free spin.
Continue reading “Arm Push Spin”Type Combo, Spin
Level Level 4 Intermediate
Other Names Pattycakes, Lockdown
Comes From Wrap Up Dip, Inside Turn (right-to-right), Crossed Arm Slide, Double Lasso, Cross-Handed Open Position
Leads To Inside Turn, Open Position,
The High Five Spin is a cross-handed move where the follower pushes off the leader’s hand one or more times to perform free spins one direction and then the other.
Continue reading “High Five Spin”Type Dip, Lift (Variation)
Level Level 4 Intermediate
Other Names Hip Lift Dip, Air Dip
Comes From Spin Out, Open Facing, Inside Turn,
Leads To Push-off Spin, Sway Step,
This is a variation on the Basic Dip that looks impressive and especially great in photos!
Continue reading “Princess Dip”Type Turn
Level Level 1 Beginner
Other Names Back Slide, Belt Buckle, Waist Slide
Comes From Open Position, Outside Turn, Tornado, Loop,
Arch, Toss Away Spin, Side Lean, Hip Push Spin, Straight Jacket Twist
Leads To Loop, Inside Turn, Cuddle, Cuddle Dip, Tornado,
Arch, Lasso (end Right-to-right), Toss Away Spin, Side Lean,
Tunnel Tabletop Combo (end Right-to-Right), Shoulder Lean (RR),
The Belt Loop (or Back Slide) is a spin for the leader. He turns into his own arm at the belt-line, and lets the follower trace his back to reconnect in Open Position.
Continue reading “Belt Loop”Type Position, Circle, Progressive
Level Level 2 Beginner
Other Names Sweetheart, Wrap, Cradle
Comes From Open Position, Belt Loop, Sliding Door, Sliding Door Dip, Loop
Leads To The Lean, Spin Out, Triple Hip Combo, Outside Turn (half-turn variation), Cuddle Dip, Fall Through Dip, Straight Jacket Twist, Can Opener, Backflip,
The Cuddle is a variation on the Inside Turn with both hands connected. The leader turns the follow to wrap her up in his arms. This is a very versatile move! Learn the basic steps for it below, then check out the variations for ways to customize your dance.
Type Position
Level Level 1 Beginner
Other Names Butterfly Position, Open Facing, etc. depending on the setup, see variations. Moves to get into it are called Open Break, Snag, Butterfly Catch, etc.
Comes From The Basic Step (Closed Position), Outside Turn, Loop, Arch, Toss Away Spin, Fall Through Dip, Fall For Me Dip, High Five Spin, Arm Push Spin, Hip Push Spin, Straight Jacket Twist, Zig-zag, Sway Step, AZ Winter, Gravedigger, Can Opener, Backflip, Shoulder Lean,
Leads To Hammerlock, Pretzel, Barrel Roll, Belt Loop, Pull Up Dip, Spinneroo, Sliding Door, Loop, Arch, Toss Away Spin, Fall Through Dip, Zig-zag, Candlestick, Knee Throw, Can Opener, Backflip, Shoulder Lean (RR),
There are several types of Open Positions, but for ease I will put them all in the same article.
In Open Position partners are facing the same wall with the lead’s right hand and the follow’s left hand joined. This would occur after a move such as the Spin Out or go directly from closed to open with an open break.
Continue reading “Open Positions”Type Position, Transition Move, Circle, Progressive, Turn
Level Level 2 Beginner
Other Names Matador
Comes From Butterfly Open Position
Leads To Reverse Pretzel, Pretzel (lead Hammerlock), Basic Step (in Hammerlock position), The Lean (in Hammerlock position)
Hammerlock is a variation on the Outside Turn with both hands connected. The leader turns the follower so that one arm is tucked behind her back, and the other crosses in front of him.
Type Lean
Level Level 3 Beginner
Comes From The Cuddle, The Spin Out, Hammerlock
Leads To The Triple Hip, The Hip Lift, The Cuddle
The Cuddle Lean is a variation to The Cuddle (Wrap) and The Cuddle Dip (Wrap Dip) where the follower is in line with the leader at his side, he lunges to the side and the follower leans against him. This is the simplest lean.
Continue reading “The Cuddle Lean”
Type Dip
Level Level 6 Intermediate
Other Names The Spin Drop, Death Drop, Chainsaw
Comes From Triple Hip Combo, Cuddle, Spin Out
Leads To Inside Turn (with opposite hand)
The Suicide Dip is a “Dip and Drop” move where the leader leans the support at a steep angle facing toward the floor and supported by her own arms, then flips her around so she is hanging from his arms.
Dips like these are quite showy, and can be fun. Be sure your partner is up for it by asking before you perform this with them!
Continue reading “Suicide Dip”
Country Swing AZ 