Anchors

Anchoring in West Coast Swing
© Skippy Blair 2004 – Update 2010

ANCHOR (or ANCHOR UNIT) - (From Dance Terminology Notebook)

(1) An Anchor is NOT a foot position and NOT a Rhythm. It is a partner connection in West Coast Swing, achieved when both partners place their CPB (Center Point of Balance) behind the heel of their forward foot.
(2) An Anchor is danced on the last two beats (last Unit) of each basic, fundamental Step Pattern in West Coast Swing. (3) A feeling of body leverage that balances the CPB resistance of both partners.
(4) Each partner is responsible for establishing their own individual anchor.

Historical Note: The term "ANCHOR" was coined by GSDTA in the early 1960s to clarify the difference between the "resistance" desired at the end of a West Coast Swing Pattern, and the lack of resistance caused by the 1961 version of a "Coaster" Step. This is one of the major milestones that changed the face of West Coast Swing.

Historical Note:   The term COASTER STEP originally came from Arthur
          Murray Studios. The term referred to a coasting action that took the
           Follower into a rotating “Back together Forward” – that could rotate as
           much as half a turn, where the Follower’s forward step was away from the
            Leader. She would then swivel to face him before walking forward into
            the next pattern. In the 1950s, Arthur Murray pared down their curriculum
             book and removed a lot of technical detail. The rotating action and the
             swivel action were left out. The result left the Follower walking forward
             on the last step of the Coaster – leaving the Leader without any room to
             lead a new pattern. From there, pendulums and all kinds of repairs were
             made to make it work. It did not. GSDTA did not eliminate the original
             Coaster. It has now become a “Floating Anchor.”

COASTER vs ANCHOR    Many people ask us why there are places where a
            “Coaster Step” is still being taught in West Coast Swing. It is important
             to know that the term is correct in the right circles. The West Coast
             Swing community uses Anchors. The Ballroom community teaches a
             different style of what is described as “Ballroom West Coast” which uses
             the term and the 61 version of a Coaster Step.

2010 Observations

There are several different views on Anchors today, ranging from not doing them at all – to those who allow the Leader to travel forward on an anchor. GSDTA subscribes to the Leader maintaining the anchor, in order for the Follower to feel secure in being able to vary the style and still feel support at the end of a pattern. GSDTA teaches an anchor in all basic patterns, as taught in “West Coast 101.”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Because of recent Intensives, discussions with judges, contestants, and even potential judges, we have netted new insights into the art of “anchoring.”

During a Session in Seattle, someone was concerned about an out-of-state
competition where they had recently competed. (Not in Seattle) This particular person had judged one couple very LOW, because of a lack of anchoring. The judge’s statement was: “I never saw an anchor in the whole routine.” Not having observed that competition, I could not state an opinion. Then, someone else asked: “What did you see that convinced you they were not anchoring?” The reply was “I didn’t see any triples on the end of their patterns.”

Several participants discussed that “Triples” were not crucial to create an anchor. A few were definite that triples should be present in the dance, but were certainly not REQUIRED as part of EVERY anchor. They knew their definitions and from later reports, I know that it was a very rewarding discussion. The discussion showed that there were a few people who were unaware that an anchor could be danced without a Triple. It also showed that MANY were already very much aware, that it was not the Triple itself that defined an anchor.

Educational Note: An anchor is neither a Foot Position nor a Dance Rhythm. An ANCHOR is an ACTION. Many dancers do Triples in 3rd foot position, but still do not achieve the “connection” that qualifies the move as an anchor. An ANCHOR is an “away” connection from one partner’s center (CPB) to the other partner’s center. It can easily be achieved by both partners placing their Center Point of Balance (CPB) BEHIND the heel of their forward foot. This strengthens the partner connection at the point where the anchor takes place. This also alerts each partner that they have completed what they intended and are now ready to move on.

TEACHING someone to do an “ANCHOR Triple, in 3rd foot position” is a good basic teaching technique in the beginning stages. The very next stage is to make them aware that their center (CPB) should be behind the heel of the forward foot.

An Anchor Connection can be done using various rhythms: A “Point Back -Close in 3rd” makes a very good anchor. A follower can also step back on the Right foot on “4” and drag the Left foot back through “&a 5&a” and close the Left foot behind the Right foot on “6.” The whole point is that an ANCHOR is an ACTION and not a specific Rhythm, nor a specific Foot Position.

A recent discovery noted the fact that many dancers who “anchor in 3rd foot position,” actually stay centered over their FORWARD foot. The feet APPEAR to be in the right place - but the partners LACK the connection of the CPB of both partners, that the anchor was designed to deliver.

Anchoring - (From the Dance Terminology Notebook) 4-08

(1) An Anchor is NOT a foot position and not a Rhythm. It is a partner connection in West Coast Swing, achieved when both partners place their CPB (Center Point of Balance) behind the heel of the forward foot. (2) An Anchor is danced on the last two beats (last Unit) of each basic, fundamental Step Pattern in West Coast Swing. (3) A feeling of body leverage that balances the resistance of both partners. (4) Each partner is responsible for establishing their own individual anchor.

Historical Note: The term "ANCHOR" was coined by GSDTA in the early 1960s to clarify the difference between the "resistance" desired at the end of a West Coast Swing Pattern, and the lack of resistance caused by the 1961 version of a "Coaster" Step. This is one of the major milestones that changed the face of West Coast Swing.