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22
Foundation Patterns for Classic West Coast Swing 11-2005
GSDTA
©
1954 Rev. 76, 85, 90, 94, 98,
00, 02, 03, 03, 6-04, 5-05
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This
“Sequence” list, developed in 1954
was adopted by the original Council in 1985. It has been refined and
expanded through the years, based on discussions & seminars with top
Teachers. This list is recommended by:
Golden
State Dance Teachers Assn.-
World Swing Dance Council
-&
Dance Dynamics®
Pattern
1: 4-Beat Triple Rhythm Break & Anchor Triples
-
Teaches “Centering” over the Unit Foot -Teaches HER to swivel
on the “&a” - Teaches BOTH partners how
to do an anchor.
Pattern
2: Left Side Pass
- Teaches
“Couple Centering” (Flashlight technique) to both partners. Also
teaches the “Point of Connection” on count “4” and how to "Anchor" on
counts "&a5&a6.”
Pattern
3: Underarm Turn -
Teaches
HIM to turn right on “2” and to raise his hand,
(rather than his elbow) to allow her to go under her own right hand.
Teaches HER to look left on count “2” & at him on count “3.”
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Amalgamation: 2 Left
Side Passes - 2 Underarm Turns
and
Triple Rhythm Breaks through “8.”
Total: 4 Sets-of-8 |
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Pattern
4: Continuous Right Side Pass
– Cements
HIS Drive on “2” and HERS on “4.” (He rotates on “4”)
Pattern
5: Right Side Pass -
Teaches
HIM "Connection", as he drives his CPB a short forward on count
“1” - and a longer BACK on “2” PLUS the introduction of the Hand
Change.
Pattern
6: Hand Change “Starter Step” -
From
closed position to Hand Shake Slingshot Position .
Introduces a “Back & Together Forward” to the Leaders. |
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Amalgamation: Hand
Change Starter Step on Counts “1 2 3 4” starting on Count-1
of a new phrase. - Continuous
Right Side Pass
(3 Sets-of-6 Beats each) - Underarm Turn - follow with 1 set
Triple Rhythm Break (4-Beats of Music) Total:
Total: 4 Sets-of-8 |
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Pattern
7: Underarm with Hand Change -
Teaches
HIM
to place her behind him in "Slingshot" position, by rotating
upper body only, without turning himself to another wall. (Prep for Right
Side Pass)
Pattern
8. Turning Basic -
Teaches
HIM to reach behind himself - rather than forward, toward her
- to catch HER on count “3” (Crucial to learning a good Whip.) Teaches
HER how to hold the “Back & Together Forward” and how to anchor
into his Right hand with her Upper Left Quadrant .
Pattern
9: Slingshot Rollout - Start from “Slingshot” position:
Teaches
HIM to drive back on “2” - Teaches HER the concept of 4th, or
tight 3rd foot position “Pivots”
on
counts “3&a4.” |
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Amalgamation: Turning
Basic into a Slingshot Rollout - Underarm w/ Hand Change - Right Side Pass
- Triple Rhythm Break through “8”
Total:
4 Sets-of-8 |
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Pattern
10: “4-Beat” Rotational Starter Step - On "5&a6 - 7&a8" of the Music.
Can be done with Hand Change - or finish in Slingshot Position to reinforce
HER anchoring into his right hand in closed position on “3&a4.” - Great
preparation for her “Walk Forward” on “1-2. “
Pattern 11: Slingshot Throwout -
Re-enforces both partners moving in the same direction from a closed
position. (Introduction to “Rubberband” effect for Ladies on the “&a” prior
to count “1”). |
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Amalgamations: 4-Beat
Starter Step (on “5 6 7 8” of the intro or last phrase of music) -
Right Side Pass - Underarm Turn - Turning Basic -
Slingshot Rollout - plus 1 set of Triple Rhythm Breaks (8 Beats
of music)
Total: Intro plus 4
Sets-of-8 |
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Pattern 12: Push Break (formerly Sugar Push) -
Introduction to "2 Hand" lead. Introduction to Compression
(on count "3"). BOTH partners CPB moves forward on “3” creating
Compression. SHE determines how far she can go back on count
“4.”
Pattern
13: Basic Tuck w/ Free Spin -
(From
closed slingshot position) Teaches HER to always turn Left
before turning Right into a “Tuck”. ALL "Tucks" = Same technique. -Turn Left
on “3” & right on "4" Teaches him a firm but flexible right hand "lead" on
"&a" before count "1." |
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Amalgamation: Push Break
- Underarm Turn - Turning Basic - Basic Tuck w/ Free Spin
- Add: 2 sets of Triple Rhythm Breaks (8-Beats). Repeatable
Sequence.
Total: 4 Sets-of 8 |
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Pattern
14: Two Hand “Contra Body” Tuck -
Teaches
HIM to control her upper body by placing his Right hand
toward his left collar bone on count "1" - and pulling His Left elbow
straight back on count "2". His Right hand stops the action on "3" and
sends her into a free spin on count "4."
Pattern
15: Underarm Catch -
Teaches
HER the value of flexibility by rotating the upper-body to the left
on count "2" - while foot positions remain straight ahead in 4th foot
position (No "run-run-run"). |
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Amalgamation: Push Break - Two-Hand
Contra-Body Tuck - Underarm Catch -Basic Tuck - Two sets of Triple Rhythm
Breaks. (8-Beats) Repeatable sequence.
Total:
4 Sets-of-8 |
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Pattern
16: Two Hand “Cross Strut” Tuck & Turn -
Teaches
her to swivel as SHE struts forward (Same shoulder forward as
forward foot) & teaches arm & hand connection technique for the turn.
Pattern
17: Lock Whip - Introduction to “8-Beat” Patterns.
Teaches
forward leverage as she locks her CPB into her own Left arm on "3&a"
before moving back on "4." HE learns to lean back (Leverage) on "3” and
do a backward “Strike” with his Right foot on count
"4."
Pattern
18: Release Whip -
"8-Beat"
pattern. HE concentrates on turning Right on counts
"2" and "4." SHE steps straight forward on "2" - looking over
right shoulder on "2" and drives straight back on "3" (& again on "5" - NO
side steps). Teaches the importance of “Rolling Count” - teaches her to
maintain leverage w/ her Upper Left Quadrant on “3&a” before “4.” |
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Amalgamation: Lock Whip - Two Hand
Cross Strut Tuck & Turn - Underarm Turn - Release Whip + 1 set of Triple
Rhythm Breaks (4 Beats)
Total:
4 Sets-of-8 |
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Pattern
19: Closed Whip -
Teaches
Open to Closed position in an "8-Beat" pattern. Emphasizes HER
leverage thru "3&a4" - teaches HIM to lean back on “3-4”
and “5-6”. (He rotates on “2” & “4”).
Pattern
20: Whip with Inside Roll -
Teaches
HIM to place his Left hand toward his Right Shoulder, in order to facilitate
HER entry under the arm. (Elbow DOWN!) He: Walk around her on “5-6.”
Pattern
21: Whip with Outside Roll -
Teaches
him to circle his left hand on “3-4” and spot his right foot or hook his
right foot on “5 and side 6.” |
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Amalgamation: Dance four
6-Beat patterns - finish with any 8-Beat Whip.
Total:
4 Sets-of-8 |
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Pattern 22: Continuous Whip
(Rotating, Repeated
LeverageTechnique) -
Teaches HER the responsibility of HER
“Away” leverage on HER “Back Step” (Introduction to Active
Following) Allows the Leader to extend a pattern by repeating counts
“5&a6” as many times as needed.
This
is a Companion Piece for “Intensive” Training, listing a few crucial
elements that each pattern teaches. This “Reminder” sheet is NOT intended to
teach the patterns. GSDTA has a new 2-disc DVD that shows the leaders
part - the followers part - and all the technical details that make each
pattern work. Testimonials from both Teachers and Students have been
wonderful. For further information click on our PRODUCT LINE in the left margin. |