WEST COAST SWING

In an effort to preserve the fundamental characteristics of West Coast Swing, the World Swing Dance Council (WSDC) has delved back into formal Pattern Lists and Names, starting in 1950 - and following the evolution up through 2009. This was in order to be able to sanction 14 BASIC PATTERNS that could authentically represent the essence of West Coast Swing. The Council has had numerous requests over the past 18 years to clarify these basics. This action is timely because of growing requests, not just across our nation, but world-wide, to provide a LIST that would serve as required, compulsory, patterns for a Basic Fundamental Competition. Here is the current list for “West Coast 101”:

For "West Coast 101" Competitions, dancers should be able to dance at least 10 of the 14 Basic Patterns. This should Include a Triple Rhythm Break that can serve as a "Thinking Step" for a Leader, or to complete a phrase, or mark time in place for either partner.

The DVD of West Coast 101 is now available at $19.95 - This Non-Profit Venture details the 14 sanctioned Patterns & Techniques for Basic, Classic, West Coast Swing.

Below are brief Descriptions of the 14 patterns, plus Historical & Developmental reasons for both Inclusion and order of placement for this Basic List:

Part A. “Triple Rhythm Break”: Starts in “One Hand” Open Position with Her Right hand in His Left Hand. The Leader dances Left & Right Triples in place, while leading the Follower into a small swivel before her right triple and again before the left triple.

Part B. “Triple Rhythm & Anchor”: One regular Triple, followed by an Anchor Triple in place.

Parts A & B Together - The entire pattern produces one full “Set of 8”. This Pattern includes 3 standard, Rhythm Break Triples, followed by one Anchor Triple. (One “Set of 8”)

HISTORICAL: “Triple Rhythm Break and Anchor” started being included in GSDTA lists about 1985, as Pattern #1.” It was designed to teach new dancers the art of anchoring, before learning too many patterns. Before that time, it was standard procedure to teach triples first, as a training aid, or Drill. However - the Triples were seldom included on the printed Pattern List. Triples were simply taught as part of the Left Side Pass, or the Underarm Turn. The Triple Rhythm Break & Anchor started showing up on general Pattern lists around 1990. This process served to clarify the Anchor, and it’s important role in WCS. Around 1985, the term “Anchor” started replacing the “Coaster Step” of the 1950s. (Details available)

2. LEFT SIDE PASS: Starts in “One Hand” Open Position, Follower’s Right to Leader’s Left Hand.

Leader: steps Back on count “1” (rotates Left on left foot on “&a” – steps Back on Right foot on Count “2” – “Forward & Together Forward” on Counts “3&a4” – Right Anchor Triple on “5&a6”.

Follower: walks Forward, Forward on “1- 2” – (looking left on “2”) rotates enough to be able to move Back on count “4” of Follower’s Right triple – End with Right Anchor Triple on counts “5&a6.”

Historical: Left Side Pass has been Pattern #1 or #2 since 1952. Although not included in many lists until the 1980s, this pattern trains leaders to turn left, and introduces “centering,” using the “Flashlight Technique” for both Leaders and Followers.

3. UNDERARM TURN: Starts in “One Hand” Open Position, Leader’s Left Hand to Follower’s Right Hand.

Leader: steps back Left on count “1” – Forward Right on “2” rotating RIGHT on “2&a” – steps Back on Left foot on “3” –and forward R-L on “a4” - follows with a Right anchor triple. (Leader lifts right hand on count “2”)

Follower: walks forward on “1- 2” –(looking left on “2”) rotates enough to be able to go straight Back on count “4” of Follower’s Right triple – follows with Left Anchor Triple on “5&a6”.

HISTORICAL: This was either Pattern #1 or Pattern #2, in most lists, starting as early as 1952. Pattern teaches the leader to rotate Right and teaches the Follower to look left whenever rotating left.

4. UNDERARM with HAND CHANGE: Starts in “One Hand” Open Position, Leader’s Left Hand to Follower’s Right Hand.

Leader: Steps Back on “1” leading her to his right side & underarm, without turning around. Hand change takes place on count “4” of the 6-beat pattern. Follower goes under own right hand, the same as an Underarm turn. Pattern ends in “handshake” position with the follower behind the Leader.

HISTORICAL: Underarm with Hand Change has followed the Underarm Turn in most lists since 1954. (Sometimes listed as: “Underarm TURN with hand change.”) Either variation is acceptable, but learning the pattern without the TURN is a desirable angle for the Leader.

5. RIGHT SIDE PASS: Starts in Handshake position with both partners facing forward, Follower behind the Leader. Follower ends with an Anchor, positioned facing the Leader. (standard 6-beat pattern):

Leader: Step short forward on “1” and longer back step on count “2”, then completes his left triple, doing a forward, & together forward. Hand Change takes place on count "3" - Pattern ends with an Anchor in place.

Follower: walks forward on “1- 2” – (looking left on “2”) rotates left, enough to be able to go straight Back on count “4” of her Right triple – (Hand Change on "3." Pattern ends with a Left Anchor Triple on “5&a6”

HISTORICAL: Right Side Pass has appeared as Pattern #2 OR #3 since 1954. Note: At Arthur Murray’s in 1954, if you asked someone to do a Right Side Pass, they would first do an Underarm Turn – Then they would switch hands before performing the Right Side Pass - taking follower from behind the leader - (hand shake position) to in front of Leader, switching hands again - to complete the pattern. Today, we simply start the pattern in Hand-shake position. (6-Beat Pattern)

6. RIGHT TORQUE TURN: (On DVD, this pattern was listed as "Ladies Right Turn & Pass.) Starts in One Hand Position. Leader does a similar Footwork to that of an Underarm Turn:

Leader: Step back on count “1” – Forward Right on count “2” - rotating RIGHT on the Right foot, through the “&a” that follows count "2" – Leader steps back on Left foot on “3” – and forward R-L on “a4” - completing his left triple. Finish with a Right Anchor triple.

Follower: Walk forward on “1 - 2” – rotate right on Left foot, on the “&a” leaving right toe forward, on the floor – Drive “Back & together Back” on “3&a4” (Right Triple.). End the pattern with a Left Anchor Triple on counts “5&a6.”

HISTORICAL: Lady’s Right Torque Turn - This pattern is a fairly new concept of an old pattern, which fits neatly into the basics, introducing the Follower to a Torque Turn, and also how to drive the body back on counts “3 &a 4” (Her Right Triple). Complete the pattern with an Anchor Triple on counts “5&a6". This latest discovery in the Learning Process turns out to be an amazing aid in producing great Turning Basics and Whips – particularly for Followers. In the 2 year development process of this list, this particular pattern made short work of improving Followers skills in doing Whips. Specific students were sought out who had difficulty in making proper body contact on count “3” of either a Turning Basic – or a Whip. In every instance, the correction and development was almost instant. This pattern has become an important teaching aid in the evolution of West Coast Swing. (Discovery Year: 2008.)

Leader: Step back on count “1” - Forward Right on “2” rotating RIGHT on 2&a” - Back check on Left toe base on “3&” , and forward R-L on “a4” - End with Right Anchor Triple. (Leader catches partner with Right Hand ,toward back wall, on count “3”). Pattern ends in Slingshot, Closed position.

Follower: Forward R-L on “1 2” –Torque Turn R on “&a” – “”Back & together Forward” on “3&a4” (stepping forward between his feet on count “4” ) – (rotating right on “&a”). Anchor Back on “5&a6” in closed position, Follower is behind Leader in Slingshot position.

Historical: Turning Basic was introduced in the early 90’s by GSDTA, as a desired element for the Follower to learn a “back & together forward,” and the Leader to learn to catch partner w/ right hand on “3” while still dancing a 6-Beat pattern. (8 years before general acceptance).

8. THROW OUT: Starts in Closed Slingshot Position, Follower behind Leader. Leader’s Left hand is gently holding Follower’s Right hand. Leader’s Right hand is holding Follower. above the waistline, just under the shoulder blade, in Slingshot Position.

Leader: Short Forward step on Left foot on "1" and longer back step with Right foot on count "2." – Forward &, together, forward on "3&a4" and end the pattern with a Right Anchor Triple in place, on "5&a6."

Follower: Walk –Walk on “1-2” – rotate left on Left foot on “2&a” – step on Right toe base on count “3” (rotate another ¼ turn left) X left by allowing Left heel to go down to send the body backward on the “a’ count – arriving back on the Right foot on count “4”. –Finish with Left Anchor Triple. Pattern ends in Open position, one hand lead.

HISTORICAL: The Throw out has been Pattern #4 or #5 since 1954. It is important today for the Follower to walk forward on counts “1-2” of most basic WCS patterns, rather than do a “Rock Step” which is more frequently recognized as an East Coast or Lindy characteristic.

9. 4-BEAT STARTER STEP: Both partners in closed position, preferably, both facing into the slot, in a V shape:

Leader: Tiny Left Triple in place – then a “Back & Together Forward” on “3&a4”:

Follower: Tiny Right Triple in place – then a “Back & Together Back” ending in Slingshot position, ready to walk forward into a Throwout or a Tuck.

Historical: 4-Beat Starter Step was introduced in 1958, but did not really gain popularity until the early 1980s. The Starter Step became 4-Beats when we discovered that West Coast Swing patterns really started with Double Rhythm, stepping twice, on counts “1-2” of each new pattern.. This eliminated the Rock Step for the Follower. Instead of a BASIC step, it became a Starter Step. It became a “Get ready - Get set” (using 2 Triples) - as a preparation BEFORE the “GO” which was the “1-2” of the 1^st pattern being danced. Please Note: A Starter Step, particularly for Jack & Jill competition, should make the Follower feel comfortable, knowing that the Leader hears the same music, same beat, and is going to be a safe partner.

Leader: Forward, Back on “1-2” – Step "Forward & together Forward" on “3&a4” – Anchor in place on “5&a6.” (Leader's Right Hand, on Follower's back, leads her in toward his Left shoulder on "3" and out into a Free Spin on "4")

Follower: Forward, Forward on "1-2" – Rotate left on “&a” then Forward R, on “3&” – Together L (1st Foot Position) on the “a”, – rotating right on the “a” in order to step Forward Right into a Free Spin, on count “4” - rotating to Anchor position in time to Anchor in 3^rdfor counts "5&a6"( body rotates left on “3” - CPB facing Leader's Left shoulder - and then Right on “4.”

Historical: Another “time tested” pattern that’s been around since 1952. The major change through the years is that today - West Coast Swing Followers start from Slingshot position with a “Walk-Walk” for the follower, instead of a Rock Step. It has also become a popular styling to do a “Touch & Go” tuck without ever using compression. Compression and Leverage add to the excitement that identifies and enhances West Coast Swing.

Leader: Back on "1" - Together in 3rd on count “2” - Small “Forward & together, Forward” on “3&a4” (releasing her Left hand on the "a" before “4”) – Anchor in place on “5&a6”. (Compression starts on count “3” - Leader provides the wall – Allow Follower to determine how far to compress to go back on "4"). Match the Resistance!

Follower: Forward R, Forward L on “1-2” – Very small Forward R on Toe Base, with compression on “3&” - Back L, (re-place) on “a” and a stronger Back Step on Right Foot on “4” – Anchor in place on “5&a6.”

Historical: Under the name “Sugar Push” - the Push Break has been around since 1952. Unfortunately, this pattern has frequently been taught as Pattern #1, which is far too early for anyone to learn compression. Without compression, the pattern simply keeps time, while the Leader figures out what to do next. Being taught as pattern #1, is the result of an early “Step List” of 5 patterns that was prepared as a “Fix-It” list, prepared by the original Swing Dance Council, specifically for those teachers traveling around the country. The year was 1985. The list was never meant to be a set of basics – simply a set of patterns for traveling teachers to fix. The Name Change came about because the old-timers swiveled in on every step of a Sugar Push. They claimed, (and rightfully so) that the pattern was named after the old Sugar Foot. A Sugar Foot was (and still IS) 100% little tiny swivels. This is still a popular move in Lindy. The name change was voted on at a huge turnout of the original Council - and the name “Push Break” was adopted at that time. Many teachers who teach compression on “3” use the name Push Break to separate the two different versions.

Leader: (Same footwork as Left Side Pass): Step Back on count “1” (rotate Left on left foot on “&a” Step back on Right foot on “2” – follow with a Forward & Together Forward on “3&a4” and a Right Anchor triple on “5&a6.” Leader pulls own Right Hand toward CPB on “1” - Pulls Left Elbow straight back, toward the back wall on “2” – catches Follower’s Left hand in his Right hand, to stop on “3&” - & lead a Right Turn on “4”. Finish with Anchor on “5&a6”

Follower: Walks Forward, Forward on “1-2” with slight contra-body movement, rotating Right on count “1” - slightly left on “2” – maintaining the rotation left on “3&” (toward Leader's left shoulder, while pressing against Leader’s right hand on the “3&” and then rotates to the right in order to go forward on “4”. Rotation on “4” , into a Free Spin, takes Follower to Anchor position Triple on “5&a6.”

Historical: Classic pattern - very popular from 1954 up through 1995, danced with Contra-Body movement. In recent years, the Two-Hand CROSS Strut Tuck has become an alternative to the “Two Hand Tuck” The Cross Strut version finds the follower with the same shoulder forward as the forward foot. This pattern is allowed as a substitute for the Contra-Body Tuck, and is acceptable, with reservation, in WCS 101. Learning Contra-body for a Follower is a rare and very desirable upper level technique.

Leader: In this popular version of the Whip, the man’s Right Foot stays in the same place from count “1” thru count “4.” Leader steps Back L on count “1”, Forward R, in place on “2”, rotating Right on “2&a” – Step back on left toe base on “3&”, Forward in place on the “a” and direct Side Left on count “4”. Pull Right shoulder back on “4&a” as left foot hits the floor on ‘4”. You are in a “Cross” Foot position when the weight changes to the Right foot on count ”5.” Left foot takes a small Side step on count “6”, then Anchor in place on “7&a8” Leader does not catch the Follower with Right hand until count “3” – and releases his right hand right after “4”.

Follower: “Forward , Forward,” (Torque Turn Right on the “&a”) - “Back & Together Forward” on “3&a4” - Pivoting Right on “4&a” - Drive straight back on Left foot on “5&6” Anchor in place on counts “7&a8”.

Historical: Some form of Whip has frequently been taught much earlier in many lists. However, based on the psychology of learning, and the opinion of our panel, this 8-Beat Pattern fits nicely into the proposed progression as Pattern #13. Because of the variety of Basic whips, the Release Whip was selected as the easiest & most appropriate form for this particular project. The Release Whip has the leader keeping his right foot in place throughout the first 6-Beats of the pattern - not releasing that Right foot until the anchor on “7&a8.” This pattern forms a great foundation for the wide variety of whips that are available, and makes all of them easier to teach & easier to learn.

The Walking Whip is the exact same Footwork as the Release Whip through count “4”. The Leader then follows the Follower on counts “5-6” before the anchor. The entire pattern follows:

Leader: Step Back L on “1”, Forward R in place, on “2”, rotating Right on “2&a” – Step Back on left toe base on “3&”, Forward R in place on “a” and Side Left on count “4”. (Pull Right shoulder back on “4&a” as left heel of left foot hits the floor on count ‘4”, rotating R on "4&a"). - Leader Walks forward, as follower walks back on 5-6 – and then Anchors with Right foot forward, toward her, on count "7', turning left on "&" (on right foot) , step L, (drawing Left foot back to right foot), bringing feet together on "a", Then - cross Right foot forward into the slot on "8" - (Follower is now behind Leader in closed Sling-shot position.

Follower: : (Footwork Identical to Release Whip) “Forward , Forward,” on “1-2” (Torque Turn Right on the “&a” before “3” ) “Back & Together Forward” on “3&a4” (Pivot Right on “4&a”) - Drive straight back - Left -Right on “5-6” Anchor in place on “7&a8”. Pattern ends in Closed, Sling-shot position.

Historical: In the 1950s, a Closed Whip was called a Lindy Turn. According to records, this pattern started being called a Closed Whip on most teacher's lists, around 1985. The updated pattern (2005) includes the “Walking look” - as both partners move in the same direction on “5-6.” This pattern currently appears under several different names across country. (Stalker Whip is one of them) -

QUALIFICATIONS for "West Coast 101" COMPETITIONS

You do NOT have to be a Beginner. You do NOT have to qualify as a Newcomer. You may already be participating as a Novice dancer. However, you are NOT eligible for West Coast 101 - if you have ever PLACED in the TOP 5 in a World Swing Dance Council recognized Competition.

The DVD "West Coast 101" clarifies the patterns and techniques. If there are still questions after reading these descriptions and viewing the DVD, feel free to email me personally at: Skippy@Skippyblair.com or Call me at: 562-869-8949.

You can Purchase the DVD for $19.95 plus postage. (This is a Non-profit Venture) Teachers can take advantage of buying 10 copies for $100.00. Help Spread the Word!

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We have tried to anticipate Questions - and provide as many Answers as possible. This plan has been in the works for over 2 years. It was presented at the general meeting of the World Swing Dance Council in November at the 26th annual U.S. OPEN. It was met with favorable response. Quite a few suggestions surfaced and are already being utilized.

We want to thank those who are already teaching this specific set of 14 Basic patterns, so that the World Dance Community will see some effort toward standardization in the way the West Coast Swing Dance Community teaches West Coast Swing. We also need a reason for students to concentrate on BASICS from their teachers - rather than always insisting on the latest moves.

These patterns will be available on Global Dance TV - New students will be looking for teachers who can teach these patterns. We hope to interest thousands of new West Coast Swing students - and they will be looking for teachers who are Qualified to teach these 14 BASIC patterns.

Those teachers will be recommended. YOU can do this. Join the energy that is being put into this great West Coast Swing Project. These patterns are currently being taught in Colleges, Universities, Public Grade Schools, High Schools, and even Parks and Recreation.

If you have questions about any part of this program, please call 562-869-8949 or email: Skippy@Skippyblair.com We would also like to know of any teachers that you think might be interested in participating in this Universal program.

This project has been “in the works” for several years. Special Thanks to: Wayne & Sharlot Bott, Jordan & Tatiana, Mary Ann Nunez, Jessica Cox, Lynn Gross and Professor Sarah Grusmark. for their continuing contributions & support, along with over 100 other teachers who continually use these materials and report back on the progress of their student.

Particular thanks to Torri Smith and Sean McKeever who did such a great job demonstrating the patterns for West Coast 101 on the DVD.

West Coast 101 Competitions were great in Kona in May '09 – the Jack & Jill O’Rama in June - Miami Magic in July - France in August ’09 - Halloween Swingthing in October and Magic Mountain in November . We are looking forward to “West Coast 101” in Monterey in January 2010.

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