WCS basic steps and principles

WEST COAST SWING BASIC PRINCIPLES AND STEPS
The movement is done in a Slot, with the lady traveling from one point to the next as led by the man who stays in the middle of the Slot, directing the traffic.
Lead and follow is done at an arm’s length, so connection through body weight and movement is essential.
Leverage/ Stretch = a slight pull through body weight. Lady’s hand is cupped like a trailer hitch. Guy provides a solid surface to connect to, often with a sideways hand.
Compression/Sink = the leaning into each other for Sugar Push and Tuck Turn.
Forearms are relaxed.  Change of lead through body movement - NO push and pull with arms
Anchor Step replaces the East Coast Swing/Jive rock step for getting to Leverage.
6 COUNT
L side pass (L hand or 2 hands)
 Starts with leverage.
He steps back and to his right out of the slot on ‘1’ .
She responds by stepping straight forward
He gets out of her way by turning sideways to his left on ‘2’
She comes close in front of him continuing to the other side of the slot, the easy way
He continues to turn ‘3 &’
She moves along , often allowing her L foot to cross in front ‘3 &’
He steps slightly forward encouraging her to find the end of the slot ‘4’
She finds the end of the connection , and that is the extent of the slot ‘4’
Anchor step for both is a triple in place, settling back on the flat of the rear foot and connecting with Leverage. 5& 6
Under arm “Right side”pass  (L hand)
All the same movements for her. He takes his foot back and to the left out of the slot, turning to his right & raising the arm for her to go under. His right foot may cross in front or go next to other foot before he continues the turn.
Sugar push (2 hands) (or closed)
 Same beginning, but he does not turn away, instead blocks her and gets to Compression. Both stall on ‘3 &’ The compression reaches a change of direction as he steps forward and she steps back on ‘4’. Anchor step 5&6
Try for body shaping, i.e. same side as foot leads forward.
Tuck Turn: Starts like L Side Pass, but he raises arm to stop, compress, and re-direct her to do a right turn (L hand or 2 hand lead) She must really move to get to the end of the slot and turn on 4. Hands are upside down. Use Underarm pass to fix hands