East Coast Swing

East coast swing is a dance, derived from the Lindy Hop by literally removing a couple of steps. The basic is triple step, triple step and a rock step. East coast swing (6 count) is intermixable with all forms of swing dancing, though primarily with Lindy Hop. Some moves in Lindy are 6 count moves and then one could learn other 6 count moves to go along with until one is back on the 8 count beat.

Steps

Basic Closed: In closed position, simply remain in the same position while doing footwork.

Basic Open: In open position, remain the the same position while doing footwork.

She Goes: In open position, lead raises left hand and follow spins under.

He Goes: In open position, lead raises left hand and lead spins under.

She Goes, He Goes: In open position, lead raises left hand and follow spins under, then lead spins under.

Throw Out: In closed position, lead gives small nudge, and follow goes to open position.

Tuck Turn: In closed position, the lead gives a small nudge and raises left hand, and the follow goes under and stays in open position.

Return to Close: In open position, the lead gives a small pull and the follow comes into closed position.

Face Loops:

Egg Beater:

Pretzel:

Footwork

Footwork can have many different forms.

Steps: Rock, step, step, hold, step, hold.

Triple Steps: Rock, step, triple-step, triple-step.

Kick Steps: Rock, step, kick, step, kick, step.

Holds: Rock, step, hold, hold, hold, hold.

These forms can be mixed and matched, for example: Rock, step, triple step, kick, hold.

The reasons to choose different footwork are as follows.

Learning: Beginning dancers can do simple steps easily, but struggle more with more complex footwork. Advanced dancers may enjoy more complex footwork.

Music Speed: Simpler footwork, such as steps and holds are easier to do to fast music. Complex footwork makes slow music more interesting.

Musicality: If the music has very simple rhythm, such as on beat per beat, then kick steps work well. If the music has fast rhythm, such as two beats per beat, then triple steps work well. If the music pauses (breaks) then holds work well.

Variety: It is nice to vary the dance form, so if you used one kind of footwork for a while, you might try another form for a while.

See Also

Lindy Hop, Swing dance.