Sugar push (dance move)

The lead and follow stay where they are for 6 counts. The sugar push is very stylized, bringing both partners close together and then returning them to where they started, just like in the basic.

This is often lead with two arms.

The key variations are the Jitterbug and Hollywood sugar pushes.

Jitterbug Sugar Push

Both lead and follow start with rock steps. The lead then pulls the follow close for two counts (a triple step) and then he pushes her back into open for two counts (a triple step). Both lead and follow end up where they started.

Lead

Counts 1 and 2

Feet: Step back with the left foot, step together with the right foot.

Body: The body moves back.

Arms: Push the follow away by a few inches and pull back.

Counts 3 and 4

Feet: Triple step (right, left, right) in place.

Body: He pulls the follow into closed position.

Counts 5 and 6: Sync Up

Feet: Triple step (right, left, right) in place.

Body: He pushes the follow back to where she started and syncs up for the next move.

Follow

Counts 1 and 2

Feet: Rock step

Body: Her body is pushed back and then pulled in.

Counts 3 and 4

Feet: Triple step (right, left, right) moving forward.

Body: The follow is pulled close to the lead.

Counts 5 and 6: Sync Up

Feet: Triple step (left, right, left) moving backward.

Body: The follow is pushed back (returns) to where she started and syncs up for the next move.

Hollywood Sugar Push

The lead pulls the follow for three counts and then pushes her back to where she started for three counts. Both lead and follow end up where they started.

Lead

Counts 1 and 2

Feet: Step back with the left foot, step together with the right foot.

Body: The body moves back to pull the follow in.

Counts 3 and 4

Feet: Step left in place, step right in place, step left forward.

Body: Push the follow back to where she started.

Counts 5 and 6

Feet: Triple step (right, left right) in place.

Body: He returns to where he started and syncs up for the next move.

Follow

Counts 1 and 2

Feet: Step forward, step forward (right left).

Body: The body moves back to pull the follow in.

Counts 3 and 4

Feet: Step right in place, step left in place, step right forward.

Body: Push the follow back to where she started.

Counts 5 and 6

Feet: Triple step (left, right, left) in place.

Body: She returns to where she started and syncs up for the next move.

Stylings

There are many stylings for sugar pushes. Stylings can be done in sugar pushes, without affecting one's partner.

Lead

Counts 1 and 2

Arms:

Counts 3 and 4

Counts 5 and 6

Head: May look to partner, to audience, or to a friend.

Follow

Counts 1 and 2

Arms:

Counts 3 and 4

Counts 5 and 6

Head: May look to partner, to audience, or to a friend.

Footwork: Tango, step, kick step, triple step, kick ball change, flea hop, tap variations. The triple steps may become steps, kick steps, holds, step slide, KBC, or so on. Lots of footwork variations.

Arms: Touch floor.

Arms: Two arms, pull in and push back out. One arm works, too.

Variations

There are many variations to sugar pushes. Variations require cooperation between the lead and follow.

Middle

Hip Push: Sugarpush arm over head, other hand pushes follow's hip. This can also lead an overhead turn at the same time. If after the turn, the lead keeps his hand on the follow's hip, then he goes into hammerlock. This can start a side pass or other variation. Usually this variation starts right to right.

Arm Loop: Like hip push without the hip push. Left to right or right to right. Put the follows arm over the leads head, and place her hand on the lead's left shoulder.

Dip: On count 3, close face-to-face and hold upright dip. On count 5, open.

Kick: On count 4, both hold and kick in the same direction.

Sugar Tuck: This is a sugar push, with a tuck turn on count 3. Turn outside, also inside. (Reverse with arm, shoulder, or hip block). Turn with either hand.

Extension

The sugar push is usually a six count move, but it can be extended any number of counts.

Extension: The sugar push is usually a 6 count move, though it can be extended to any number of counts. (Use swivels)

Double Outer Tuck: This is an 8 count sugar tuck turn, with two turn leads (the first just a fake). This requires a two hand lead.

Other

Position: The girl or guy can stay in place to shift position. For example, the follow may move forward on the first 3 counts and the lead may move back on the last 3 counts.

Direction: They can turn 1/4 in either direction.

Mirror Image: Switch left and right.

Speed: Fast or slow. Half speed or double speed. This is useful for slow or fast music, or to amuse the audience.

Start Count: Hold and start on any count.

Roles: The girl may lead and the guy may follow.

See Also

Dance - Swing - Lindy hop - East coast swing - West coast swing

Dance move - Basic - Sugar push - Side pass - Swing out - Circle - Groucho - Skip up - Aerial - Charleston - Jazz

Lead and follow - Connection - Musicality

To Do

Fast push pulls.

Push Pull: Push and pull against the partner, several times. (slow, medium, fast) (1 handed or 2 handed)

Rabbit Jumps: Jump left, jump back, jump right, jump back, repeat. Mammy hands.

Chest to Chest: Push pull in 6 counts. Various body and footwork combinations, rock on heels, stick out butt.