Underarm Turn

West Coast Swing Underarm Turn

This pattern is danced in open facing position.

Leader

• 1: LF back slightly to side

• 2: RF forward

  • start raising L arm to lead lady do to underarm turn.

• 3: LF to side | total 1/2 turn to R btwn step 3-7

• &: RF cross in front of LF

  • lower L hand and finish in L to R hand hold.

• 4: LF side, slightly back

  • Variation: finish with Hand Change:

  • At the end of step 5, switch to R to R hand hold (and follow with Right Side Pass.)

  • Variation: finish in double hand hold:

  • Man keeps his R hand gliding behind lady's back and connect with Lady's L hand to end in double hand hold.

• 5&6: Chasse in place RLR

Follower

• 1: RF forward

• 2: LF forward

• 3: RF forward | start turning L

  • this is toward Man's R side. He'll be raising his left arm.

• &: LF cross in front of RF | turning L

  • This is also called "French Cross": complete 1/2 turn to L gradually in 3 steps.

  • Variation: instead of doing French Cross,

  • Lady could do another forward step and leave the turn to end of next step.

• 4: RF side and back | finish 1/2 turn

  • ending facing partner now in open position.

  • For the variation: do forward step, at the end of step, do sharp 1/2 turn to L to face partner.

• 5&6: Chasse in place LRL

  • Anchor step.

Notes:

• Variation: Underarm Turn with Hand Change