Spanish Arms

Jive Spanish Arms

Spanish Arms is a Silver Level figure. This online reference gives a detailed description of the dance steps, including timing, movement, a list of figures that may precede or follow the pattern; and videos providing instruction and demonstration of the figure, techniques and practice routines that include it.

Start in Open Position, double hand hold.

Leader

  • QQ: 1,2 of Link LR | No turn

  • QaQ: LF fwd, very small step, to chasse LRL, to end LF side and slightly fwd in Tandem Position, Lady in front, slightly to R side. | 1/4 to R over steps 3-5

    • Raise L hand and circle it counterclockwise, R hand at Lady's waist level. Towards end of step 5, give a s light pull with R hand and start to circle L hand clockwise.

  • QaQ: Fwd chasse RLR. End in Open Position with double hand hold. | 1/8 to R between steps 5 and 6

    • Continue to circle L hand clockwise. Lower arm and lead Lady back at the end of her turn, retaining double hand hold.

    • An additional turn 1.8 to R may be made over steps 6-8.

Follower

  • QQ: 1,2 of Link RL | No turn

  • QaQ: RF fwd to chasse RLR, turning underarm. End RF side and slightly back in Tandem Position in front of Man, slightly to his R side. Then turn underarm to R on RF | 1/4 to L over steps 3-5, then 1/2 to R on RF

    • When in Tandem Position on step 5, L arm is across front of body at waist level.

  • QaQ: F sdiag. back to chasse LRL, to end LF back in Open Position with double hand hold. | /8 to R between steps 5 and 6

    • An additional turn 1/8 to R may be made over steps 6-8.

Notes:

  • Spin Ending to Spanish Arms:

    • Man: towards end of step 5, give a stronger pull with R hand, then immediately release R to L hand hold on steps 6-8 Compact chasse RLR, making no turn, continue to turn Lady to R under raised L arm and lower arm at end of Lady's turn. End in Open Position.

    • Lady: Spin approx. a complete turn to R on RF underarm towards end of step 5. Steps 6-8 LF side and slightly back to chasse LRL, turning 1/2 to L to end LF back in Open Position.

Preceding Figures

  1. Change of Places Left to Right

  2. Rolling Off the Arm

  3. Spanish Arms

  4. Windmill

Following Figures

  1. Link (release R to L hand hold as needed)

  2. Change of Places Left to Right (release R to L hand hold as needed)

  3. Change of Hands Behind Back (release R to L hand hold as needed)

  4. Hip Bump (release R to L hand hold as needed)

  5. American Spin (left to right hand hold)

  6. Stop and Go (release R to L hand hold as needed)

  7. Windmill (release R to L hand hold as needed)

  8. Spanish Arms (release R to L hand hold as needed)

  9. Rolling Off the Arm (with double hold or eleasing L to R hand hold)

  10. Toe Heel Swivels (release R to L hand hold as needed)