Raper's
Dance Corner

R e v i e w

It is assumed that that students have had a prior dance class in which they learned learned the dance terminology necessary for their entry into West Coast Swing. The following is a brief review of just a few of the elements needed. Also see Raper's Dance Dictionary.

Break

A break refers to a "change of direction". The Break can be executed as a simple Break or a Break Turn. For a Break, the CPB only travels about 1/2 way between the feet then returns back to its original position where it was prior to executing the Break - this holds true for a Break or Break Turn. First you step to the ball of the Receiving Foot. The ball of the Receiving foot now becomes the Sending Foot which sends the CPB back to the original Sending Foot (which has now become the new Receiving Foot).

Turns & Turn Technique

 

The dancer must be centered prior to beginning a turn and must remain centered throughout the turn to its completion.

FFF (Feet Follow Frame): Turn your CPB first and your feet will follow.
Forward Foot: Most turns occur in the direction of the forward foot.
Break Turns:

Forward Break Turn

Is a ½ Turn (180 degrees) in the opposite direction of the forward foot which returns you from where you came, leaving the receiving foot in the same position on the floor but facing in the opposite direction.

Back Break Turn:

Is a ½ Turn (180 degrees) in the opposite direction of the forward foot which returns you from where you came, leaving the receiving foot in the same position on the floor but facing in the opposite direction.

Left Turn (Counterclockwise): Turn your flashlight in the direction of your left shoulder.
Right Turn (Clockwise): Turn your flashlight in the direction of your right shoulder.
Pivot: Turn Flashlight "½ turn" (180 degrees) in the direction of the "Forward Foot" - Inner Thighs together in turns.
Swing Turns (Stationary):

New Definitions

Body Positions

Mans Rt hip close to woman's Lt hip with body positions opened in the form of a "V".

Arms (M Lt & W Rt)

Bowed out - not hanging straight down.

M Lh & W Rh

Palm to Palm at about the chin level of the shorter person.

M Rh

Flat on woman's back just below her shoulder blade with his finger tips just about touching her spine.

W Lh

(1) on top of man's right shoulder, or (2) on man's upper right arm.

Open Position (Two Hand Lead)

Body Positions

Facing each other about one arms length apart.

Arms

Upper Arms down with Lower Arms extended forward.

Elbows

Just forward of center of rib cage.

M Hands

Cupped inward.

M Thumbs

Rest on top of W: Hands, but don't press hard.

W Hands

Over top of Mans.

Slot & Rails

In slotted dances, the slot can be thought of as a narrow path between two imaginary rails.
Slot: The woman's path of travel is in the Slot. Her direction is directly through the man
Rails: The man moves to the rails on either side of the slot to allow the woman to pass

Syncopation

Is stepping before the beat on the "&" or "a" Count then stepping again or doing something else on the beat. There is one exception which is that a basic Triple Rhythm Unit is not considered to be a Syncopation.