Revised: December 01, 1998
This lesson plan is for 6 lessons of 90 minutes each. The original Lindy Hop was derived from Charleston which included Step Patterns consisting of 8 beats each or multiples of 8 beats each. Therefore, the Step Patterns included here will be either 8 beats or multiples of 8 beats each. 6 Beat Step Patterns are not included at this basic level of instruction.
Basic Rhythms & Movement Exercises
Shag Front & Back Kicks (Kick Pull Step Patterns)
Lindy Charleston
Facing Rock Step
Sugar Foot (Sugars)
Open Swingout
Closed Swingout
Lindy Circle (Closed Lindy Basic)
Single Rhythm Break (Starter Step or Resting Step)
Traveling Jig Walks
Swingout with Inside Turn
Swingout with Outside Turn
Facing Kicks (Closed Position) - Quarter Turn
Skip Up
Swingout with Duck Under
Falling Off The Log
Closed Swingout with Inside Turn
Closed Swingout with Outside Turn
Swingout with Leader's Follow
Integration of all step patterns
Lesson 1 is used to introduce the students to basic movement - specifically Triple Rhythm [ODD], Double Rhythm [EVEN], Blank Rhythm [EVEN] and changes in direction.
Exercises and Step Patterns involving Triple Rhythm are very important at this stage as muscle memory training in praparation for the Swingout.
The Electric Slide is used to get students use to taking 3 steps to the side, then lifting their foot.
Repeated Triple Rhythm exercises are used to get the students use to stepping 3 times to 2 beats of music. Marching technics are also used.
Blank Rhythm and Triple Rhythm exercises are used to get the students use to executing a Kick Pull plus Triple Rhythm.
Not lifting feet off the floor: Some students have a problem lifting their feet off the floor - that is, taking a normal step. They want to just shift weight from one foot to the other leaving both feet on the floor. The solution is to have them march in Triple Rhythm - actually lifting their feet high off the floor. If this doesn't work, then have the students march forward in line of dance, around the floor, in Triple Rhythm. This way they are forced to lift their feet off the floor.
Standing on both feet: This is very common in both Double Rhythm and Triple Rhythm. For instance, in Double Rhythm, the student will take two steps then place step again on what is supposed to be their unweighted foot - which actually results in three steps instead of two. In Triple Rhythm, the student will take three steps then step again onto what is supposed to be their unweighted foot - which actually results in four steps instead of three. One solution is to have the student get use to leaving their unweighted heel slightly off the floor.
Triple Rhythm - taking two steps instead of three: This problem is quite common. What happens is the student takes one step, lifts the other foot up, then takes another step. They have done three things, but have taken only two steps. When this is pointed out to them they usually get it corrected quickly.
Triple Rhythm - touching instead of stepping: This is normally a tough one to solve. In one example, the student takes one step, then touches the floor twice with the other foot. Another example is where the student takes one step and touches the floor twice. Yet another example is where the student takes one step, touches the floor then takes another step. None of these yield Triple Rhythm. These type problems are sometimes difficult for the students to correct. One correction method is to have the student march, in place or around the floor, starting very slowly then gradually increasing their speed.
Blank Rhythm - kick step instead of kick pull: Students will commonly do a kick step instead of the kick pull. This problem is normally solved quickly once it is pointed out to the student.
Double Rhythm - touch step instead of rock step: Students are executing a touch step instead of a Rock Step. This is problem is normally solved quickly once it is pointed out to the student.