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H. Leon Raper

 

 

West Coast Swing

Push Break

(Rolling Count)

Ok, so what's a Push Break? It is similar to the Sugar Push. The difference is that the Sugar Push uses a Delayed Single Rhythm Unit [touch step] on counts [3 4] where the Push Break uses a Triple Rhythm Unit [step three times] on counts [3 a 4].

To get a little more detailed, in the Sugar Push you do a Delayed Single Rhythm Unit [&-a-touch &-a-step] on counts [&a3 &a4] where the Push Break uses a Triple Rhythm Unit [&-a-step &-step-step] on counts [&a3 &a4].

HELP

E X E R C I S E- 1
(Push Break - Normal 2 Hand Lead)

This exercise helps train the dancers to use a very small amount of compression on counts [3 & 4]. Also, if either dancer has spaghetti arms (very loose) or uses a stronger connection than the other then the pattern will not execute smoothly.

On counts [1 2], the Leader takes two short steps back on counts [1 2] while the Follower takes two normal steps forward. This yields a compression look (like compressing an accordion). On counts [3 & 4] the dancers are compressing together on counts "3 &" and then step back from each other into count "4" (appearing as the accordion is opening).

SETUP

Frame Open Position - 2-Hand Lead.

PATTERN

Shorthand Terms

Leader

   
Count
&
a
1
&
a
2
&
a
3
&
a
4
&
a
5
&
a
6
Rhythm
X
X
X
x
X
X
x
X
Foot
L
R
L
R
L
R
L
R
Direction
b
b
T
T
F
T
T
T
Slot/Rails
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
Foot Pos
4
4
1
1
4
1
1
1
Turns
No Turn - just walk strait in the slot

Shorthand Terms

Follower

   
Count
&
a
1
&
a
2
&
a
3
&
a
4
&
a
5
&
a
6
Rhythm
X
X
X
x
X
X
x
X
Foot
R
L
R
L
R
L
R
L
Direction
F
F
T
T
B
T
T
T
Foot Pos
4
4
1
1
4
1
1
1
Turns
No Turn - just walk strait in the slot

Verbals:
Leader: [&a-Bk &a-Bk] [&a-Step &-Together Fwd] [&a-Step &-Step Step]

Follower: [&a-Fwd &a-Fwd] [&a-Step &-Together Back] [&a-Step &-Step Step]

Suggestion: Bby saying the "&" (on counts "&a4" and "&a6") it causes the dancer to correctly step on the "a" count, not the "&" count.

Class: [&a1 &a2] [&a3 &a 4] [&a5 &a6]
However, this doesn't always get through to the dancers. It is better to use [&a-step &a-step] [&a-step &-step step] [&a-step &-step step]

IMPORTANT POINTS

Counts "1 thru 4": Active Connection

Count "3": Compression Connection - CPB's moving toward each other.

Count "&a": Reaction to compression getting ready to push the CPB's away into count "4"

Count "4": The CBP's will have move away from each other and the connection should reduce to a Passive Connection.


E X E R C I S E - 2
(Push Break "EXIT")

This exercise will teach the Leader how to exit the Push Break and get ready for another pattern.

PATTERN

Same as previous exercises but dropping Leader's :Rh after count "4" - leaving dancers in Open Position with a One Hand Lead.

Anchor: If the Leader changes from a 2 hand lead to a 1 hand (Lh) lead, then the foot positions for the Anchor shall become 3rd instead of 1st.

Technical Stuff

 

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