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H. Leon Raper

 

 

West Coast Swing

Sugar Push

(Straight Count)

The Sugar Push is commonly used in West Coast Swing. However, it should not be taught in the early stages or new dancers will find it very difficult to switch to the Push Break. Teahcing the Sugar Push first will severely limit the students learning process and make many of the advanced patterns very difficult to learn.

The main difference between the Sugar Push and the Push Break 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 & 4].

HELP

E X E R C I S E - 1
(Sugar Push - 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

   
EVEN
ODD
ODD
Count
&
1
&
2
&
3
&
4
&
5
&
6
Rhythm
X
X
/
X
X
x
X
Foot
L
R
L
B
R
L
R
Direction
b
b
T
T
T
T
T
Slot/Rails
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
Foot Pos
4
4
1
1
1
1
1
Turn No Turn -- just walk straight in the slot

Shorthand Terms

Follower

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

Verbal:
Leader: [bk bk] [touch fwd] [step three times]
Follower: [fwd fwd] [touch back] [step three times]

Verbal: [1 2] [3 & 4] [5 & 6]

IMPORTANT POINTS

Counts "1 thru 4": Active Connection

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

Count "&": 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
(Sugar Push "EXIT")

This exercise will teach the Leader how to exit the Sugar Push 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.

 

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