Dance Lessons 1950's Style Rock'n'Roll -Intermediate Level

This movement will make your dancing flow so both partners are moving rather than just the follower spinning and looking fabulous!

Let's do it all together!

MAN'S UNDERARM TURNS

Starting in an Open Position, Man's left hand and Lady's right hand.

Dance a Basic Step, on the back-step the Man raises both joined hands to lead into Change of Place move. 

This time the Man will also turn.

• Step 1, the Man & Lady step forward (the Lady will be on the Man's right hand side).

• The Lady will pivot to her left under the joined raised hands and immediately after the Lady turns the Man then turns to his left under the joined hands then step their Step 2, and pivot to face each other.

• Now back-step together.

Men, if you allow the Lady to turn under the joined raised hands a fraction before you turn it is so much more comfortable for the both of you.

Here's another dance variation making the Man (Leader) shine.

It's great to see the Leader moving on the dance floor and turning.

Let's see what this looks like first.

Getting the footwork just right we are starting with the ladies (follower) footwork.

LADY -DOUBLE SPINS

Forward Spin

On Step 1 (right foot) keep this foot planted (do not move) then pivot on your right

foot and balance on Left foot keeping all the weight on your right foot then step onto

your left foot for Step 2 then Back step.

This becomes Step 1, Step 1 Step 2 then Back step.

We need to show the Man's part or leader what steps he needs to do to compliment the lady (follower) dancing her double spins.  A slight variation to the basic step so you can both keep in time with the music and your fabulous moves!

DOUBLE SPIN - MAN'S FOOTWORK & LEAD

Man - Step Left foot once, Left foot twice then Right foot and Back step.

This becomes Step 1, Step 1, Step 2 then back step.

Don't keep all the weight on your first step Left foot, replace the weight

back to the right foot and step once again on the left foot.

NOTE: You should be confident with the Basic Step before attempting this move.

On Step 1 Lady's right foot, keep this foot planted (do not move it yet), the man will

lead the Forward Spin first, Lady's pivot on your right foot and balance on left foot

(Step 1), keeping all the weight on your right foot, then the Man will gently lead

you again into another Forward Spin by keeping his hand raised and in a small circular motion,

within your joined hands gently pushes you to dance another Forward Spin. Then Step

2 and back-step.

This becomes Step 1, Step 1, Step 2 then back-step, which is keeping all the

weight twice on the right foot.

He will then lower your right hand after the second forward spin to finish.

Men, make sure you continue to dance your Step 1, Step 1, Step 2 and

back-step.

It's time to combine two moves into one.

This is a great flow from one move Half Spanish into the Cuddle move, a classic routine for Intermediate Level Rock'n'Roll dancers.

This new move used a new lead for the Man and lady to start the move.

CROSS ARMS

Start in an Open position.  American spin hold (both Man's & Lady's right hands).

While dancing the Basic Step, the Man will offer his left hand underneath joined right hands.  The Lady will place her left hand in Man's left hand.

Continue to dance the Basic Step while performing this move.

• On Step 1, raise both crossed arms straight up, height slightly above the Lady's head in a comfortable position for the Lady's arms.

• The Lady spins to her right then Step 2 and back-step together keep arms raised.

• The Lady will then spin back under arms to her left on her left foot then places her right foot for Step 1, Step 2 and on the back-step together, the Man will bring joined cross arms down to original position. Repeat.

To exit this move, we will dance a Split Spin.

SPLIT SPIN

On Step 1 raise both right arms straight up keeping your left arms where they are.

When the Lady spins to her right on her right foot, let go of left hands, Lady places her left foot down being Step 2 (Man continues to dance the basic step here), then back-step together.  To exit completely you may exit with an American Spin.

The Points move is another classic and popular Rock'n'Roll dance move.

THE POINTS

Begin from the Basic Hold position.

• Dance 1 Basic Step - On Step 1 of the Basic Step, sway downward taking both hands low, release hands on the way up (Man's LH, Lady's RH) on Step 2, then back step together. You are now in a Promenade Position.

• Dance Cuddle Steps (see Cuddle Steps).  The Man will indicate to the Lady to commence The Points by tickling the Lady on the side of her waist with his right hand on Step 1. Complete Steps 2 and back-step before commencing The Points.

• LADY points forward on right foot, replace, then points forward on her left foot, replace and pivot on her left foot.  Point right foot straight ahead, replace, point left foot to her left side, replace and pivot back to the right.

• Back-step on right foot. (Don't place any weight on the pointing steps, simply point/tap forward).

• MAN points forward on left foot, replace, then points forward on his right foot, replace and pivot on his right foot facing the Lady.  Point left foot to his left side, replace, point right foot straight ahead, replace and pivot back to the left. Back-step on left foot. (Don't place any weight on the pointing steps, simply point/tap forward).

REPEAT THE POINTS

To finish and exit move, on the last set of The Points, on the back-step together, the Man leaves his right hand on the Lady's side waist or hip and on Step 1 gently pushes the Lady on Step 2 for a hip spin out.

FOR THE MAN-When pushing the lady out for a hip spin out to complete The Points, ensure that your palm is flat so as not to dig your fingers into the Lady's side as described by Amelia on the video.

Cool rockin' move, but don't kick each other!

Start in a Basic Hold position.  Dance 1 Basic Step.

• The Man will lead the Lady by bringing their joined hands turned in towards their bodies, then release hands.  This signals to the Lady that the Kicks are the next moves to be danced.

• They both turn side by side facing in the same direction, this is called a Promenade position.  The footwork now changes.

LADY'S FOOTWORK

• Beginning with her right foot the Lady Kicks forward, replace.

• Kick forward with the left foot on replacing this left foot, the Lady will pivot to her left. This is done simultaneously.          The Lady should now be facing the Man.

• She now kicks inbetween the Man's legs with her right foot, replace. (Not too high Ladies).

• Kick left foot to her left (allowing the Man to kick inbetween her legs).

  
  

• Now pivot on this same left foot when replacing to her right and back-step.

Repeat

MAN'S FOOTWORK

• Beginning with his left foot the Man Kicks forward, replace.

• Kick forward with the right foot, on replacing this right foot, the Man will pivot to his right.  This is done simultaneously.   The Man should now be facing the Lady.

• He now kicks to his left (allowing the Lady to kick inbetween his legs) replace.

• Kick right foot inbetween the Lady's legs and on replacing his right foot down, pivots to his left and back-step.

Repeat