WCS: Understanding 6 vs 8 Count Patterns
- English (US)
This lesson will clear up one of the biggest sticking points for West Coast Swing dancers moving from novice into intermediate: how do you know if a pattern is six counts or eight counts — and more importantly, how do you feel the difference? Anthony and Rose break it all down in a super simple way that finally makes sense. You’ll learn the two core rhythm structures of West Coast Swing, how each one is built (walk walk, triple step, etc.), and what physically changes between the two. You’ll also learn how leaders can clearly communicate the rhythm — not by cues or tricks, but through motion and direction — and how followers can read that information through connection. They explain the count 4 rule, where the leader communicates the rhythm change, and how to recognize whether a pattern is finishing with an anchor or continuing back across the slot. Plus, they give you an easy drill you can use right now to train your muscle memory and rhythm recognition. If you’ve ever found yourself confused mid-pattern or unsure whether you’re doing a 6 or 8-count, this video will fix it once and for all.
WCS: Rolling Walk Under
- English (US)
Anthony and Rose are back with another West Coast Swing favorite—filmed in front of the giant Christmas tree in Market Street, The Woodlands, TX. This has become a bit of a holiday tradition, and this year’s pattern is a slick little walkaround combo that blends basic structure with some cool visual styling. It’s smooth, it’s leadable, and it feels great to dance. In this tutorial, they break the pattern down step-by-step, starting with a right-to-right inside turn that catches the follower on the arm and flows into a seamless walkaround with a shoulder lead. Leaders, this one is all about managing the slot and using footwork and hand placement to guide her clearly through each section. Followers, Rose shows you how to keep great connection and maintain alignment through each part of the pattern—even when he’s dancing around you. If you’re comfortable with basic whip mechanics and want to add something fresh and showy to your West Coast Swing toolkit, this is a great one. Plus, there are a few bonus rants, alignment reminders, and a whole lot of Christmas spirit sprinkled throughout. A fun, stylish combo you’ll definitely want to try at your next social.
WCS: The Illusion Whip
- English (US)
Anthony and Rose are back with one of their favorite West Coast Swing patterns—shot in front of the big Christmas tree in The Woodlands, just like last year. This time, they’re breaking down a slick little whip variation that includes some illusion (aka wrist whip) turns and a sneaky hand change that sets the whole thing up. The pattern looks flashy but is surprisingly easy to lead once you understand the setup. It starts with a basic whip structure, but the hand change on count two sets up a cool series of turns that give it a modern, flowing feel. Along the way, Anthony and Rose point out the concepts of leverage, slot control, and the difference between an “anchor” and an “anchor step”—and yes, they go deep (with some very quotable rants in true X Dance fashion). This is a great video for anyone who’s comfortable with basic whip mechanics and wants to level up their West Coast Swing with something that looks impressive but still makes sense in a social dance setting. Bonus points for spotting all the subtle teaching gold they sneak in between laughs. A little holiday tradition, a lot of great technique.
WCS: Reverse Whip Variations
- English (US)
In this West Coast Swing lesson, Anthony and Rose break down a move that’s often danced but rarely explained clearly: the Reverse Whip. If you already know the basic whip (and you should!), this is a must-have variation to level up your dancing. What makes the reverse whip different is the follower’s delayed rotation—she walks forward twice before turning, changing both the look and feel of the pattern. Anthony demonstrates how to prep and lead it correctly, showing the body position and connection points you’ll need to make it feel smooth (and not confusing). Rose explains the precise footwork and how the turn happens between counts 2 and 3. Once the fundamentals are covered, you’ll learn several creative variations, including: Reverse whip from different handholds Adding an over-the-head hand change Leading it from a free spin Catch-and-shoulder reverse whip exit Everything is built from the same foundation—you’re just changing how you connect, not the actual steps. By the end of this lesson, you’ll have multiple ways to style the reverse whip for social dancing or performance, while still staying in control of your timing and technique.
WCS: Wrap In And Out Variations
- English (US)
This lesson dives into one of West Coast Swing’s most versatile patterns: the wrap in and out. Anthony and Rose take you through the core version, then show how it branches into variations like folds, sweetheart wraps, and syncopated styling—all while sticking to the fundamental structure of the dance. You’ll learn how this six-count pattern breaks down into three simple sections of two beats each: the initiation, the action, and the anchor. Then you'll see how simply changing hand positions or adjusting rotation can unlock endless possibilities. Want to level up? The syncopated variation shows you how to skip the initiation altogether by carrying momentum forward from the previous anchor, giving the dance a slick, advanced look with very little effort. The focus is on clarity, clean leads, and the magic of using intention over force—because as Anthony reminds us, “leading just means asking, not telling.” Whether you’re working on fundamentals or building toward improvisational play, this episode gives you the tools to confidently explore West Coast Swing like never before. Already know the wrap in and out? You’ll still walk away with a fresh take on timing, styling, and musicality that keeps your dancing sharp.
WCS: Expansion Wrap and Redirect
- English (US)
This smooth little West Coast Swing combo is one of those “feels good to dance” patterns that’s built for the social floor. It starts from a two-hand connection and flows into a wrapped position with a cool redirect off the follower’s ribcage (don’t worry, we’ll show you exactly how that works without being pushy or awkward). You’ll learn how to shape the movement with intention — sending her in, catching her with control, and guiding her back out like a pro. Even though this pattern isn’t overly complicated, the technique matters. We talk through things like weight changes, body position, and how to make the follower’s motion feel effortless and natural. Leaders, you’ll learn how to guide without over-managing. Followers, you’ll discover how to respond to subtle changes in energy without getting pulled off your axis. Once you understand the timing and the feel of this move, it opens the door to a whole bunch of creative variations you can build off of it. It's one of those patterns you’ll end up using a lot — not because it’s flashy, but because it just works. Clean, classy, and full of potential.
WCS: Slingshot Neck Roll
- English (UK)
In this video, Anthony and Rose break down one of their favorite West Coast Swing patterns—a slingshot with a syncopated exit and some seriously cool style. This isn’t just a flashy move—it’s packed with solid technique, great connection, and a rhythm change that makes the whole thing feel super smooth and dynamic. They walk you through the whole thing step by step, starting with how to create the “slingshot” effect by using leverage, connection, and controlled timing. You’ll learn why split-weight placement on count 3 is so important, how to create that slow, sexy stretch on count 4, and how to keep your anchor clean and rhythmic—even when adding a little sass in the hips. There’s also a slick hand change and a smooth exit that uses a syncopated rhythm—so you’ll get tips on footwork timing, connection, and how to make it all flow like you’ve been dancing this pattern for years. If you’ve been working on your West Coast Swing and want something that looks impressive but still feels natural, this one’s a must. And yeah… there’s a little hip action, but don’t get weird with it. Keep it cool.
WCS: 8 Count Secrets
- English (US)
In this video, Anthony and Rose reveal the “pro-level secret” behind 8-count patterns in West Coast Swing—something most dancers never get taught when they're just learning steps and patterns. If WCS has ever felt confusing or overwhelming, especially with all the counts and fancy moves, this will finally make it make sense. They break the 8-count pattern down into four simple sections: Come Toward Me – The follower begins traveling down the slot. Come Back – She starts to return (yep, mid-pattern). The Variation – This is where the magic happens (the underarm turn, the hand change, etc.). Anchor – Everything settles and resets for the next move. Using an easy visual model (think colored circles and “game of Thrones” references), they explain the roles of both leader and follower in a way that’s clear, fun, and totally not scary. You’ll see how this structure applies to every single 8-count pattern, whether it’s a whip, an underarm turn, or some fancy variation. If you’ve ever thought West Coast Swing felt too complicated or like you were constantly behind the music, this lesson will seriously flip the switch. It’s about how the dance works—not just memorizing moves.