• West Coast Swing

WCS: Shoulder Catch and Tandem

This is a slick variation on a classic whip that adds some flair with a smooth rotation from the leader—making it one of those patterns that looks fancy but is actually super approachable once you understand the structure. If you’re solid on your basic whip, this one’s a fun next step. You’ll learn the full 8-count rhythm (1, 2, 3&4, 5, 6, 7&8) and how to keep things flowing with a continuous turn instead of breaking the movement into chunks. There’s a lot of focus on leader alignment here—where to be, when to move, and how to stay out of your partner’s path without losing connection or timing. We’ll also walk you through the hand placements and how to prep the follower with a light lead, plus tips on when and how to adjust step size depending on the position and direction of the pattern. As always, Anthony and Rose break it down with humor and real talk about what actually works on the dance floor. This one’s a great addition to your WCS toolbox—looks cool, feels great, and gets you thinking a little differently about how to rotate through a slot. Read More

• Feb 2020
• 9 min