Back Charleston Star Jump

This is a more showy exit from the Back Charleston than the Back Charleston Simple Exit. The leader raises the follower's arms away from her sides to indicate that the lift is coming, and moves them back to her sides to provide support for the lift. For this support to help, the follower needs to keep her arms straight so that the leader can provide upwards momentum to add to her own jump; the leader also continues to provide support while the follower lands from the jump (rather than just letting her fall back to earth on her own).

As the follower jumps up and kicks her legs out to the sides, the leader can kick up between her legs. This needs to be done carefully when dancing with an unfamiliar partner to avoid potential injury. As with any lift the leader should check the ceiling height before the follower leaves the ground.


left side view right side view facing view
1. B:PbL Start with the leader standing behind the follower, facing in the same direction, with the leader's left hand holding the follower's left hand and his right hand holding her right hand. Both the leader and the follower point backward with their left feet.
2. B:StL Both the leader and the follower lift their left feet next to their right feet, with the left knee bent.
3. M:KfL W:KfL The leader performs a kick forward with his left foot, lifting both of the follower's arms out to the sides as a signal to the follower. The follower performs a kick forward with her left foot. (image: arms out)
4. M:TL W:TL The leader closes his left foot to his right foot, bringing the follower's arms back down to her sides. The follower closes her left foot to her right foot, bending her knees in preparation to jump upwards, and stiffens her arms so that the leader can assist her jump. (image: arms back in)
5. M:0B W:JuUB The leader lifts the follower's arms to assist the follower. The follower performs a jump up with both feet. (image: direction of lift)
6. M:KfR W:KdfB The leader performs a kick forward with his right foot between the follower's legs, straight-legged, as he lifts. The follower performs a kick diagonally forward with both her feet as she is in mid-air.
7. M:TR W:RB The leader closes his right foot to his left foot, maintaining support for the follower with his arms as she comes back down. The follower replaces her weight on both her feet as she lands. (image: support on descent)
8. B:0B Both the leader and the follower recover their balance. This momentary pause is also a good point to change positions; for example, the leader can let go with left hand and push right hand so that the follower turns to face (in open position) on next move.
 
 

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