Side Charleston Reverse

For this move, both partners turn 180° on the final kick of the Side Charleston sequence, so they can then repeat the sequence in the opposite position. The partners each turn in a different direction: the leader turns right and the follower turns left, so that they face each other momentarily during the turn.

A common mistake is to start the turning motion too early. This can confuse the follower and lead her to shift into a six-beat rhythm; it's also unnecessary, since the turn is easy to do within the space of the last two beats.

For the second iteration, the follower starts on the leader's left hand side, with his left hand around her back. Although the dancers' positions are mirrored, they still do normal Side Charleston footwork—so the first step is a rock step with the inside feet.


left side view right side view facing view
1. M:BL W:BR Start with the follower standing on the leader's right, side by side, facing in the same direction. The leader takes a step backward on his left foot, momentarily rocking his weight back onto that foot. The follower takes a step backward on her right foot.
2. M:RR W:RL The leader replaces his weight on his right foot, rocking back forwards. The follower replaces her weight on her left foot.
3. M:KfL W:KfR The leader performs a kick forward with his left foot, moving his right hand to the follower's left side. The follower performs a kick forward with her right foot. (image: leader's hand position)
4. M:eFL2R W:eFR2L The leader takes a step slightly forward on his left foot, turning 90° to his right, pushing away on the follower's left hand side to lead her to turn. The follower takes a step slightly forward on her right foot, turning 90° to her left. (image: direction of lead)
5. M:KfR2R W:KfL2L The leader performs a kick forward with his right foot, continuing to turn another 90° to his right, putting his left hand around the follower's back. The follower performs a kick forward with her left foot, continuing to turn another 90° to her left.
6. M:StR W:StL The leader lifts his right foot next to his left foot, with the right knee bent. The follower lifts her left foot next to her right foot, with the left knee bent.
7. M:KbR W:KbL The leader performs a kick backward with his right foot. The follower performs a kick backward with her left foot.
8. M:eBR W:eBL The leader takes a step slightly backward on his right foot. The follower takes a step slightly backward on her left foot.
1. M:BL W:BR The leader takes a step backward on his left foot, momentarily rocking his weight back onto that foot. The follower takes a step backward on her right foot.
2. M:RR W:RL The leader replaces his weight on his right foot, rocking back forwards. The follower replaces her weight on her left foot.
3. M:KfL W:KfR The leader performs a kick forward with his left foot, moving his left hand to the follower's right side. The follower performs a kick forward with her right foot. (image: leader's hand position)
4. M:eFL2L W:eFR2R The leader takes a step slightly forward on his left foot, turning 90° to his left, pushing away on the follower's right hand side to lead her to turn. The follower takes a step slightly forward on her right foot, turning 90° to her right. (image: direction of lead)
5. M:KfR2L W:KfL2R The leader performs a kick forward with his right foot, continuing to turn another 90° to his left, putting his right hand around the follower's back. The follower performs a kick forward with her left foot, continuing to turn another 90° to her right.
6. M:StR W:StL The leader lifts his right foot next to his left foot, with the right knee bent. The follower lifts her left foot next to her right foot, with the left knee bent.
7. M:KbR W:KbL The leader performs a kick backward with his right foot. The follower performs a kick backward with her left foot.
8. M:eBR W:eBL The leader takes a step slightly backward on his right foot. The follower takes a step slightly backward on her left foot.
 
 

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