Jockey

The Jockey is a comparatively static move, which involves the dancers performing eight-beat footwork while they remain in a closed hold. Because the move doesn't involve much floor space, it is useful for scanning a busy dance floor for space when social dancing.

The key part of this move for the leader is to ensure that the follower can tell the difference between this eight-beat move and a six-beat Closed Basic—the lead for beats 5 and 6 needs to be clear.

As long as the overall rhythm continues to follow the eight-beat even-odd-even-odd pattern, it is possible to substitute a variety of alternative footwork patterns for this move. In fact, if the pairs of beats all become kick steps, the Jockey can smoothly transform into the Side Charleston.


front view reverse view facing view
1. M:BL W:BR1R Start from an closed position, with the leader's left hand holding the follower's right hand. The leader takes a step backward on his left foot, pushing the follower away with his left hand to lead the rock step. The follower takes a step backward on her right foot, turning slightly to her right.
2. M:RR W:RL The leader replaces his weight on his right foot. The follower replaces her weight on her left foot, so she is facing in roughly the same direction as the leader.
3. M:FL W:FR The leader takes a step forward on his left foot. The follower takes a step forward on her right foot.
&. M:TR W:TL The leader closes his right foot to his left foot. The follower closes her left foot to her right foot.
4. M:FL W:FR The leader takes a step forward on his left foot. The follower takes a step forward on her right foot.
5. M:PfR W:PfL The leader points forward with his right foot, swinging his leg forwards and holding the follower firmly to prevent her from doing a triple step back (in other words, to force her to dance the 8-beat rhythm rather than a 6-beat Closed Basic). The follower points forward with her left foot likewise.
6. M:PbR W:PbL The leader points backward with his right foot, reversing the direction of the swing. The follower points backward with her left foot likewise.
7. M:BR W:BL The leader takes a step backward on his right foot. The follower takes a step backward on her left foot.
&. M:TL W:TR The leader closes his left foot to his right foot. The follower closes her right foot to her left foot.
8. M:BR W:BL The leader takes a step backward on his right foot. The follower takes a step backward on her left foot.
 
 

Close
Close