The Sugar Push (or "Push Break") is a distinctive basic move in West Coast Swing. Starting from open position, the leader
pulls the follower towards himself and takes her other hand. This compresses the separation of the dancers,
but like a spring this compression is then reversed, pushing the dancers away from each other again.
Because the Sugar Push is such a common move, it is often accompanied with different footwork patterns to add
variety to the dance.
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1. M:BL W:FR Start from an open position, with the leader's left hand holding the follower's right hand. The leader takes a step backward on his left foot, pulling the follower towards him with his left hand. The follower takes a step forward on her right foot.
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(image: direction of lead) |
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2. M:TR W:TL The leader closes his right foot to his left foot, extending his right hand forwards at waist height. The follower closes her left foot to her right foot, taking the leader's right hand with her left hand.
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(image: offered right hand) |
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3. M:HL W:HR The leader takes a step with his left foot back and behind his other foot. The follower takes a step with her right foot back and behind her other foot.
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(image: hand positions) |
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&. M:RR W:RL The leader replaces his weight on his right foot. The follower replaces her weight on her left foot.
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4. M:TL W:TR The leader closes his left foot to his right foot. The follower closes her right foot to her left foot.
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(image: direction of lead) |
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5. M:HR W:HL The leader takes a step with his right foot back and behind his other foot, beginning to push the follower away slightly. The follower takes a step with her left foot back and behind her other foot.
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&. M:eFL W:eBR The leader takes a step slightly forward on his left foot, letting go with right hand. The follower takes a step slightly backward on her right foot.
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6. M:eFR W:eBL The leader takes a step slightly forward on his right foot. The follower takes a step slightly backward on her left foot.
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