The Whip is the West Coast Swing equivalent to the Lindy Turn. As for the Lindy Turn, this is an eight-beat
move where the leader and the follower travel around each other, rotating in a clockwise direction to end up
back in the positions that they started from.
The Whip has a different styling than the Lindy Turn. Firstly, the follower travels along a straight line
(the slot), from one end to the other and then back again, with the leader getting out of her way; this is in
contrast to the Lindy Turn, where both dancers follow more of an elliptical path on the floor.
Another difference in styling is that the follower's changes of direction are quicker and more discrete;
rather than a continuous rotation throughout the move, the follower quickly 'flips' direction from facing one
direction down the slot to facing in the opposite direction.
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front view |
reverse view |
detail |
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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:XR1R W:FL The leader takes a step with his right foot across and in front of his other foot, turning slightly to his right, moving out of the slot to create space for the follower to pass. The follower takes a step forward on her left foot.
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3. M:FL2R W:FR The leader takes a step forward on his left foot, continuing to turn another 90° to his right, stepping back into the slot and moving right hand to around the follower's body. The follower takes a step forward on her right foot.
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(image: arm positions) |
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&. M:TR1R W:FL2R The leader closes his right foot to his left foot, continuing to turn slightly to his right. The follower takes a step forward on her left foot, turning 90° to her right.
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4. M:TL W:RR2R The leader closes his left foot to his right foot. The follower replaces her weight on her right foot, continuing to turn another 90° to her right.
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5. M:HR2R W:FL2R The leader takes a step with his right foot back and behind his other foot, turning 90° to his right, stepping out of the slot to allow the follower to pass. The follower takes a step forward on her left foot, continuing to turn another 90° to her right.
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6. M:FL2R W:HR2R The leader takes a step forward on his left foot, continuing to turn another 90° to his right, stepping back in the slot as the follower passes. The follower takes a step with her right foot back and behind her other foot, continuing to turn another 90° to her right.
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7. 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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&. M:TL W:TR The leader closes his left foot to his right foot, letting go with right hand. The follower closes her right foot to her left foot.
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8. M:TR W:TL The leader closes his right foot to his left foot. The follower closes her left foot to her right foot.
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