Jive - Style

Jive is one of the only dances that allows you to have a bit of a jumpy skip in the chasse movement. This is NOT, however, license to hop all over the place. Throughout the Jive, especially with the two chasses when moving side to side, you should imagine your head being kept at one central location and that your feet/hips are swinging in a pendulum style movement underneath you.

Keep all your movements small, as the Jive gets very fast, and make sure that you are not transferring your body and head weight back when you do the rock step. You need to make sure the heel of the back foot touches the floor, while maintaining a body position that has minimal change. (If you allow your body weight to transfer back with your foot, you will firstly be unable to maintain the speed necessary and secondly will possibly separate yourself too far from your partner.)

The Jive should be light and fun and the hold should remain flexible and much more relaxed than any ballroom stance.

Jive - Link and Whip

Getting a little more advanced with the Jive, is the Link and Whip. In my mind, this step is great for adding a bit of momentum into your dancing. It requires both partners to work together in close proximity and can provide a nice little adrenaline rush when done quickly!

Starting from open, usually one hand, hold, this step takes you slightly away from your partner at the beginning in order to bring yourselves close and around in a circle.

Leaders'/Men's Footwork

You start with your Rock step going back on your Left foot. You then take a small chasse, practically on the spot but leading your partner to come towards you and slightly to your Right side.

Then cross your Right foot behind your left foot, turning your body as much as possible at this time as well. Step to the side with your Left foot continuing the turn and hopefully getting about 3/4 of the way around by this point. Then face the direction you started as you do your chasse to the Right: Right foot side, Left foot together, Right foot side.

Followers'/Lady's Footwork

The diagram for this step looks scary ladies, but it is actually a lot easier than it sounds. Do your Rock step first, stepping back on your Right foot and replacing the weight to your Left.

Then take a chasse slightly forward towards the right side of your partner; Right foot forward, Left foot together, Right foot forward. during this chasse you should start to turn to the right as if you are walking in a circle around your partner. You then have two walks, Left, Right, around your partner to complete as much of the turn as possible. And chasse to the Left (Left foot side, Right foot together, Left foot side) to complete the turn if necessary and come back directly in front of your partner.

Notes for both the Leader and the Follower:

- You need to work together to get around the turn. If you fight each other or do not use each other's momentum, you will not get around.

- Keep your upper body in closed hold during the turn and do not allow the lady to end up under the man's armpit! (Take hold as you come towards each other in the first chasse.)

- Ladies, you are on the outside of the circle, men, you are on the inside.... the step will not work if the men try to move too much or if the ladies stay on the same spot!

Jive - Hip Bumps

(Sorry for the delay on this and the following entries... I had a busy few days and didnt manage to get my days straight before I threw myself into the heady enjoyment of it all. Will get back on track and back to normal this week.)

Hip Bumps in Jive are one of those steps that you either find fun and amusing or think are silly and not worth doing. Either way, it is worth setting them out here and letting you choose whether you incorporate them into your dancing or not!

Quite simply, the footwork for both parties is very similar to that of the Basic Movement, but has a curve in terms of the direction you are moving.

Starting in Left to Right hand hold, you both do your rock step as usual (Counts 1, 2) and then, keeping the connecting hand down and slightly in front of your body, do your chasse sideways in towards your partner (Counts 1-2-3). Tap your hips together on the last half of the 3rd beat. And chasse back out away from your partner either in a straight line away in order to repeat the hip bump, or swinging back around to face your partner. (Counts 1-2-3).

Leaders'/Men's Footwork diagrams:
(The last chasse isn't included in the diagrams as it can either go straight to the side or curve back around to face your partner.)

Followers'/Lady's Footwork diagrams:
(The last chasse isn't included in the diagrams as it can either go straight to the side or curve back around to face your partner.)

Jive - American Spin

The American Spin is a nice simple step that can look quite impressive and, in my opinion, is a lot of fun too. (But I have always been partial to turning!)

Essentially, this moves sees the gentleman acting as a strong, stable source from which the lady can get momentum and balance. Just like in everyday life, right, boys? ;)

Leaders'/Men's Footwork

Once again, you have it easy boys. Your footwork is simply a basic; do your rock step and then two small chasses practically on the spot. If you move, you will make things very difficult for your partner.

Start in a Left to Right hand hold, lead her forward towards you on the first chasse, but dont let your elbow get behind your body. That tension will allow her to feel that she can use the strength in your arm to push off (when indicated, of course) and do her turn. In between the two chasses give her a very slight releasing push with your hand and prepare to collect her hand again at the end of the chasse. You can take her into Left to Right hand hold and repeat, or you can take her hand as she faces you again and collect her into closed hold to get into any other step. (Counting should be something like: "Rock, Step, 1, 2, 3, push, 1, 2, 3")

Followers'/Lady's Footwork

You have the tricky job again, ladies! I know you can handle it! Start with your regular Rock Step backwards on your Right foot, and when led, take the first chasse forwards towards your partner instead or to the side.

This should create a nice resistance in the connection between you and your partner in your arms. Never allow your elbow to get behind your body.

As you finish the first chasse, and just before the second, your partner will give you a small 'release' although you should be creating your own momentum by storing the potential in your connection with your partner. Your chasse will have been Right, Left, Right, so leave your Right foot where it is, pick up your Left foot and turn towards your partner/the Right,

completing the last chasse (Left, Right, Left) either facing your partner and moving to the left, or use it to complete your turn if you dont feel comfortable spinning the whole way around on half a beat.

Notes for both the Leader and the Follower:

- Connection with you rpartner is very important. Girls, use your men, that is what they are there for - to help stabilise you and to give you something to push off of in order to get your turn going. Guys, be aware that any significant action you do to try to 'help' you partner in this situation is more likely to actually throw her off. Be gentle, but solid, for her!

Jive - Change of Hands Behind Back

I thought that this week, to give the guys a little more to do than we did last week, we would look at a step that requires them to do a little more work. (You will have to forgive me a little, because as you may have noticed, the Latin steps are a bit tricky to draw sometimes and my diagrams may get a little numerous, but feel free to ask any questions you may have or get in touch if you want any clarification!)

Before jumping into footwork, I suggest you practice the hands for this one. Start with the Lady's Right hand in the Man's Left and open hold.

Leaders'/Men's Hands/Arm Placements


Holding your partner's Right hand in your Left hand, swing your Right arm in a circular motion up and over towards your clasped hands to end up taking hold of your partner's hand from the top. (That motion can be large or small depending on your style, but it is easier to remember at the beginning if you do it large.)

Let go with your Left hand as you move slightly towards your partner and take your Right hand (holding her Right hand) behind your back.

While your hands are behind your back, reach your Left hand down your back to take hold of your partner's hand - letting go with the Right when you have accomplished this - and then keep moving away from your partner slightly to allow you to bring your Left hand out in front of you. You should now be facing your partner and will have accomplished half a turn - to end facing the opposite direction to the way you started.

Repeat all of the above - no changing anything - to end up back where you were to start.

Followers'/Lady's Hands/Arm Placement

You have it slightly easier this time, Ladies. Start with your Right hand in front of you, elbow relaxed in to your waist, and in your partner's Left hand.

Leave it there!

That's it! Of course, you will need to move to facilitate your partner, but the actual arm placement is the same all the way through. Do not try to grab for your partner's hand - this actually makes it more difficult for him to do what he needs to - even if you think you are helping.

Your body movement is exactly the same as if you had your Right palm on a bollard or post of some sort and you move in a circle around it. Always keep your Right shoulder leading and your body facing your partner (or the post - if you are still imagining that) regardless of what he does. This means at one point, you will be facing his back... that is ok. That is supposed to happen!


Leaders'/Mens Footwork

Standing facing your partner, with your Left hand holding her Right, start with your Rock Step. (Back on your Left and then replace onto your Right.) This is when you swing your Right hand up and over.

Instead of doing a chasse to the side as you normally would, take your chasse moving forward, turning your shoulders to face the wall on your Left. (This is the point at which you have your partner's hand behind your back and are reaching back to take it with your Left hand again.)

Continue turning your shoulders in the same direction as you take your second chasse moving backwards - slightly - to bring your body around to face the wall that was originally behind you and your partner's hand back in front of you.

Repeat exactly as before - turning your shoulders so that your Right shoulder is moving forward and your Left is moving back - as you take your Rock Step and the two Chasses to get you back to where you started.


Followers'/Lady's Footwork


Nice and simple, to match your simple arm positioning - let him do the work on this one!

Take your Rock Step as usual. (Back on your Right foot.)

As I mentioned when talking about your arms, your Right shoulder will be leading throughout this step. That just means that you need to turn from the waist (leaving your feet straight ahead) to put your Right shoulder in front of your body. Assume this body position as you go forward on your first chasse.

Take your second chasse to get you the rest of the way around your partner to face the opposite way from where you started.

Repeat from the Rock Step at the beginning and do exactly the same thing - right side leading - to get you back around your partner to where you started.

Notes for Both the Leader and Follower:

- Ladies, let your gentleman do the work here... you are simply moving around him in a circle - always facing him. He will change your hand. He will do anything fancy. Make it easy for him!

- Gents, dont panic! You have more time than you think you do! Make sure you do all your steps (people tend to leave out some of the steps on the chasses which then puts you off time) and then you will be fine. Practice the hand movements until you can do them without needing to think too hard about them. The feet need to be consistent and just remember, the rhythm of the steps has not changed! (1-2, 1-2-3, 1-2-3)

Jive - Change of Place

The Change of Place is a fancy way of saying that you turn the girl under your arm and out into an open position and then bring her back again. The rhythm of the footwork stays the same as in the basic movement ("back, step - 1,2,3 - 1,2,3")



Leaders'/Men's Footwork



Here's where it gets easy guys... your footwork is Exactly The Same as the Basic! All you need to do is raise your Left arm as you go into your first Chasse (the one to the Left) and give a slight nudge with your Right hand on your lady's back. This will help her turn as you continue with your Chasse step away from her. Do your Rock Step as usual, your Chasse to the Left and your partner will be coming back in the same direction as you as you Chasse to the Right.










Followers'/Lady's Footwork



Unfortunately, this step is a little more difficult for you than it is for the guys - but that means you get the fun bit!


Begin with your Rock Step as usual.


Take your first Chasse to the Left as usual. Your partner will indicate you are about to turn by lifting your Right arm.


Pivot on your Right foot, towards your right shoulder, on the third step of your chasse.


Over the next Chasse (the the Left) continue turning to end up facing the wall that was originally to your Right. (perpendicular to your partner)



Take your Rock Step there

and then chasse forward/to the side with your Right Foot

beginning to turn and bringing your Right shoulder forward as you pass under the raised arms over the course of the three steps,

pivoting on the last step
and swinging your Left Foot underneath you in the same movement (but not putting it on the ground yet)

to enable you to take your Chasse to the Left facing your partner.





Notes for Both the Leader and the Follower:



- Make sure you both keep the arm that is connected to your partner slightly bent and think about keeping your elbow close to your waist. If you allow your arm to stretch too far, you wont be able to do your back step away from each other without losing contact. Guys, it is also much easier to lead your lady if you keep her on a "tight leash" so to speak by keeping your arm close to you... this means you will always be able to direct her movement as necessary.

Jive - Basic Movement

As we have switched Ballroom dances this week, it is only fair that we switch Latin Dances too!

The Jive is a great dance for getting your toes tapping and is most commonly done to 1940's or 50's and Classic Rock and Roll style music. It is a high energy dance that encourages quick footwork and gives a good aerobic exercise while still being a lot of fun.

Jive has a close relationship to Swing and Lindy-Hop, having originated from the same places, and therefore many of the basic steps are similar. As aficionados of either discipline may tell you, however, stylistically they are quite different. Where Swing and Lindy are usually done with bent knees and a slightly crouched posture with many of the movements having a natural relaxed feel in terms of placement, Jive is much more upright and slightly lighter on the feet with a more precise general placement.

Leaders'/Men's Footwork

The basic movement starts with a "Rock Step" which is simply two steps that rock you back onto your Left foot and then return your weight to the Right foot. So, to start, you will take your Left foot and take a step backwards and slightly across (so that it is directly behind your Right foot), making sure that you put your heel down and transfer the weight. (Count 1) Replace your Right foot where it was. (Count 2)

You then have the Jive Chasse - which is similar to the Cha Cha Chasse, but which has slight variations in technique: in Jive you have more of a bend in your knees and the hip movement is less important than in Cha Cha but it is replaced by a sort of pendulum movement (described in the Notes to Leaders and Followers below), you also have different footwork - your heels dont touch the groubd for the firts two of the three steps.

Begin by stepping side onto the ball of your Left foot(Count 3),

bring your Right foot together with the Left (without putting your heel down) - Count +,

then take another step to the side with your Left foot allowing the heel to settle to the floor (Count 4).

Reverse right away to go back towards the Right with another chasse. Step side onto the ball of your Right foot (Count 5),

bring your Left foot together without putting the heel down (Count +),

and step side again with your Right foot (Count 6).

Repeat starting again at the beginning with your Rock Step. (Each basic has one rock step and two chasses - one in each direction. Some teachers may begin with the first of the two chasses - also called a "triple step" - but the sequence repeats in the same manner regardless of where it was started.)

Follower's/Lady's Footwork

Just like the Men's Footwork, the basic movement for the Lady starts with a "Rock Step" - this is the first time that you are going to be dancing in hold with your partner and yet are going in the opposite direction. To start, you take your Right foot and take a step backwards and slightly across (so that it is directly behind your Left foot), making sure that you put your heel down and transfer the weight. (Count 1) Replace your Left foot where it was. (Count 2)

You then have the Jive Chasse - which is similar to the Cha Cha Chasse, but with slight variations in technique: in Jive you have more of a bend in your knees and the hip movement is less important than in Cha Cha but this movement is replaced by a sort of pendulum movement (described in the Notes to Leaders and Followers below). You also have different footwork; your heels dont lower on the first two steps of your chasse.

Begin by stepping side onto the ball of your Right foot (Count 3),

bring your Left foot together with the Right (without putting your heel down) - Count +,

then take another step to the side with your Right foot (Count 4).


Reverse right away to go back towards the Left with another chasse. Step side onto the ball of your Left foot (Count 5),

bring your Right foot together without lowering the heel (Count +),

and step side again with your Left foot (Count 6).


Repeat starting again at the beginning with your Rock Step. One Basic Movement is comprised of these three sections - a Rock Step, a Chasse to the Right and a Chasse to the Left. Other teachers may choose to teach it beginning on the Chasses instead of the Rock Step.

Notes for both the Leader and the Follower:

- Pendulum Movement: Instead of concentrating on hip movement and straight legs as is necessary in the Cha Cha, the Jive requires a swinging, pendulum style movement throughout. If you imagine your head as the top of the pendulum and your feet are the bottom, you will be able to picture that your feet should move more than your head. On all the steps in the Basic, but especially the Chasses, your head should remain generally neutral and your feet should sway out from underneath from side to side.

- As Jive is quite fast, it is imperative that you take small steps or you will never be able to complete the movements in the time required.

- This is the first time in a Latin dance so far that you and your partner will be going in different directions at the same time and not mirroring each other while in hold. The Rock Step is a back step for both partners. Therefore, taking small steps and leaving your head weight where it was are integral to being able to maintain a connection. If you move your body weight completely back onto your back foot as you step, you will not be able to stay in hold or you will pull your partner with you.