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4. Underarm Turn to R.
Fact Sheet
Official Name:Underarm Turn to R.
Dance / Level:Beginning Bronze East Coast Swing
Aliases:Arc Turn, Outside Underarm Turn, Change of Places Right to Left
Suggested
Prerequisites:
None

Underarm Turns are a staple of East Coast Swing. The basic Underarm Turn to Right is typically the first one taught to newcomers, and often paired with the Underarm Turn to Left (figure #5).

One of the nicer features of the beginning and intermediate levels of East Coast Swing is the consistent 6-count "chasse, chasse, rock step" formula across all of the figures. With each figure the formula is maintained, while the exact directions, amounts of turn and relationship between the man and lady are different for each figure.

For the Underarm Turn to Right, the underarm turn itself takes place over the course of the two chasses (1a2, 3a4). The lady's first chasse is to the side, but curving to end forward. This is followed by a chasse to the side, taking a total of 3/4 turn over the 6 steps. The man takes his two chasses to the side, turning 1/4 to left over his second chasse. They end facing each other to take a rock step back (1,2) in open position.

Although the turn ends in open facing position, it can begin either closed or open.

The Underarm Turn to Right can be repeated, however it is much more common to follow with an Underarm Turn to Left (figure #5). These two underarm turns are seen in pairs more often than not (the turn to the left typically following the turn to the right), and the pairs are often repeated and mixed with the Basic Step in both open position and closed hold.

Variations of Turn

The basic amount of turn shown in the man's and lady's charts is 3/4 to the right for the lady, and 1/4 to the left for the man overall. He can also lead her to turn 7/8 or 1 full turn. When she turns 7/8 to right, he will turn 1/8 to left. When she takes 1 full turn, he will have no turn.

The above amounts of turn are all taken when the man and lady begin in either closed or open facing position. If begun in promenade position, they will each have 1/8 less than the amounts of turn when begun with the couple facing each other squarely. For example, from promenade, if the lady turns 5/8 to right, the man turns 1/8 to left to end in open facing position. If the lady turns 3/4, the man has no turn.

Variations of Hand Holds

From closed position, only a LH-RH hand hold is possible for the underarm turn. However, from open facing position, an underarm turn can be danced with either a normal LH-RH hold, or a RH-RH "handshake" hold.

In the full bronze and above levels, more options are available for hand holds: (1) LH-LH handshake hold, (2) RH-LH hold, (3) double hold (both hands overhead), (4) double handshake hold, RH-RH over LH-LH (both hands overhead).

 

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