Underarm Turn for the lady begins on her left foot. Spot Turn for the lady starts on her right foot.

The Spot turn would follow an Open Break. The Underarm Turn would normally follow a Left Turning Box.

These are some of the differences between the two "Underarm Turns".

Both are figures used in American Smooth and Rhythm.

Let me know if you would like more information or more details.

Jiver, the Spot turn you refer to is also commonly referred to as an underarm turn. Usually "spot turn" is used to refer to the type of turn, which can be done as a free turn or an underarm turn.

Twnkltoz,

Correct. Spot Turn is another right turn that is done on the "spot". Or another term would be a "Pivot Turn". These are all Underarm Turns. Or free turns, as in a Walk Around Turn. Which is a Spot Turn without connection of the hands.

For example, in American Rumba, an Underarm Turn would be done with a total of 12 steps or 4 sets of Slow, Quick, Quick. Also in American Rumba, a Spot Turn would be done with a total of 12 steps. As in the Underarm Turn.

However, the Underarm turn would include the first half of a box with six steps, two sets of (S,Q,Q), being the Underarm Turn to the right, for the Lady, followed by the second half of the box. With the Spot Turn, begin with half a box then into an Open Break into the Spot Turn, again to the right, for the Lady, finally a Fifth Position Break to complete the pattern.

As stated earlier the Underarm Turn for the Lady would begin with her left foot. The Spot Turn, for the Lady, would begin with her right foot.

For the Underarm Turn, the Man would do two full Boxes, 4 sets of (S,Q,Q). For the Spot Turn, the Man would do the first half of a Box, an Open Break, a Back Rock and finally a Fifth Position Break.

A Underarm Turn is simply a Spot Turn by the lady, either to the left or right, turning under the mans raised left arm. On this site, click on Complete List. Then select Cha, then Underarm Turn. Click on Featured Steps, click on Media.then Quicktime. It sounds difficult but it is not. Rumba will be the same without the 4 and one Chasse. You can also find the written instructions for the man and the lady.

Quickstep,

Correct.

The term Underarm Turn is a general term, in my opinion, that encompasses a turn by a Lady or Man to pass under a raised arm.

An Underarm Turn Right is different than a Spot Turn Right. These are two different steps grouped under the heading Underarm Turn.

Just like a Fruit is a general term used to describe an apple or an orange.

Thank you for your response and feedback. It is nice to exchange notes.

I hope these responses will help Mediaplayer.

I think you will find that a Underarm Turn for the lady is the same as a Spot Turn . Find description and demonstration on this site, then all will be revealed.

Attention to Detail. When the lady dances an Underarm Turm, does she turn under the gent's arm? both arms? or her own arm? Check this! you may be surprised has I was.

Thank you for all of your help, I 'll try to practice these figures..Nice to meet you!

"underarm term" is an imprecise definition

Spot turn as a latin syllabus figure has certain characteristics. The footwork and action are quite similar to an underarm turn, but the hand position is usually different. You can also do a spot turn to the left starting with a forward step on the right foot.

Alemana is a specific latin syllabus underarm turn. It's very similar to the spot turn going in the same direction. The main differences is that an alemana is step, turn, step, turn, wheras a spot turn is step, turn, replace, turn. Done sloppily they cannot be distinguished.

In Rumba we had this Spot Turn, Underarm Turn Alamana Turn battle once before. At that time there were several people who seemed to believe that the Spot Turn and the Alamana Turn were the the same, not realising that in the Alamana there are three walks. In the Spot Turn there are two walks. The key difference is in both cases beat three. One is a replacment, the other is a foreward walk. Now the Underarm Turn to the ladies right. Question. After a Spot Turn action and the replacement on beat three do you turn into your partner, or do you do a full walk with your left foot and then turn at the end of.