Lindyhop is an 8-count dance. The basic footwork runs, "Step, step, triple-step, step, step, triple-step," or "One, two, three-and-four, five, six, seven-and-eight." The follow moves in a straight line back and forth while the lead moves around her (follows: if your lead doesn't move out of the way, drop your shoulder and run him over! It only takes once, and they'll learn to move!).
Follow: "The girl is always right." Your fist step is with your right foot. Steps one and two you step straight forward. On step three, you turn your right foot 90 degrees to your right, your half-step on your left foot is behind your right heel, and on step four, your right foot is pointing back the way you came. At this point, all your weight is on your right foot. Whether you start turning (to your right) on step five or step six depends on how your lead leads you. On your last triple step (left-right-left), you will be exactly where you started from.
Lead: Your responsibilities are to give your follow momentum and to get out of the way. Your first step, on your left foot, is about a half step backwards and to your left--this provides the momentum to bring the follow forward.. Step two is forward, and you will be parallel to your follow (NOT in her way!). Your turn on your triple-step is propelled by your follow (see armwork below) Your first triple-step (left-right-left), you turn to face your follow--you will be facing 180 degrees from where you started. Step five is back--once again providing momentum for your follow to step back in the direction she came from. Steps six and seven-and-eight bring you back to where you started from.
Armwork: This dance starts in open lindy position--lead's left hand holding the follow's right hand (as per normal). At step two, leads hold their right arm out at about even with the bottom of the follow's shoulderblades (the "Chick Magnet" manuever)--the follow will walk straight into the lead's arm between steps two and three. The follow's left arm comes up to rest on the lead's right arm (wherever it's comfortable, but NOT on the lead's back!). The lead's right hand rests with the thumb lined up on the follow's spine, low between her shoulderblades. The follow's forward momentum is directed inward, thus "turning" the lead around the follow. On step five, the follow's momentum is created by the lead's right arm--pull your follow in the direction you want her to go. Just after this pull, the lead will drop his arm to allow the follow to move forward, back into open position at the final triple-step.
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Complete footwork for leads and follows Click for full image |
Complete footwork for follows Click for full image |
Complete footwork for leads Click for full image |