Move · Videos · Technique · 13 min

East Coast Swing for Beginners: Basic Step and Two Turns

East Coast Swing for Beginners: Basic Step and Two Turns — video by Country Dance X Play · 12:34

Video by Country Dance X on YouTube · Open on YouTube

Anthony and Rose Lewis of X Dance teach the East Coast swing basic (triple step, triple step, rock step), the right and left turns, and a simple way to see every pattern as three two-beat sections. A swing dance for weddings and most music. Best with a partner.

  • 13 min
  • Beginner
  • Low impact (no jumping)
  • No equipment
  • Swing

Good forDancing for fun

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Step by step 9

Tap a time to watch that step in the video.

  1. Basic step from a two-hand hold: triple step, triple step, rock step; leaders start left. 1:56
  2. Swing hold in an open V; on the rock step stay together rather than swinging apart. 2:46
  3. Think of the six beats as three sections of two beats each. 4:02
  4. Right turn: prepare on section one, turn on section two, rock on section three. 4:55
  5. Left turn: turn on section one, triple in place on section two, rock on section three. 6:05
  6. Amount of turn: three-quarters for the follower on the right turn; a half each on the left turn. 6:38
  7. Every pattern follows the same structure, so the follower always knows what comes next. 7:28
  8. Combine turns into patterns, such as a left turn followed by a right turn. 9:38
  9. Watch the basic and both turns danced together to music. 11:20

The steps are a summary in our words, checked against the video — the coach shows every move.

Form cues from the coach

  • Leaders start with the left foot, followers the right: side-together-side twice, then a rock step
  • Keep an open V on the rock step instead of swinging apart
  • Right turn: prepare, turn, rock; left turn: turn, triple in place, rock

What it works

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Joints it uses light on the joints

  • Hips movesside-together-side triples, rock step
  • Knees movestriple steps, rock steps, pivots and turns
  • Ankles & feet movestriple steps, rock and replace

A guide to the joints this video’s moves load, from what the coach does — not medical advice. Some ache is normal; stop if a joint hurts sharply. How joints are rated

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Video by Country Dance X; the summary, steps, cues, body areas and joint notes are Notbroken’s, written from what the coach actually does in the video and checked a second time. Warm up first, take the easier options until a move feels easy, and stop if you feel sharp pain, chest pain or dizziness. General instruction, not advice for your body. About & safety