Core Patterns

West Coast Swing is based on four core patterns. The best description of these four patterns was taught by Chirstopher Hussey and Katrina. The four patterns are descried as follows:

1) Starter Step:
A 4 count pattern containing two sets of triple steps. Usually used at the start of dance but there is no reason you can get into starter step during the middle of a dance

2) Patterns with compression (e.g sugar push/push break, tuck turn etc)
There are three things that happen during this move. Breakdown of 6 count sugarpush in realtion to this framework is given in brackets.

1) Lady enters the move ( beat 1 and 2, Lady does 2 walks towards her partner)

2 ) Man leads a compression and sends the lady back the way (beat 3 & 4, Man compresses and pushes the lady back the way)


3) Exit the move & Anchor ( beat 5 & 6, both partner anchor)


3) Patterns where partners pass (e.g. Left side pass, Underarm turn/right side pass etc)
Again there are three things that happen during the move. Breakdown of a 6 count left side pass in relation to this framework is given in brackets.


1) Lady enters the move ( beat 1 and 2, Lady does 2 walks towards her partner as gents open up the slot inviting the lady to travel down the left hand side)

2 ) Lady passes the partner (beat 3 & 4, lady does her triple as she pass her partner)


3) Exist the move and Anchor ( beat 5 & 6, both partner anchor)

4) Whip (all whip variations)
There are four things that happen during the move. Breakdown of a 8 count whip in relation to this framework is given in brackets.

1) Lady enters the move ( beat 1 and 2, Lady does 2 walks as gents do a J lead)

2 ) Lady is redirected (beat 3 & 4, lady does her coaster step and changes direction)

3) Lady exists the move ( beat 5&6, Lady does two walks back the way)


The important thing to remember is that the framework provided above (apart from the starter step) do not specify a number of steps or counts for each of the patterns. Therefore, a sugarpush/push break can be a 6 count, 8 count, 10 count etc as long as the framework is maintained.


4) Anchor ( beat 7 & 8, both partner anchor)