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Lindy Hop Notes

·2 mins
Dance Lindy Hop

General #

In Lindy Hop, like in Charleston, steps 1 and 2 involve rocking backward and forward, with step 1 being a left-foot step backwards.

Handholds #

Left-to-right #

Your left hand and the follower’s right hand should be connected like a towel on a bar, meaning the follower’s hand should be hanging on the lead’s left hand. The arms should be relaxed as if they were rubber bands attached at the shoulders and hands.

Positions #

Closed position #

Stand in an L position, perpendicular to the follower. Your right hand should be placed on the follower’s middle back, not around the waist because this may prevent the follower from turning and because it feels creepy. This is not ballroom hold in the slightest.

Left-to-right closed position #

Same as in a closed position, but with a left-to-right handhold.

Open position #

You stand in front of the follower with a left-to-right hand connection.

Patterns #

Basic #

Step back on 1 with the left leg. Step forward on 2 with the right leg. Steps 1 and 2 are a rock step. Steps 3&4 are a triple step forward with the left leg. Steps 5&6 are a triple step backward with the right leg.

Swing out #

Start in a [starter position]. Do a rock stop. Back with left foot (1), front with right foot (2), and then step forward with your left foot to do a triple step (3&4) while leaning your body forward and using your right arm to lead the follower forward. You can signal the open position by extending your right hand fingers relative to your palm, freeing her waist and allowing her to move forward. Steps 5&6 are triple step with the right leg moving backwards.

You should end in an open position.

Basic break #

Start in a left-to-right closed position. On 1 and 2 do a 2-beat rock-step. On 3 stomp solidly into the floor with your left leg on 3, while leaning your body forwards. On 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 shake your hips forwards and backwards.

Lindy Hop sequences #

Novice pattern:

  • 1 basic 6-beat pattern in [starter position]
  • 1 basic 6-beat pattern into open position
  • 1 inside turn (either lead an inside turn, or do an inside turn)
  • 1 inside turn (lead it) into closed position
  • 1 basic break