Left-side passes

Left-side passes #

Left-side pass #

Start from an [open] position. For the footwork, on 1 step backwards and to the right 45 degrees counter-clockwise, on step 2 step step backwards and to the right 45 degrees counter-clockwise. On step 3&4 step back and then front with the left leg, such that step 4 goes back into the slot at a 45 degree angle. On steps 5&6 do an anchor step, such that another 45 degrees are added on step 5.

Fold #

Start from an [open] position. The footwork can be the same as in a [left-side pass]. However, it looks better if on step 4 your body faces 9 o’clock because the follower is also facing 9 o’clock. Then do the 5&6 anchor step to face 6 o’clock while the follower faces 12 o’clock. You should end in an [open] position.

As for the handwork, on beats 1 thru 3 do a [left] hand prep at waist level. You may use you left-hand middle and ring fingers and a sign-of-horn for the handle on beats 3&4. You may also do a bracelet around the follower’s wrist using your pinky and thumb as she rotates on 3&4.

Scout fold RAG free spin #

Start in a [scout] position. The footwork is the same as in a [fold] up to but not including 4. On 3& you should be standing on the left side of the slot facing 9 o’clock. On 4 take a step from the left side of the slot to the right side of the slot with you left foot pointing at 5 o’clock and your body facing 6 o’clock. On 4, the goal is to move down the slot as the follower travels and end up to the right of her, not behind of her. On 5&6 you should be facing 3 o’clock. On 7&8 do a triple step so you end up facing 2 o’clock. On 9&10 catch the follower’s hand while doing an anchor. You should end in an [open] position. Notice that there is not a lot of travel in the 5&6 because you are unwinding the follower; she cannot travel. On 7&8 there may not be a lot of travel either; the spin begins on 7, so there is not a lot of travel that can happen on 7.

As for the handwork, on 1 lead the follower back with the left hand. On 1.5 do a [left] prep. On 3&4 wrap the back of your left hand on the follower’s right side of the waist. On 4 the follower should be facing 6 o’clock and you should be facing 9 o’clock. On 5&6 unwind the follower so she faces 12 o’clock. This is the equivalent of steps 1 and the [left] prep in a [free spin]. For styling, on 5&6 you may choose to hold the follower’s left forearm with your right hand. On 7&8 give the follower a counter-clockwise spin. On 9&10 catch the follower’s hand. You should end in an [open] position.

Left-side inside chain turn #

Start from an [open] position. The footwork is the same as a left-side pass. The handwork is different. On step 1 go straight back (maybe raising your hand to her shoulder level). On 2 do [left] prep at the follower’s face level. On 3&4 lead 1.5 chain turns. You should end in an [open] position.

Left-side inside chain turn into closed position #

Start from an [open] position. The footwork and most of the handwork is the same as a [left-side inside chain turn]. For the handwork, on 3& you should see the follower’s back, so place your right hand onto the followers left shoulder blade to achieve a [closed] position as the turn finishes and you step forward on 4.

Left-side starter inside chain turn into open position #

Whenever you are in a [closed] or [starter] position, your first two steps are half the length, so the [left] prep for the inside chain turn will happen on 2 rather than between 1 and 2. [^2]

Start in a [starter] position. Steps 1, 2, and 3& are done while facing 9 o’clock. Step 1 is to 6 o’clock. Step 2 is to 6 o’clock, but you must cross your right leg behind your left leg. Step 3 in the 3& is a back towards 3 o’clock so that your left foot goes backwards more so than where the right foot is standing. It looks better than doing the 3& in place. Step & in the 3& is done almost in place because there is very little travel towards 6 o’clock. Step 4 is diagonal towards 7:30 o’clock. Steps 5&6 are an anchor step. You should end in an [open] position.

Left-side starter back-lead free-spin #

Start in a [starter] position. The handwork for 1 is to lead the follower towards 6 o’clock using a flat right hand. On 1.5 lead the follower towards 7 o’clock with the palm of your right hand, which is the equivalent of the [left] prep. On 3 flex your wrist to lead the follower towards 5 o’clock. The right hand will disconnect from the shoulder blade on 3 and the follower will enter into a [free spin].

Typically for an [free spin], you would use your right hand to lead a [left] prep on 1.5 and lead the follower into the turn. In this case you are doing the same prep with the same hand and on the same beats, but from a [starter] position.

Left-side starter outside turn into a weird handshake position #

This is a pattern that Ray Trusty taught me.

Start in a [starter] position. Steps 1, 2, and 3& are done while facing 9 o’clock. Step 1 is to 6 o’clock. Step 2 is to 6 o’clock, but you must cross your right leg behind your left leg. Step 3 in the 3& is a back towards 3 o’clock so that your left foot goes backwards more so than where the right foot is standing. It looks better than doing the 3& in place. Step & in the 3& is done almost in place because there is very little travel towards 6 o’clock. Step 4 is diagonal towards 7:30 o’clock. Your left foot may be able to finish pointing directly at 6 o’clock. Steps 5&6 are an anchor step. You should end in an [weird handshake] position.

For the handwork, you should be able to do this pattern with your left hand in your pocket. On beats 1 and 2 your hand stays on the follower’s left shoulder. On step 3&4 you do a push-and-pull to lead the follower into a 0.5 clockwise turn. For the pulling motion on 4, you may need to use your right-hand fingertips to leverage the follower’s left shoulder blade groove. Without the grove, you will have nowhere to pull from. If you lead the 3&4 correctly, the follower will do a [right side-check] while turning 0.25 turns clockwise. The remaining 0.25 clockwise turn will be done by the follower on the anchor step. On 5&6, as the follower turns clockwise, slide your right hand across the follower’s back while rotating it into a [weird handshake] position without losing connection with the follower at any point throughout the entire pattern.

Next pattern suggestion:

• [handshake reverse whip]

Left-side outside pass #

Also known as passing tuck.

For the handwork, start in [open] position. Raise your left hand above her head by step 2 such that her right hand is in front and above her face with about 1 feet of distance. On the 3&4 there should be some compression buildup so the highest compression happens on step 4 whenever you step into the slot and the follower begins the turn. By step 6 the hands should go back down to about waist-level.

Left-side pass outside pass turn into weird handshake position #

Also known as a tuck turn.

Once you are in [starter] or a [closed] position, let go of your left hand. Put your left hand in your pocket if you want to look cool. This pattern must be lead entirely with the right hand.

Start from a [starter] or a [closed] position. Steps 1 and 2 are to your left such that the right leg hooks behind the left. You should walk perpendicular to the slot on steps 1 and 2. Step 3&4 requires you to push the follower at the latissimus dorsi and then use your fingertips to pull the follower with a rotating motion by flexing all your right hand fingertips except your thumb at her left scapula middle border connection point. After you flex your fingertips and the follower begins rotating, immediately turn your right hand into a [weird] position without loosing connection with the follower’s back. As the follower rotates, slide your hand across the follower’s right scapula, tricep, forearm, and hand. You should be in [weird handshake] position by the time you do an anchor step.

Next pattern suggestions:

• [hairbrush]
• [handshake reverse whip]

Free spin #

A [goofy] unconnected [right-side inside chain turn].

Start from a [goofy] position. The footwork is the same as in a left-side pass. On step 2 prep to the left and on step 3 throw the hand to the right so the follower turns counter-clockwise. Step 3 is a back drop so that your backwards body movement causes the follower to rotate counter-clockwise. On 4 don’t walk into the slot if possible; step in place. On 5, catch the follower’s hand. On 5&6 do an anchor step. You should end in a [open] position.

Free spin leader pivot turn #

Star from a [goofy] position. This pattern is identical to the [free spin] up to step 3&. On 3& the follower faces 9 o’clock. On 4 the leader steps across while rotating 0.5 turns clockwise to face 3 o’clock. On 5&6 rotate 0.25 turns clockwise to face 6 o’clock while extending your left arm to grab the follower’s right arm and reach an [open] position.

Roll-in-roll-out #

It is similar to a [free spin]. It requires a [goofy] handhold.

Left-side goofy inside chain turn into closed position #

A pattern that [Bob Bowlby] and Joan Peeples taught me.

Prep 1 is on line with the follower’s shoulder. Prep 2 is on line with the follower’s face. Step 3&4 is over and behind the followers head such that the follower’s hand gets released on step 4 so your right hand can slide down the follower’s head. On step 4 step back into the slot into closed position.

Trusty left-side pass #

A pattern that Ray Trusty taught me.

Use it from a [handshake] position. On 1, step back while turning 90 degrees counter-clockwise. On 2, turn 90 degrees counter-clockwise so the follower is facing your back. As you perform the half turn, bring your right hand over your right shoulder and then drop the follower’s hand on your shoulder. On 3&4 turn 180 degrees counter-clockwise such that the followers hand slides around the back of your neck and down your left arm, leaving you in an [open] position.

Weird handshake left-side pass inside chain turn right picture hold walk-around into open position #

Start form a [handshake] or a [weird handshake]. Lead an inside chain turn and then go into a [right picture] position and then do a two-step walk-around before anchoring back. On steps 1 and 2, lead two steps back and prep a left-side pass with an inside chain turn. On steps 3&4, lead the inside chain turn such that instead of drawing a halo over the follower, your right hand draws a partial halo do you can bring your right hand behind her head, then behind your left shoulder, head, and finally to your right shoulder. For the turn to work such that you are able to bring your right hand behind your neck, the follower’s right hand must be prepped at neck level before the turn begins. On &4, your left hand should also be extended at chest-level so that you catch the follower’s back by the end of the rotation. By the end of &4, you should look like you are standing together to take a picture! On 4 also make sure to make a bigger step than usual. You are not stepping into the slot, you are stepping past it, since steps 4, 5, and 6 are part of the walk-around. On the walk-around, the follower will step backwards and stay in place, while you step forwards around her for 0.5 turns. Finally on 7&8, you will move away from each other while her arm slides down your left hand so you will end up in [open] position.

Left-side inside chain turn into wrap hip catch alternating chain turns #

Start in a [parallel] position. Step 1 is back and to the right. On 2 step back and face 9 o’clock. On 3&4 perform a triple step while facing 9 o’clock. On &5 step towards 6 o’clock such that you end up facing 9 o’clock with split weight on both legs. Hold on 6 while building tension in the 12 o’clock direction. On 7&8 perform a triple step starting with your left foot while moving in the 12 o’clock direction. You should be facing 6 o’clock, at the follower. On 9&10 perform another triple step in the 12 o’clock direction. Make sure you have a lot of clearance in the 12 o’clock direction if you decide to repeat steps 7&8 and 9&10. The remaining footwork will depend on the exit you take.

This pattern has three exits:

• hip-lead inside chain turn into closed position: on 11&12 pull on the left hip with your right hand while you turn counter-clockwise from 6 to 3 o’clock and step to the left of the slot. As the follower turns, keep your hand connected to the hip while maintaining force in the 12 o’clock direction, causing her to walk past you. Then use your left hand to grab her right hand. On 13&14 do an anchor step. You should end in an [open] position.

• hip-lead inside chain turn into left side redirect into open position: on 11&12 pull on the left hip with your right hand. As the follower turns, keep your hand connected to the hip. As she turns and her back becomes visible, slide your hand from the right hip to the right armpit and catch the latissiums dorsi, absorbing the angular momentum. You should end in an [open] position. Perform a triple step on 13&14 to get on the right foot.

• hip-lead inside chain turn into a left-side dip into closed position: on 11&12 pull on the left hip with your right hand while you turn counter-clockwise from 6 to 3 o’clock and step to the left of the slot. As she turns and her back becomes visible, slide your hand from the right hip to the right armpit and catch the latissiums dorsi, but to not absorb the angular momentum so she gets wrapped into your right arm as you lean to the right, causing a dip on 13. On 14 unwrap the hand while standing up, causing the follower to face 12 o’clock. You should be in a [starter] position.

On 4, the follower should be wrapped in with both of your hands at waist level while shes faces 6 o’clock and you face 9 o’clock, so release the left hand without moving it away from the hip because you will pull you right hand to unwind her and catch her hip on 5. On the & of the &5 the follower the follower goes from facing 6 o’clock to facing 12 o’clock. The hip should already be caught, but with little force. On 5 she faces 3 o’clock while your hand is still on the hip.

In this pattern you must lead the alternating chain turns by the hip on beats 7&8 and 9&10. As you do so, your left hand hand can go from a regular position when grabbing the left hip, to a weird position when grabbing the right hip. You are not so much grabbing as you are hooking the hip and pulling on it to generate the rotation. The belly and hip areas are safe. Anything below or above that is not.

The initial 7&8 inside chain turn is done with the left hand, but you must switch to using your right hand because this allows you to perform the exits more cleanly.

Shadow position into sweetheart into scout handhold #

Start in an over-rotated [open] position such that you face 3 o’clock as opposed to 12 o’clock and the follower faces 9 o’clock instead of 6 o’clock.

On 1, turn clockwise while passing the follower’s hand from your left hand to your right hand so you face 9 o’clock and have a [handshake] handhold. On 2 your left leg is free, so use it to do a left tap step. On 3 change weight onto your left leg. On 4 do a right tap step. On 5 change your weight onto your right leg and on 6 change your weight onto your left leg, creating a sense of compression and tension that tells the follower to move in the 6 o’clock direction. On 7&8 do a triple step into a sweetheart, meaning you raise your left hand at shoulder level to catch the follower’s left hand. You also bring your hand to follower shoulder height. Hold on 1 and 2 as the follower does a press line. On 2 pull the follower backward while you stand with split weight. On 3&4 triple step backward while entering a [scout] handhold position. There is no anchor.

Next pattern suggestion:

• [free spin]
• [Scout fold RAG free spin]

Reached via:

• [whip with two outside turns into over-rotated open position]
• [sugar tuck into over-rotated open position]