whip

Start in an open position. On 1 you step back while performing a small j-hook prep with the left arm. A common mistake is not to step back at 6 o’clock or to forget the prep.

• On 2 you face 3 o’clock and catch the follower by the armpit. To be exact, your right hand should be under the follower’s right armpit such that there is no gap between the armpit and your hand. In other word, your right hand palm should be pressed against the teres major, while your fingers wrap around the lattisimus dorsi, and your thumb is pressed against the top of the axilla, meaning the intersection between the teres major and the triceps brachii long head.
• On 3& the right arm extends to where it is almost straight, which allows the follower to step forward fully. If your right elbow is flexed on the 3&, then it is as if you were telling the follower to move forward even the she should be moving backwards!
• On 4 you step into the slot such that you face 6 o’clock and the follower’s right foot is positioned directly between your feet.
• On 5 you step in the 12 o’clock direction while turning your body to face at 9 o’clock such that your right arm is not straight any more. Instead, your right elbow should be bent at a 90 degree angle such that you are face-to-face with the follower. A common mistake is not to step towards 12 o’clock on 5, which is necessary to tell the follower to move forwards.
• On 6 you release the right hand while you turn your body to face 12 o’clock. You post on 6, meaning that you stop moving forward to tell the follower the pattern is over.
• On 7&8 you do an anchor step. You should end in an open position.