How to Dance an Outside Underarm Turn in East Coast Swing

East Coast Swing is a fun ballroom dance, but it is fast so it does not take long to perform a lot of different steps. The outside underarm turn is an East Coast Swing step that is very common and easy. Women who like to turn generally love this pattern. During this pattern, the lady turns under the man’s arm, either turning in place or moving past the man’s left shoulder while he turns to face her.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Man's Steps

1. Lift your left hand over the lady’s head and lead her to turn to her right as you take a triple step—side-together-side—to the left, starting with your left foot on counts one-and-two. Lead the lady to move toward your left side as she turns, while you dance your triple step forward to change places with her.

2. Dance a triple step—side-together-side—to the right, starting with your right foot, on counts three-and-four. Lower your left hand to the lady’s waist level. If you led her to change places with you, you will need to keep turning on this step until you are facing her again.

3. Do a rock step on counts five-and-six, stepping back on the left foot on count five and then replacing the weight on the right on count six.

Lady's Steps

4. Turn right and take a triple step—step-together-step—to the right, starting with your right foot, when the man leads you to turn on counts one-and-two. He will either turn you in place or lead you past his left shoulder to change places with you.

5. Continue turning right until you are facing your partner while you take a triple step—step-together-step—to the left on counts three-and-four, starting with your left foot.

6. Do a rock step on counts five-and-six, stepping back on the right foot on count five and then replacing the weight on the left on count six.

Tips & Warnings

• Take all steps in East Coast Swing with the ball of the foot first and then lower the heel on the triple steps only. The heel should not lower on the first count of the rock step.
• Dance a triple step by taking three steps within two beats of music. The second step lands between beats on the "and" count. A rock step is a small step back on one foot with a brief change of weight before returning the weight to the forward foot.
• Start in open dance position—face your partner and hold the lady’s right hand in the man’s left at the lady’s waist level.

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