How to Dance Alternating Underarm Turns in East Coast Swing

The Alternating Underarm Turns in Cha Cha is a fun step for both partners because they both get a chance to turn. It is characterized by a break in the dance hold to open position, and then a full turn for the lady followed by a full turn for the man and one more full turn for the lady before returning to either closed or open dance position.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Man's steps

1. Pull your left hand toward your right shoulder and then over the lady’s head as you turn right and take a triple step--side-together-side--to the left, starting with your left foot on counts 1-and-2.

2. Turn right to face your partner and take a triple step--side-together-side--to the right, starting with your right foot, on counts 3-and-4. Lower your left hand to the lady’s waist level and take her left hand in your right so you are holding both hands.

3. Do a rock step on counts 5 and 6, stepping back on the left foot on count 5 and then replacing the weight on the right on count 6.

4. Lift your right hand over your head and pull your left hand across your belly while you go forward and turn left, dancing a triple step and starting on your left foot. You will be sending the lady past your right shoulder and behind your back. Let her hand slide out of your left hand as you turn away from her.

5. Continue turning left to face the lady while you dance a triple step, starting with your right foot. Take the lady’s right hand in your left as soon as you are able.

6. Do a rock step on counts 5, 6.

7. Lead the lady for one more underarm turn as described in Steps 1 through 3.

Lady's steps

8. Turn left and take a triple step--side-together-side--to the right, starting with your right foot, when the man leads you to go forward and turn on counts 1-and-2.

9. Turn left to face your partner and take a triple step--side-together-side--to the left on counts 3-and-4, starting with your left foot.

10. Do a rock step on counts 5, 6, stepping back on the right foot on count 5 and then replacing the weight on the left on count 6.

11. Take a triple step forward--step-together-step--starting with your right foot and turning slightly to the right, while the man makes his turn to his left on counts 1-and-2. He will lead you to go forward, past his right shoulder and behind him. Slide your right hand out of his left, allowing it to trail along his back and down his arm until he is holding your hand again.

12. Face your partner, turning right to do so, and take a triple step--side-together-side--to the left on counts 3-and-4, starting with your left foot. Allow the man to take your right hand in his left.

13. Do a rock step on counts 5, 6, stepping back on the right foot on count 5 and then replacing the weight on the left on count 6.

14. Dance another inside underarm turn, as led by your partner, described in Steps 1 through 3.

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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