How to Dance an Open Break Underarm Turn in Night Club Two Step

The Open Break Underarm Turn in Night Club Two Step is a pattern that is danced in several other Latin dances. It often leads into and out of other patterns, although it can be danced on its own. It is characterized by a break in the dance hold where the partners both step back away from each other, and then the lady dances a complete underarm turn before returning to closed or open dance position.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Man's Steps
   
   Take a rock step with your left foot on quick-quick, placing the ball of your left foot slightly behind your right and changing weight slightly before replacing the weight on the right foot. Do not lower the heel of your left foot.

2. Step to the side on your left foot on the slow count.

3. Take a rock step with your right foot on quick-quick, placing the ball of your right foot slightly behind your left and changing weight slightly before replacing the weight on the left foot. Do not lower the heel of your right foot.

4. Step to the side on your right foot on the slow count, letting go of your partner with your right hand and lowering your left to her waist level. Allow your partner to move slightly away from you.

5. Take a rock step with your left foot on quick-quick, placing the ball of your left foot straight back and changing weight slightly before replacing the weight on the right foot. Do not lower the heel of your left foot. At the same time, lead your partner to step back away from you. Do not move your right foot.

6. Step to the side on your left foot on the slow count. At the same time, raise your left hand to your partner’s eye level. You should still be holding her right hand in your left.

7. Turn slightly to your right and take a small step back on your right foot on the first quick while leading your partner to make a 360 degree turn to her right by making a circle around her head with your left hand over the next two counts. If you were looking down from above, your hand would move clockwise. Do not move your left foot.

8. Replace your weight on your left foot on the second quick.

9. Turn slightly to your left to face your partner and step to the side on your right foot on the slow count. You may place your right hand on her back again or continue dancing with the one-hand hold. This will be the beginning of the next step as well as the end of this one.

10. Lady's Steps
    
    Take a rock step back with your right foot on quick-quick, placing the ball of your right foot slightly behind your left and changing weight slightly before replacing the weight on the left foot. Do not lower the heel of your right foot.

11. Step to the side on your right foot on the slow count.

12. Take a rock step with your left foot on quick-quick, placing the ball of your left foot slightly behind your right and changing weight slightly before replacing the weight on the right foot. Do not lower the heel of your left foot.

13. Step to the side on your left foot on the slow count. The man will release his right hand from your back, so release your left hand from his shoulder. He will also lower your right hand to your waist level, allowing you to move slightly away from him as you step to the side.

14. Take a rock step back with your right foot on quick-quick, placing the ball of your right foot straight back and changing weight slightly before replacing the weight on the left foot. Do not lower the heel of your right foot.

15. Step to the side on your right foot on the slow count. The man will raise your right hand to indicate you will be turning.

16. Turn to your right and take a small step forward on your left foot on the first quick. Do not move your right foot. Your partner will be leading you to turn by moving your arm in a circle.

17. Turn half way around to your right and replace the weight back onto your right foot on the second quick.

18. Turn right to face your partner and step to the side on your left foot on the slow count.

Tips & Warnings

• Night Club Two Step is counted as quick, quick, slow. A quick count is one beat and a slow count is two beats.
• Closed dance position: lady’s right hand in the man’s left, held at about eye level. Man’s right hand on lady’s left shoulder blade (under her left arm). Lady’s left hand flat on the man’s back, just behind his shoulder. There should be space between the partners.

[iamageniuster]

on 1/12/2009 Great tips. Nice article.

[Dino1353]

on 1/10/2009 Great tips thanks for the article!

[angeladent]

on 1/10/2009 Wonderful article, thanks!