By [Author Name] | May 24, 2024
So you've nailed the basic step, your triple steps are crisp, and you're starting to feel confident on the social floor. Welcome to the intermediate zone—where swing dancing gets deeper, more playful, and infinitely more rewarding.
This guide breaks down five essential moves that bridge the gap between beginner fundamentals and advanced improvisation. Each entry includes lead and follow footwork, timing guidance, and a pro tip to help you avoid the pitfalls that stall most dancers at this level. Think of it as your roadmap, not the destination—real mastery comes from hours on the floor.
1. The Charleston Kick
Why Learn It?
The Charleston Kick injects explosive energy into your dancing and opens the door to 1920s-style vocabulary that never goes out of fashion.
The Breakdown
- Lead's Footwork: Step back on your left foot (count 1), kick forward with your right (count 2), step down on the right (count 3), and close or step the left foot (count 4). Repeat on the opposite side for counts 5–8.
- Follow's Footwork: Mirror the lead—step back right, kick left forward, step down left, close right.
- Timing & Musicality: Danced in 8-count phrases. This move shines at faster tempos (180+ BPM), where grounded kicks replace bouncy jumps.
Pro Tip
Keep your knees slightly bent and your weight centered over the balls of your feet. A common mistake is leaning back during the kick, which throws off balance and connection. Grounded kicks look sharper and feel safer.
[VIDEO EMBED: Charleston Kick Demo — Front and Side Angles]
2. The Swingout Variation
Why Learn It?
The basic swingout is the heartbeat of Lindy Hop. Intermediate dancers distinguish themselves by adding texture—pivots, spins, and delayed rhythms—without losing the move's core flow.
The Breakdown
- Prerequisite: Solid understanding of the 8-count swingout, including the closed position (partners facing each other in a firm but relaxed ballroom-style frame).
- Variation — The Pivot: On counts 5–6, instead of a standard pass-by, the lead initiates a rotational impulse so both partners pivot 180 degrees on count 6, then complete the return to closed position by count 8.
- Follow's Role: Stay responsive to frame changes. The pivot requires a slightly tighter connection through the lead's right hand on the follow's back.
Common Pitfall
Rushing the pivot. Many dancers try to rotate too early on count 5, which collapses the slot and confuses the follow. Wait until the follow has committed to passing before initiating rotation.
[DIAGRAM: Swingout Variation Footwork — Top-Down View]
3. The Texas Tommy
Why Learn It?
Born in the 1910s vaudeville and early jazz dance scene, the Texas Tommy was one of the first social dances to break from strict partner-position conventions. Its revival in modern swing makes it a stylish, historically rich addition to your repertoire.
The Breakdown
- Lead's Footwork: Rock step on counts 1–2. On counts 3–4, extend your left arm upward and outward to create an arch, stepping back with your right foot to clear space. Catch and redirect on counts 5–8.
- Follow's Footwork: Triple step forward on counts 3–4, traveling under the lead's left arm. Spot your turn by focusing on the lead's shoulder, then complete a relaxed spin, exiting with a triple step on counts 5–6 and settling on 7–8.
- Timing & Musicality: Best suited to medium-to-fast tempos with a strong, driving rhythm.
Pro Tip
The follow's spin should be led, not forced. The lead creates the pathway with a lifted elbow and clear body positioning; the follow's momentum does the rest. Jerking the arm is a fast track to a bruised partner and a reputation you'd rather not have.
4. The Pretzel
Why Learn It?
The Pretzel is pure social-floor joy—visually intricate, surprisingly simple once mapped out, and guaranteed to draw smiles.
The Breakdown
- The Setup: From a two-hand open position, the lead raises their left hand and brings it behind their own head, guiding the follow's right hand in a loop.
- The Path: Both partners rotate in place through a sequence of cross-body turns that weave the connected arms into a twisted, "pretzel" shape, then reverse the motion to untwist.
- Timing: Typically stretched across 8 counts, though experienced dancers can compress
