THE SWING STYLE

There are some basic styling points that should be mentioned. The Swing is a fast, exuberant dance, so you must maintain control or you’ll wind up sprawled out on the dance floor! To maintain balance, a firm hand grip is essential.

In Two-Hand Position, the man extends his arms forward with palms up. The woman then places her hands palms down in her partner’s hands. Think of your fingers as a hook. By cupping in with your fingers, a firm hold can be achieved and adequate tension and control will be maintained. In addition to a firm hand grip, it is essential that the forearm is held firmly for better body communication between the dancers.

Remember, the Swing is fast and lively. Think of your arms as rudders. They must be firm in order to know which way to go. If you have floppy arms, you won’t be able to respond to your partner’s lead quickly.