Intermediate Patterns & Turns
12 moves · updated 11h ago · 1 revision
For dancers comfortable with the foundations who want vocabulary: traveling turns, the whip family, wraps, and the beginnings of musicality tools. Roughly ordered by how most intermediate curricula sequence them.
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- Inside RollintermediateLearner notes
The traveling turn that unlocks half the intermediate syllabus. Followers: small steps, stacked posture. Get one clean roll before chasing doubles.
- Free SpinintermediateLearner notes
Released turns build balance you'll need everywhere. Practice both from a tuck and from a right side pass.
- Whip with Inside TurnintermediateLearner notes
First whip variation — one new skill on a familiar skeleton. Turn happens after the post, not on it.
- Whip with Outside TurnintermediateLearner notes
The mirror. If your inside-turn whip is clean, this mostly tests your prep timing.
- Basket WhipintermediateLearner notes
First wrap. Keep both hands low; the wrap sits at the waist and comes from body rotation.
- CuddleintermediateLearner notes
Learn the wrap as a position you can stay in, decorate, and leave — not just a pattern that ends. Try holding it for an extra 2 counts on slow songs.
- Wrapped WhipintermediateLearner notes
Combines the last two ideas. Naming varies wildly between scenes — focus on the shape, not the label.
- RipcordintermediateLearner notes
Your first redirect. Lead the reversal softly from the center — it should feel like elastic, not a yank.
- Hip CatchintermediateLearner notes
Compression displaced to the hip. Gorgeous on slow music; practice making the rebound feel unhurried.
- ThrowoutintermediateLearner notes
A release with drama. Time it to a hit in the music and you've got your first choreographed-feeling moment.
full videoJordan Frisbee (leader) &Tatiana Mollmann (follower)Pro tutorial — they call it a toss-out; same pattern.
Jordan Frisbee & Tatiana Mollmann: HOW TO DANCE A PERFECT TOSS-OUT in WEST COAST SWING
Watch on YouTubeadded by archivist - SwivelsintermediateLearner notes
Followers: styling, always optional. Start with walk-walk swivels on sugar pushes at slow tempos. Leaders: your job is to give room and keep the connection honest.
- Barrel RolladvancedLearner notes
The capstone: both partners traveling and turning in one lane. Only start this once traveling rolls feel automatic.