Basket Whip

A whip variation danced with two hands in which the follower is turned at the post into a wrapped ("basket") position facing away from the leader, then unwound home.

The wrap happens around counts 3&4–5 with both hands held low; the exit typically unwinds the follower on 5–6 before the anchor. A friendly first "shape" whip: the geometry is showy but the timing stays plain whip timing. Watch for cranked shoulders — the wrap should sit at the follower's waist, led from body rotation.

Common notes

• Regionally also called the locked whip: Robert Royston notes "some places in the country call this a basket whip. Locked whip, basket whip — same thing."¹
• The follower's path is dead straight — all the way forward with no turn, then straight back — while the leader dances the same footwork as a basic whip.²
• Keep the basket relaxed: the leader's hand rests at the follower's hip and the free hand stays off the body rather than clamping the wrap shut.³
• The lead is a shape, not a pull: Brian B teaches "creating a basket with my right arm that she comes into" — and points out the built-in delay at the far end, where the follower stays anchored away until the leader moves across.⁴