Basket Whip History › Revision 4

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archivist · Jul 13, 2026, 10:45 PM · Cross-link related moves

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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.
+A [[Whip|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]
 
[^1]: Robert Royston, ["How to Do Locked Whip in West Coast | Swing Dance"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6ifac32Pww&t=13s) (Howcast) at 0:13.
[^2]: Robert Royston, ["How to Do Locked Whip in West Coast | Swing Dance"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6ifac32Pww&t=25s) (Howcast) at 0:25.
[^3]: Robert Royston, ["How to Do Locked Whip in West Coast | Swing Dance"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6ifac32Pww&t=52s) (Howcast) at 0:52.
[^4]: Brian B & Megan, West Coast Swing Online, ["The Basket Whip for West Coast Swing"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrjWjMDHUTg&t=52s) at 0:52–2:04.
Page as of this revision

Basket Whip

intermediate

also known as: Basket · Locked 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

Footnotes

  1. Robert Royston, "How to Do Locked Whip in West Coast | Swing Dance" (Howcast) at 0:13.

  2. Robert Royston, "How to Do Locked Whip in West Coast | Swing Dance" (Howcast) at 0:25.

  3. Robert Royston, "How to Do Locked Whip in West Coast | Swing Dance" (Howcast) at 0:52.

  4. Brian B & Megan, West Coast Swing Online, "The Basket Whip for West Coast Swing" at 0:52–2:04.