Inside Roll

A left-side pass in which the follower travels down the slot while turning left (counter-clockwise) under the joined hands — an inside turn taken while traveling.

The shape

• 1–2: as in a left side pass, but the leader raises the joined hand and initiates rotation
• 3&4: follower rolls through one (or more) traveling turns down the slot
• 5&6: anchor

Common notes

• The traveling turn wants a small, centered head and stacked posture; big stepping makes multi-roll variations impossible.
• Leaders: the hand traces a small halo — stirring lowers the follower's axis and kills the turn.
• Frequently extended into double or triple rolls, or into a barrel roll when both partners rotate.
• The name is literal: Brian B teaches that the joined hand "cuts inside our heads" as it passes between the partners — hence inside turn.¹
• The double prep ("prep, prep") that beginners often learn is mostly unnecessary — only the second prep sets the follower's energy for the turn. Big double preps are usually a symptom of weak connection: the better the connection, the less the hand has to visibly move.²

Footnotes

1. Brian B & Megan, West Coast Swing Online, "Beginner West Coast Swing | How to Prep and Inside Turn" at 0:46. ↩

2. Brian B & Megan, West Coast Swing Online, "Beginner West Coast Swing | How to Prep and Inside Turn" at 1:05–2:10. ↩