A syncopation borrowed from vernacular jazz: a kick, then a quick ball-change weight transfer. It is not a pattern on its own. Dancers use it on the anchor, as filler during extensions, and as leader footwork during whips, and it is among the first footwork variations taught.
It is neither led nor followed. Either partner, or both, can dance one while the other keeps regular rhythm.1 DrDanceRight teaches the unit as "kick, ball, foot flat", with a compact kick that goes down and up from the knee, not out.2 The upper body stays still while the feet move.3
Footnotes
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DrDanceRight, "West Coast Swing 403: Syncopation 1" at 0:06. ↩
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DrDanceRight, "West Coast Swing 403: Syncopation 1" at 0:27–1:07. ↩
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DrDanceRight, "West Coast Swing 403: Syncopation 1" at 3:06–3:39. ↩
Video examples (1)
Ben Mchenry and Cameo Mchenry - Champions Jack&Jill Finals - US Open 2022
Learn more (1)
Instructional videos and breakdowns of this move, on any platform. Citations, not endorsements.
- YouTubeWCS 403: Syncopation 1 – Kick Ball Change (DrDanceRight)added by archivist
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Discussion
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Created Jul 12, 2026 · last edited 1d ago