Left Side Pass

A 6-count pattern where the follower passes the leader on the leader's left side. Along with the sugar push and right side pass, it is one of the first patterns taught.

• 1–2: the leader steps back and slightly off the slot, opening a lane on their left, and the follower walks forward
• 3&4: the follower passes the leader and turns to face back down the slot
• 5&6: anchor

The leader moves out of the follower's way and does not pull. Robert Royston teaches the lead as saying "after you" at a doorway.¹ Brian B describes the leader's path as curling out of the slot on 1–2 and rejoining it on the other side for the anchor.² Thibault and Nicole Ramirez teach the same thing from the follower's side: the leader clears the path by count 2 so the follower keeps a straight line.³

The leader's hand stays low. A hand raised early usually leads an inside roll.

Footnotes

1. Robert Royston, "How to Do the Left Side Pass | Swing Dance" (Howcast) at 0:43. ↩

2. Brian B & Megan, West Coast Swing Online, "West Coast Swing Basic Steps // Beginner WCS" at 3:15. ↩

3. Thibault & Nicole Ramirez, "Left Side Pass – Your First West Coast Swing Move" at 2:33. ↩