−A [[Whip|whip]] danced without the closed-position catch: the connection stays in the hands the whole way, so there's an extra arm's length between the partners at the redirection.
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−## How it differs from the basic whip
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−In a basic whip the leader essentially holds their spot while the follower travels; in an open whip **both partners travel roughly equal amounts** — EastonSwing describes it as "a changing of places that happens twice," and notes it's also called a hustle whip.[^1] Because there's no body-to-body catch, the leader has to eat that extra arm's length with their own travel — moving counter to the follower down the slot on 2 and "3-and" — instead of catching and redirecting in place.[^2]
+A [[Whip|whip]] danced without the closed-position catch. The connection stays in the hands the whole way, so the partners are an arm's length further apart at the redirection. It is also called a hustle whip.
−## Common notes
+In a basic whip the leader mostly holds their spot while the follower travels. In an open whip both partners travel about the same amount, which EastonSwing describes as "a changing of places that happens twice."[^1] The leader covers the extra distance by moving counter to the follower down the slot on 2 and "3-and".[^2]
−- Danced plain it's "a bit flat" — the pattern almost demands an exit turn, and both inside- and outside-turn exits are standard. The naming rule: if the joined hands travel *outside* the partnership first it's an outside turn, *inside* first (between the partners) it's an inside turn — which means an open-whip inside turn can genuinely feel like an outside turn to the follower.[^3]
−- Followers: the "3-and" feels long here because of the open hold — hang out in it and don't rush forward into count 4. There's real distance for the arm and body to make up before the leader places you.[^4]
−- Followers also get an "end arm" moment as the slack gets eaten up: let the frame extend momentarily, then collect it on the way back.[^5]
−- A [[Sugar Push|sugar push]] is the standard way to arrive in the two-hand or open hold that starts one.[^3]
+It is usually danced with a turn on the exit, inside or outside. A [[Sugar Push|sugar push]] is the standard way to arrive in the two-hand or open hold that starts one.[^3] For the follower, the "3-and" is longer than in a basic whip because of the open hold, and Matt Davis and Desiree teach waiting in it before stepping into count 4.[^4]
[^1]: EastonSwing, ["West Coast Swing, Level 2, Open Whip Variations"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqjnOxLE6zM&t=66s) at 1:04–1:36.
[^2]: Matt Davis & Desiree, Rising Tide Swing Dance Studio, ["Open Whip and Exits! – WCS Guide #271"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKSaRBg6VE8&t=68s) at 1:08–1:45.
[^3]: Matt Davis & Desiree, Rising Tide Swing Dance Studio, ["Open Whip and Exits! – WCS Guide #271"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKSaRBg6VE8&t=181s) at 3:01–4:04; EastonSwing at [1:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqjnOxLE6zM&t=96s).
[^4]: Matt Davis & Desiree, Rising Tide Swing Dance Studio, ["Underarm Open Whip with a Head Duck! – WCS Guide #161"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1uYSrYR2bs&t=109s) at 1:49–2:27.
−[^5]: Matt Davis & Desiree, Rising Tide Swing Dance Studio, ["Open Whip and Exits! – WCS Guide #271"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKSaRBg6VE8&t=268s) at 4:28.