Right Side Pass

A 6-count pattern where the follower passes on the leader's right side, usually traveling under the joined hands — hence the common alternative name underarm pass.

The shape

• 1–2: leader steps back, raising the joined left hand to create an arch; follower walks forward
• 3&4: follower passes under the arch and turns right to face back down the slot
• 5&6: anchor

Common notes

• The arch is an invitation, not a crank: most instruction emphasizes that the leader's raised hand stays quiet and the follower turns themselves.
• Danced without the raised arm (a simple pass on the right side), the same slot geometry is often just called a side pass or outside pass depending on the scene.
• The follower's footwork is identical to the left side pass — Brian B calls this "the bonus" of learning the passes together, though the raised hand makes it feel different.¹
• As the partners pass, the feet should cross rather than close: Robert Royston teaches that one foot stays crossed in front of the other on the passing triple.²
• Brian B's tip for followers is "getting skinny" — turning the shoulders slightly while passing so the joined hand clears the head easily instead of dragging across the leader's forearm.³
• Thibault Ramirez's memory hook for the lead: raise the left hand as if placing it beside your nose ("leaders, wipe your nose") to put the follower on your right side.⁴
• The handhold pivots during the pass, so followers shouldn't grab: leave space in the hook and let the ring- and middle-finger connection rotate as you go under — the leader releases and re-catches into the natural hold on the way out.⁵
• Leaders decide late: count 1 travels down the line either way, and count 2 is where the leader commits to a left side pass or an underarm.⁶

Footnotes

1. Brian B & Megan, West Coast Swing Online, "West Coast Swing Basic Steps // Beginner WCS" at 6:03. ↩

2. Robert Royston, "How to Do the Underarm Turn | Swing Dance" (Howcast) at 1:05. ↩

3. Brian B & Megan, West Coast Swing Online, "West Coast Swing Basic Steps // Beginner WCS" at 7:03. ↩

4. Thibault & Nicole Ramirez, "Underarm Turn – Learn This Classic WCS Basic" at 0:46; the "wipe your nose" cue is from their Sugar Tuck lesson at 3:12. ↩

5. Thibault & Nicole Ramirez, "Underarm Turn – Learn This Classic WCS Basic" at 2:32–3:08. ↩

6. Thibault & Nicole Ramirez, "Underarm Turn – Learn This Classic WCS Basic" at 3:19. ↩