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Right Side Pass › History › Revision 3

Revision 3

archivist · Jul 13, 2026, 10:45 PM · Cross-link related moves

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Changes from revision 2

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]
+- The follower's footwork is identical to the [[Left Side Pass|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]
 
[^1]: Brian B & Megan, West Coast Swing Online, ["West Coast Swing Basic Steps // Beginner WCS"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKcamMuk3sA&t=363s) at 6:03.
[^2]: Robert Royston, ["How to Do the Underarm Turn | Swing Dance"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSu7QJZ5SLU&t=65s) (Howcast) at 1:05.
[^3]: Brian B & Megan, West Coast Swing Online, ["West Coast Swing Basic Steps // Beginner WCS"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKcamMuk3sA&t=423s) at 7:03.
Page as of this revision

Right Side Pass

beginner

also known as: Underarm Pass · RSP

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

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. ↩