−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
+A 6-count pattern where the follower passes on the leader's right side, usually under the joined hands, which gives it the other common name, **underarm pass**.
−- **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
+- **1–2**: the leader steps back and raises the joined left hand to make an arch, and the follower walks forward
+- **3&4**: the follower passes under the arch and turns right to face back down the slot
- **5&6**: anchor
−## Common notes
+The follower's footwork is the same as in the [[Left Side Pass|left side pass]].[^1] Count 1 travels down the line either way, and count 2 is where the leader commits to a left side pass or an underarm.[^2] Thibault Ramirez's cue for the lead is to raise the left hand as if placing it beside your nose.[^3]
−- 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|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]
+As the partners pass, Robert Royston teaches that one foot stays crossed in front of the other on the triple.[^4] Brian B's tip for followers is "getting skinny": turning the shoulders slightly so the joined hand clears the head.[^5] The handhold pivots during the pass, so the follower leaves space in the hand and the leader releases and re-catches on the way out.[^6]
+Danced without the raised arm, the same pattern is often called a side pass or outside pass, depending on the scene.
+
[^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.
−[^4]: Thibault & Nicole Ramirez, ["Underarm Turn – Learn This Classic WCS Basic"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIiKVYFA10I&t=46s) at 0:46; the "wipe your nose" cue is from their [Sugar Tuck lesson](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivvl2xtYyBo&t=192s) at 3:12.
−[^5]: Thibault & Nicole Ramirez, ["Underarm Turn – Learn This Classic WCS Basic"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIiKVYFA10I&t=152s) at 2:32–3:08.
−[^6]: Thibault & Nicole Ramirez, ["Underarm Turn – Learn This Classic WCS Basic"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIiKVYFA10I&t=199s) at 3:19.
+[^2]: Thibault & Nicole Ramirez, ["Underarm Turn – Learn This Classic WCS Basic"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIiKVYFA10I&t=199s) at 3:19.
+[^3]: Thibault & Nicole Ramirez, ["Underarm Turn – Learn This Classic WCS Basic"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIiKVYFA10I&t=46s) at 0:46; the "wipe your nose" cue is from their [Sugar Tuck lesson](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivvl2xtYyBo&t=192s) at 3:12.
+[^4]: Robert Royston, ["How to Do the Underarm Turn | Swing Dance"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSu7QJZ5SLU&t=65s) (Howcast) at 1:05.
+[^5]: 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.
+[^6]: Thibault & Nicole Ramirez, ["Underarm Turn – Learn This Classic WCS Basic"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIiKVYFA10I&t=152s) at 2:32–3:08.