Right Side Pass

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: 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

The follower's footwork is the same as in the 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

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.

Footnotes

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

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

3. 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. ↩

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

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

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