6-Count Basic

6-count · Beginner

One of lindy hop's basic rhythms, the one six-count moves like the sugar push and the side pass are built on.

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Starts in closed position, or in open position with one hand held.
Rock step on 1-2, then a triple step on 3-and-4 and another on 5-and-6.
In open the partners step apart on the rock step and come back in on the triples. In closed the basic can rotate.

Understanding the move

Count by count

1-2: start on the outside leg, the lead's left and the follow's right.
3-and-4, 5-and-6: three steps in two counts; the feet alternate, left-right-left then right-left-right for the lead, the other way round for the follow.
In closed: the lead's right hand on the follow's back, the follow's left hand on the lead's shoulder.

Usual mistakes

Dancing stiff: soft knees, a bounce on every count.
Triple steps too big, like a gallop.

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