Sailor Kicks

Charleston · Intermediate

A move that starts in open, turns the follow under the arms into a side-by-side stretch of kicks, then sends them back out to open.

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From open, both hands held: the follow comes in as in a swing out.
The follow turns under the joined hands into side by side on the lead's right, arms wrapped around each other: both kick while turning together.
The lead sends the follow back out, ends open hand in hand.

Not to be confused with: Side-by-Side Charleston,Savoy Kicks

Understanding the move

Count by count

1-2: the rock step is done with both hands, arms long, both leaning back.
On the turn, the joined hands go over the follow, then stay behind the lead's head, the follow's arm across their shoulders.
Side by side, the kicks come with a high bent knee while the couple turns on the spot, hip to hip.
Exit: the follow passes behind the lead, from their right to their left.

Usual mistakes

Joined hands too low on the turn: the follow has to duck to get under.
Drifting apart during the kicks: the couple no longer turns as one.

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