WEST COAST SWING BASIC STEPS | Beginner WCS

Learn how to dance West Coast Swing basic steps.
In this Anthony and Rose West Coast Swing tutorial, we'll teach you a set of WCS beginner moves called "side passes" (which includes the left side pass, underarm pass, and more).
If you're a West Coast Swing beginner, it is important that you learn the basic steps in the right order. Contrary to popular belief, there is no singular move that we would consider the basic of west coast swing steps.
Anthony and Rose Lewis of Country Dance X teach that there are only a handful of WCS moves to learn ... and then you simply learn how to dance them in different ways.
Many times, instructors try to mold West Coast Swing lessons into a box similar to how they would teach you how to dance other dance styles. It's just not built that way.
If you like this How To West Coast Swing Basic Steps video, be sure to follow the Country Dance X channel, or you can view more WCS goodness on our other channels at:
Facebook: / countrydancex
Instagram: / countrydancex
Website: www.xdance.com
#westcoastswing #westcoastswingdance #wcsdance

[@barbaragott3871]

Best explanation I have ever heard for the West coast swing and we have been doing it 30 years. Fantastic!

[@countrydancex]

We're so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for being here ❤️

[@jacqueslelouarn5392]

back to basics with clear explanations and instructions a million thanks

[@shaunturner9256]

Thank you. My wife and I after 20 years of marriage just started to take dance lessons for our sons wedding this fall. I asked the instructor to help us with the waltz, but she started us with west coast swing. My wife has no training in dance and its been 30+ years since i was in show choir where i learned to dance. I think west coast swing is a nice easy dance to get our feet wet.

[@countrydancex]

That's awesome about starting lessons! Keep it up!

[@debbiemontgomery6020]

So excited!!! Ted and I are coming to your Nashville class.

[@HanLeoMic]

I love your videos! I'm in South Africa and have only recently (Jan) started with country couple dancing. I have no previous dance experience. Though I have a great dance instructor (local), your videos have helped me a lot to improve. Thank you!

[@countrydancex]

Hello from Texas! We love to hear that our videos are helping. Thank you for joining us :-)

[@michaelprozonic]

I had it explained as a “hot dog in a bun” pattern. The woman always dances/walks on the hot dog while the man is either on the hot dog or on the bun. that always stuck with me and makes it easy to remember that you are just dancing on a line (not to be confused with line dancing). All of the fancy turns are just condiments you add on

[@countrydancex]

Ha! We’ve heard that used before too

[@PeachPlastic]

That's an amazing analogy! 🌭😂

[@e-jandgwenhurley4317]

Awesome instructions - the best I have ever witnessed. Bravo💯%👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@countrydancex]

❤️❤️❤️ So glad you enjoyed it!

[@soniahaydee868]

Great class 🎶💃👍🥰❗️

[@FilipedeBarrosDance]

Thank you Anthony and Rose! Well explained and I love the slick presentation of the video! I hope to one day come visit you in the USA!

[@countrydancex]

So glad you enjoyed it! We'd love to welcome you to Texas if you're ever able to make it out here

[@wildrice8199]

This is a great video. To be honest, Lindy Hop could also be taught in this same way and it would be so much easier to learn! Lindy Hop beginner instruction puts so much emphasis on the footwork that it almost prevents people from actually learning to dance. But once you do get comfortable, you realize footwork is not so important, and most of the dance is the leader choosing a side and the follower going down the line, just like this video shows. I'm so jealous that WCS people can come here and learn that on day 1 instead of after 2 months of practicing footwork and moves!

[@deardaddyforever305]

great instructions and beautiful dance!

[@countrydancex]

Thank you so much!

[@beverlysmith6031]

Aww I'm so sorry I missed this video..your dances are always amazing..Yes I'm loving those steps.🥰

[@countrydancex]

Always so happy to have you here :-)

[@beverlysmith6031]

@@countrydancex aww thank you.. I appreciate that..👍

[@wilkomeyer4081]

so nice to learn from you, greetings from north west Germany

[@countrydancex]

Thanks for being here! Howdy from Texas

[@jebjeb7770]

Awesome!

[@countrydancex]

So glad you enjoyed it! We're excited about this series

[@sownpeace]

Those visuals were SOOOOO helpful!

[@countrydancex]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@gtsport3881]

Great video!

[@countrydancex]

Glad you liked it!

[@ianwest7003]

This seems intuitively really good from a prospective beginner. Love the positional mapping. A really clear demonstration of principles.

[@countrydancex]

So glad it was helpful!

[@myvideos2share]

So helpful

[@countrydancex]

Glad it was helpful!

[@katrinajankeviciute-vv8ew]

Love your videos! I'm having a hard time finding music to practice to. What are some good songs for learning wcs?

[@jamessextro6744]

EXCELENT teaching …thanks so much …put yourself a donate tip jar somewhere ….💫💃👯‍♀️

[@pattik8415]

Fab lesson. U make it simple

[@countrydancex]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@joseanavia5924]

My friend this is called disco dancing, dating back to the mid 70's. Actually it was originally called the New York Hustle. It truly took off first in the major east cities of the US. New York, Miami, Atlanta then expanded to the west coast mainly California and eventually every where by the end of the 70s. Just keeping the record straight. Great instructional video thou. Keep on dancing !

[@countrydancex]

All dance styles have similarities as we have two hands and feet regardless. This is quite different than hustle (which we also dance and teach)

[@joseanavia5924]

Well, since we were doing about 98% of those moves back in the 70's at some of the major discotheques of the US, I truly wonder if this is a different dance or just a small variation of the original. Back then there were also variations of the dance depending on what club you frequented ei. the Ipanima hustle, the Limelight version, etc but it was truly the same dance with a few different moves or speeds. Unfortunately, Hollywood decided to produce the disastrous movie called Saturday Night Fever which presented some atrocious dancing that had nothing to do with the reality of the club scene at the time. Most people have a picture in their mind of what disco dancing was which is totally erroneous because of that movie or Thank God Is Friday, although the music was much better in the latter. My friend, I can tell you without any doubt that I can dance exactly the same as you are instructing and you would say I was doing the WCS, except that I would be calling it the Hustle. In any case, I am happy that it lives on, even if it is being called something different. Cheers

[@countrydancex]

I mean, there are only so many things. Most anything you can do in wc swing/hustle is also done in salsa/jive/merengue/two step and more. Most all of it was danced long before wcswing/hustle existed in dances such as Lindy Hop and more.

[@joseanavia5924]

all dancing is great, it defines a beautiful side of our existence. I have enjoyed it all my life and encourage everyone to take your classess, age doesn't matter. You are a very good instructor and I can tell with lots of patience. I never had that therefore was never able to teach, except my wife (she would probably disagree). Keep doing what you are doing, the world needs more dancing.

[@federicof6916]

Please call it section abc otherwise people will think about number of steps. Anyway great videos! Thanks. Here in Italy we do basic step like this 8 count: tap step, tap step, triple, triple each one moving from center circle to side circle than coming back

[@janping1771]

what is the music to this you are playing? I love it.

[@NOLATAC]

Wish we could get ya'll in New Orleans, LA

[@countrydancex]

We'd love to visit. We've considered doing a workshop there :-)

[@NOLATAC]

@@countrydancex Well, I would love to help you guys coordinate. We have a place called rocking bowl that does live country music. Large dance area.

[@myfredandabby123]

Looks like I missed the 2021 Boot Camp in Scottsdale, AZ. When will you be back here?

[@countrydancex]

Hi there! We had a good time in AZ :-) We're taking a few months off from touring, but will definitely do them again. We just have no specific dates/plans at this point. Thanks for being here!

[@beverlysmith6031]

Have you both decided on which city ya be going too??

[@countrydancex]

We have a few workshops here in Texas and then will begin traveling soon!

[@beverlysmith6031]

@@countrydancex wow I have family that lives in dallas & houston texas... I would love too see you both in person someday.🤗

[@countrydancex]

We’d love that. We’re in the Houston area.

[@beverlysmith6031]

@@countrydancex 🤗🤗

[@AndreaShink]

I'm interested in going to your event in San Diego, CA. How can I shoot you a note to ask a question, pls?

[@countrydancex]

Hi! Text us at [phone] 😀

[@bobcohen3056]

Is 2 step considered a 6 count or an 8 count dance?

[@javierpalomares1774]

4 count actually

[@countrydancex]

Sorry we missed this question until now. Two Step is 6 counts. Quick = 1 beat. Slow = 2 beats. QQSS is 6 counts total (4 weight changes)

[@deboralove3986]

Where are you located?

[@countrydancex]

Hi there! We have a couple studios in the Houston area :-)

[@lindadavid]

Hi there. Where do the sachin or sachet come in please

[@countrydancex]

Hello. I'm sorry, I don't understand the question.

[@lindadavid]

@@countrydancex the step 1 and 2 to the right and then to the left, placing right foot to the back and lift leg and do four steps while turning to your partners front.

[@countrydancex]

Woah. I'd really like to answer your question and help, but I feel like maybe it's just hard to communicate in this format

[@edytawojtalewicz373]

The inscriptions cover the steps. It doesn't make sense

[@countrydancex]

Lol. Turn your captions off. Thats on your device, not the video.

[@jackie-lynkrull329]

Love the explanation but having the text hiding footwork is ... well... idk ... Unhelpful? 🤷

[@countrydancex]

Thanks for being here. It sounds like text you are referring to may be on your end. Turn the captions off in your app and see if that helps.

[@Ultra-Collector]

I need a partner ;.(.

[@countrydancex]

That certainly makes partner dancing easier ;-)

[@Ultra-Collector]

@@countrydancex Ha! definitely!