American Spin (4 counts ; 8 musical beats) : Brief Description

The American Spin is a traditional Rock'n'Roll move, a relatively fast move useful for hand changes. The American Spin is similar to a Lady Spin, or Push Spin except that there is a different preparation stage and the lead is more of a pull, than a push.

Steps

1: (Step back)

The man leads the lady to move backwards (stepping back on her right foot in preparation for an anticlockwise rotation) — by pushing her right hand slightly with his left hand — as he moves backwards (stepping back on his right foot in preparation for an anticlockwise rotation).

2: (Step in)

The man leads the lady to move forwards-left and rotate slightly anticlockwise (with weight on her left leg) — by bringing his left hand (and the lady's right hand) across to his right at waist height — as he moves forwards-right and rotates slightly clockwise (with weight on his right leg).

The amount of the turn led can be varied from a small preparation to more than 90^o, depending on the lead and style.

3: ()

The man leads the lady to spin 360^o clockwise (with weight on her right leg) — by bringing his left hand (and the lady's right hand) backwards between both partners and releasing the lady's right hand from his left hand — as he spins slightly anticlockwise (with weight on his left leg).

4: (Catch, and step back)

The man typically catches the lady's hands in a double handhold, or catches the lady's right hand in either his left or right hand. The man leads the lady to finish the spin (placing weight onto her left foot as a brake and then stepping back on her right leg) — by pushing her hand(s) slightly with his hand(s) — as he finishes the spin (placing weight onto his right foot as a brake and then stepping back on his left leg).

5: (Finish)