Arm Jive (6 counts ; 12 musical beats) : Brief Description

The Arm Jive is similar to “the twist”, but partnered, slower and more upright — although a twist styling could be added for suitable (Chubby Checker) records. The “feel” of the Arm Jive should be relaxed and unhurried, with the arms kept at waist height. Since, the Arm Jive doesn't need much floor space, and the number of swivels can be varied, it makes a good “thinking” move.

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 Offers his right hand for the lady to take his right hand in her left hand, and moves backwards (stepping back on his right foot in preparation for an anticlockwise rotation)

2: (Twist left)

The man leads the lady to rotate slightly anticlockwise (with weight on her left leg) — by pulling her right hand slightly with his left hand and pushing her left hand slightly with his right hand — as he rotates slightly anticlockwise (with weight on his left leg).

3: (Twist right)

The man leads the lady to rotate 90^o clockwise (with weight on her right leg) — by pushing her right hand slightly with his left hand and pulling her left hand slightly with his right hand — as he rotates 90^o clockwise (with weight on his right leg).

Some people do footwork, with the man swivelling with weight on his left foot, tapping his right foot towards the lady, lady swivelling with weight on her right foot tapping her left foot towards the man.

4: (Twist left, to the shoulder)

The man leads the lady to rotate 90^o anticlockwise (with weight on her left leg) — by pushing her left hand slightly with his right hand, pulling her right hand slightly with his left hand and bringing his left hand (and the lady's right hand) from waist height to his left shoulder modifying the left grip to be palm-to-palm grip to indicate that the lady will be led into a turn — as he rotates 90^o anticlockwise (with weight on his left leg).

5: (Turn the lady)

The man leads the lady to turn 360+^o clockwise (with weight on her right leg) under his left hand (and the lady's right hand) — by raising his left hand (and the lady's right hand) from waist height to above her head and releasing the lady's left hand from his right hand — as he rotates slightly clockwise (with weight on his right leg).

6: (Step back)

The man leads the lady to finish the turn (placing weight onto her left foot as a brake and then stepping back on her right leg) — by pushing her right hand slightly with his left hand — as he lowers his left hand (and the lady's right hand) to waist height and moves backwards.

7: (Finish)