Backhandle (4 counts ; 8 musical beats)

Also known as: Hip Spin.

Introduction

The Backhandle is similar to a Spinning Top starting in a Sway position, rather than from in front of the man, also similar to a Basket Spin.

Steps

1: (Step back)

The lady faces south directly in front of the man, who faces north.

The man holds the lady's right hand in his right hand.

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 right hand — as he moves backwards-left off the lady's line, leaving it free for her to step forwards.

2: ()

The lady faces south stepped away in front of and slightly on the right of the man, who faces north.

The man holds the lady's right hand in his right hand.

The man leads the lady to move forwards and rotate 180^o anticlockwise (with weight on her left leg) — by bringing his right hand (and the lady's right hand) towards his right hip then releasing the lady's right hand from his right hand — as he moves forwards catching hold of the lady's left hip in his left hand and catching hold of her right hip in his right hand.

3: ()

The lady faces north on the right side of the man, who faces north.

There is no handhold — the man holds the lady's left hip with his left hand — the man holds the lady's right hip with his right hand.

The man leads the lady to move backwards-left and spin 720^o clockwise (with weight on her right leg) — by releasing her right hip after pulling it slightly with his right hand and releasing her left hip after pushing it slightly with his left hand — as he moves forwards-right and spins 180^o clockwise (with weight on his right leg).

4: (Catch, and step back)

The lady faces north stepped away directly in front of the man, who faces south.

The man typically catches both of the lady's hands in a double handhold, or catches the lady's right hand in either of his hands.

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 left foot as a brake and then stepping back on his right leg).

5: (Finish)

The lady faces north stepped away directly in front of the man, who faces south.

The man typically has a double handhold with the lady, or holds the lady's right hand in either of his hands at waist height.

Notes

Variations

Books

• Hip spin in The Dance Manual. Andy Galloway. Lyndenhurst Ltd, 38 Ashley Road, London, N19 3AF, UK, 1988.