First Move Jump (6 counts ; 12 musical beats) : Brief Description

Steps

1

The First Move Jump starts like step 1 of the First Move.

2: (Step in)

The man leads the lady to move forwards — by pulling her right hand slightly with his left hand — as he moves forwards slightly to the left of the lady's line, so that the lady will come into his right side. As both partners step together the man brings his left hand (and the lady's right hand) in front of his left shoulder and places his right hand on the lady's left hip. As she closes, the lady may optionally place her left hand loosely, on top of the man's right shoulder.

Some men signal the First Move Jump by pointing the fingers of the right hand vertically down at their right shoulder.

3–4

The First Move Jump continues like steps 3–4 of the First Move (Dance Hold).

5: ()

The man leads the lady to jump forwards-right and rotate 180^o anticlockwise (with weight on her left leg) — by guiding her jump, i.e. supporting the lady's right palm with his left palm and supporting the lady's right hip (or waist) with his right hand — as he rotates 90^o anticlockwise (with weight on his left leg) and releases the lady's left hip from his right hand.

Whilst not strictly a signal, it is strongly advised that both partners bend their knees before dancing the jump “take-off” — this ensures that both partners are synchronised before the jump.

The lady can make her jump “higher” by tucking her legs up, so that there is more apparent “ground clearance”.

6: ()

The man leads the lady to move backwards, after he supports her landing from the jump — by pushing her right hand slightly with his left hand and pushing her left hip slightly with his right hand — as he moves backwards.

Whilst not strictly a signal, it is strongly advised that both partners bend their knees as the jump “lands” — this ensures that the lady lands safely and that the joint handhold lowers as she does — and also helps both partners are re-synchronise after the jump.

Either, or both partners may follow the bent knee landing with “heels”.

7: (Finish)