Lasso Sway (6 counts ; 12 musical beats)
Introduction
The Lasso Sway is a Sway variation where the lady is turned 360o anticlockwise, as in a right-handed return and then the right hands are dropped and the Sway portion of the move is led.
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 turn 360o anticlockwise (with weight on her left leg) under his right hand (and the lady's right hand) — by pulling her right hand slightly with his right hand and bringing his right hand (and the lady's right hand) across to his right and raising his right hand (and the lady's right hand) from waist height to above the lady's head — as he moves forwards.
- 3: ()
The lady faces south on the right of and slightly 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 turn 180o anticlockwise (with weight on her left leg) under his right hand (and the lady's right hand) — by pulling her right hand slightly with his right hand forwards and to his right — as he moves forwards so that she comes into his right side and lowers his right hand (and the lady's right hand) to waist height and modifying the right hand grip so that he holds the lady's right hand between his thumb and forefinger, held against her right hip.
- 4: (Sway back)
The lady faces north on the right side of the man, who faces north.
The man holds the lady's right hand in his right hand.
The man leads the lady to rotate slightly clockwise (with weight on her left leg) in a sway back, i.e. so that she ends stepped back on her right foot, optionally looking over her right shoulder to emphasize the movement — by pulling her right hip slightly backwards — as he rotates slightly clockwise (with weight on his right leg) in a sway back, i.e. he steps back looking over his right shoulder.
For a different “tighter” look, the follower can rotate more — rather than stepping back.
Depending on the styling the man can step backwards on either the outside (left), or inside foot (right) — the led sway movement means that the lady steps backwards on her outside (right) foot — some people kick forwards before stepping back.
The man has a definite sight-line towards the lady here.
Rather than the man taking the lady's left arm (assuming that she kept it pointing to her left at waist or shoulder height) the lady can bring her left arm across herself with the man bringing his left arm across her without taking hold.
- 5: (Sway forwards)
The lady faces northeast on the right side of the man, who faces northeast.
The man holds the lady's right hand in his right hand — the man holds the lady's right hip with his right hand.
The man leads the lady to rotate slightly anticlockwise (with weight on her left leg) and sway forwards, e.g. by closing her outside (right) foot to her left foot — by pushing her right hip slightly forwards — as he rotates slightly anticlockwise (with weight on his left leg) and sways forwards, e.g. by closing his feet together.
- 6: ()
The lady faces north on the right side of the man, who faces north.
The man's left palm is against the lady's left forearm and holds the lady's right hand in his right hand — the man holds the lady's right hip with his right hand.
The man leads the lady to move forwards-left and rotate 180o clockwise (with weight on her right leg) — by pushing the lady's left arm slightly with his left hand and releasing her right hip after pulling it slightly with his right hand (keeping hold of the lady's right hand in his right hand) — as he moves backwards.
- 7: (Finish)
The lady faces south stepped away directly in front of the man, who faces north.
The man holds the lady's right hand in his right hand.
Notes
Variations
The Lasso Sway can be lead into a “blues sway” position, where the man and lady's feet alternate, lady is off-centre of the man slightly to his right, but in front of him. This position can be quick and dramatic and can be held for a pose for several beats.
Links
- Lasso Sway at Cardiff Le Roc and Dance. Hosted at The Internet Archive.
- Neckbreak/Butterfly/Towel/Lasso Sway Combo at Cardiff Le Roc and Dance. Hosted at The Internet Archive.
- Lasso Sway at leroc.net. 2001. Hosted at The Internet Archive.
- Lasso Sway at The Third Row.