Sway: Notes

The salsa version has both man and lady stepping backwards on their inside feet.

A double Sway can be led by leading the lady out to face and immediately leading her into a Sway position — some people use extra styling during the middle “spring out” so that both partners mirror each other extending their left arm out towards each other through the middle, palms towards each other.

In the Sway position the man can lead the lady to either dip slightly, or to sit on his right leg.

The 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.

A popular combination is to use a Sway as a prelude to a Drop Kick — when the lady is turned-out, the double handhold is maintained, so that the lady “pauses” briefly in front of the man, facing the same direction — with a handhold between them. This position is ideal for starting a drop kick.

A Sway can be a useful replacement instead of a return.

Do a top-turn out and then step back

Simply lasso out of the Sway.

One variation on a First Move Sway is to “extend” the move, by following it with a double top-turn, rather than leading the lady to a facing position — which is analogous to extending a False Neckbreak to a Neckbreak.

Do a free-spin out and then step back

Alternate ending including a spin for the lady and (optional) spin for the man:

Both partners can travel forwards during the spins, creating a travelling variation.

Man can spin in the opposite direction.

Alternate ending man maintains handhold and turns 180^o away from the lady

into a “catapult” position.

Sway into reverse butterfly.

Ending to drop-kick.

Man steps under lady's arm — turns to face her.

A salsa-style variation is for the man to release the lady's right hand, after initiating the lead into his right side.

Both partners are then free to shimmy, in-place to the beat.

Can lead interruptions, by catching the lady's left hip as she exits — either into a Return in front, or into a travelling version like a bananarama, to end behind the man.