Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 4: Understand the steps
• Method 2 of 4: Dance steps for men
• Method 3 of 4: Dance steps for women
• Method 4 of 4: Combining dance steps
• Tips

The jive is a fast dance in the Latino style. This style became popular in the 1940s among the American public who mainly used the style to dance to the then new type of music rock and roll. The jive has many complicated movement patterns that sometimes require you to turn or lift your dance partner, but the foot pattern is fairly easy and consists of only 6 steps that are quite easy to learn.

To step

Method 1 of 4: Understand the steps

1. If you want to dance the jive you must first learn the six basic steps. You count to 6 each time while you dance, you do this as follows: 1-2-3-a-4,5-a-6.
   • The first two beats are the “link steps” also called “rock steps”.
   • The third and fourth beat are a triple step to the left called “the chasse”.
   • The last two beats are also a triple step, only to the right.
2. A "chasse" in dance terms means that you slide on one foot to one side (left or right).
   • During a jive, the triple step is a movement of three short sideways steps. That is why this is also called a triple step, or a triple step.
3. The link and the rock step are also important in the jive. A link or rock step is to stand with one foot behind the other foot and then lift the other foot.
   • You are supposed to lean back on your back foot and then forward on your other foot so that your weight is first on your back and then on your front foot. You should always lift your feet if you want to put your weight on one foot.
   • Practice the rock steps to master this. This movement is an important part of the dance.

Method 2 of 4: Dance steps for men

1. On the first beat, put a rock step back with your left foot. Let your right foot stand and move your weight back so that it is on your left foot. This is the first count.
2. Lift your right foot and then lower it again. This is the second beat of the rock step.
3. Now step to the left with your left foot on the third beat, this is also called the first beat of the triple step.
4. Move with your right foot towards your left foot. This is the “a” or the second beat of the triple step.
5. Now step aside with your left foot on the fourth beat, or the third beat of the triple step.
6. Shift your weight to your right foot on the fifth beat.
7. Now step to the right with your left foot on the “a” beat.
8. Now step to the right with your right foot on the sixth beat, this is the last beat in the jive.
9. Now repeat the rock step and the triple step and move from left to right. Remember the way of counting, 1-2-3-a-4-5-a-6.

Method 3 of 4: Dance steps for women

1. Step forward with your right foot on the first beat. You don't have to do anything with your left foot.
2. On the second beat, transfer your weight to your right foot.
3. On the third beat you take a step aside, this is also the first step of the triple step.
4. Now close with your left foot on the “a” or the second step of the triple step.
5. Now step to the right with your right foot without doing anything with your left foot. This is the fourth beat or the third step of the triple step.
6. Shift your weight to your left foot on the fifth beat.
7. Now step to the left with your right foot on the “a” beat.
8. Now step to the left with your left foot on the sixth beat, this is the last step of the jive.
9. Practice the rock step and the triple step, always moving from right to left. Remember the way of counting, which is 1-2-3-a-4-5-a-6.

Method 4 of 4: Combining dance steps

1. Always let the man lead. During the jive, the man and woman constantly look at each other. The man is the leader and the woman follows his movements.
   • If the man starts with the left, the woman should start with the right so that you avoid bumping into each other's knees and the dance is very awkward.
   • Imagine an invisible cord connecting the feet of both partners. If the man moves, the woman must follow.
2. Face each other and place your arms in a closed position. That means that the man places his right hand on the left side of the woman's back and the woman places her left hand on the right shoulder of the man. The woman's arm must be placed over the man's.
   • You have to stay about arm's length apart.
   • Your hands should hold each other loosely. In this dance style you have to keep your arms loose and not too tight.
3. Move your body so that your faces are slightly outward. Turn your bodies so that your feet are not facing each other but slightly the other way.
   • This ensures that you don't keep bumping your knees together.
4. Use the six counts to perform the basic steps of the dance. You can count out loud. In any case, make sure that the man starts with the left and the woman starts with the right.
   • Relax your arms.
5. Practice without music first. This will help you master the basics and also prevent distraction.
   • If you have mastered the basics, you should now add the music. There are several good jive music mixes available. The jive often has a faster tempo than the swing so you have to practice a lot to handle the tempo.
   • Follow the tempo of the music by mirroring the movements of your feet and legs. To do this, move your hips slightly as you shift your weight on the rock step.
   • Make sure your knees are slightly bent and try to follow the specific highlights in the music with your movements.
   • Keep practicing on the basics until you are both good enough to start dancing.

Tips

• Once you've mastered the basics, you can add other moves such as stretching your arm as the woman rotates on her axis. and the windmill.