Dance Yourself Dizzy Modern Jive

Please note that these Modern Jive move descriptions are intended to be used as a memory jogger for those who attended the dance class rather than a training aid for learning the moves from scratch. Much more in-depth move descriptions and videos are available in the Dance Yourself Dizzy Members Area.

Beginner Moves

Move 1 = Manspin       Move 2 = Armjive Pushspin       Move 3 = Octopus

Intermediate Moves

Move 1 = Neckbreak Shoulder Spin = Step back man’s left to lady’s right – men signalling with your right arm in an ‘L’ shape at shoulder height. Both step in so that your partner is on your right hand side, men taking your left hand up near your left shoulder while you take your right hand over the lady’s left shoulder with your palm facing the floor so that you can see your fingertips as you look behind the lady’s head – your right hand/arm should not be in contact with the ladies at this point. Men stay on the spot as you take your left hand around in front of your lady to make her turn half a turn to her right to face the same way as you, and place your hands on your lady’s shoulders – left on her left, right on her right. Men push with your right hand to gently twist your lady slightly to her left into your body. Men pull back letting go with both hands at shoulder level to spin your lady 1 and a 1/2 turns in a clockwise direction. Catch right to right. Return. Step back.

Move 2 = Single Handed Catapull = Beats 1 & 2 as per a normal Catapult. Men as you lean forwards do not offer your left hand out behind you. Men bend you right elbow to point to the floor as you step back to the right underneath your right arm, ladies step straight forwards. Men once you have stepped back past your lady – raise your right hand over her head to turn her in a clockwise direction. Step back to face. To link smoothly into the next move – men step in to Return your lady like a Comb. Once the ladies come round to face & men you’ve lowered her hand behind your head, step back sliding and catching with a double handhold ready for the next move.

Move 3 = Back to Back Double Wrap = Video Available.

Move 4 = Basket About Turn = Beats 1, 2, 3 & 4 as per a normal Basket. Men keep your hands on the lady’s hips as you take a step back directly behind your lady. Men pull with your hands on the lady’s hips to make her step back into your left hand side as you step in – you should now be side by side with the ladies on the left.  Men step around in front of your partner to stand  on her opposite side as you both pivot a further 180 degrees to your left. This should result in you both turning a total of 360 degrees and the lady should now be on the mans right hand side as per a normal Basket. Men raise your left hand to unwrap your lady. Face. Return. Step back.

Full step by step video to all underlined dance moves are available  from www.danceyourselfdizzy.co.uk

Please note that these Modern Jive move descriptions are intended to be used as a memory jogger for those who attended the dance class rather than a training aid for learning the moves from scratch. Much more in-depth move descriptions and videos are available in the Dance Yourself Dizzy Members Area.

Beginner Moves

Move 1 = Pushspin       Move 2 = Catapult        Move 3 = Manspin

Intermediate Moves

Move 1 = Side To Side Sling Spin = Beats 1, 2, 3 & 4 as per a normal Side To Side. ladies step back out as normal, as men turn half a turn to your right so you end up with your left arm in a half nelson behind your back. Men take a side step to your right behind your lady as you pull and extend your left hand out to your left at waist level to make your lady step forwards behind you to swap sides. Men pull back letting go with your left hand at waist level to spin your lady in a clockwise direction. Catch man’s left to lady’s right. Return. Step back.

Move 2 = Basket Pull Under = Beats 1, 2, 3 & 4 as per a normal Basket. Men raise your left hand to unwrap your lady as normal. Men keep your left hand raised, as you now throw your right hand away underneath your raised left arm past your left hip – letting go to make your lady turn an extra half turn to her right, as you step forwards to the right beginning to swap sides. Men continue to swap sides as you turn to your left to face your lady, pulling your left hand down to bring your lady round to face. Return. Step back.

Move 3 = First Move Walk Through = Video Available.

Move 4 = Reversed Double Handed Pretzel = Step back with a double handhold. Both step in and keep hold with both hands, as men raise their right hand and turn on the spot underneath 3/4 turn to their right. Men extend your right hand out over the lady’s head. Pass back to back, men lowering your right hand to waist level as you raise your left hand over the lady’s head. Men look at your partner as you drop your left elbow in between your faces and then take your left hand over your head. Ladies step behind your man as men lower and let go with your left hand while you raise your right (Careful with your elbow!) hand to turn the ladies in a clockwise direction. When the ladies come round to face, men take your right hand out to the left at waist level. Men throw your right hand out to the right at waist level – letting go to spin the ladies in an anti-clockwise direction. Catch man’s left to lady’s right and step back to face.

Full step by step video to all underlined dance moves are available  from www.danceyourselfdizzy.co.uk

Please note that these Modern Jive move descriptions are intended to be used as a memory jogger for those who attended the dance class rather than a training aid for learning the moves from scratch. Much more in-depth move descriptions and videos are available in the Dance Yourself Dizzy Members Area.

Beginner Moves

Move 1 = Octopus       Move 2 = Catapult        Move 3 = Hatchback

Intermediate Moves

Move 1 = First Move Latin Step Across  = Beats 1, 2 as per a normal First Move. Men pivot your partner out to the side as per a normal First Move but rather than stepping back yourself , as you would normally do, pivot to your right to face your partner. Men raise your left hand and pivot to your left as you step under your raised hand as per a normal Step Across. Lower the left hand to face, Return and step back.

Move 2 = Slow Two Handed Comb = Both step back men offer your spare hand so that you are double hand hold. Both step in for 2 beats, on the first beat, men, raise your left hand with the palm facing upwards and the elbow facing downwards so that you create an ‘arch’ between your left hand and the ladies right hand. On the second beat of the step in, men, pivot to your right ¼ turn and slip the ‘arch’ over your head placing your left hand and the ladies right hand on to your right shoulder. Men pivot another ¼ turn to your right so that you back is to your partner as you raise your right hand over your head so that both hands are now on your right shoulder. Keeping hold of your partner with both hands extend both hands out to your right at shoulder height.  Men pivot ½ turn to your right to face your partner raising both hands over her head to turn her anticlockwise. Lower your hands and both step back double hand hold.

Move 3 = Basket About Turn = Beats 1, 2, 3 & 4 as per a normal Basket. Men keep your hands on the lady’s hips as you take a step back directly behind your lady. Men pull with your hands on the lady’s hips to make her step back into your left hand side as you step in – you should now be side by side with the ladies on the left.  Men step around in front of your partner to stand  on her opposite side as you both pivot a further 180 degrees to your left. This should result in you both turning a total of 360 degrees and the lady should now be on the mans right hand side as per a normal Basket. Men left go with your left hand and nudge your partner out with  right arm to unwrap. Both step back, men, extend your right hand over to your left at waist level to prepare for a flick spin. Flick spin the ladies anticlockwise. Both step back catching left to right.

Move 4 = Side to Side Wrap & Unwrap = Beats 1, 2 & 3 as per a normal Side to Side. Men throw you left hand past your right hip and let go, as you step behind your lady and swap sides. Step back having swapped sides catching man’s right to lady’s left. Step in side to side. Step back out to face, men taking your hand forwards (to the left of your lady as you look at her) in preparation for the wrap on the next beat. Men step in behind your lady as you take your right hand out to the right at waist level – keeping hold to wrap the ladies anti-clockwise into a Basket like position, men offer your flat left palm at shoulder height out in front of the ladies – ladies as you wrap in place your right palm on the man’s offered palm. Men continue to step behind your lady to swap sides as you raise your left hand over her head to unwrap her in a clockwise direction. Step back. Return and step back finishing left to right.

Full step by step video to all underlined dance moves are available  from www.danceyourselfdizzy.co.u

Please note that these Modern Jive move descriptions are intended to be used as a memory jogger for those who attended the dance class rather than a training aid for learning the moves from scratch. Much more in-depth move descriptions and videos are available in the Dance Yourself Dizzy Members Area.

Move 1 = Hatchback Combo = Beats 1, 2 & 3 as per a normal Hatchback. Men remain facing the same way with your back to your lady as you offer your right hand out behind you and backcatch right to right. Men step back to the right as you transfer the lady’s hand from your right to your left behind your back and extend your left hand out in front of the ladies at waist level. Men take another step back as you pull and let go with your left hand to spin the ladies in front of you in a clockwise direction. Catch man’s left to lady’s right. Return. Step back.

Move 2 = Pull Under = Step back with a double handhold. Men raise your right hand, as you throw and let go with your left hand past your right hip – ladies step forward underneath the man’s raised right arm turning to their left – men step behind your lady turning to your right as you swap sides. Step back to face catching with a double handhold again. Men raise your left hand, as you throw and let go with your right hand past your left hip – ladies step forward underneath the man’s raised left arm turning to their right – men step behind your lady turning to your left as you swap sides. Step back to face. Return. Step back.

Move 3 = Almost Pretzel Wrap = Video Available.

Move 4 = Window Walkaround = Video Available.

Full step by step video to all underlined dance moves are available  from www.danceyourselfdizzy.co.uk

Please note that these Modern Jive move descriptions are intended to be used as a memory jogger for those who attended the dance class rather than a training aid for learning the moves from scratch. Much more in-depth move descriptions and videos are available in the Dance Yourself Dizzy Members Area.

Move 1 = Catapult into Sway and Back = Beats 1 & 2 as per a normal Catapult. Men lean forward as normal but do not offer your spare hand out behind you. Men step back turning to your right wrapping your lady anti-clockwise into a Sway position. Sway backwards. Sway forwards. Men let go with your left hand as you nudge your lady out with your right shoulder turning her to her right as you turn to your left and offer your left hand out behind you like a Catapult. This move now finishes like a Catapult – Men step back to the right as you lead your lady into your left hand side. Spin the ladies clockwise. Catch man’s left to lady’s right. Return. Step back.

Move 2 = Wurlitzer Turn, Change Hands and Spin = Beats 1, 2 & 3 as per a normal Wurlitzer. As you step in, men, keep hold with your right hand as you raise it up and out to the right turning your partner anti-clockwise in front of you. As the ladies complete their turn, men, turn ½ turn to your left as you lower your right hand behind your back then swap the ladies hand from your right to your left and then extend your left hand out to the left at waist level to prepare for the spin. Men, pivot ½ turn to your left as you pull and let go with your left hand spinning your partner clockwise. Catch right to right.

Move 3 = Helicopter Comb = Beats 1, 2 & 3 as per a normal Comb. Men let go with your right hand and bend your head forwards so you can roll your head to the left under the lady’s arm, at the same time straighten your right arm and swing it first under the lady’s arm then as you look up at your lady – up and over the lady’s arm (men you are basically drawing a vertical clockwise circle with your right arm). Men continue to swing your straightened right arm around underneath the lady’s arm, you should now be forearm to forearm as men raise your right arm to turn the ladies in a clockwise direction. As the ladies come round to face step back sliding and catching right to right. Return. Step back.

Move 4 = Yoyo Lasso Seducer = Beats 1, 2 & 3 as per a normal Yoyo. Men step back as you take your right hand first between you and your partner then drawing an anti-clockwise circle over the lady’s head so she turns in an anti-clockwise direction. As the ladies come round to face men throw your right hand down and out to the right – letting go to spin the ladies on the spot another whole turn in an anti-clockwise direction. As the ladies come round to face, men step in and collect her – take your left hand around behind her back and place it so that it is supporting her neck (whilst your left forearm supports her back), men your right hand goes across in front of the ladies at waist level then around behind her back as far as possible so you have a firm hold of your lady, men you should be at a right angle to your lady with her right hand holding onto your left shoulder. Men do not lean over your lady or bend your back as you lunge to your left with your left foot, men your back should be upright as you dip the ladies backwards (do not dip the ladies back far – just enough so that she can still support her own weight if she wanted) ladies point your left foot out on the floor as you bend your right knee under you – so you can take some or all of your own weight. Both stand back up to your previous position. Men step forwards swapping sides as you pull back with your right hand on the lady’s hip – letting go to spin the ladies in a clockwise direction (the ladies must be completely upright before they are spun). Catch right to right. Return. Step back.

Full step by step video to all underlined dance moves are available  from www.danceyourselfdizzy.co.uk

Please note that these Modern Jive move descriptions are intended to be used as a memory jogger for those who attended the dance class rather than a training aid for learning the moves from scratch. Much more in-depth move descriptions and videos are available in the Dance Yourself Dizzy Members Area.

Move 1 = Yo Yo Turn Out = Step back right to right. Both step in as you would in a normal Yo Yo – men taking your right hand up near your left shoulder, but as you do so change hands so you are now man’s left to lady’s right by the man’s left shoulder. Men take a step behind your lady with your right foot, pivoting round to your right changing sides, raising your left hand in a big arc over the lady’s head – turning her in a clockwise direction. Face. Return. Step back.

Move 2 = First Move Barrier = Video Available.

Move 3 = Pretzel and Back = Men step back signalling for a normal Pretzel – man’s left to lady’s right, with man’s right hand offered behind his back in a half nelson. Both step in, men raising your left hand over the lady’s head as the ladies take hold of the man’s offered hand behind his back. Pass back to back, men lowering your left hand to waist level as you raise your right hand over the lady’s head. Men let go with your left hand as you keep your right hand raised to turn your lady 1 whole turn in a clockwise direction. When the ladies come round to face, step back, men offering your left hand behind your back in a half nelson position. Both step in, men raising your right hand over the lady’s head as the ladies take hold of the man’s offered hand behind his back. Pass back to back, men lowering your right hand to waist level as you raise your left hand over the lady’s head. Men let go with your right hand as you keep your left hand raised to turn your lady 1 whole turn in an anti-clockwise direction. Step back.

Move 4 = Wurlitzer Sling Spin = Beats 1, 2 & 3 as per a normal Wurlitzer. Men keep hold with your right hand as you raise it up and out to the right to turn your lady anti-clockwise in front of you. As the lady comes round to face, men lower your right hand to waist level and turn 3/4 of a turn to your left on the spot, so you end up with your right arm in a half nelson behind your back. Men take a step to your left to swap sides as you pull with your right hand behind your back to make your lady step forwards behind you. Men take another step back to continue to swap sides as you pull back and let go with your right hand at waist level – to spin your lady anti-clockwise. Catch right to right.

Full step by step video to all underlined dance moves are available  from www.danceyourselfdizzy.co.uk

Please note that these Modern Jive move descriptions are intended to be used as a memory jogger for those who attended the dance class rather than a training aid for learning the moves from scratch. Much more in-depth move descriptions and videos are available in the Dance Yourself Dizzy Members Area.

Move 1 = First Move Manspin = Beats 1, 2 & 3 as per a normal First Move. Men take your right hand off your lady’s hip and step forwards turning to your left, latching the lady’s right hand onto your right hip like you would in a normal Manspin. Men continue to turn to your left to face as you swap sides, sliding and catching man’s left to lady’s right. Return. Step back.

Move 2 = Basket Ladies Comb Pushspin = Video Available.

Move 3 = Preztel Cloak = Video Available.

Move 4 = Yo Yo Walkaround = Step back right to right. Step in like a normal Yo Yo, men taking your right hand across your chest to your left shoulder and change hands. Men take a step behind your lady with your right foot, place your weight over that foot and pivot to your right to face your lady as you take your left hand in a big arc over her head turning her clockwise. As the ladies come round to face, men lower your left hand to waist level and pivot quickly 3/4 turn to your right (your left arm should be in a half nelson behind your back) and as you look at your lady offer your right hand over the top of her right arm – ladies take hold with your left (you should now be side by side facing opposite directions with the man’s right arm across in front of the lady). Both walk round in a clockwise direction for 2 beats. Men let go with your left hand, as you pull and let go with your right hand at waist level to spin your lady clockwise, as you spin to your left. Face catching man’s left to lady’s right. Return. Step back.

Full step by step video to all underlined dance moves are available  from www.danceyourselfdizzy.co.uk

Please note that these Modern Jive move descriptions are intended to be used as a memory jogger for those who attended the dance class rather than a training aid for learning the moves from scratch. Much more in-depth move descriptions and videos are available in the Dance Yourself Dizzy Members Area.

Move 1 = Recurring Hatchflick = Free Video Available

Move 2 = First Move Scoop Around = Beats 1, 2, 3 & 4 as per a normal First Move Pushspin. Men push down and away – letting go with your left hand to spin your lady 1 complete turn like you would normally, but keep your right hand on your lady’s left hip as she spins – whilst she is spinning you will need to flip your hand over whilst keeping it in contact with her hip so that you end up with your thumb pointing to the floor and your right arm is behind her back. No pause – as soon as she has finished spinning, men pull back firmly with your right hand to lead your lady round behind you. Men, as your partner crosses behind you reach back and latch your left hand onto the inside of the ladies lower right arm. Men, take a big step backwards as you pull and let go with your left hand to spin the ladies clockwise. Catch and return.

Move 3 = Catapult Cleaver = Beats 1 & 2 as per a normal Catapult. Men step forwards and lean forwards as normal but offer your left hand over your right shoulder. Men step back to the left, pulling with your right hand at waist level to bring your lady into your right hand side – ladies take hold of the man’s offered hand by his shoulder. Men take another step back as you pull with your right hand at waist level to start turning your lady anti-clockwise in front of you, as she comes round to face men raise your right hand to meet your left to turn your lady another whole turn in an anti-clockwise direction. When your lady comes round to face, men turn slightly to your right and take your right hand over behind your head – as you take your left hand over behind your lady’s head. Let go with both hands and step away from each other sliding and catching man’s left to lady’s right.

Move 4 = Basket Salsa = Free Video Available

Full step by step video to all underlined dance moves are available  from www.danceyourselfdizzy.co.uk

If you visit this page on a regular basis you will have noticed that we have had a few problems with it over the last 2 months which has resulted in no updates being posted. We very much hope that these problems are now fixed and that we can get back to posting our weekly moves.

Sorry it’s taken a while .

Thank you all for making use of these pages.

Dizzy Stephen

Please note that these Modern Jive move descriptions are intended to be used as a memory jogger for those who attended the dance class rather than a training aid for learning the moves from scratch. Much more in-depth move descriptions and videos are available in the Dance Yourself Dizzy Members Area.

Move 1 = Secret Move = Video Available.

Move 2 = Basket Right Handed Step Across = Video Available.

Move 3 = Armjive Manhattan Around The World = Beats 1, 2, 3 & 4 as per a normal Armjive. Men keep hold with both hands, and keep your right hand at waist level, as you raise your left hand to turn your lady in a clockwise direction. As the ladies come round to face (her left arm should be in a half nelson behind her back) men lower your left hand out to the left at waist level, push forwards with both hands as you step forwards with your left foot – ladies step back on your right. Men pull with both hands as you step back with your left foot – ladies step forwards on your right. Men push forwards again with both hands as you step forwards again on your left – ladies step back on your right. Men keep your weight over your left foot and stay where you are, as you raise your lady’s right arm over and behind your head – ladies take an extra step forwards with your right foot. Both take a big step to your own right behind your partner, men as you do this straighten and lower your left arm, as you bend your right arm with your elbow pointing to the floor, so that you end up with your right hand by your right shoulder and your lady is to your left. Men, raise your right hand above your head and pass back under your lady’s raised left arm as you both take a step straight back. You should now be facing each other with the ladies right arm in a half nelson position behind her back and the man’s right arm raised out to the right. Men bring your right hand back in between you and your lady then over her head to unwrap her in a clockwise direction. Lower your hands and step back to face. Men let go with your right hand and return the ladies. Step back.

Move 4 = Cross Wrap and Spin = Both step back with a double handhold. Men, pull and raise both hands up and to your right to begin to turn your ladies anticlockwise past your right hand side. Continue to swap sides and both step back lowering your hands. both step in, men, raise your right hand up to the left so that your partner begins to turn clockwise and place your left hand on to the ladies left shoulder while she turns. When the ladies come around to face you, men, lower and flatten your right hand at shoulder height so that you are palm to palm with your ladies. Men, push down and away with the right hand as you pull and raise your left to unwrap the ladies anticlockwise for the first of 2 beats. Lower your hands and both step back man’s left to lady’s right.

Full step by step video to all underlined dance moves are available  from www.danceyourselfdizzy.co.uk