Talk:Coaster Step

from Skippy's Dance Terminology Notebook

COASTER STEP -

(1) In Swing Dance Clubs, and more specifically in Swing groups that define themselves as "WEST COAST SWING", a Coaster Step has been replaced by an “ANCHOR.” (2) In "BALLROOM SWING" a Coaster Step is referred to as any “Back Together Forward.” (3 This one simple term has become the dividing line for two very different, identifiable forms of SWING. The "Coaster" is still used in many venues of "Ballroom Swing." Competitions seldom overlap mostly because of the decided difference in the appearance and style of the dance.

Historical Note: The history of the "Coaster" helps us to understand why it has been replaced. In the early 1950s, The Long Beach, California Arthur Murray Studio boasted a staff of top Swing dancers. Karma Haltom would "Coast" at the end of a pattern, turning her body on an angle as she swiveled back left and forward right before walking in toward her partner. To teach that style, the easiest form was to swivel the body and do a "Back together forward,” and then swivel to face your partner before walking forward into a new pattern. The term "COASTER" applied to the movement and not the rhythm OR the direction of the feet. Arthur Murray Studios adopted this style as part of its National Curriculum. Over time, with revisions of teaching manuals, more and more technique was eliminated until finally, the SWIVEL was no longer in print. The basic styling of the pattern was lost. The definition began to include any "Back together Forward" and remains so in many places today.

I don't see any "forward-together-back". I think this has been misinterpreted, "she swiveled back left and forward right before walking in toward her partner". Steve Pastor (talk) 22:15, 8 April 2009 (UTC)

Note to self, and anyone interested... "At the end of a pattern, she "Coasted", turning her body on an angle as she swiveled back left and forward right before walking back toward her partner." Wouldn't this mean that they were NOT teaching a count of 123 456 7 8 when in open position, which is what I see in Haile's DanceBook ???Steve Pastor (talk) 20:27, 24 May 2009 (UTC)

Move discussion in progress

There is a move discussion in progress on Talk:Lindy hop which affects this page. Please participate on that page and not in this talk page section. Thank you. —RMCD bot 07:29, 27 June 2015 (UTC)

Move discussion in progress

There is a move discussion in progress on Talk:Lindy Hop which affects this page. Please participate on that page and not in this talk page section. Thank you. —RMCD bot 17:44, 27 June 2015 (UTC)