Send out
From closed position, the leader sends the follower out to arm’s length, where a rock step stretches the connection, and then brings her back in: the heart of the swing out.
Rock step, triple, rock step, triple (1 2 3&4 5 6 7&8)
Swing Hall
The send out is a core piece of Lindy Hop vocabulary. Its name is modern teaching language and period dancers may have used different words, but the idea of sending a partner away and calling them back is fundamental to the dance.
Eight counts that teach the stretch and compression of Lindy Hop. A step towards the swing out: the same footwork, but the partners travel in a line instead of a circle.
- Practise it slowly, focusing on the rock step at arm’s length.
- Leader: lead with your body, not only with your arms.
- Follower: stay on the line, step forward and keep your chest to the leader.
- Check the distance: arm’s length is not a fully straight arm.