TwoStep - Part 5
Fig 14a Hitch:
Hitches are a family of figures which take normal TwoStep timing (Q,Q, S,-;) but do not travel and do not change position or facing direction. The first step for the Man is Forward but the Lady may step Forward (in Open or Semi-Closed position) or Back (in Closed position).
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Open or Semi-Closed position with the Man facing the LOD, with Lead feet free
Man: Forward Left, Together Right, Back Left, Touch ;
Lady: Forward Right, Together Left, Back Right, Touch ;
Closed position with the Man facing the LOD, with Lead feet free
Man: Forward Left, Together Right, Back Left, Touch ;
Lady: Back Right, Together Left, Forward Right, Touch ;
It is possible but uncommon for the Man to start Hitch with Trail feet free.
Fig 14b Back Hitch:
The first step for the Man is Back but the Lady may step Back (in Open or Semi-Closed position) or Forward (in
Closed position).
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Open or Semi-Closed position with the Man facing the LOD, with Trail feet free
Man: Back Right, Together Left, Forward Right, Touch ;
Lady: Back Left, Together Right, Forward Left, Touch ;
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Closed position with the Man facing the LOD, with Trail feet free
Man: Back Right, Together Left, Forward Right, Touch ;
Lady: Forward Left, Together Right, Back Left, Touch ;
It is possible but uncommon for the Man to start Back Hitch with Lead feet free.
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Fig 14c Double Hitch:
Hitch followed by Back Hitch in any position and facing direction. Sometimes cued as Hitch 6, this is a very commonly used combination. It is good practice to Draw the foot Back on the third step rather than make a Touch, so the next step (also Back) is placed beyond the weighted foot.
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Open or Semi-Closed position with the Man facing the LOD, with Lead feet free
Man: Fwd Left, Tog Right, Back Left, Draw R ; Back Right, Tog Left, Fwd Right, Touch ;
Lady: Fwd Right, Tog Left, Back Right, Draw L; Back Left, Tog Right, Fwd Left, Touch ;
Closed position with the Man facing the LOD, with Lead feet free
Man: Fwd Left, Tog Right, Back Left, Draw R ; Back Right, Tog Left, Fwd Right, Touch ;
Lady: Back Right, Tog Left, Fwd Right, Draw L; Fwd Left, Tog Right, Back Left, Touch ;
Practice 14.1:
In Open position facing Line of Dance with Lead feet free
2 Forward TwoSteps ;; Walk 4;;
Double Hitch ;; 2 Forward TwoSteps to Face ;;
2 Turning TwoSteps ;; Side TwoStep Left & Right ;;
Box ;; Side Close Twice ; Side & Thru’ to Open ;
Practice 14.2:
In Closed position facing Line of Dance with Lead feet free
2 Forward TwoSteps ;; Double Hitch ;;
2 Forward TwoSteps ;; Prog Scissors to Sidecar & Banjo ;;
{in Banjo position} Double Hitch ;; Walk 4 to Face ;;
Side Close Twice ; Side & Thru’ to Open ; Walk 4 to PickUp ;;
Fig 15a Face to Face:
The next two figures are developments from the Side TwoStep, and are often (but not always) cued together. Both figures travel along line of progression using a sideways action. Joined Lead hands are released after the first two steps.
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Butterfly position with the Man facing the Wall, with Lead feet free
Man: Side Left, Together Right, Side Left turning away (Left-faced), Touch ;
Lady : Side Right, Together Left, Side Right turning away (Right-faced), Touch ;
The figure ends in a Back to Back V position with Trail hands joined and extended, and Trail feet free
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Fig 15b Back to Back:
This figure very often follows Face to Face as it begins in a Back to Back V position with Trail feet free. The position should not be exaggerated but should allow for the first step to be taken sideways along line of progression.
Back to Back position with the Man facing the DLC and Lady facing DLW with Trail feet free
Man: Side Right, Together Left, Side Right turning to Butterfly (Right-faced), Touch ;
Lady : Side Left, Together Right, Side Left turning to Butterfly (Left-faced), Touch ;
In both figures the joined Trail hands may be gently swung through between the dancers to impart the correct body flow away or towards the partner.
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Practice 15.1:
Butterfly position with the Man facing the Wall, with Lead feet free
Face to Face ; Back to Back ; repeat several times advancing around the room
Practice 15.2:
Butterfly position with the Man facing the Wall, with Lead feet free
Side TwoStep Left & Right ;; Face to Face ; Back to Back to Butterfly ;
Box ;; Reverse Box ;;
Sometimes we modify the Back to Back to finish in Open position facing Line of Dance.
Practice 15.3:
Butterfly position with the Man facing the Wall, with Lead feet free
Side TwoStep Left & Right ;; Face to Face ; Back to Back to Open ;
2 Forward TwoSteps ;; Walk 4 to Butterfly ;;
Fig 16 Basketball Turn:
This is a two measure figure in 4 steps in which partners turn individually one full turn (S,-,S,-; S,-,S,-;). It may start with either foot free, but most commonly with lead feet free.
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In Open position facing Line of Dance with Lead feet free
MAN: Forward Left turning 1/4 Right-Faced to face Lady, -, Recover Right continuing Right- Faced turn to end facing Reverse Line of Dance, -; Forward Left turning 1/4 Right-Faced away from Lady, -, Recover Right continuing Right-Faced turn to end in starting position unless otherwise indicated, -;
Lady: Forward Right turning 1/4 Left-Faced to face Man, -, Recover Left continuing Left- Faced turn to end facing Reverse Line of Dance, -; Forward Right turning 1/4 R Left-Faced away from Man, -, Recover Left continuing Left-Faced turn to end in starting position unless otherwise indicated, -;
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This figure has been re-defined by Roundalab: older dances may use this figure from Butterfly position in which case dancers should turn to Open position prior to commencing the figure.
Practice 16.1:
In Open position facing Line of Dance with Lead feet free
2 Forward Two-Steps ;; Basketball Turn to Open ;;
2 Forward TwoSteps to Butterfly ;; Face to Face ; Back to Back to Open ;
Note: Although the normal usage of Basketball Turn is as a 2 measure figure, it may be modified to a single measure figure (Q,Q,Q,Q;) in which case it would be cued Quick Basketball Turn. We shall not use this modified figure here.
TwoStep Part 5 Video
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