The Anchor Step in WEST Coast swing with Dick and Edna #

Understanding the Anchor Step and Connection in West Coast Swing | Dick & Edna Dance Company

In this educational West Coast Swing video, Dick and Edna break down one of the most important fundamentals in partner dancing — the Anchor Step and Connection. Whether you’re brand new to West Coast Swing or refining your technique as a more experienced dancer, this lesson highlights how mastering these elements can completely transform the way you dance and communicate with your partner.

The anchor is what gives West Coast Swing its smooth elasticity and flow. Dick and Edna explain how, without a solid anchor and connection, the dance can feel forced, rushed, or disconnected. Beginners are encouraged to focus on anchoring in third dance position, staying grounded after count 4 of a 6-count pattern or count 6 of an 8-count pattern, rather than drifting forward. They demonstrate how using a toe-heel, toe-heel rhythm on counts 5 & 6 helps dancers settle naturally into that 45-degree open position — the hallmark of great West Coast Swing technique.

This concept is not just for beginners; even in the Pre-Intermediate and Intermediate classes, dancers should continue to refine and apply their anchor and connection awareness. These details make all the difference in achieving that effortless “stretch and release” that West Coast Swing is famous for.

Join Dick and Edna for their Beginning and Pre-Intermediate West Coast Swing Classes to build a strong foundation, or advance to the Intermediate Class once your anchor and connection are second nature. Learn, practice, and dance with confidence — and remember to subscribe to the @ednalucero1 YouTube channel
for more lessons and dance insights from Santa Rosa, California.

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