Jive Basic and Advanced Routine

The short answer: this lesson gives you two Jive routines. The basic routine is for dancers who have never tried Jive, using Fallaway Rocks, Change of Places, a Fallaway Throwaway and American Spins. The advanced routine adds a Sit Line and Hip Circle, Chicken Walks, Flicks with a Ronde ending and Drunken Sailors. Each routine is danced in full, then named figure by figure and counted.

What is in this Jive lesson?

Two routines in one video. The basic Jive is for dancers who have never danced Jive before. If you already have a Jive routine, or you've been working on Jive for a while, follow through to the advanced routine. It shows a different way into the American Spins and a different way to finish the Chicken Walks.

My student Madeline and I dance each routine in full, then I name every figure and count the timing out loud. Clear a bit of space in your living room, because it gets fun and energetic.

How do you count Jive?

The basic routine is counted 1, 2, 3-a-4, 5-a-6. The "3-a-4" and "5-a-6" are the chassés. I count the basic routine out loud from 1:59 in the video, and the advanced routine from 4:20.

What steps are in the basic Jive routine?

1. 2 Fallaway Rocks
2. Change of Places Right to Left
3. Change of Places Left to Right: ending in Closed Position instead of open.
4. Fallaway Throwaway
5. 2 American Spins: in left hand to right hand hold, then into any open figure.

What steps are in the advanced Jive routine?

1. Fallaway Rock: from Closed Position, the first three steps lead you into the Sit Line.
2. Sit Line and Hip Circle
3. Coaster Step: a back ball change.
4. Underarm Turn and Chassé to Right: the lady dances an Underarm Turn while the man chassés to the side.
5. 4 Chicken Walks
6. Alternative Coaster Step: a back Coaster Step.
7. Overturned Change of Places
8. Turning 3 Step and Cross Chassé: the lady dances a Turning 3 Step to Right while the man dances a Cross Chassé, ending side by side.
9. 3 Flicks with Ronde Ending: two Flicks, then a Ronde on the third.
10. 3 Drunken Sailors
11. 2 American Spins: on the second one the man dances a Flick Ball Change to finish.

Common mistakes

• Jumping into the advanced routine before your timing and footwork are clear. It's a little tricky, with a high-end use of basic figures.
• Men not paying attention to how they lead the Chicken Walks.
• Not supporting the lady through the Chicken Walks, or not dancing the merengue steps properly.

Try this in your next practice

Dance the basic routine along with the timing section of the video, counting 1, 2, 3-a-4, 5-a-6 out loud. When it feels comfortable, learn the advanced routine figure by figure. Men, spend extra time on how you lead the Chicken Walks.

Frequently asked questions

Is this Jive routine good for beginners?

The basic routine is. It's made for dancers who have never danced Jive before. The advanced routine is a little tricky, so make sure you understand your timing and footwork first.

How fast is Jive music?

WDSF competition rules set Jive at 42 to 44 bars a minute.

How is the advanced routine different from the basic?

It's a high-end use of basic figures like the Fallaway Rock, Coaster Step, Change of Places and American Spins, with a different way into the American Spins and a different way to finish the Chicken Walks.

What should men focus on in the advanced routine?

How you lead the Chicken Walks. Support the lady and dance your merengue steps properly.

How does the advanced Jive routine finish?

With 2 American Spins. On the second one the man dances a Flick Ball Change to finish.

Related lessons

• Jive chassés: feet, hips and body rhythm
• Jive Drunken Sailors
• How to use your feet for Latin American dancing
• Cha Cha Cha basic and advanced routine

Vaughan Liddicoat is a 4 time World Professional 10 Dance representative for Australia, an accredited coach and the founder of Ballroom Mastery. He has a passion for dance and wants to help you become the best dancer you can be and have an amazing time doing it.