How to Dance the Jive Drunken Sailor Combination

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The short answer: the Drunken Sailor is another name for the Botafogo in Jive. In this combination you dance flick, flick, back ball change twice, then two Drunken Sailors, staying on the ball of the foot with your weight central. Once that feels comfortable, layer it up: double time, both feet with a quarter turn, then to music.

What is a Drunken Sailor in Jive?

It's another name for the Botafogo. It gets its name from the swinging action of the body: if you've ever had a few too many, you get a bit wobbly, like you're on a ship that's tilting. In this combination the Drunken Sailors follow flicks and back ball changes.

Why is this Jive combination worth practising?

I remember seeing this step danced at a World Latin Championship and thinking, I want to do that. But my feet weren't fast enough. It starts slow, then gets faster and faster, so grab a coffee. It takes practice to dance it at speed, and you'll get fit along the way.

How do you dance the Drunken Sailor combination?

Flicks and back ball changes: start with the right foot and dance flick, flick, back ball change, twice.
Drunken Sailors: follow with two Drunken Sailors, then do it all again.
Footwork and balance: on the flicks, use the ball of the foot only, keep the heel off the floor and keep your weight central to minimise the wobble.
Double time: once you can count it, speed the Drunken Sailors up. That's where it gets fun.
Both feet: add a little quarter turn each time, and end on the right leg so you can dance it starting with the left foot.
To music: dance it to music, then take it up to the next speed and let your body swing on the Drunken Sailors.

Common mistakes

Letting the heel come down on the flicks instead of staying on the ball of the foot.
Wobbling because the weight isn't central.
Using power and big kicks instead of feeling the bounce and the rhythm.
Adding extra styling before the pattern itself feels solid.

Try this in your next practice

Dance the combination slowly on the right foot until the flicks stay on the ball of the foot and your weight stays central. Then add the quarter turn and the left foot. Only then put it to music and speed it up, thinking about the bounce, not the kick.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Drunken Sailor the same as the Botafogo?

Yes. In the video I call it the Botafogo, also known as the Drunken Sailor.

How fast is Jive music?

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

Can I practise this Jive combination on my own?

Yes. I dance it solo in the video, slowly first, then faster and to music.

Do I need to kick high?

No. This combination isn't about power or kicking your legs as high as you can. It's about feeling the bounce, feeling the rhythm and having fun.

Related lessons

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.

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