LeRoc Footwork

Footwork.....in Modern Jive?  But surely there isn't any?  Yes there is say some!  It appears there is a divide.  This short note suggests a starter as to what the rules really are for two "themes" of Modern Jive, "General" and "LeRoc".

General Modern Jive Rules

This is taught by perhaps the majority of Modern Jive venues.  Dance Yourself Dizzy expresses well the simplicity of no strict footwork.

1. Ease first.  Use whatever footwork is most comfortable
2. Keep moving.  Step in to turn (either direction), step back after the turn
3. Unwind the lady.  After a move, where the main part ends with the lady turning clockwise, the man then leads the lady into an anticlockwise return
4. One little rule.  Ladies step right behind left during the sway part of a sway or basket

Advantages:

• Easy to learn and not too complicated to be enjoyable and learn moves quickly
• Attention of beginners is kept and they come back the following week

Disadvantages:

• Dancing with others may be hit and miss, in particular links between moves as the ladies may need to perform a foot change here and there "on the hoof".  The result is a more clumsy link with some dancers but not others.
• Turns may never feel quite right.
• Such "unrestricted" habits may need to be unlearned later if the lady wishes to improve.

Conclusion:

• Keep it simple and your will satisfy those who want maximum fun for minimum effort.

LeRoc Rules

LeRoc is one "brand" of Modern Jive, many teachers are part of the The LeRoc French Jive Federation.  Some information on their footwork can be found at http://www.elmgrove-leroc.co.uk/Moves.htm. Some may also wish to watch the DVD/video "How to Jive" at http://www.howtojive.com/video.htm.  It does not state the rules below, but seems to obey most of them.

1. Turning clockwise. The lady steps in and turns on her right foot, the left foot is then brought by its side and weight transferred on the next half count (half count = whole beat), then she steps back on her right foot a further half count later.
2. Turning anticlockwise. The lady steps in and turns on her left foot, the right foot is then brought by its side and weight transferred on the next half count, then she steps back on her left foot a further half count later.
3. Footwork for anticlockwise-starting moves. Ladies start such moves (eg lady spin, sway, basket, half-windmill, etc) by stepping back on their right foot at count 1.  However, in theory, the lady need never consciously do this, provided she obeys rule 1 and the man obeys rule 4.
4. Leading anticlockwise-starting moves. The man ensures he ends the previous move with a clockwise turn, thus the lady steps back on right foot after the turn. He thus skips the all too common anticlockwise return so as not to wrong-foot the lady.
5. Footwork for non-anticlockwise-starting moves.  Ladies start all "other moves" by stepping back on her left foot at count 1.  However, in theory, the lady need never consciously do this, provided she obeys rule 2 and the man rule 6.
6. Leading non-anticlockwise-starting moves.  Whenever a man wishes to lead these moves, he ensures the previous move ends with an anticlockwise turn (eg Wurlitzer) or adds an anticlockwise return to the end, thus the lady steps back on her left foot after the turn.

Observations:

• Plodding to the beat does not work.   the lady cannot just step on each half-count or each count, she must vary the timing to be on the correct foot for each turn.  This is particularly noticeable between a clockwise and anticlockwise turn, but also at the start of a move that starts with a left foot back and proceeds into a clockwise turn.

Advantages:

• Links between moves will put the lady on the correct foot, requiring no bodged footwork.
• There is a better chance of compatibility - but only with other LeRoc dancers.
• Ultimately, the person may reach a higher potential at dancing.

Disadvantages:

• The lady must learn her footwork from the start and some may not be looking for such a hobby and give up.
• The man must think more about when to use returns based on the following move to ensure she is always correctly footed. LeRoc ladies will generally be wrong footed by Ceroc dancers.
• It may not be obvious on which foot a lady should be on for some moves, so men may lead wrongly.
• This dance is less flexible on footwork.

Conclusion:

• Much more of a strict dance with steps defined, but the advantage is worth it, but only if both obey the rules.