In this video, Anthony and Rose—founders of Country Dance Orlando and two of the most entertaining instructors around—break down one of their favorite West Coast Swing patterns: The Monkey Swing. This move is stylish, fun, and packed with connection techniques that can level up any dancer’s WCS game. Whether you’re a West Coast Swing dancer in Orlando or just watching from home, you’re going to love this one.

Funny backstory—when Anthony and Rose first came across this move, they didn’t even know what it was called. They just called it “that cool one with the behind-the-back hand switch and the swoopy spin thing.” Later, they learned it’s officially called The Monkey Swing, and the name stuck. Naturally, they had to teach it on their channel.

This tutorial starts with a demonstration of the pattern so viewers can see exactly what they’re working toward. Then they break it down step-by-step, starting with footwork, body positioning, and how to create the right amount of prep and connection to make the whole move flow smoothly. Anthony explains the lead’s role—stepping out of the slot, prepping the turn, and executing a wrist break to create the iconic wrap-in behind the follower’s back. Rose details what followers should be doing, including pivots, arm placement, and how to maintain proper frame throughout.

One of the biggest highlights of this video is how clearly they explain the concept of elasticity—that stretch and release feeling that makes West Coast Swing so dynamic. They compare it to stretching a rubber band: if you let go too soon or don’t stretch far enough, the energy fizzles. But when you get it right, it creates the perfect setup for the next movement. It’s a simple but powerful idea that’s often overlooked, and they deliver it in a way that’s easy to understand (and easy to laugh at—because of course, there’s always a few jokes along the way).

They also dive deep into the hand connection during the move. The Monkey Swing features a behind-the-back wrist roll and an elbow catch that requires just the right placement—too low or too high, and you’re asking for trouble. Rose points out where to keep the follower’s free arm so it doesn’t accidentally clothesline the lead (yep, that’s a real thing that can happen). From there, the follower rolls into the lead’s arm, and they go into a beautifully expanded “sit and stretch” position, using body leverage to power the free spin out of it.

Throughout the video, Anthony and Rose emphasize that it’s not just about the steps. It’s about spacing, connection, communication, and keeping things fun. They teach with a laid-back energy that makes the material super approachable—perfect for intermediate West Coast Swing dancers who want to feel more confident and look smoother on the dance floor.

They also cover common mistakes and how to fix them: things like over-traveling, dropping frame, or missing the sweet spot on the catch. Anthony even shares how the leader can adjust on the fly if the follower travels too far or not far enough—because as he says, “Even if it’s her fault, it’s still our job to make it work.” (We’re pretty sure he was talking about dancing, but Rose gave him a look like that rule applies at home too.)

If you’re based in Orlando and want to learn this move in person, Anthony and Rose teach weekly West Coast Swing classes as part of their dance program at Country Dance Orlando. Their classes are beginner-friendly but packed with advanced techniques like this for dancers who are ready to take things to the next level.

So whether you’re learning at home or want to hit the dance floor here in Orlando, this is a great move to have in your toolbox. Watch the video, subscribe to their channel, and if you’re local—come dance with them. You’ll be glad you did.

The post How to do the Monkey Swing in West Coast Swing appeared first on Country Dance Orlando.

If you’ve ever seen a smooth, stylish West Coast Swing dancer glide across the floor with a spin in the middle, chances are you’ve seen a rolling pass. In this second installment of the “West Coast Swing Secrets” series, Anthony and Rose from Country Dance Orlando break down the rolling pass category—from the classic pattern to creative variations you can use at any local dance in Central Florida.

Before diving into rolling passes, they recommend watching the first part of the series, which covers side passes. That video lays the foundation and makes everything in this video easier to understand. Once you’re ready, this tutorial walks through the basic rolling pass, followed by several creative handhold options that can completely change how the pattern looks.

In West Coast Swing, most six-count patterns follow the same structure:

• Two beats of “approach” (the follower walks forward)
• Two beats of “action” (this is where the turn or variation happens)
• Two beats of “anchor” (both dancers stabilize in place)

The rolling pass follows that format exactly—but in the middle section, the follower does a 1.5-turn spin. The leader’s job is to step out of the way just enough to create space for the spin, then step back into position by the end. Followers can use pivot turns or chaînés, depending on what feels most natural.

Anthony uses the classic bread metaphor: “You’ve got two slices of bread—the walk-in and the anchor—and the filling is where the good stuff happens.” In the case of rolling passes, the filling is a fast, dynamic spin that can be dressed up in a ton of different ways.

Some of the handhold variations shown include:

• Free spin with a single hand connection
• Overhead rolling pass with different arms leading the turn
• Barrel rolls, where both partners spin under the same arm
• Mirror rolling passes using right-to-right or left-to-left hand connections

Even though the look and feel of the move can change drastically depending on the styling, hand connection, and speed, the core mechanics remain exactly the same. Anthony emphasizes the idea that West Coast Swing is about categories of movement—like side passes, rolling passes, and sugar pushes—and each one has hundreds of variations dancers can explore.

One of the most helpful tips in the video is the idea of using “circles” and “lines” to understand positioning. The follower moves from one circle to another, and the leader steps out of the line connecting them so she can pass through smoothly. These visual tools help dancers better understand floor placement and connection points, especially useful in a real-world dance setting like our Orlando group classes.

They also remind dancers that even with complicated patterns, it’s okay to take your time. Don’t feel like you need to hit the music immediately—practice the feet and the hands separately, then combine them only when you feel solid. That’s exactly the kind of process we use in our in-person classes at Country Dance Orlando.

So if you’re dancing West Coast Swing in Orlando and want to build confidence with more stylish moves, rolling passes are a perfect next step. They’re versatile, fun, and totally social-dance-ready. Whether you’re preparing for a dance night out or just want to move better with a partner, learning this pattern will level up your skills fast.

The post How to Do Rolling Passes in West Coast Swing appeared first on Country Dance Orlando.

If you’ve been trying to learn West Coast Swing here in Orlando and feel like it just hasn’t clicked, this video might be the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for. Anthony and Rose from Country Dance Orlando are diving into the part of West Coast Swing that most beginners struggle with the most: 8-count patterns.

Now, if you’ve taken a class somewhere and were shown a bunch of steps and patterns without really understanding how they work, you’re not alone. That’s how most people are taught—and it’s also why so many dancers get stuck. In this lesson, Anthony and Rose walk you through what’s really going on behind the scenes in 8-count patterns, so you can stop memorizing and start understanding.

They start by explaining the difference between 6-count and 8-count West Coast Swing patterns. In a 6-count pattern, the follower typically travels from one side of the slot to the other in six beats. But with an 8-count, she goes to the other side—and then comes back. It’s more movement, and it requires a better understanding of timing and structure to make it feel smooth (and fun).

That’s where this video comes in. Rather than treating 8-count patterns like a bunch of random steps, Anthony breaks them down into four sections—each one lasting two beats. These four sections are:

1. Come Toward Me – The follower starts moving down the slot toward the leader (beats 1-2).
2. Come Back – The follower is redirected back toward where she came from (beats 3-4).
3. Something Happens – This is where the variation occurs. Maybe there’s a turn, a styling detail, or a change in direction (beats 5-6).
4. Anchor – Both dancers stabilize in place, grounding the end of the movement (beats 7-8).

That’s the structure. And once you understand that, suddenly all those complicated whip patterns and turn variations don’t feel so overwhelming. Instead of trying to remember “a list of steps,” you just follow the logic of the pattern’s structure.

To make this crystal clear, Anthony uses a super simple visual metaphor: pink and blue circles. The follower moves between two pink circles on either side of the slot, and the leader moves between three blue circles (left, center, and right), depending on where he needs to be to guide her. It’s easy to picture, and it helps make sense of the movement, especially for people who are visual learners.

Throughout the video, they demonstrate several variations—whip, underarm turn, outside turn, behind-the-back hand changes—and show how each one still follows the same basic structure. You’ll start to realize that 90% of the “advanced” stuff is really just a remix of the same four building blocks.

And here’s the best part: this approach works for both leaders and followers. Leaders learn how to think ahead and guide the dance with confidence, and followers can finally feel what’s coming next without guessing or relying on memorized choreography.

So if you’re in Orlando and have been struggling with West Coast Swing, this is a great place to hit reset. Whether you’re learning for the first time or just need things to finally make sense, this video takes the pressure off and makes it all feel doable.

Want to take your dancing further? Anthony and Rose teach beginner-friendly West Coast Swing lessons every week right here at Country Dance Orlando. Their classes are relaxed, down-to-earth, and focused on helping regular people become confident social dancers—without overthinking it.

Watch the video, then come join us in person. West Coast Swing doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to make sense.

The post West Coast Swing 8-Count Patterns Made Simple appeared first on Country Dance Orlando.