Nightclub Two Step (NC2S)
Tips and Traps
Nightclub Two Step Patterns
Here you'll find a discussion of beginning and intermediate patterns
for nightclub two step, a romantic dance for popular ballads. Nightclub
two step was created by Buddy Schwimmer in 1965. See the following link
for more details about the history
of nightclub two step,
In this description of the dance, I use the term "pulse" to
describe a subdivision of the beat. Each beat may have two pulses. In
nightclub two step music, usually the pulses within the first and third
beats are accented so that we hear:
1& 2 3& 4.
Nightclub Two Step -- Basic
In the basic step the leader (usually the guy!) steps back on the first
pulse of the beat 1 and then replaces his weight back on his right foot
on the second pulse of beat 1. This is called a rock step. (Remember,
in this discussion a pulse is a subdivision of the main beat). The follower
mirrors the leader; she also steps back when the leader steps back. This
causes an "away and together" kind of action. This is usually
counted 1&.
On beat 2, the leader steps side, left and holds this step for one full
beat.
On the first pulse of beat 3, the leader steps back with his righr foot.
On the second pulse of beat 3, he replaces his weight to his left foot.
On beat 4, the leader steps side, right.
If you'd like clarification to this explanation, you can see a little
video of the nightclub two step
basic here.
Nightclub Two Step -- Outside Underarm Turn
Uusually, the second pattern a beginner to nightclub two step learns
is the outside under arm turn. Here are some tips to help making it easier
to learn this step.
Leader: one good way to prepare for the outside underar turn is
to dance the basic step. Just before stepping to the left, on any
even count, raise your left hand up above the followe'rs head and nudge
her to start turning with your right hand (which should be on her left
shoulder blade). Your feet do the same pattern as in the basic except
that on the first quick after the slow step to the side, you can step
with your right foot so that your toe comes near the heel of left foot
(this is known as fifth position)
Tip: think of leading this turn with your right hand. Guide the follower
with your left.
Follower: when the leader raises your right hand, that's a door
way for you to go through. So as you step side to the right point your
toe to the right and start pivoting on it to the right. On the first quick,
step across your right foot with your left. On the second quick, pivot
on the ball of your right foot (keeping your right foot in place the whole
time), so that by the slow, you end up facing your partner again.
Trap: most beginning followers will not keep their right foot in place
while doing this turn and will lift up right right foot and spin away
from their man -- not a good thing. Ladies, pretend that you like this
guy; this will help you remember to keep your right foot in place and
come back to him when turn, rather than spin away from him.
Follow are some more steps I'm sure you'll enjoy In a future lesson,
I'll describe these steps in detail, too.
Shoulder check
Inside underarm pass
Fifth position breaks - alternating hands
Lady's hammerlock
Inside underarm pass with man's inside faceloop
Left turn
Back spot turn
Opposition break switches
Intermediate Nightclub Two step Patterns
Outside underarm turn moving
Around the World
For an instructional video that teaches all of these
steps in detail, see Steve Rebello's Nightclub
Two Video
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