21/03/2019
Category: rock-n-roll-dance-moves

This is a Rock n Roll dance move I really enjoy performing. I call it Carousel Twirl, though like all of our Pub Rock moves it possibly has other names.

It's not too difficult to perform, but best to practice it to a medium pace song initially. That's because your timing needs to be fairly good and it's a challenging turn for the lady. Rather than a spin, it's a whip-around while she's in a circular motion.

Before entering this type of move, or any other for that matter, the man needs to be sure that both his and his partner's position in relation to each other is suitable and the balance of both is stable. To achieve this I have Natasha in a right-hand to right-hand grip and I have initiated the move by first giving her a clockwise overhead spin. That allows me to skip the return spin and instead wrap my right hand around her waist in a quick, smooth movement, then get going instantly.

The emphasis of this cannot be overstated. How successfully you will perform many popular Rock n Roll dance moves will depend strongly on how well the man leads into it. Entering a move from a suitable forward and/or return spin guarantees that you firstly have momentum and secondly your balance and positioning relative to each other will be satisfactory.

Failing to do this leads to entering complicated dance moves either from a dead stop, which is awkward, or with the lady poorly positioned. That leads to jerkiness and forces her to muddle through instead of properly controlling her execution. Being brutally honest, the result will likely be unflattering observations from onlookers when the lady may actually be a very capable dancer.

Gentleman, the lady is in your hands. Make her look good!

The really big key to this move is that the man must be ready to anticipate the lady arriving at the right point and initiate the backwards carousel immediately she gets there, so timing isn't lost. If you miss the moment, again, it will look awkward and jerky.

So, practice this with a medium pace song to begin with. Once you're proficient at it you'll find you can perform this move to a fast Rock n Roll dance song and it will be a joy to execute.