SAINT LOUIS SHAG STEPS ====================== INTRODUCTION ------------ These definitions are for the LEADER's part of SAINT LOUIS SHAG as taught by Dennis & Denise. These definitions compiled by: Vic & Debbie Ceder P.O. Box 841 Los Olivos, CA. 93441-0841 www.ceder.net GENERAL DANCING TECHNIQUE AND HINTS ----------------------------------- Dance position should have plenty of room. My hand should be low on the follower's back. Lock my upper body such that when I move, she also must move. Make the follower assume my line of dance. Keep shoulders & body always facing forward. Basic step ("Triple Step Timing") [10-JAN-92] --------------------------------- From dance position. 1-And-2: Triple step (starting with L-foot) while leaning forward. 3-4: On 3, Hop on L-foot while kicking R-foot forward; On 4, Hop again on L-foot, moving R-foot to the center, knee bent. 5-6: On 5, Step back onto R-foot, putting weight backward. On 6, stomp L-foot forward, flat footed. Weight should still be backward. 7-8: On 7, step forward on L-foot (i.e., in place). When doing this the R-foot comes slightly off the ground. Weight forward. On 8, step backward on R-foot (i.e., in place). When doing this, the L-foot comes slightly off the ground. Weight backwards. Weight is forward on 1-And-2,3-4. Weight is backward on 5-6. Weight is forward on 7. Weight is backward on 8. Keep the hopping knee loose & bent. The Kicks should be soft, just extending the toe. Alternating Double Kicks [14-FEB-92] ------------------------ Same as Alternating Turns but use Single-Step Timing. Repeat the following: Kick: And: turning 1/4 to bring the kicking knee to the middle Kick: Step: Each 4-count is done on the SAME foot! Alternating Turns [10-JAN-92] ----------------- From dance position. Do 1/2 of a Half Turn. Then I do a triple step (starting with the L-foot) (Leader always Kicks with the OUTSIDE foot). This is the same as continuous Half Turns for the follower. Then repeat ... Hint: Take distinct triplet steps or else I may get lost. To get out, Leader stays in place for 4 beats. Then do the last 1/2 of a Half Turn. Chugs [14-FEB-92] ----- Verbal cue. Best cued on the Basic before the Dance Position Slide. D & D always do a Dance Position Slide first! From dance position. 1-2: On 1, pull the follower to my R-side, jumping with feet together to my Left. On 2, jump, feet together back (sorta facing). 3-4: On 3, pull the follower to my L-side, jumping to my Right. On 4, jump back (to face). 5-6: Repeat 1-2. 7-8: Repeat 3-4. This can be repeated several times. Then do a Basic. When doing the jumping, keep the knees bent & both feet together. Also keep the jumps small, don't go for distance! Continuous Kicks [14-FEB-92] (J&S: Continuous Inside Foot Kicks) ---------------- From dance position. Get the follower in tighter (hip-to-hip as in Jockey) & get down lower further, forcing the follower to get down. Do the first 1/2 of a Basic; 5: 6: 7: 8: 1: 2: 3: 4: STAND UP STRAIGHT. Do the last 1/2 of a Basic. The followers have to match the Leader's line. Dance Position Slide [10-JAN-92] -------------------- Do the first 1/2 of a Basic but on 4, turn 1/4 towards the follower BUT KEEP HER IN DANCE POSITION. 5: Step together (shoulders are facing). 6: Down (knees bent down). 7: Slide feet apart. 8: Slide feet together. Put a little bounce in the Sliding. DON'T GO DOWN ON 5!!! Stay standing up! Half Turns [10-JAN-92] ---------- From dance position. Do the first 1/2 of a basic but on 4, turn towards each other. Then repeat on the other foot ... (repeat as many times as necessary) Then do the last 1/2 of a basic. Kick styling: Kick out & away from each other. (e.g., open up a little more). Log Rolls [14-FEB-92] --------- From dance position. 1: Fall forward onto L-foot, crossing it in front of R-foot. 2: Fall backward (neutral) onto R-foot. 3: Fall backwards onto L-foot, crossing behind R-foot. MAKE SURE TO KICK THE R-FOOT OUT!!! 4: Step forward (neutral) onto R-foot. This can be repeated several times. The upper body stays facing the same direction throughout. Hips and below are moving but not the upper body. When doing this movement, lean towards reverse line of dance (to my R). To getout, start a Basic by lunging (leaning) forward. Quarter Turn With Shuffle [10-JAN-92] ------------------------- From dance position. 1-And-2: Triple Step (as in Basic) 3: as in Basic but place my R-H on front of her L-waist. 4: Turn 1/4 to face and push the follower away with my R-H on her hip & hop away from her. 5: Step backward (R) as in Basic. 6: Stomp (L) forward as in Basic. The Stomp is subtle. 7: Slide R-foot forward as L-foot slides backward. 8: Slide L-foot forward as R-foot slides backward. Then we can start another Basic by turning 1/4 to initial facing direction. When Dennis does several in a row, he doesn't put his R-hand on her back, but leaves it on her hip. Sliding Door [14-FEB-92] ------------ On the previous Basic, let go with my L-H. 1-And-2: Get the follower a little in front of me. 3: Kick foot 4: Pull the follower in front of me as we switch places. Repeat (Triple-Step, Kick, Hop) going the other direction. Feet are the same as in Half Turns. Leader passes the follower from his R-H to his L-H. To getout, when I come to the L-side, come forward up to her then finish a Basic. The Leads cannot be too strong on this movement.