West Coast Swing
90–120 BPM· IntermediateAnchor, stretch, and play with the slot and the music.
United States, evolved from Lindy Hop, mid-20th century
What makes West Coast Swing special
West Coast Swing runs around 90–120 BPM and is danced in a slot, built on elastic connection, the anchor step, and a deep sensitivity to the music — from blues to contemporary pop. It rewards patience and timing over speed: the stretch and compression between partners is where the dance lives.
Why looping helps for west coast swing
- 01Loop a section to drill the anchor step until the timing and connection are automatic.
- 02Slow a track to 85% to break down the stretch-and-compression feeling before full tempo.
- 03Drill a single pattern (sugar push, left side pass, whip) on repeat until the lead and follow stay connected.
- 04Practice musicality by looping a section to find the slow-and-quick phrasing of the song.
Drills to try
Anchor timing
Loop any WCS-friendly track. Drill the anchor step (3&4) over and over, focusing on settling into the anchor and staying grounded. 32 reps until the timing is in your body.
Stretch and compression
With a partner, loop a 32-count section at 85% speed. Drill the sugar push, feeling the stretch on the way out and compression on the way in. Build to full tempo.
Musical phrasing
Loop a section with clear slow and fast phrases. Practice matching your speed to the music — quick on the busy parts, settled on the slow parts. Repeat until it feels natural.
Songs to practice with
- · John Legend — All of Me
- · Bruno Mars — Treasure
- · Adele — Rolling in the Deep
- · Jonny Lang — Red Light
These are suggestions, not endorsements. Use your own audio files or stream from supported sources via BeatLoop.
Practice west coast swing with BeatLoop
Loop any section. Slow it down without changing pitch. Record yourself. Available on iOS and Android.