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Figure Technique6 minutes

Jive Change of Places: Safely Opening the Path Under the Arm

By Mary De LucaUpdated

In short
  • During the Jive change of places, the leading partner opens the pathway and raises the joined hand above head height in good time.
  • When changing places from right to left, the following partner turns to the right; from left to right, they turn to the left.
  • Each change of places includes a back step and two chassés to the rhythm of one, two, three and four, five and six.
  • At the end, you face each other in open position, with the joined hand lowered and no tension.

A hand held over the head can look like a lot of leading. What really matters is the clear path underneath: if both dancers move toward the same spot at the same time, even a perfectly counted change step gets cramped.

What you need for both directions

  • A safe space to step back and two familiar Jive chassés
  • Familiar counting: 1, 2, 3 a 4, 5 a 6
  • A dance partner with an assigned lead role
  • Open space for short steps and an underarm turn
  • Dance shoes and a level, obstacle-free floor

Direction refers to the leading partner

The labels right to left and left to right describe the following partner’s side from the leading partner’s perspective. You don’t have to copy the other person’s exact foot placement. In the usual beginner version, right to left starts from a closed position: the following partner stands on the leading partner’s right side. After the pass, you release the closed position and face each other with a one-hand connection. For the return, you keep this open connection.

The hand signals a pass, it doesn’t pull the body through. The leading partner creates space with their own step and keeps the connected arm relaxed and mobile. The following partner supports their own weight and turns their feet and body in the new direction. That way, no one has to duck their head or hike up their shoulder. The English figure name is Change of Places.

This guide assumes you know the steps from getting started with Jive. If your feet, direction, and hands all get mixed up at once, breaking down a learning sequence that’s moving too fast can help: walk the path first, then add the familiar rhythm. Practice each direction separately at first, with a pause at the end.

Short movement paths let you control the arrival before the next weight shift begins.
Short movement paths let you control the arrival before the next weight shift begins.

Practice both position changes step by step

  1. Start on the right in closed position

    Get into the familiar closed Jive hold, with the follower on the leader's right. The leader's left hand loosely holds the follower's right hand; keep the other connection at the back for now. Agree on the short sequence you will dance.

  2. Prepare the outbound movement in the back step

    Dance the back step on 1, 2 with a full weight transfer. As you return, the leader opens the frame at the back and prepares the arch with their left hand. The space for the follower is cleared before they step into it.

  3. Pass to the right under the arm

    On 3-and-4, the follower dances the first chassé into the opened pathway and begins their right turn under the connection. The leader dances their own chassé out of the way. The hand stays above the head, not behind the neck.

  4. Finish the outward movement in open position

    On 5 and 6, use the second Chassé to finish facing each other. Lower your joined hands in front of your bodies, roughly between hip and lower chest height. Then pause briefly: You are standing independently, with relaxed elbows and just one hand connection.

  5. Opening the return path from open position

    Start the return with a new back step on 1, 2. The leader now prepares the pass to their own right side and raises the connected hand again. The follower waits for this open path instead of starting to turn on the back step.

  6. Move left through the arch

    On 3 a 4, the follower moves under the hand with the first chassé and turns to the left. The leader steps aside and turns to face their new partner. Keep the hand contact light, without gripping the thumb.

  7. Finish the return with some distance

    On 5 and 6, finish the return with the second chassé and face each other again. Lower your hands without pulling the follower toward you. Stay in open position; a closed hold isn't necessary for this exercise ending. Then repeat each direction separately to the music.

Keep the transition fluid

Do this

  • Adjust the hand arch to your partner's height
  • Let your fingers rest loosely interlaced
  • Keep your free arm close enough to your body as you pass
  • If you feel pressure in your shoulder, stop and lower your hand

Not like this

  • Keep your hand at a fixed height regardless of your partner's height
  • Pinch your follower's hand with your thumb
  • Block your partner's path with your free arm
  • Force the turn under your hand despite pressure on the shoulder

Your check before and after every attempt

Before the first run-through

Start

After the individual attempts

Control

After the run-through with music

Wrap-up

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. No, you don't have to swap your exact previous positions. The figure's name describes a change of sides relative to the leader, not an exchange of two points on the floor. The leader moves too and makes room. What matters is a clear path and a finishing position where you face each other without a twisted arm.

Latin classes for your Jive change-of-place moves

In a Latin class with Jive, you practice arm openings and pathways, with direct feedback on both roles.

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Practice the open pathway together

On udansa, you can find dance partners to calmly practice both Jive changes of place. Explain that you know the back step and Chassés and now want to strengthen the guided run-throughs.

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Practice the open pathway together

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