4. Six-Count Underarm Turn

The Six-Count Underarm Turn is a unique dance figure popular with social dancers and wedding couples. Whereas the majority of underarm turns in the bronze syllabus are completed in 2 to 3 steps, this underarm turn with its broad and gradual nature takes a full 6 steps to complete. The lady's part is often mistakenly described as a series of 6 curving walks, however, upon closer examination one will notice that it is in fact only 3 walks followed by a turning Change or Box action, ending with the feet closed on step 6.

The man begins leading the turn as he steps back on his right foot, typically following steps 1-3 of a Left Box, LF Closed Change, Hesitation, or other similar pattern (For a complete list of preceding figures, click on the "Preceded By" tab). By lifting and slightly extending his left hand outward, he creates space for the lady to dance underarm. With gentle pressure from the right hand on her back, he leads her to walk under the raised LH-RH hold while he dances a RF Closed Backward Change. By the end of the third step she will have passed underarm, and by the fourth step the couple should be in side-by-side position. Steps 4-6 are effectively a Box Turn from side-by-side position (forward, side, close), where man and lady turn to face each other.

Because this is a spot figure, it may be danced on any alignment and in any part of the room. However, as spot figures go, it does tend to take up a considerable amount of space, so it should be used sparingly and only when there is ample space on the dance floor.

STEP#	COUNT	DESCRIPTION	NOTES
		Closed position.

1	1	Right foot back.	Lift left hand and begin to lead lady to turn to her right.
2	2	Left foot side & slightly back.	Continue leading lady to turn to her right under raised LH-RH hold. Release right hand from lady's back.
3	3	Right foot closes to left foot.	Continue leading lady to turn to her right under raised LH-RH hold. Then lower joined hands after she has finished passing underneath.

4	1	Left foot forward in side-by-side position.	Begin to turn to left.
5	2	Right foot side.	Continue turning to left.
6	3	Left foot closes to right foot.	1/4 turn to left over 4-6. End in closed or open facing position.

STEP#	COUNT	DESCRIPTION	NOTES
		Closed position.

1	1	Left foot forward.	Begin to turn to right. Release left hand from man's shoulder.
2	2	Right foot forward.	Continue turning to right under raised LH-RH hold.
3	3	Left foot forward.	1/4 turn to right under raised LH-RH hold over 1-3.

4	1	Right foot forward in side-by-side position.	1/4 turn to right between 3-4.
5	2	Left foot side.	Continue turning to right.
6	3	Right foot closes to left foot.	1/4 turn to right over 4-6. End in closed or open facing position, according to man's lead.

1-3 Left Box Turn	>>	Six-Count Underarm Turn
LF Closed Backward Change	>>	Six-Count Underarm Turn
Six-Count Underarm Turn	>>	Six-Count Underarm Turn
LF Forward Hesitation	>>	Six-Count Underarm Turn
LF Side Hesitation	>>	Six-Count Underarm Turn
1-9 Forward Changes O.P.	>>	Six-Count Underarm Turn
1-9 Backward Changes O.P.	>>	Six-Count Underarm Turn	step 1 of Six-Count Underarm Turn taken with lady outside partner on left.
1-3 Left Cross Turn	>>	Six-Count Underarm Turn
Side-by-Side Changes	>>	Six-Count Underarm Turn
Side-by-Side Changes	>>	Six-Count Underarm Turn

Six-Count Underarm Turn	>>	4-6 Left Box Turn
Six-Count Underarm Turn	>>	Right Box Turn
Six-Count Underarm Turn	>>	RF Closed Forward Change
Six-Count Underarm Turn	>>	RF Closed Backward Change
Six-Count Underarm Turn	>>	Six-Count Underarm Turn
Six-Count Underarm Turn	>>	RF Back Hesitation
Six-Count Underarm Turn	>>	RF Side Hesitation
Six-Count Underarm Turn	>>	Side Whisk to R
Six-Count Underarm Turn	>>	Open Break & Underarm Turn to R
Six-Count Underarm Turn	>>	4-12 Forward Changes O.P.	man turning 3/8 to left, lady turning 1/8 to right over 4-6 Six-Count Underarm Turn, to prepare outside partner position, or turning the normal amount and taking step 4 of Forward Changes O.P. in-line
Six-Count Underarm Turn	>>	4-12 Backward Changes O.P.
Six-Count Underarm Turn	>>	Cross-Body Lead
Six-Count Underarm Turn	>>	Promenade Close	man & lady each overturning 1/8 over 4-6 of Six-Count Underarm Turn to end in promenade position
Six-Count Underarm Turn	>>	Promenade Chasse	man & lady each overturning 1/8 over 5-6 of Six-Count Underarm Turn to end in promenade position
Six-Count Underarm Turn	>>	4-6 Left Cross Turn
Six-Count Underarm Turn	>>	Promenade Cross	man & lady each overturning 1/8 over 4-6 of Six-Count Underarm Turn to end in promenade position
Six-Count Underarm Turn	>>	Underarm Turn L. from Closed Position
Six-Count Underarm Turn	>>	Underarm Turn L. from Promenade	man & lady each overturning 1/8 over 4-6 of Six-Count Underarm Turn to end in promenade position
Six-Count Underarm Turn	>>	Cross-Body Lead to UAT L
Six-Count Underarm Turn	>>	Side-by-Side Changes
Six-Count Underarm Turn	>>	Side-by-Side Changes Backward