I'm new to this site and like it very much. I was wondering if someone could tell me when and why the basic step to Hustle changed. I am a dancer from back in the Disco Days and we did Hustle with a coaster step, counting the entire basic 1, 2 and 3. I was out of the dance scene for 26 years and am now back. I was shocked to see how Hustle is now being taught (And 1, 2,3) and wondered if anyone could tell me why it was changed. Thanks for any info!!

I'm not sure when it changed, but in the end it doesn't make much difference, because no matter how you count 3 count hustle, you are not on a consistent downbeat. When in closed position I would feel more comfortable counting +1,2,3,{starting with the coaster step or rock}. But if I started with a two hand hold {like I might with 4 count hustle} I would be more apt to start 1,2,+3. {forward back and step}
Hope this helps.

Your reference , I beleive, is to Latin hustle. The change to the " 3 " count, came about in 1980 .

It is a bastardised version of E. Coast swing.-- it became popular with the younger set, primarily because of the speed, and it also gave the chain schools another dance, to market, under the same banner .

My apologies if this duplicates, but when I hit "post" originally my message was lost...

The Latin Hustle we were taught by a big hustle dancer from back in the 70s has a 6-count basic step: 123&456 point replace coaster (back,together,fwd)step step. He showed us several steps which have anywhere from 6 counts, to 8,10,12 and more counts to them. We've improvised several steps ourselves, either converted from another dance or ones we've made up. Some West Coast steps convert fairly easily, with modification.

We were also taught the New York (or 3-count) Hustle with the coaster as 12&3, but I've noticed a few other studios doing &123.

There's also a slower 4-count hustle that I've seen that has no syncopation. Just 1234. Usually reserved for those who find the 3-count too fast.

J

The correct rhythm for Latin hustle--

Double time ( tap step)-- single time, ( walk walk ) and triple step, akin to a coaster or fan .

It has been quite a while since I danced the hustle on a regular basis (1986-1992), but I was taught the count the timing as 1, 2 and 3. Unless it has changed, I learned the same was as the message posted by Annie.