Country Swing is…

Country Swing is structured as a stationary, rotational partner dance developed to match the rhythmic drive and phrasing of modern country music. Country Swing is danced primarily to a four-beat structure and commonly organized into eight-count phrases. The foundational movement is based on a rock-step action, creating elastic connection, clear lead–follow communication, and grounded body mechanics.

Depending on division, the dance may be expressed through different rhythmic structures while maintaining the same core identity. Lower divisions commonly dance a slower, simplified timing (such as SSS), while higher divisions incorporate quicker rhythmic interpretation (such as QQS or “rock-and-go” rhythm), with the rock action occurring on the first beat across all divisions. As a style, Country Swing draws influence from several American partner dances. It incorporates the timing sensibilities of Two-Step, the elastic connection and frame of West Coast Swing, and the rotational trading of places found in dances such as East Coast Swing and Lindy Hop.

These influences contribute to a springier, tension-based movement quality while preserving clarity, safety, and consistency of technique. Country Swing allows for four-count and six-count patterns, with the flexibility to expand into longer count structures and prioritizes rhythmic precision, rotational momentum, and musical responsiveness. These fundamental characteristics, in turn, provide dancers with opportunities for musical expression and narrative storytelling. Overall, Country Swing is a fast-moving, energetic, and distinctly modern country dance that balances structure, connection, and rotational motion while allowing for growth in complexity across competitive divisions.