Swing Dancing/Rock Step
From Tractatus
The rock step gets a page all to itself. A rock step is a generic term to refer to a weight change onto one foot, and then a weight change back.
The most common rock step in East Coast is one which goes backwards, and is used to create a nice connection('tension') on the 5-6. But, there are lots of rock steps. You can rock step forward to force the follower to go that direction. You can rock step sideways. You can rock step in place. Or you can replace the rock step with some other two beat sequence.
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Basic
The basic rock step is straight back. Not hooked. Straight back. If you hook, then you really better mean it.
Also, you are giving the follower the rock step. That means that she gets led to take the rock step. She should not just rock step on her own, she should be given it.
Hook
Big
Big step/Freeze.
Sideways
Circular
Stolen
There are a number of moves which require that the followers momentum come forward during the rock step. This means that the follwoer cannot be permitted to take a rock step. The best example is a Swingout.
You can do this with any move which involves forward travel for the follower. It is fun do do even with a simple inside turn, and it results in the turn feeling faster, and the following basic step feel slower. Since it gets the follower used to coming in, this can help the transition into swingouts.
Other options
Tap, ball-change
Exercises
Jockey
Start with the Jockey Step. Transition to dancing, come back to closed, and bring the follwoer back into a jockey step by taking the rock step away.