Jive is based on the Chasse action. It is important that you fully understand it. 

When entering for a professional qualification many dance associations require an explanation of a Chasse.

Danced by both the man and the lady, Jive Chasse consists of 3 steps. They can be danced in many different directions. The action should be rhythmical, using a positive hip swing¹, slight bounce action and the steps should not be danced too wide.

The technique described below is the authentic way to dance a Jive chasse.

The technical details of:

• Foot Positions
• Timing
• Footwork
• Beat Values
• Action Used

are described in the Latin American technique book, however, to fully understand the actions we mention details to pay attention to:

Read the information included in the Common Faults section.

Foot Positions:

The foot position on step 2 is half closed, not ‘closed’.

• To dance the correct foot position on the second step, the foot will only close part way towards the stationary foot (approximately half the distance).
• Steps should not be taken too wide, this will assist in the hip swing.

Timing: 

The correct way of counting the Jive Chasse is Quick a Quick.

One bar construction including a Jive Rock: Quick Quick Quick a Quick, for example Whip, steps 1 & 2 for the man are a Latin Cross and a side step.

One and a half bar construction: Quick Quick Quick a Quick Quick a Quick, for example Basic in Fallaway.

Footwork:

For a Jive Chasse without turn the footwork is:  1. Ball flat.   2. Ball flat.   3. Ball flat.

For a Jive Chasse with turn on the 3rd step the footwork is:  1. Ball flat.   2. Ball flat.   3. Ball

Beat Values:

The beat values on all Chasses are 3/4.  1/4.  1.

• Because the Chasse includes a 1/4 beat, there is a split beat action. The first step should be danced using the full value of 3/4 beat, the next value is only a 1/4. The last step has a full 1 beat value.
• In order to accent the 1/4 action, the second step should not move until the first step has been given its full 3/4 beat value (this will accent the true split beat rhythm).

Action Used:

The movement of the hip swing in a Jive Chasse is unusual:

• Step 1: The hips move in the opposite direction to the travelling foot.
• Step 2: The hips move in the same direction as the foot.
• Step 3: The hips continue to move in the same direction and does not complete the swing. It will be completed on in the first step on the next Chasse, when it moves in the opposite direction to the travelling foot

The hip action in Jive is called “swing”, this is to encourage a free action and movement.

Because Jive has a slight bounce action, the knees will have a slight compression, only one knee straightens on the 3rd step.

The opposite actions occur on the following Jive Chasse.

Bounce Action:

There is a slight bounce action used.

Weight Distribution:

Weight is felt towards the ball of the foot.

Common Faults:

• The foot often closes on step 2. The action is only a half close.
• On the Chasse action, many dancers use the incorrect beat values of 1/2.  1/2.  1. and not the correct beat values of 3/4.  1/4.  1. Using the correct beat values gives the Chasse a split beat timing, which adds to the rhythmical interpretation.
• On steps 2 & 3 dancers do not move their hips in the same way as the foot but they swing their hips from side to side. A controlled hip movement completes the swing action.
• Often an over-exaggerated bounce action is shown, this gives the appearance of a Samba style.
• There is no pelvic action in a Chasse. Dancers often use a pelvic action which is incorrect as it stops a good hip swing.
• Many dancers use toe footwork and not ball of the foot, which results in Jive being danced too high; also often feet are lifted from the floor – these are incorrect actions which, combined with an over-exaggerated bounce action, completely change the appearance of the Chasse.
• On the 3rd step of the Chasse, some dancers lift their foot completely from the floor by bending the knee. Feet should remain in contact with the floor at all times.
• As often seen in competitions, the Chasse action is completely lost in favour of marking time on the floor, high on toes, lifting the feet high off the floor and completely ignoring the Jive Rock – this is not only technically incorrect but it also completely changes the style of the dance.
• The timing should not be given using numbers, e.g. one bar: 1 2 3 & 4, one and a half bar: 1 2 3 a 4 3 a 4. The timing for one bar is Quick Quick Quick a Quick and one and a half bar: Quick Quick Quick a Quick Quick a Quick.

Examination Tips:

• Because this figure has so many different actions, it is one of the most popular examiner questions. In many dance associations, it is a compulsory question for examination.
• If you enjoy dancing the technical style and character of the figures, it will make answering examination questions much easier because you are explaining to your examiner what you are dancing.
• When danced technically correct, Jive Chasse has a very controlled rhythmical appearance, highlighting the positive hip swing and accented beats.

¹ Hip swing – The reason the hip action is called a swing in Jive is to encourage a free action to give the dance a lively, free moving, rhythmical appearance.

² Half closed – When half closing a foot, the distance travelled is halfway of the width created by the movement of the first step (for example if you step to the side creating 20 cm distance between your feet, the next step would half close at 10 cm).