West Coast Swing Dancing is a form of dancing characterized by a distinctive elastic look. A partner dance, West Coast Swing heavily emphasizes improvisation.

West Coast Swing is a competitive partner dance derived from Lindy Hop. It is characterized by a distinctive elastic style; this elastic style is a result of the expansion-compression technique of partner connection. There are two styles of West Coast Swing: class and funky, or contemporary. It can be danced to almost any style of music written in a 4/4 rhythm.

In competition, the goal is to perform a routine that is scored higher by the judges than the other competitors.

It is widely accepted that West Coast Swing is derived from Lindy Hop, an African American dance that evolved in New York City in 1927. Dean Collins was an influential figure in developing the style in Los Angeles in 1937. The style was originally known as "Western Swing" and was not referred to as West Coast Swing until 1962 in an advertisement by Skippy Blair; Blair credits Jim Bannister for suggesting the name. However, the name was not incorporated into mainstream dance circles until the late 1960s. In 1988, West Coast Swing was named the official dance of California.

Dancers are taught basic moves in open and closed position. As dancers master the basic moves, they can improvise and add onto these basic moves to create more advanced moves. Advanced dancers will break the rules. Rather than lead or follow pattern after pattern, both leaders and followers shorten or extend counts, play with the music, and express themselves with the dance.

Anchor Step - a common ending pattern of West Coast Swing

Classic Style - a style where the "split-beat" steps are typically counted as: "1 a2"; "3 a4"; "a3 4"; etc.

Funky Style - a style where the "split-beat" steps may well be counted in strict time: "1&2"; "3&4"; "5&6"; etc., to match the music

Slotted Dance - a dance performed within a shoulder-width rectangle on the dance floor

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Coast_Swing