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Online Dance Instructions for the Shag

The shag, also known as the Carolina shag, is a dance that originated in the 1930s in nightclubs throughout the North Myrtle Beach area of South Carolina. The shag is the official state dance of South Carolina and uses moves similar to the jitterbug or swing dancing but features less bouncing and more graceful moves. The shag is often danced in conjunction with oldies beach music, Motown music or blues music. The shag is a partner dance in which the man and woman have different parts but remain in sync.

Instructions

  1. Men's Steps

    • 1

      Get to know the counts of the shag by repeating the following counts to the beats of a song: "One-and-two, three-and-four, five-six." It's important to stay with the beat of the music as you are counting.

    • 2

      Keep your upper body straight throughout the dance, making most of the moves with only your lower body.

    • 3

      Step forward with the left foot on count "one."

    • 4

      Step together with the right foot on count "and."

    • 5

      Step back with the left foot on count "two."

    • 6

      Step back with the right foot on count "three."

    • 7

      Shift your weight to the left foot on count "and."

    • 8

      Shift your weight to the right foot on count "four."

    • 9

      Step back with your left foot on count "five."

    • 10

      Shift your weight to the right foot on count "six."

    • 11

      Repeat steps 2 through 11 until the song is complete.

    Women's Steps

    • 12

      Get to know the counts of the shag by repeating the following counts to the beats of a song: "One-and-two, three-and-four, five-six." It's important to stay with the beat of the music as you are counting.

    • 13

      Keep your upper body straight throughout the dance, making most of the moves with only your lower body.

    • 14

      Step forward with the right foot on count "one."

    • 15

      Step together with the left foot on count "and."

    • 16

      Step back with the right foot on count "two."

    • 17

      Step back with the left foot on count "three."

    • 18

      Shift your weight to the right foot on count "and."

    • 19

      Shift your weight to the left foot on count "four."

    • 20

      Step back with your right foot on count "five."

    • 21

      Shift your weight to your left foot on count "six."

    • 22

      Repeat steps 2 through 11 until the song is complete.

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