The polka follows a 2-count beat, or 2/4 meter. While a true polka step includes a hop on a half beat (honoring literal meaning of "half-step"), most dancers use a two-step, or step-close-step action. The rhythm of the two-step parallels the triple step action of the swing (quick-quick-slow). This basic action is utilized whether moving forward, backward, or in a circular pattern. The closed dance position described below is the most common one used for the polka, although other positions are used as the dance variation changes (as noted below): Man's L hand held up at shoulder height like platter Man's R hand placed on woman's back on L shoulder blade Woman's R hand placed on man's L hand Woman's L hand placed on man's R shoulder and her L arm rests on his R arm Couple stands slightly off center to the left so the man's R foot can pass between the woman's two feet Both dancers look straight ahead

Step	Description *	Verbal Cues	Hand Cues *	Beats
1) Basic step May be reversed w/ man traveling backw	Step forw on L ft (woman back on R)	Step	Push w/ L hand & step assertively line of direction	1
	Close R ft to L (woman close L ft to R)	Close		&
	Step forw on L ft (woman back on R)	Step		2
	Step forw on R (woman back on L)	Step	Push w/ L hand & step assertively line of direction	1
	Close L ft to R (woman close R ft to L)	Close		&
	Step forw on R (woman back on L)	Step		2
2) Promenade Both moving forw, first lead w/ outside ft and then inside ft	Step forw on L ft (woman forw on R)	Step	Push w/ L hand & pull w/ R hand	1
	Close R ft to L (woman close L ft to R)	Close		&
	Step forw on L ft (woman forw on R)	Step		2
	Step forw on R (woman forw on L)	Step		1
	Close L ft to R (woman close R ft to L)	Close		&
	Step forw on R (woman forw on L)	Step		2
3) Inside trun Execute turn during even numbered measure, or first 1/2 of two-step pattern	From promenade position: Man do regular two step in place, begin L ft From promenade position: Woman turn counterclockwise, 1/2-turn with each step	Step-close-step Turn-and-2	Draw woman's R arm in front & raise	1 & 2
	From open position: Man do regular two step forw, begin R ft From open position: Woman do regular two-step back, begin L ft	Step-close-step	Maintain contact with woman's R hand	1 & 2
4) Outside turn Begin in closed position & end in promenade position	Man do regular two step forw, begin L ft Woman turn clockwise, 1/2-turn with each step	Step-close-step Turn-and-2	Raise woman's R hand and push w/ own R hand on her shoulder blade	1 & 2
	From promenade position: Man continue w/ regular two-step forw, begin R ft From promenade position: Woman regular two step back, begin L ft	Step-close-step		1 & 2
5) Double turn Use momentum from Ist turn to initiate 2nd turn	Man perform regular polka step Woman turn to right under R arm w/ regular polka step	Turn-and-2 or Quick-quick-slow	Lift woman's L hand & push w/ R hand on shoulder blade	1 & 2
	Man turn to left under own left arm Woman perform regular polka step	Turn-and-2 or Quick-quick-slow	Man's L & woman's R arms still raised in air	1 & 2
End turn in sweethert position facing same direction; woman's L hip on man's R hip   6) Sweetheart Sequence to get in & out of sweetheart position   End turn in open position facing partner	Man perform regular polka step Woman turn to right 1-1/2 turns under R arm w/ regular polka step (clockwise)	Turn-and-2 or Quick-quick-slow	Lift woman's L hand & push w/ R hand on shoulder blade Half way through switch woman's R hand to man's R hand	1 & 2
	Both dancers complete 2nd polka step forw leading w/ inside ft	Step-close-step	Both L hands together; both R hands together	1 & 2
	Man perform regular polka step Woman turn to left 1-1/2 turns under L arm w/ regular polka step (counterclockwise)	Turn-and-2 or Quick-quick-slow	Pull woman's L hand w/ own L hand	1 & 2
	Both dancers complete 2nd polka step man forw & woman backw	Step-close-step	Man's L hand maintain contact with woman's R hand	1 & 2
7) Sweetheart turns Note: L-hand & R-hand turns are same direction, but w/ different hand/arm	From sweetheart position: Man perform regular polka step From sweetheart position: Woman turn to left 1 turn under L arm w/ regular polka step (counterclockwise)	Turn-and-2 or Quick-quick-slow	Pull woman's L hand w/ own L hand Regrasp woman's R hand w/ own R hand to stop turn	1 & 2
	Both dancers complete 2nd polka step forw leading w/ inside ft	Step-close-step	Both L hands together; both R hands together	1 & 2
	From sweetheart position: Man perform regular polka step From sweetheart position: Woman turn to left 1 turn under R arm w/ regular polka step (counterclockwise)	Turn-and-2 or Quick-quick-slow	Lift & pull woman's R hand w/ own R hand Regrasp woman's L hand w/ own L hand to stop turn	1 & 2
	Both dancers complete 2nd polka step forw leading w/ inside ft	Step-close-step	Both L hands together; both R hands together	1& 2

* Throughout descriptions, it is assumed that a man is leading the dance and a woman is following, though either gender could assume either role. Here directions and cues different for the woman are noted in parentheses. Cues with the L hand for leader are VERY subtle. The main ways to cue the follower are by stepping assertively the correct direction and by applying pressure with the R hand on the shoulder blade at appropriate times.

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© Steven A. Henkel, 4/20

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