Part 1 – The Cross-Kicks (first 16-count):
• R foot cross L knee (1), R leg kicks front (2). “Cross-Kick”
• Step backward: R (3), L (and), R (4). “Back-Back-Back”
• L foot cross R knee (5), L leg kicks front (6). “Cross-Kick”
• Step backward: L (7), R (and), L (8).
Repeat – The Cross-Kicks:
• R foot cross L knee (9), R leg kicks front (10). “Cross-Kick”
• Step backward: R (11), L (and), R (12). “Back-Back-Back”
• L foot cross R knee (13), L leg kicks front (14). “Cross-Kick”
• Step backward: L (15), R (and), L (16).
• R foot cross L knee (1), R leg kicks front (2). “Cross-Kick”
• Step backward: R (3), L (and), R (4). “Back-Back-Back”
• L foot cross R knee (5), L leg kicks front (6). “Cross-Kick”
• Step backward: L (7), R (and), L (8).
Repeat – The Cross-Kicks:
• R foot cross L knee (9), R leg kicks front (10). “Cross-Kick”
• Step backward: R (11), L (and), R (12). “Back-Back-Back”
• L foot cross R knee (13), L leg kicks front (14). “Cross-Kick”
• Step backward: L (15), R (and), L (16).
Spice it Up!
• For a more energetic dance, hop on the “cross-kicks.”
• For a more energetic dance, hop on the “cross-kicks.”
Instructions for partners
Now that you know the footwork for the Cotton Eyed Joe, let’s try it with the partner handhold.
Partner handhold:
Now that you know the footwork for the Cotton Eyed Joe, let’s try it with the partner handhold.
Partner handhold:
- Partners stand side by side. Lady on the gentleman’s right.
- Varsouvienne Handhold: Gentleman’s R arm reaching across the back of the lady, meeting her R hand at her R shoulder. Gentleman’s L hand reach across meeting Lady’s L hand, her arm bent at elbows, palms by shoulders facing up.
- Handhold lasts through the entire dance.
Cotton Eyed Joe Jigsaw - Cross Kicks (YouTube)