Jive is a form of Swing Dancing. It's a faster version than Jitterbugg and involves a lot of kicks and swings. It has been modified and adapted as a Ballroom Dance. This guide is an introduction to How to Dance the Jive.

Jive originated in the African-American community in the U.S. in the 1940s. It was a popular dance among U.S. soldiers in Europe during WWII. The soldiers introduced the dance to the British, who developed their own version of the dance. The dance has been adapted and modified several times. A Ballroom Dancing jive was later developed and is part of the International Latin category of ballroom dancing.

Thanks to popular television shows like Dancing with the Stars, there has been a strong revival in the popularity of dancing as a form of exercise, fitness, and fun. Celebrities like Marie Osmond, Donnie Osmond, Kelly Osbourne, Brooke Burke, and Helio Castroneves continue to encourage everyone to get out there and learn to dance!

Always warm-up and cool down before and after dancing using appropriate warmup and cool down exercises to help prevent injury to your muscles and body.

Break down the moves and learn the parts slowly and well before you put them together, doing walkthroughs while learning so that when you speed it up you really know what to do in a coordinated way.

For more tips on dancing with a partner see How to Dance with a Partner. To learn more about the related swing dancing check out How to Swing Dance Videos, and How to Swing Dance.

Learning how to dance can be more fun if you find music that you like for your practice dancing. Check out other suggested resources on this page - they may also be available free in your local public library.

• Jive originated in the African-American community in the U.S. in the 1940s. It was a popular dance among U.S. soldiers in Europe during WWII. The soldiers introduced the dance to the British, who developed their own version of the dance. The dance has been adapted and modified several times. A ballroom dance jive was later developed and is part of the International Latin category of ballroom dancing.

• Jive is a quick and lively dance and a fast version of the Jitterbugg style of swing dance.

1. Jive contains many kicks, turns and swings.
2. The rhythm of the dance is quick-quick-quick-quick-quick-quick.
3. The tempo is about 200 beats a minute.
4. The dance starts with the partners holding each others hands and standing away from each other.
5. Jive does not move around the dance floor like typical ballroom dances do.

• These are the basic steps for the leader in the jive, traditionally the man. The follower follows with the opposite foot.

1. Step straight back with the left foot.
2. Lift the right foot and then put it down again.
3. Step the left foot to the side.
4. Follow with the right foot.
5. Step to the side with your left foot.
6. Lift the right foot; place it down again.
7. Place your right foot to the side. Follow with the left foot.
8. Pick up the right foot and move it to the side.
9. Step back with your left foot.

• The jive has a variety of other dance steps and moves that you can learn once you familiarize yourself with the basic steps. These include a variety of swings and kicks.

1. Practice the basic steps first.
2. Rent or buy a dance instruction video or sign up for a class if you are having difficulty learning the steps.
3. Make sure you practice to music appropriate for the jive, so that the rhythm matches the dance.
4. Once you master the basic moves, practice some advanced moves.
5. Have fun dancing!

• To learn to dance the jive, listen to the music and understand the characteristics of the dance, and learn the basic steps first. Then you can practice learning some advanced steps.

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