ISTD Lindy Hop Syllabus

The ISTD Lindy Hop Syllabus is the official teaching and reference manual published by the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) Club Dance Faculty. Designed for students, teachers, and examination candidates, this ebook provides a structured approach to learning Lindy Hop through progressive development of technique, rhythm, partnering skills, and authentic jazz movement.

As one of the most influential dances of the Swing Era, Lindy Hop combines energetic footwork, musical interpretation, improvisation, and partner connection. This syllabus presents these elements within a standardized framework, helping dancers develop both practical dancing skills and a deeper understanding of swing dance technique.

The material progresses through Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels, introducing solo jazz movements, partnering figures, Charleston variations, and advanced Lindy Hop patterns. Technical information is presented in a clear syllabus format, making the ebook suitable for classroom instruction, self-study, teacher training, and examination preparation.

Topics Covered

Lindy Hop Fundamentals

• Rhythm structure and timing
• Weight transfer and balance
• Dance hold and positioning
• Lead and follow principles
• Musical interpretation

Authentic Jazz Dance Steps

The syllabus includes a variety of traditional solo jazz movements, including:

• Twists
• Mess Around
• Pivot Walk
• Crazy Legs
• Tick Tock
• Shortie George
• Suzie Q
• Fish Tail
• Apple Jack

Lindy Hop Partnering Figures

Students progress through a structured series of partnering figures including:

• Six Beat Basics
• Tuck Turn
• Reverse
• Send Out
• Push Spin
• Around The World
• Promenade
• Side by Side Charleston
• Swing Out
• Lindy Turn
• Lindy Circle

Advanced Gold-Level Material

Advanced sections introduce classic Lindy Hop and Charleston variations such as:

• Texas Tommy
• Hand to Hand Charleston with Kick Around
• Back Charleston Variations
• Groove
• Double Turns

Shim Sham Routine

The syllabus also includes material related to the famous Shim Sham, one of the most recognizable routines in swing dance culture:

• The Shim Sham Shimmy
• Stomp n’ Slide
• The Full Break
• Pushes and Crossovers
• Tacky Anne
• Half Breaks

Who Is This Ebook For?

Dance Teachers
A valuable resource for lesson planning, syllabus instruction, and student progression.

Students
Provides a clear reference for figures, technique, timing, and partnering skills.

Examination Candidates
Suitable for dancers preparing for ISTD assessments and teacher training programs.

Swing Dance Enthusiasts
An excellent reference for anyone interested in learning Lindy Hop within a structured syllabus framework.

Why Study the ISTD Lindy Hop Syllabus?

The ISTD Lindy Hop Syllabus provides a consistent and internationally recognized framework for learning and teaching Lindy Hop. By combining authentic jazz movements, swing-era partnering techniques, and progressive syllabus development, it helps dancers build strong technical foundations while preserving the character and traditions of this classic swing dance.