Fan Kick

You hold the pole while your legs travel in a big, curved sweep from one side to the other, open for a brief moment in the air and then come back down. That path is where the name comes from: it looks just like a fan unfolding. On the pole it is part transition, part showpiece. You can use it on its own as a little highlight, as a dynamic way into a spin or as a link between two moves.

Yes. You stay upright, you do not climb and you never hold your full weight in the air for long. What it does ask for is coordination and a bit of courage to let your legs move freely. If you end up facing a slightly different direction than you planned, or the arc feels small and careful at first, you are exactly where everyone begins. Your timing finds itself the more often you play with it.

This move connects your arms, legs and core into one movement, and it gives you a real feel for momentum. It also builds active flexibility in your hips and the backs of your legs, because your legs lift and sweep instead of just stretching. You do not need splits or a high kick to start. A smaller kick that feels controlled looks better than a big one that feels wild, and the arc grows with you. As with every pole move, bare legs or shorts and no body lotion before training help your skin keep contact with the pole.

On a static pole the focus is on the sweep itself: clear lines, a clear arc and a soft landing. On a spinning pole the same kick becomes a flowing rotation, because the pole keeps the momentum going a little longer. Both are lovely. Most dancers feel more in control on static first and then enjoy the extra float of spinning mode.

Like every move at POLEPLACE, this one is taught with the Floor-Stand-Air Method™. You first explore the leg arc on the floor, then practise the sweep standing at the pole, and only then bring it into its full shape. That way your body understands the movement before you add speed and height. The tutorial shows you the details, so you can focus on how it feels.

Before this move, a few beginner spins like the Fireman Spin or the Chair Spin get you used to moving around the pole with a bit of speed. Afterwards the Fan Kick Reverse is the natural next step, since it takes the same sweep in the other direction. Try weaving the kick into short combos too, for example after an American Turn or before a Step and Slide down to the floor. It is a move you will keep coming back to whenever you want your dancing to flow.