A Classic Sokkie Move
One of the most recognisable moves in sokkie dancing is the Glide, sometimes jokingly called the McDonald’s move because the leader’s arms create a shape similar to the McDonald’s “M”.
In this tutorial, Matthew Pienaar, also known as Sokkie Soutie, breaks down how to perform the glide step by step. It is one of the most basic moves you will see on the dance floor and a great move to add to your sokkie repertoire.
You can watch the full tutorial below.
Starting from the Basic Shuffle
Like many sokkie moves, the glide begins from the basic shuffle. The leader first sends the follower out from the normal hold position to create space for the move.
Once the partner is sent out, the leader begins stepping across the follower’s shoulders while maintaining the rhythm of the shuffle.
Stepping Across the Shoulders
The glide involves moving between the follower’s shoulders while guiding the movement with the arms.
The sequence works as follows:
• Send your partner out from the basics
• Step towards your partner’s right shoulder
• Move back and across to the left shoulder
• Return again to the right shoulder
This back-and-forth movement creates the flowing look that gives the glide its name.
The McDonald’s Shape
The final part of the glide is what many dancers refer to as the McDonald’s shape.
At this point, the leader lifts both hands above the follower’s head, forming a shape that looks similar to the McDonald’s logo.
From here:
• The hands move behind the follower’s head
• The arms slide down smoothly
• The dancers return to a comfortable position
This is the moment that gives the move its distinctive appearance.
Helping Your Partner Know Where to Go
Matthew emphasises that when leading the glide, it is important that the follower clearly understands the direction of movement.
To help with this:
• Slightly change the angle of your body as you step
• Turn your body to guide the follower’s direction
• Maintain the rhythm of the shuffle
These small adjustments make the movement feel much smoother.
Adding Rotation
Once you are comfortable with the basic glide, you can add a little more rotation to make the move more dynamic.
Instead of stepping straight across, the leader can slightly walk around the follower while moving between the shoulders.
This creates a more circular movement while still keeping the same basic structure of the glide.
Returning to the Basic
To finish the move, the leader performs a hand change behind the back to return to the normal hold.
From there, the dancers can continue shuffling, add turns, or transition into other sokkie combinations.
A Staple Move in Sokkie Dancing
The glide is one of those moves that you will see almost everywhere on the sokkie dance floor. Because it is simple and visually interesting, it is often one of the first combinations dancers learn after the basic shuffle and turns.
Once you are comfortable with the glide, you can start combining it with other moves to create longer sequences.
Learn More Sokkie Moves
You can watch more step-by-step tutorials on the Sokkie Soutie YouTube channel, where Matthew shares beginner moves and combinations to help dancers grow their repertoire.
If you would like to learn in person, Matthew also teaches Sokkie classes at Five6seven8 Dance Studio in Johannesburg.