The Shoulder Spin is a variation of the American Spin that is lead from the shoulders. But the differences don't end there: The position required for the Shoulder Spin changes the nature of the lady's spin, from one that is taken as a compact chasse in place to one that travels slightly as she turns (i.e. a "chaine" turn).

The Shoulder Spin begins in open facing position, and can be taken from either a LH-RH hold or a RH-RH hold. On the first chasse, the man retracts his hand and then extends it slightly rightward, leading the lady to turn 1/4 to her left while he turns 1/4 to his right, ending behind her (1a2). He releases the hand hold on count 2, placing his hands either low on her shoulders or on her upper arms. Then with a slight push impulse with the right hand and a pull impulse with the left, he leads her to spin to her right, releasing the hands at the end of count 2. She then takes 3 very small steps as she dances a traveling spin to right, turning a total of 1 & 5/8 turns to right over the 3 steps. The man, meanwhile, is dancing a compact chasse to right, turning 1/8 to right (3a4). They end in open facing position for the rock step (1,2).