Ducks?

[pygmalion]

Okay. So this goes for salsa, WCS, and a couple other dances. I HATE DUCKS! I can never feel them coming, and when I do yuck! They feel stiff and awkward. Anybody have suggestions for leaders or followers on how to make ducks happen smoothly?

http://www.eijkhout.net/lead_follow/duck_wrap.html

[SwinginBoo]

I HATE DUCKS TOO!!!! They always mess up my hair, lol (that was such a girly thing to say) Although I know they look really neat when they're done properly. I think it takes practice....I'm not sure how to lead it more clearly. I've done a few, one being the one from Dirty Dancing. A good cue for that one leaders is to place the hand that she is ducking under on her back. THis tells her she's not coming back to closed position, but is ducking under your arm for a turn.

[Sagitta]

Practice!! Practice!! Practice!!

Just getting used to the leader's simple duck in salsa. :)

[SDsalsaguy]

For the leaders: ROLL the arm up, while exerting slight forward pressure... this usually provides a clear signal. Also, try to have a built in "escape" – meaning have a default movement that flows well if the signal to duck isn't being clearly received. Forcing a duck is one of the clumsiest and unenjoyable things you can do (just see the women's comments above if you doubt it!).

[bouncybouncyweee]

EEEVIL DUCKS! I love them unfortunatly, and have been getting leader friends to do them to me constantly so I can get better... what about for the girls? how do we follow it without going off balance?

[SDsalsaguy]

For the followers: be willing to duck! It is when you are not willing – and a leader doesn't bail out of the idea – that real disasters transpire. If you're willing to duck then chances have it that 50% of the time that, alone, will fix things up. Adding to this... stay over your axis! Depending what the nature of a given duck is, this can mean different things, but you must stay on axis. Too many followers ignore this so end up coming off balance!

[redhead]

My huge problem is that I lose my sense of direction because when Iduck I can't spot! Any advice? :?:
Maybe my head is just too heavy and throws me off balance :wink:

[Pacion]

I think ducks only work well if the follower has had 'prior experience' then knows what to expect :?

When the execution has worked, it is fun though and I am often the one you hear giggling on the dancefloor :banana:

[Sagitta]

Hmm, writing down in my df notebook...Pacion likes ducks...work on those...

[SDsalsaguy]

Hmm, writing down in my df notebook...Pacion likes ducks...
So Pacion, what other types of avian life suit your fancy? :wink: :tongue: