Basket Case

[GTO Bruin]

I am having a problem leading leading a pattern and I'm hoping for some advice. In the following clip that was posted in the "Hand Bounce" thread, Jareau leads Magna several times where she she simply goes forward and back while Jareau goes around behind to her other side. In West Coast Swing, I believe it's called a "Basket." In the clip he does this at :12 and :32 secs.

Whenever I lead this is salsa, the followers tend to turn into a cumbia step, like the beginning of Candado or Kentucky, instead of staying in the slot. I've tried some things with inconsistent results. I've tried to lead the girl straight forward with my right hand, discouraging a turn in, but it seems awkward.

Any tips from leaders on how I can do this better? Any comments from followers on how it's supposed to feel?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb8YcKGA0R8

[Twilight_Elena]

The thread title cracked me up... I though one of us was having a psychotic breakdown or something. :lol:
Hope someone can help you! :D

T_E

[witchphd]

Leading straight forward with your right hand is a key part of the lead. Try two other things. When you first break back, have equal tension in both arms, and use a light a touch as possible when moving the lady's right hand over to her left shoulder as you move around her.

However, I'll say you will still have inconsistent results even with the proper lead. When a follow only knows about the cumbia step and has no earthly idea this move exists, she tries to execute the cumbia step the second I move her right hand over her head no matter how hard I'm pulling on the left.

[Josh]

When you lead this, think about the connection being straight through the slot, and give NO rotation at all. After the push on the open break, maintain connection, but don't make it active (no push, pull at all) as you step around the lady. Also, begin clearing the slot on 1 (or sooner) as you open break, and this will encourage her to come forward since you're giving her the space.

But like witchphd said, sometimes the follower will do something else even if you lead it perfectly. This is true with beginner followers who don't have much connection. Without connection there's no lead and follow, so no matter what you lead, it won't be followed properly.

[tj]

Even if she does go into a cumbia step, you can still follow thru with the basket as you walk past on her right.

[quixotedlm]

this is a tough one... the above comments are useful, but i thought i'd tell you that i experimented and tried out many things until my body somehow figured out how to lead many variations of the basket without ambiguity. But the several months i was figuring it out, it was very frustrating.

now i sometimes meet followers who refuse to comprehend the cumbia step and insist on the basket...

[azzey]

Additional to what the others have said:

After you open-break try to keep the followers hands at equal positions left-right of her centre line. Any difference in horizontal position between her left and right hands may be interpreted as a lead to turn.

When a lead first learns to move around and behind the lady it is very easy to lead an imbalance and so accidentally cause her to turn.

Some experiments you can try as a learning experience:

Lead her with both her wrists crossed in the centre-line for as long as you can before seperating them.

Lead her with both arms at the same height so that they eventually rest against her hips. Then try the same with the shoulders.

Lead a one handed version and when you get to the third step put your other hand on her opposite hip to stop her rotating.

Your next challenge will be to get her to step forward on the 5th step and walk back.

[GTO Bruin]

Thanks Guys for all the suggestions. I look forward to try them. Taking a cue from the video clip, last night I tried a one-handed lead and requesting with my other hand up in front of my partner's face. This seamed to work better than before.

[Tony_Salvi]

I usually lead this move in two ways:

1 - No lead necessary. Just walk around her and keep your arms very light. As you walk around her you can gently position your arms in the proper position. The result is that the follower feels almost no lead and usually just does a basic step back and forth. Biggest pitfall of this is that you need to be taller than the follower to make it look good(thats just my opinion though), and you need long enough arms

2 - Basically what everyone else has mentioned. ON the 5 I usually provide frame w/my left hand so she feels "stop!" even without me pulling her very hard.

The followers main responsibility in this move is to keep her shoulders square and not go into a cumbia step unless lead into it.

[Lita_rulez]

Any tips from leaders on how I can do this better? Any comments from followers on how it's supposed to feel?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb8YcKGA0R8

Best way I have found to lead this with a beginner follow is by switching hand position. My hand position.

Instead of holding her hand with four finger, I'll hold her with the botom three.
That allows to keep a light fourth finger on her hand so she knows not to take them away, and to lead the movement with your thumbs.

By leading with your thumbs, you signal the follow that something is going on, and you can balance her shoulder to keep her square.


Other than that, the main thing to lead this move properly is to give her momentum and geat the hell out of her way ! The easyer you make it for her to advance straight forward in her slot without twisting, banding or swiveling anything, the more likely it will be that she is square when you want to lead her into the basket.

And for some, getting out of her way is more likely to work out when then lead this one handed.