question on spotting during turns

[yippee1999]

I've a question for the women...

I know about the concept of spotting during turns. I think in ballet for e.g., it's easier to spot because the turns are slower than salsa.

People have told me that I should be able to spot during salsa spins. Someone said to me, "you always KNOW before a guy is going to spin you, right? So right before you actually spin, just spot his face for e.g., and use that as your focal point."

But the problem is, while "yes", I obviously know when a guy is about to spin me, .05 seconds later I am already actually SPINNING, so I had no time to even THINK about spotting. In other words, it all seems to happen SO fast in salsa, that I just feel like it's impossible to spot. Or is it just me?

That said, I've had a few guys send me into multiple spins, and I can't say that I get dizzy per se. Is it possible that I AM actually spotting without my even realizing it? I just don't see how I could be though, because again, I just don't think I have sufficient time to do so. Salsa is just such a fast dance!

Any tips?

Thanks!!

[noobster]

Ask a friend to watch you dance and report back. ;)

(Seriously, I think I spot better on fast multiples. There doesn't seem to be much need for it on a single turn, and I almost feel like spotting hard interferes with the languid fluidity of one turn. But whipping around quickly seems to require visual fixation. I bet you are doing it already.)

[devane]

This is a guys view...........
I don't really need to know how to spin at the classes I go to but I learned anyway.



So right before you actually spin, just spot his face for e.g., and use that as your focal point."

The same techniques don't work for everbody. What about different heights?
Looking up or down will hinder your balance when you spin. I would look straight ahead and level.
Remember that spotting is for minimising dizzyness but incorrectly done and you're dizzier or off-balance.

Is it possible that I AM actually spotting without my even realizing it?

Yes. If not, that's what you should be aiming for.

When I was learning to spin I found that there were too many things to concentrate on to spin cleanly every time so I ignored the whole spotting concept. I found by trying too many things at once was making me worse.

When I practiced with a mirror (or a kitchen window reflection) I would watch my head and shoulders to make sure I didn't tilt when I transfered my weight on my spining leg. After I spun I noticed that would spot automatically just by keeping my gaze on myself for a long as possible. Regaining your gaze should be automatic too. After discovering this, regaining my balance, controlling momentum etc were my issues. Getting dizzy was a thing of the past and I didn't even have to concentrate on it to do it.:cool:

Then you have to practice in open spaces which is difficult because looking for something to look at is harder. When your body develops a feel for your spin technique, your body will keep your frame and your head will move at the right time without the conscious tricks you are using. Also if you start a spin when you are a bit off-balance your spinning leg/posture should detect this and try to regain your balance. This takes a while to get.

This is not a special theory, it's only muscle memory but subconcious spinning takes a lot more repetions than a subconcious basic ;)


I can remember practicing when I could spin really well after a "warm up" of a few spins but if I had to spin at the drop of a hat, it was hit and miss.
I wouldn't worry about it too much. It justs takes time.

ps

The best girl spinners I know don't require the men for their balance or power. Their technique is self-contained.

[squirrel]

Actually, devane, if you look straight forward during multiple spins, you head has the tendency to go down... I'd say that looking a bit above "the level of your gaze" should help one keep the head properly aligned - that is, until you learn how to use your head to do something else (like look at the ceiling or down or just roll it ou of the spin).

[devane]

Actually, devane, if you look straight forward during multiple spins, you head has the tendency to go down... I'd say that looking a bit above "the level of your gaze" should help one keep the head properly aligned - that is, until you learn how to use your head to do something else (like look at the ceiling or down or just roll it ou of the spin).

Yes...
I used to visualise a halo around my head slightly above eye-level. I would follow that to prevent my head from looking down. I found this useful when spinning in a open space where the usual spotting technique would fail (things too far away to spot).
ps
My halo is of course imaginary ;)

[Josh]

yippee, like anything else worth learning and doing well, spotting takes practice and time. And if you don't know if you're doing it or not, then you're not. Practice spotting slowly, tiptoe-ing around in a circle while spotting yourself in the mirror, and this will help your body get used to the action. Get faster and faster, and you're there. Don't try to start fast, as is true with most things--you'll just be doing it fast, and developing bad habits.

[alemana]

yippee - with whom are you taking classes? pull the teacher aside and do some experimenting with him spinning you - ask him to do it superslow, and spot. then ask him to speed it up a little, and see what happens. he will undoubtedly have some input for you as soon as he realizes what you're trying to do.

[yippee1999]

thanks everybody! yeah, maybe I just need someone to watch me and report back to me. I suppose if I can determine that I'm spinning well, AND I don't get dizzy, then having to confirm that I am in fact spotting will then become moot. :--)