Got Hang?

[leftfeetnyc]

When doing westie or lindy, what do some of you do to practice getting a little more hangtime on the 1a?

I've been spending so much time working on my overall connection that I'm actually stepping on the 1 and want to start working on hanging back a little more.

[swing4life]

For WCS, my dance instructor has always stressed to hang back on the 1 in order to create that long suspended look and feel of being stretched and then released like a bungee cord. This is all based upon the concept of a rolling count.

From my observations and how it was explained to me in class is that at the 'a' before the 1, the follower rolls the left foot from ball to heel and pushing from the left leg to propel the right leg forward while at the same time pulling the core in thereby straightening up and suspending oneself. At 1, the follower hasn't committed their entire weight onto the right foot, it should be like when you're at an outdoor pool where you slightly dip your foot/toe while not committing your full weight to see how cold the water is. When that happens, both follower and leader will feel a stretching feeling or build up at 1 where it be released at 1a and 2 when the follower reacts by moving forwards. Envision a bungee cord stretch and releasing at a comfortable rate not like a whip is a quick snap and jerk!

As for Lindy Hop, I know followers does a swivel and I've seen they stay back and suspend on the 1 as well so some of the concept I explained above might apply.

As for what I do, I practice rolling back and forth from my ball to my heel as I shift weight from one leg to another - feeling out how my core distributes and shifts as well as noticing how my body reacts to maintain balance and ease of movement. Then I try pushing off while at the same maintaining everything. Not easy I tell you and I'm still trying get my body in tune when I actually go out there to dance. Have a long way to go.

I hope this helps and that it makes sense. :roll:

[d nice]

Um, the easiest way is to do the last thing you were led in. Usually some sort of backwards motion. If the last direction you were led in was a swing out/whip your 8 should be continuing back. Just because the count has hit doesn't mean you rest in a forward position, you stay with your intention back maintaining that back intention and leveraged tension.

When the 1 comes you stay in place waiting until the leader has actually shifted your body into forward movement. This will create a natural elasticity as your frame engages and your center is brought forward. Only after your frame and center are engaged do come forward.

The thing to be careful of course is that you don't resist your leader, you simply don't anticipate or try and "help" by coming forward before the lead fully develops.