Sailor Step in ECS

[Spitfire]

What I want to know about the sailor step is how do I lead it; I have not been able to figure out how to let my follow know to do this step. :?:

I refer to this move shown here:

http://www.bustamove.com/cgi-bin/scripts/free.pl?d=ecs&m=6

[DanceMentor]

One tip I would give is to go to a two-hand hold with your palms facing your partner and commence to do the sailor shuffle at the start of a rock step. It also helps if you have practiced the step with the person ahead of time. I haven't had much luck leading it without my partner having a prior knowledge of the step.

BTW, I really appreciate your participation in the forums, Spitfire. I've been submitting this site to other sites to get them to add a link to Dance Forums. Hopefully we will get a few new members soon.

[pygmalion]

Anybody here able to give some pointers on leading sailor shuffles?

By the way, cool link, spitfire!

I've only ever followed this one, but it does have a distinct feel. I just can't describe it.

Thoughts?

[Spitfire]

It's trying to lead the follower into the double rock back part that's the problem and I think it's not that common a pattern. I have not used it in awhile due to this difficulty. :?

[Spitfire]

Anybody here able to give some pointers on leading sailor shuffles?

By the way, cool link, spitfire!

I've only ever followed this one, but it does have a distinct feel. I just can't describe it.

Thoughts?

Mentor's suggestion is probably the best, but even this does not always work. In all dances there are just some moves that are hard to lead unless the follower is someone you dance with a lot and has become familiar with what you do.

[MissAlyssa]

yea, whenever me and my partner do the sailor shuffles he leads me like he would lead swivels, with our palms together. I love bustamove's site. I have it in my faves :D

[pygmalion]

There's gotta be a way. It may be hard to explain, and harder to do. I'm gonna ask my coach about this, because believe me, when he leads me into sailor shuffles, there's no doubt in my mind that's what he wants. I just don't know how he does it. Arrgh1 :?

I'll ask, and see what he says, if one of our resident experts doesn't chime in. (Vince A, d nice, DM, SD, are you there? :lol: :lol: )

[Vince A]

It's a piece of cake to lead in a WCS, but in a few days, I'll try it with Calrolyn and see if I can get it to work in the ECS by leading it only.

Let you know . . .

[pygmalion]

Yeah. My coach said something about "prepping" for it, whatever that means. I'll ask him tomorrow.

[Vince A]

It is defintely in the "prep." In WCS, it usually comes after the first 4 counts of a "push," where the lead slowly brings (both) arms up overhead indicating that something more is coming. The R shoulder is more back than the L . . . more weight toward the L, kinda shifting weight to the L, which makes the follow put weight on the R, with the R shoulder in and weight on the R foot.

As lead, my first sailor step would now begin with the R foot behind the L, 5&6, then the L foot behind the R, 7&8 anchoring on 8 (R foot) . . .

I'm trying this in the office with no dance partner.

[pygmalion]

Thanks. I forgot to ask him about that yesterday, but will definitely try it with him tomorrow, to see how the lead/follow goes.

[Vince A]

I really think it's in the prep . . . the arms go up, usually palms to palms,
the leader's L shoulder is in . . . the follower's R comes in to match, and as the arms come down, usually with wrist locks by the lead, the lead then starts the sailor shuffle and if the follow doesn't get the first one, she certanly should catch the second!

[pygmalion]

Yup. I think you're right. Of course, now that we're analyzing everything, I've just got to try it (with a good lead! :D ). I think I might even try it with my eyes closed, to see what I feel, and separate that from a visual lead.

[Vince A]

Let me know how you do?

I expect you to get it right away. Tell your coach to do it during a dance, but make sure he doesn't tell you when it's coming . . . :o