Dips

alorafhs

alorafhs

Member
Good morning to you all!

Happy Monday! :D

I was wondering if you could give me some advice. I was trying to show my dancing buddy how to do a dip. And he got the general idea but as soon as I actually dip I feel like he’s going to drop me. He has his hands on my waist and my neck but I think it’s because he’s letting his arms drop too much and not bending at the knees or using any sort of leverage to bring me back up. The result is it feels like I’m hauling myself up with no help on his part, and then he’s shaky on his feet bringing me back up and he steps back a few times as well. Then were all of track and its not smooth. Granted I’m not a small woman (Yeah I’m 5' 8in of female) but I’ve danced with shorter men and its not a problem at all and we dip fine.

Any new ideas I can toss this guy and help him?
 
Sounds to me like he's not positioning himself properly and/or using his legs when he dips you, which you seem to have already noticed Anybody who's done any kind of lifting knows that you must set your feet first and then use your legs for the majority of the lifting. The same thing applies to dips. I'm not the strongest guy in the world, and my arms are a bit on the slim side, but I can dip laides and stay in control (most of the time anyways :wink: ) because I bend at my knees, using my legs to support the lady's weight and bring her back up instead of just my arms or my back (which should never be used anyway, unless you want a short dipping career).
 
yeah I know. I used to be really afraid of dips. But one guy was patient enough to show me its all about leverage. Plus while he dipped me he held me there for a few secs to show me hes got me.

With this other guy I am so scared. Which makes for a horrible dip if you tense up. Im gonna have to probably actually dip HIM and show him how to support me. I have my reservations about that though.


Thanks for replying.
 
alorafhs said:
Good morning to you all!

Happy Monday! :D

I was wondering if you could give me some advice. I was trying to show my dancing buddy how to do a dip. And he got the general idea but as soon as I actually dip I feel like he’s going to drop me. He has his hands on my waist and my neck but I think it’s because he’s letting his arms drop too much and not bending at the knees or using any sort of leverage to bring me back up.
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Well, for a start, the waist isn't the best place for him to be holding you. In a dip, the idea isn't so much for him to be "holding you up", rather it is stop you "overbalancing backwards" (you should be doing most of the holding yourself up!). It's easier for him to do this if the hold is higher up. When I do a basic dip, my right arm goes around the lady's back at about solar plexus height, and goes round to give support up to about her neck.

As you say, he shouldn't really be lowering you with his arms - the easiest way is essentially for him to "cradle" you to his body with his arms, and lower using his legs. I always think of it like catching a football - just use your arms to make a gentle catch, and use your legs to absorb the momentum.

The result is it feels like I’m hauling myself up with no help on his part, and then he’s shaky on his feet bringing me back up and he steps back a few times as well. Then were all of track and its not smooth.
Click to expand...
It depends on the dip, but often the last few inches before getting you back upright are the most difficult for the man. Yes, he will need to learn the correct technique, but in the meantime, you might want to think about helping as much as you can at the end of the dip. Lift up from the pelvis and press the feet into the floor (you should do this anyway but many girls seem to "relax" as they get near upright, when it's actually the hardest point for the man).

You might want to find somewhere with grass or mats to practice if you think it's a confidence thing.
 
You've not mentioned what you're doing during the dip ?

When I dip, I throw the lady's arm around my neck or waist. Then the lady will be safe should I drop her (I've never dropped a stranger).

If I teach a lady to dip (off of the floor) I'll demonstrate that I can let go of her completely and she's still supported. If you have that support, then coming back up is easy.
 
I'd find a guy that you feel really secure doing dips with and ask him to show your guy what's up. At the very least, ask a guy (or, better yet, a couple of guys) you like doing dips with to try to explain to you what they're doing.

They're likely doing things you're not even aware of - most of the good leads are.
 
Well I dont just totally relax into it since I am too nervous to do that. I do bring myself up. I think he is more embarrassed to hold me closer? And I tell him its ok if you bring me closer because it will just feel more secure.


But yeah maybe I'll ask some of my other guys friends who are good at doing dips to go thru it step by step with us.

Thanks for all the replies. I think it will help! :P
 
your main job is to keep your feet on the ground and RAISE YOUR HIPS. concentrate on thrusting your pelvis upward, toward the ceiling, and relax everything north of that (your upper body.)
 
welll not stationary exactly, but RELAXED so he can put it where he wants it. if your core is stabilized, that putting will be much easier.
 
Well how can you be relaxed if you have a fear he is gonna drop you?

I mean I could be doing everything right and if he messes up he could drop me. I've been dropped before and wouldn't care to repeat the experiance. :?

Sorry I dont mean to belabor the subject......just trying to get clarification.
 
You can't teach a guy how to do a dip at your level (nor can I at mine. ) The advice to get someone more advanced to show him (or better yet, ask a teacher for help) is best... I was just providing tips to help you as a follower do your best at your half of the job.
 
alemana said:
You can't teach a guy how to do a dip at your level (nor can I at mine. ) The advice to get someone more advanced to show him (or better yet, ask a teacher for help) is best... I was just providing tips to help you as a follower do your best at your half of the job.
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Absolutely agree. Do a private lesson with a good instructor. There are many things you and him could be doing badly, most of which can't be described easily. A pro will spot your mistakes in an instant. (For example: waist bad, under-the-shoulder-blade good. Your spine will thank me for this one in twenty years. ;))
 
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