Dips

[Sagitta]

I just learnt on the dance floor.

 

[cornutt]

Well how can you be relaxed if you have a fear he is gonna drop you?

In a standard dip, you should still be supporting your own weight. If you look at a dip, it may look like the follower is totally supported by the leaders' arms, but it's an optical illusion. The follower is relying on the leader for balance, but she has her weight on her own feet. If you actually shift your weight onto the leader's arms, you will almost certainly wind up on the floor. This isn't because of a lack of strength on the leaders' part; it's because of leverage. You try holding your arms out in front of you and then have someone suddenly drop a hundred-pound weight into them. (Sorry; that sounds harsh. But it's the truth.) There is such as a thing as a "deep dip" where the follower's weight does come off of her feet. However, it has to be done differently; the leader has to get the follower's weight balanced over his feet so that he can transfer the combined weight all into his legs. In practice, this means the leader has to get waaaay down into his knees. The leader's knees and legs have to be in pretty good shape to do this, and even then, it's not very safe with a partner who hasn't done it. I will only do this move with my DW, my instructor, or a few other women at the club that I know can do it.

Dips are one of the few moves that shouldn't be attempted by people who don't know how to do them. I won't do a dip with a follower if I don't know for sure that she knows what to do with one.

 

[RugKutta]

Well how can you be relaxed if you have a fear he is gonna drop you?

In a standard dip, you should still be supporting your own weight. If you look at a dip, it may look like the follower is totally supported by the leaders' arms, but it's an optical illusion. The follower is relying on the leader for balance, but she has her weight on her own feet. If you actually shift your weight onto the leader's arms, you will almost certainly wind up on the floor. This isn't because of a lack of strength on the leaders' part; it's because of leverage. You try holding your arms out in front of you and then have someone suddenly drop a hundred-pound weight into them. (Sorry; that sounds harsh. But it's the truth.) There is such as a thing as a "deep dip" where the follower's weight does come off of her feet. However, it has to be done differently; the leader has to get the follower's weight balanced over his feet so that he can transfer the combined weight all into his legs. In practice, this means the leader has to get waaaay down into his knees. The leader's knees and legs have to be in pretty good shape to do this, and even then, it's not very safe with a partner who hasn't done it. I will only do this move with my DW, my instructor, or a few other women at the club that I know can do it.

Dips are one of the few moves that shouldn't be attempted by people who don't know how to do them. I won't do a dip with a follower if I don't know for sure that she knows what to do with one.

It's true what you say, during a dip it LOOKS like the lead is supporting all the follower's weight, but like you said it's all an illusion. Perception is everything. Even the lightest of ladies can be dropped by the strongest of men if she throws ALL her weight into the dip.

Also like you said, there are a few dips where most of, if not all the follower's weight is being supported by the lead, but they should come with a disclaimer: DON'T TRY THIS WITH JUST ANYONE!!! Those who do it only do it with those who know how to do it properly. Moves like this are not to be done with any random partner, and should not be freely imitated by beginners.

 

[alorafhs]

Yes I know that the guy doesn't support ALL of the weight. I would never just throw myself into his arm and expect him to shoulder all of that. I guess Im just gonna have to have someone more advanced watch us. Even though I did try that once and the guy said I was doing everthing right. He even congradulated me on my advancement. He told the other guy to use he's legs as leverage and to spread them a little more.

But I would NEVER just heave myself into my partners arms and expect him to dip my gracefully. Its not all HIS responsliblity its mine as well.

 

[diputs]

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).

Does this mean that you have dropped people that you know?

 

[Danish Guy]

There’s a lot of ways to do this.
I got a nice tip for a little dip a couple off months ago. 8)

Even while you are dipping the lady, taking her down, you have to press counter wise with your left hand all the way down to the point you want to dip her too. Keep your left hand at the back of her spine close to the neck, with the fingers up her neck supporting the head a little.

This way she can feel your support at all time, so she feels safe and enjoy the dip.

 

[DeeplyDippy]

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).

Does this mean that you have dropped people that you know?

Yes.

I dropped my regular partner when she was so wet that she literally slid out of my hands - only onto her hands and knees, though.

And, far worse, we stood following two neck dips, I let go and her feet went out from her (it was a fast floor). She went down hard on her bum - now I always make sure that the lady is back into basic before letting go.