help on free spins

[noobster]

Need some advice on technique for improving free spins.

Multiple led spins are not a problem for me, but I feel very tentative with my free spins. I won't usually go over 2, they're much slower than my led spins, and I have to paddle at the front - not because I need the momentum, but because somehow the foot-touch helps to anchor my spotting, otherwise I feel unsafe. In a led spin I can just anchor my spot to the leader; but in a free spin I guess I have a harder time picking a focal point? Something makes me afraid to let go and spin.

Anyway is there a significant difference in technique for free vs led that I'm missing? I'd like to ditch the foot-touch and improve the spot and speed (and ultimately the number). Input appreciated!

 

[chandra]

Out of curiosity, are you talking about pivot, or traveling free spins, or pirouette, or one footed turns?
The paddle thing has me confused I guess!

 

[noobster]

Out of curiosity, are you talking about pivot, or traveling free spins, or pirouette, or one footed turns?
The paddle thing has me confused I guess!

Pivot spins. Traveling 'frees' are sort of intermediate for me - they're a led spin (wouldn't try to travel during a shine - unclear on terminology, is it still a free spin if it's led from the hip but you're not touching the leader during the spin?) so I don't feel the same unease as with a self-initiated free spin, but I won't attempt multiples either.

Re the footing, on led spins I switch between single and double footed, on frees I'm always single footed.

 

[sweavo]

Pivot spins. Traveling 'frees' are sort of intermediate for me - they're a led spin (wouldn't try to travel during a shine - unclear on terminology, is it still a free spin if it's led from the hip but you're not touching the leader during the spin?) so I don't feel the same unease as with a self-initiated free spin, but I won't attempt multiples either.

Re the footing, on led spins I switch between single and double footed, on frees I'm always single footed.

If you are stepping around the turn, then you will want to paddle. Try bringing your feet together and spinning. Your weight stays on your right foot (if turning right) and the left sort of brushes the floor... handy as a brake once you get the hang of spinning. Once you have this, focus on your centre line, it's very common to put in too much effort and wind up throwing yourself off center. Once you get these things down pat you will find it hard not to do a double!

 

[noobster]

If you are stepping around the turn, then you will want to paddle. Try bringing your feet together and spinning. Your weight stays on your right foot (if turning right) and the left sort of brushes the floor... handy as a brake once you get the hang of spinning. Once you have this, focus on your centre line, it's very common to put in too much effort and wind up throwing yourself off center. Once you get these things down pat you will find it hard not to do a double!

Hm. Not stepping (it's really just that the brushing foot needs to touch to remind me where the front is, again, not for momentum - it actually slows me down), feet are together, center is not off. I feel like these things are common to both led and free spins, no? and I don't have a max number with the leds (it's whatever the lead indicates, I can't keep track after 4, max has probably been in the 7-8 range). It's not a balance issue. I really think the spotting is more the problem, but can't figure out how to clear it up. Thanks for the advice though.

 

[Josh]

For a turn on the spot (identical to led multiples), as well as a traveling free turn (such as CBL with turn), I use both feet (as a lady I mean).

Either way, spot your leader.

 

[noobster]

Either way, spot your leader.

Yes, I think this is part of my problem. I can spot him even if he's shining? E.g., we are both shining and I want to throw in a few free spins. I am afraid I don't know where he's going to be next - he could shine way over to the left or right, and then my spot would be off, no?

For a turn on the spot (identical to led multiples), as well as a traveling free turn (such as CBL with turn), I use both feet (as a lady I mean).

So these should be double-footed, as in axis of spin between the feet? I have not tried that specifically in free spins. It happens in led spins but I'm not really thinking about it, it's more just a spontaneous development of the particular spin.

 

[azzey]

Yes, I think this is part of my problem. I can spot him even if he's shining? E.g., we are both shining and I want to throw in a few free spins. I am afraid I don't know where he's going to be next - he could shine way over to the left or right, and then my spot would be off, no?

A moving spot is a common problem and will naturally throw your spins off. It sounds obvious, but spot on something that is static. If you can't rely on your partner to stay in one place because of the dance situation or their abilities, spot on something else.

 

[Josh]

Yes, I think this is part of my problem. I can spot him even if he's shining? E.g., we are both shining and I want to throw in a few free spins. I am afraid I don't know where he's going to be next - he could shine way over to the left or right, and then my spot would be off, no?

If he moves, just look at something else close by and spot that, something that isn't moving. Then kick him for throwing you off .. j/k

So these should be double-footed, as in axis of spin between the feet? I have not tried that specifically in free spins. It happens in led spins but I'm not really thinking about it, it's more just a spontaneous development of the particular spin.

So, let's define free spin. I define a free spin as one in which your partner gives you the lead for the spin and has no contact with you physically while you are spinning (IOW, he lets you go)--either a turn on the spot, or a travling turn. To differentiate, I would call a spin that you initiate yourself, by yourself, as a "solo spin" or "solo turn." For free spins, since your partner is leading you, I think the two feet approach is good, in part because he may decide to stop your turn if he started it, and you may not want to be on one foot when that happens. That's just my preference. For solo spins in which you initiate the spin yourself, I will usually start on one foot for the first 2 or 3, and then if I decide to do more I'll put my other foot on the ground and do a double-foot spin (alternating weight between the two feet).

Is that more clear? Sorry for the confusion. And keep in mind, there is no one "right" way to do spins. There are many different techniques, and what works for one person may not work for another.