Keeping your balance

S

ShyDancer

New Member
How do you keep your balance when your lead is really forceful?

Maybe I should explain it a little better! There is one partner I dance with every week and while he is a terrific guy and a lot of fun, his leads are VERY forcefull, for example when leading me out into a fan (cha or rumba) he will push me out from closed position with his right hand on my shoulder and push me even further away with his left arm, all this is very quick and Im finding Im off balance when it comes time to close.

Do I need to work on my balance a bit more? Is there a way to keep balanced with leads like that?

I have tried telling him that his lead is strong and thats why Im losing it, but he said no one else has a problem with it so maybe it just me. I was a touch annoyed at tha because I dont have the same problem with anyone else which makes me believe that it probably is him :evil:

However good dancer should be able to dance with any lead right...??
 
ShyDancer said:
However good dancer should be able to dance with any lead right...??
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No, no NO!!!!!!! :x

This is him! These moves require indications for your motion, not for him to shove you off of your balance.

Especially if you can follow these patterns with everyone else, this is clearly him overleading.
 
There is only so much a follow can do to make the lead look good. If his leads are too soft or too strong, yes it will change the way you dance with him.

This is something that he needs to work out with his instructor (if he has a private instructor). Leads can be strong, but gentle.

On the question of balance, yes it can be an opportunity for you to work on your balance in an extreme situation, but don't think that dancing with him is ever going to feel "right" until his problem is corrected.
 
ShyDancer said:
I have tried telling him that his lead is strong and thats why Im losing it, but he said no one else has a problem with it so maybe it just me.
Click to expand...

Perhaps you should ask other followers and see what they think of this guy's lead. If they agree that his lead is forceful to the point of making it difficult to keep balance, then it's his problem.

If they say yes his lead is strong but no they don't lose balance because of it? Then maybe it's a good idea to work on your balance... I'm sure good balance is an important element in following technique... But then, a good leader should be able to see your problem and adjust his lead to accommodate it. His job is to show you off, not show you up! :evil:
 
ShyDancer said:
How do you keep your balance when your lead is really forceful?
However good dancer should be able to dance with any lead right...??
Click to expand...

ah so glasshopper, you sho' use your oppenents stlength against him. Offer no lesistance and he fall as surery as leaves in autumn.

As the Great Master Ching Bong say......
when the butterfly alights on the dragon's nose, then he will appear mighty to the foolish one.
 
bordertangoman said:
ah so glasshopper, you sho' use your oppenents stlength against him. Offer no lesistance and he fall as surery as leaves in autumn.

As the Great Master Ching Bong say......
when the butterfly alights on the dragon's nose, then he will appear mighty to the foolish one.
Click to expand...
Fantastic BTM! :lol: :lol: :lol:
 
These are all so true . . . the leader who over-leads so dramatically will eventually fall smack on his face . . . thus he will truly "have a crack up."
 
Like everyone else--it ain't you, ShyDancer. The lead for a fan comes from the whole frame not from the arms. He's probably losing himself in the drama of the step and forgetting about technique. He needs to work on frame and controlling steps from the ground.

As for BTMan's response:

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
 
bordertangoman said:
ah so glasshopper, you sho' use your oppenents stlength against him. Offer no lesistance and he fall as surery as leaves in autumn.

As the Great Master Ching Bong say......
when the butterfly alights on the dragon's nose, then he will appear mighty to the foolish one.
Click to expand...

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I am going to just let all tension go then! If he falls it ill serve him right! Why did I not think of this myself????

TemptressToo said:
I recommend kicking him in shin.
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Genesius Redux said:
Only if she's wearing closed-toe shoes!
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Or I could use my heel....... :shock: :shock: :shock:
 
I think a leader has to learn to use strength. On the occassion that heavier than average strength is needed, it shouldn't be sudden. Either make the application of strength gradual, or use abrupt strength only when she's already moving in the direction.

In pas de deux, the lady often plies & boosts so we can apply sudden strength to her torso. She's already going in that upward direction. We just finish pushing her up. If we're lifting her from a pose (no plie/boost), we don't just "clean & jerk". We mercifully apply lifting power. I know you're not talking about lifts, but lifts are the best examples of the most force ever needed in partner dance.

I think part of his problem is that he does not trust follows to go with what he's doing. He underestimates other people's ability to dance. He should take lessons and learn to follow. That's probably the most effective way he'll see that other people can do it without being muscled through it.
 
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