Teaching followers to dance with less experienced leaders

[tacad]

Enough women that i dance with don't know a basic right turn in waltz that they end up stepping forward when I want them to step backward. So now I'm terribly afraid that i will step on someone that I am working on taking a full step again instead of a shy hesitant step.. Of course this could easily be a fault in my own leading ability.

The problem isn't with where you are aiming your foot. The problem is that you have to get both bodies moving in the right direction before you start to move the free foot. You should already be leading the direction in which you want to go as you lower from the previous step.

I wondered if this might be the problem. I'll have to be more conscious of it. Anyway, it is very likely to be the problem.

If she's not already moving in the direction you want, you do better not take a step in that direction either.

It seems like you are committed once you get your body going. You have to take some kind of step just to catch yourself from falling right? Maybe as small a step as possible to avoid kicking your partner?

 

[Chris Stratton]

If she's not already moving in the direction you want, you do better not take a step in that direction either.

It seems like you are committed once you get your body going. You have to take some kind of step just to catch yourself from falling right? Maybe as small a step as possible to avoid kicking your partner?

You have to work within the constraints of the net motion of the two bodies. If they are moving, you have to take at least some sort of step in that direction to avoid falling, though it can be taken with a modifier like CBM or rise that will effect what happens subsequently. On the other hand, if the bodies aren't moving, you don't get to take much of a step.

The only way to really step on your partner is if one body is moving and the other isn't, or more likely if one person lets their feet do something inconsistent with their body. If one partner falls over backwards and does not move their feet under their body, then yes, the other is likely to step on them.

 

[LionHeart]

Most advanced follows backlead these men.
If they are backleading it right it might be good kinesthetic information for the man, but it does his leading a disservice. I've appreciated those women who actually let me lead them.

When starting out, I have felt the push with the left hand that has been talked about in this thread and it kept me in check.

 

[Elizabeth]

I totally agree with the advice about letting the left arm be completely relaxed to avoid the guy using it as a lever. Its tough advice to follow, since pushing back is instinctive, but it does work if you can manage it.

Should this be right arm? If so, I definitely agree. But I never relax my left arm totally when dancing with a partner I don't trust.

Err, yeah, right arm. Funny, I used to not get confused about which side was which before I started doing ballroom.

 

[sunderi]

The first is to keep my stomach toned and my back straight (unarched) as much as I possibly can. This is the best way I know how to keep from picking up bad habits or getting hurt.

On a related note, I don't dance in body contact with men who have the sorts of bad habits that you're talking about. A little bit of air between me and a partner of dubious ability does wonders for not inflicting his problems on me.

Both very good strategies.

What do you do (not just you Elizabeth, but anyone) if you end up dancing with one of those guys that *forces* the issue of body contact? Is there a graceful way out of that?

 

[ReneeJoan]

The thing that helps me the most when dancing with beginners is to focus as intently as I can on my fundamental basics -- balance, carriage, alignment, energizing my core, using the floor, listening as carefully as I can to his body, maintaining my own sovereignty, keeping the clasped hands on the center line between our bodies, etc. Beginners rarely try any fancy patterns, and by focusing on my basics I find that it's easier for them to dance with me, and in a strange inside out way makes THEM dance better. I may not be able to read their bodies terribly well, or feel where they are, but they sure can tell where I'M placed, which in turn makes it easier for them to execute the little bit they've learned how to do. I'm not sure why it works, but when I'm doing everything I'm supposed to be doing correctly, my partner can't help but dance better.

I actually pride myself on being especially good with beginners. I guess it's my way of saying, "Thank you," for all those dozens and hundreds of men who so patiently and kindly danced number after number with me when I was just a stumbling and clueless beginner. And, it gives me a chance to practice my basics, which is difficult with a more advanced partner because then I'm having to field a lot of difficult moves that I may or may not have ever seen before and I find myself having to focus more on the "what" rather than the "how."

Interesting.

 

[tacad]

The thing that helps me the most when dancing with beginners is to focus as intently as I can on my fundamental basics

Thank you Renee! I went lindy hopping last night. My lindy basic/swingout, whatever you call it, is a bit tentative, but ok. I figure 8 out of 10 women i danced with could follow it. Also I do ok switching from 8 count to 6 count and back. But that's about all I can do. But one woman, much better than I, was doing the most bizarre stuff. Barely holding my hand, and for the life of me I could not get her to walk down that darn slot. she was definitely not doing just the basics. So I doggedly did do the basics and somewhat forced the issue. I mean just because I'm a beginning lindy hopper does not mean that I am not the leader! Another kept styling on the 7,8,1,2 count. I did learn to do this but I am so rusty that right now I am incapable of adapting so the dance fell apart every time.