Tips for advanced leaders learning to follow

A

azzey

Member
I'm about to try doing some following (have done it a couple of times but not regularly). I know the followers footwork for intermediate and advanced level patterns pretty well now and about connection, turning/spinning technique etc. However it seems to me as a leader that some moves seem ambiguous to learning followers and I would like to explore this aspect of following here.

Can any of you followers give tips on what you find ambiguous even from a good leader? What aspects of following are not obvious from watching teaching videos? Apart from regular practice and control of arm tension what other tips would you give me?
 
To me the most challenging thing is getting into the reactive frame of mind. Waiting until you are led vs guessing / anticipating and leading yourself.
 
I took a couple of beginner lessons as a follower. (Funny to see the various responses of the guys). Starting on the right foot instead of the left one, that I could get used to. But reading signals... I had no idea that that was so hard. :)
 
But it's a lot of fun. I started following to improve my lead, just like azzey. Now I sometimes do it just for the fun of it. But it's a bit hard to get a dance.
 
I was watching two male teachers (both of them you know, Azzey) dance together last Sunday, and I felt better afterwards! :roll: They may be really good leaders, but they are definitely not quite followers of their respective partners' calibre...

I'm not in a position to offer you advice since I'm neither a leader nor an advanced dancer, but one thing I can say is: don't think "I know this move/pattern". Knowing moves is the leader's department; the follower's job is be totally blank and follow the immediate lead given. As Salsachinita wrote once, as a follower, the more you learn the less you know, and the less you know, the better follower you will be.

As for ambiguous leads, the best thing to do is probably to do nothing. If in doubt, don't go anywhere and stick to the basic (as your former teacher always keeps telling us girls).
 
Pat said:
But it's a lot of fun. I started following to improve my lead, just like azzey. Now I sometimes do it just for the fun of it. But it's a bit hard to get a dance.
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It si hard to get a dance. :cry:
 
Well, I definitely have a backlead problem. :oops: This usually only occurs when the lead is female. Their lead is so weak that I get completely lost. :shock: Some even say, "hey, I going to do this move now..."

With male leads it´s easier because they´re more assertive.

The CBL is hard to do because on the fifth count, you have to shift your upper body in the opposite direction in which you are going to rotate. Very confusing.

I have a problem also in pressing my shoulder blade against her hand. I haven´t quite learnt the proper tension required yet. :?

Anyway, I totally su$*ck at following even though I love to do it. Have to practise more...
 
I like leading... but leaders are hard to lead... they are heavy and you need a lot of power to move most of them... I don't have a soft lead, but sometimes it feels more like wrestling than dancing...

Love to lead girls though... :)
 
squirrel said:
I like leading... but leaders are hard to lead... they are heavy and you need a lot of power to move most of them... I don't have a soft lead, but sometimes it feels more like wrestling than dancing...

Love to lead girls though... :)
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Got to help us relax first! :wink: :kissme:
 
Sabor said:
i dont think i can be lead by a lady.. they are just mostly too petite relatively :lol:
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LOL! Maybe you can try this with a Scandanvian lady. They´re usually quite tall.

I can just imagine a petite lady trying to lead you into turn. You probably won´t even budge... :wink:
 
squirrel said:
I like leading... but leaders are hard to lead... they are heavy and you need a lot of power to move most of them... I don't have a soft lead, but sometimes it feels more like wrestling than dancing...

Love to lead girls though... :)
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Oh come on Squirrel, you have to cut us guys a little slack. You see we´re not used to being light on our feet... :wink:
 
Tall guys... I cannot lead! I am short! Tall girls either... not too well, at least...

MLS - this is why I have learned not to depend on the guy to move and not to let him feel my weight while dancing... :)
 
Hello,

First of all, let me introduce myself; since I am a just born baby in this forum. I've been dancing salsa for about 2 years now, as a follow. I am learning to lead a little, and I'm loving it! Although, in general, I would still prefer being spun and thrown around the floor :wink: A lot of ladies told me that they love the way I lead, and I think this is because I lead the way I want to be lead myself. So I think it would be a great idea for leads to learn how to follow!
Anyhow, first of all, to follow properly, I think follows should not be stiff, but relaxed. Imagine you're a pretty doll and the lead will move you, and you will have to respond to what he does. I really believe that ladies should not expect or anticipate any moves at all. That way it will allow them to follow anyone, anywhere. However, it is important to keep concentrating on the dance. Sometimes I find myself trying to not anticipate, and my mind would wander somewhere else, and of course, I screwed up! :oops: :oops:
Well, that's my thought. I'm not perfect, and I still have lots to learn.......
By the way, nice to meet you all! 8)
 
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