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Top 5 tips for Leads Print E-mail
Written by Torqueo   
Wednesday, 12 September 2007

Here are my top 5 tips for leads on the dancefloor. Feel free to add your own using the comments function at the bottom of the page.

1. Don't start a lesson during a dance. The classes have finished, and everyone's now dancing socially. The last thing a follower would want is to be stopped in the middle of the dancefloor and be taught a move. Do this, and you can be sure they won't be dancing with you again, along with anyone else who noticed what you were doing. We all have enough combinations, turns, etc in our locker to be able to leave one or two out that someone may be having trouble with.

2. Dance with the follower, not for the spectators. You're not putting on a performance. Other womens perspective (and I don't pretend to know what women think, by any means!), is that the way you dance with other women is how you'll dance with them.

3. If she looks good you look great. Dance at your followers level. Since you'll be dancing with a variety of women, there'll be plenty of opportunity to 'show your stuff'.
Imagine two guys: One ALMOST knows about a hundred twists, turns and other moves! The other knows about 10 moves, but the difference is he knows them well, and can execute them comfortably, with precision and clarity. Since he knows the moves well, he's able to concentrate on making the dance enjoyable. Which one do you think a lady would prefer as a dance partner?

4. Be aware of how much space you have, and use it with consideration for others. Also watch out for those who's only goal seems to be to crash into as many people as they can. Protect your follower from these moving hazards and dance small, not big.

5. Dance to and with the music - be inspired by it and tailor your dancing to the music. Keep timing and rhythm, don't get carried away, and if the music's fast, keep it simple!

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written by JoJo on September 12, 2007

Finally.......... someone has mentioned outloud the problems that us followers have been contending with for years on the dancefloor!!! Being taught and criticised during a social dance really isn't funny or helpful, and is the quickest way of getting yourself on the followers' blacklist. In fact all these points are spot on, and make the difference between a great dance and a horrific one! And believe me, I've had many horrific dances because of these problems.

It's a shame these basic rules aren't taught right from the outset, instead of concentrating on a never-ending supply of turn patterns.

Some Girls don't seem to know #1
written by Ellis on September 13, 2007

Some followers seem to get frustrated if they do not follow a move and insist on repeating it until they get it right.

It takes a hell of a lot of self control and tact to avoid starting a lesson, but it is still probably best if you try to lead a move twice only and then move on.

Of course, it may actually be that you are leading it wrong, but enough practice with different followers willl allow you to hone your lead for a particular move into one that is clear to all.

Remember, this time the girls have for once got it right - it is always the leaders fault!

Mainly right
written by Strictly Cuban on February 1, 2010

I'd say #1 is that its enjoyable for the both of you....

On the last comment I'd say to always blame the lead is too much, after all if a follower 'goes against the grain' then its not really down to the lead, or if they self-follow, that said personally I usually take a critical look at my leading and 9 times out of ten it is a fault on my part...lol

To put myself into context, I've been Salsa Dancing for about 3 years and hold Silver Medals in Ballroom/Latin along with Bronze in Rock

mainly right 2
written by Strictly Cuban on February 1, 2010

hmmm, got cut off

Bronze Rock

mainly right 3
written by Strictly Cuban on February 1, 2010

okay ampersands are a nono

Bronze rock and roll and argentine tango..another rule for leads is that if a move messes up, just laugh it off and if your parner is cool with it try again..it's only dancing after all...

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