18/08/2011 by admin.

When ladies are led into a wrap (check) or whip position, where they are in front of the guy on beat 6, with their left arm across their stomach, and connected to the guys hand, there are two choices for the ladies foot placement. Either their right foot (on beat 6) is in front of the left or it tucked in behind the left.

Sounds obvisous, but which one is best is the question that ladies keep asking me.

The answer is it depends on the what the guys is going to lead next. But how do we know what’s coming? Well this is down to the guys lead and the ladies experience in executing each of the techniques and picking up clues.

Lets look at the pros and cons of each:

Right foot in front - this is the best position when the guys next move is to lead the ladies into a slide back on beat 7, where the ladies slide by the left side of the guy. It can be easier to anticipate when the guys lead is in continuous round (anti-clockwise) direction, rather than where there is an abrupt stop on beat 6, before the slide on 7.  The con with this position is when the guys next move is to turn (spin) the ladies on the spot clockwise (ladies multiple right turns).

Right foot in behind- this is the best position when the guys next move is to lead the ladies into into a turn to her right, whether it is a half turn (unwrap) so that they face the guys, or multiple right turns. It is more likely to use this when the guys leads a definite check, stopping the ladies in place, with no signs of a continuous movement from the leading hand. The right foot behind helps the ladies to get into the prep position so that they can use the unwind as the build up to multiple turns. The con with this position is that it is akward if the guy lead the lady directly into a back slide on beat 7, as in they want to ladies to travel back and around him.

Ladies…. practice both and learn to take note of what is easier for each of the different moves the guys lead you through.

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18/08/2011 by admin.

I was teaching class yesterday and watching the students drilling the turn pattern I had just taught them, I noticed that some students we getting through the pattern but with something missing. 

Although the men were leading the ladies well enough so that she clearly went in the direction she was meant to, and successfully executed the move, it was not in the way that I intended.

The particular element of the move the leaders were failing to grasp, was a double-handed lead looping the ladies head and making her turn and go back in the direction she came. The men were generally moving both hands simultaneously, where as I had showed them that the hands move slightly staggered, the right leading slightly ahead of the left.

Granted, it was easier if both hands work in unison, as it adds to the positiveness (strength) of the lead, but it missed that little something… a bit of flavour. By moving the hands separately it makes the move seem more than it is.

By adding together all these little somethings, it can greatly add to a dancers style.

It is important that students not only take in the move overall, but also the detail: the direction, angle, positioning, spacing, timing and subtleties.

For the teacher, it is important to remember that we can learn from our students…. how the moves are perceived, unexpected difficulties with certain elements (we may take for granted) and how fancy moves can often be simplyfied by students (either intentionally or not).

Posted in Style, Leading, Turn patterns | No Comments »

19/02/2009 by admin.

I taught a On2 class the other week and I was trying to get my students to dance a rotation (going round each other on the spot in a closckwise direction) in hold.  The main points that aid this movement are:

1. You need to be at the correct distance from you partner. The distance will vary with different people - due to size, shape length of arms etc.  Too far away and it will become ackward and too close you will loose the strength of the frame. An analogy could be that of a semi-circle with a straight edge not being as strong as a complete circle. With time and experience you will learn what this should be.

2. You need to be at correct position in relation to your partner. In this case you should be square on to your partner ie you chest should be aligned parallel to your partners, not at a slant.

3. You need to have the correct tension. For the guys they should lock their hold ie. arms should remain in exactly the same position. Ladies should think about moving their back slightly away from the guys and push forward slightly with their right hand into the guys frame.

 4. You need to maintain this frame throughout the movement.

Posted in Turn patterns | 1 Comment »