How to be a good Follow

Most of the times when something goes wrong on the dance floor it is the Lead's fault. However, the follows can be at fault if they do not follow properly. I thought it would be fair to write about how to be a good follow after my last entry for the leads.

Tips for being a good Follow:
1. Keep a comfortable distance with your partner. You dictate how close you want to be. Also, don't stand right in front of him, stand slightly to his right.

2. Keep your fingers curled. Pretend you are holding an egg with your middle finger and thumb - that is how you should keep them all the time to provide a natural hook.

3. Keep tension in your arms in order to effectively follow your lead. Not too tense, not too wobbly.

4. Pull when you are being pulled and push when you are being pushed. Remember to keep tension in your arms and not let your elbows go behind the side of your body.

There are a lot of other details to point out but that will be written at a later post.

How to be a good Lead

I have been to a lot of different salsa classes - some for beginners and some for the more advanced. As usual, there is a rotation of parterns throughout the lesson and I get to practice with many follows the pattern that is taught. One of the things I hear most often is, "Wow, you are a good lead!" Yes, it is very hard to find a good lead in the beginner/intermediate salsa lessons. This is why I decided to write this small entry.

Tips for being a good lead:
1. Put yourself in the follow's shoes. Once you dance as a follow you will understand the importance of a good lead and what a good lead and bad lead feels like. Try it out with a good lead and try it out with a beginner lead.

2. Keep your frame. If you are in the close hold, make sure your right arm is up, supporting her arm. Make sure your right hand is on her shoulder blade and not on her hips.

3. Give strong leads. Be firm when signaling her but do not over do it. Don't be forceful as it will throw her off balance

4. Ask for feedback. Don't be shy, ask the follow how you are doing and what she is feeling and not feeling with your lead

5. Be perceptive. If a move you are trying to do doesn't come out right, you are probably doing something wrong.

6. Don't rush into a move. If you are late starting a move, don't try doing catch-up - someone will get hurt.

I think this is it for now. Good luck leads!