The imperfect lead -- what is he like?

[cornutt]

In the various venues for partner dancing on the Net, we see a lot of threads discussing the perfect leads and follows, and a lot of threads discussing the terrible leads and follows.  What we don't see a lot of is discussion of leads and follows who are good but have areas where they could stand to improve.  In these threads, I'm not necessarily looking to discuss specific people (although examples are appreciated if you can do it without revealing the identity of the person involved), but general patterns and trends.  If you do a lot of social dancing, what are you experiencing with a majority of your partners?  If you compete, what are you seeing in the couples that you watch? 

[millitiz]

...everyone?

It was a big problem for me (probably still is, but hopefully to a lesser extend) - and I think for a lot of people that I saw: the isolation of top and bottom; and/or the calmness of the top. For instance, how many of us had the experience that in, say, a volta in Samba, your free arm is bouncing up and down (for me, it was actually drawing a circle) when you thought that it was still?

[QPO]

I think one of the biggest problems is core strength and people lead the wrong way often from the arms! leading is guiding someone round the floor not pulling or pushing them and sometimes this is confusing to beginners

[elisedance]

I think one of the biggest problems is core strength and people lead the wrong way often from the arms! leading is guiding someone round the floor not pulling or pushing them and sometimes this is confusing to beginners

You've got it.  Nothing worse than the grasping man.  However, if you ask them why, its because they feel you are going to run amok  
The way to cure it is to dance with only one arm (man R, lady L).  Both partners have to learn to use their bodies and ballance correctly to not pull away.

Its become part of our regular practise

[QPO]

I think one of the biggest problems is core strength and people lead the wrong way often from the arms! leading is guiding someone round the floor not pulling or pushing them and sometimes this is confusing to beginners

You've got it.  Nothing worse than the grasping man.  However, if you ask them why, its because they feel you are going to run amok  
The way to cure it is to dance with only one arm (man R, lady L).  Both partners have to learn to use their bodies and balance correctly to not pull away.

Its become part of our regular practise

yes we do that too... although we hold the other hand and have the left arm out straight and slight back ( for the women) we have to maintain connection the same way as you.