The imperfect follow -- what is she 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? 

[elisedance]

...like someone else ...

[NZ_Guy]

Balance issues are never helpful..

[elisedance]

Balance issues are never helpful..

specially when they are caused by the fourth martini...

[millitiz]

Balance issues are never helpful..

specially when they are caused by the fourth martini...

On the bright side, that improves the swing and sway

[elisedance]

Balance issues are never helpful..

specially when they are caused by the fourth martini...

On the bright side, that improves the swing and sway

Perhaps you mean 'swig and sway' 

[millitiz]

It might have something to do with how our instructions was structured - but I felt that one of the problem I felt among the girls I had danced with was not being active. Or in a word: active follow. Some of them are amazing at following (such as my ex partner. I could simply throw things on her that she never knew - and we could make it. And I could feel the togetherness). Although I have to say, the girls have the tough job. They first had to learn the step - then they had to learn to follow (and to put up with our fragile ego... ) - then they have to learn how to follow actively. Unlike the lead, we learn everything all at once.

I guess balance is another issue - from what I have heard.

And the frame.

Of course, as you might have noticed, this is more likely to be on the lower level.

[elisedance]

...the girls have the tough job. They first had to learn the step - then they had to learn to follow (and to put up with our fragile ego... ) - then they have to learn how to follow actively. Unlike the lead, we learn everything all at once....

Well put - and if you understand that much you are almost certainly well on the way to the perfect lead.

However, one stage you may not be aware of.  Eventually followers learn how to follow steps that they have never actually learned.  Thats when they start to get into the domain of the 'perfect' followers...