Timing of the Lead

[Rugby]

Exactly. I was telling a student today to dance with the lady - not for her; to lead himself, and allow the lady to follow.

This is so important - and should go on the 'wish they had taught this at the beginning' topic.  Interestingly, if the woman tries to help the man dance she is immediatel reprimanded but the othe rway round is usually ignored - but its just as detrimental to the woman.  When the man goes out of his way to put me in the right place he confuses me since I can no longer feel the correct lead - its gone.  At the moment many of our lessons center on DP doing his step and ignoring me so that I can do mine.

My instructor did a full out quickstep with hop, skips, contra checks and so forth and danced it with me with no arms.  He was showing us that we do not need our arms to pull or push but rather if he does his own part as correctly as possible I will be able to respond and do my part.  In other words don't try and lead the lady but rather let her follow your frame as her lead.  When I dance the man's part I am aware of what the lady needs but over all I just take care of myself and the ladies say that what they feel is far clearer than a guy that is trying to physically move them.

[elisedance]

[I'd love to hear which instructor that was...the blond tall one?? ]

[Rugby]

[I'd love to hear which instructor that was...the blond tall one?? ]

Yes, Mr. DQ.

[TangoDancer]

We should start a movement to change these term - needs a new topic!

My instructor did a full out quickstep with hop, skips, contra checks and so forth and danced it with me with no arms.  He was showing us that we do not need our arms to pull or push but rather if he does his own part as correctly as possible I will be able to respond and do my part.  In other words don't try and lead the lady but rather let her follow your frame as her lead.  When I dance the man's part I am aware of what the lady needs but over all I just take care of myself and the ladies say that what they feel is far clearer than a guy that is trying to physically move them.

Exactly. From the very first class, I tell follows that the very last thing I ever want them to do in dance is to follow me. Please, do not ever follow your partner. Then, after the usual jaw drops, I explain that lead and follow does not refer to the man leading the lady and the lady following the man, rather it is the man leading the movement, and the lady following the dance. They always get it quite easily.

[elisedance]

From the very first class, I tell follows that the very last thing I ever want them to do in dance is to follow me. Please, do not ever follow your partner. Then, after the usual jaw drops, I explain that lead and follow does not refer to the man leading the lady and the lady following the man, rather it is the man leading the movement, and the lady following the dance. They always get it quite easily.

I just had to quote that - its priceless too.  
TD you are a gem