To effectively follow your dance partner, focus on building a strong connection, staying present, and maintaining timing, rather than trying to anticipate or lead.
Following in dance is a dynamic skill that requires focus, connection, and responsiveness. It's about understanding the lead's intentions through physical connection and timing, allowing you to execute movements together seamlessly. Based on foundational principles, here are key ways to enhance your following technique:
Essential Principles for Following
Becoming a proficient follower involves more than just mimicking steps; it's about actively listening to your partner's non-verbal cues transmitted through the dance frame and connection.
1. Connect Your Weight to Your Partner
A fundamental aspect of following is establishing a solid physical connection that allows you to feel your partner's movements and weight shifts.
- How: Keep your elbows always in front of your body. This helps create a stable frame and ensures that you are connected through your core and arms, enabling you to respond to subtle leads.
2. Don't Anticipate Movements
Thinking ahead or predicting what your partner will do next can actually hinder your ability to follow accurately. True following is reacting in the moment.
- How: Pretend that you are a dumb "blonde" with no idea what's coming up next. This playful analogy emphasizes the importance of clearing your mind and waiting for the lead rather than jumping to conclusions. Focus solely on the current moment and the information you receive through the connection.
3. Don't Try to Lead
Your role as a follower is to respond to the lead, not to initiate movements or dictate direction. Trying to lead from the follower's position disrupts the partnership and makes it difficult for the designated leader to guide effectively.
4. Keep the Timing
Staying in time with the music and your partner is crucial for cohesive movement. Listen to the rhythm and tempo, ensuring your steps and reactions align with the beat and your partner's timing.
5. Maintain Proper Elbow Position for Turns
Specific techniques like maintaining a correct elbow angle are vital for executing movements smoothly, especially turns.
- How: Keep your elbow at 90 degrees for all turns. This specific angle helps maintain the frame's integrity during rotational movements, providing necessary resistance and connection to facilitate turns led by your partner.
By focusing on these principles – maintaining connection through proper posture, resisting the urge to anticipate, respecting the lead's role, adhering to timing, and utilizing specific techniques like the 90-degree elbow for turns – you can significantly improve your ability to follow your dance partner effectively and enjoy a more harmonious dance experience.
