Week 1

Partner-work

Basic Step

Combined Tips

·Tip: Do not put heel down on back step (guy on 2 and ladies on 6) Reason(s):  Easier to transfer weight back to go forward.

·Tip: Point-ball and push off the floor Reason(s):  You will look lighter on your feet and it will look more dynamic.

·Tip: Overlap  Reason(s):  For more continuous and flowy dance.

Open position

Combined Tips

·Tip: Keep loose arms. Reason(s):  Tighter arms will tire you out more quickly.  Looser arms allow for more complex moves to be performed.

                Leader tips

· Tip: Six-shooter hand position.   Reason(s):  Comfort for follower.  Will allow for easier spins and turns.  Reduces the desire to force and push the follower into moves and turns.

·Tip: DO NOT press down with thumbs or pointer fingers. Reason(s):  Comfort for follower.  Creates a locked position which makes performing complex moves impossible.

                Follower tips

·Tip:  Never let arms pass your torso.  Reason(s):  Allows follower to catch the leader’s resistance signals.

· Tip: Create hooks with your hands. Reason(s):  Allows hands to leave quickly when released by the leader.  Creates a connection without locking the hands.

·Tip: Do not grab leaders’ hands.  Reason(s):  Allows leader to remove his hands to execute turns and complex moves without fighting to release them.

Closed Position       

Combined Tips

·Tip:  Scapula-to-scapula Reason(s):  Allows for solid frame between leader and follower and effective communication between both parties.

·Tip: Eliminate space between “scapula’d” arms. Reason(s):  Space between those arms (Left for followers.  Right for leaders) will cause the leader to push the follower through moves and turns. The connection should be through the elbows..

                Leader Tips

·Tip:  Shoulders up, back and down. Reason(s): Creates a solid frame which allows the follower to receive clear signals from the leader.

·Tip: Arm in “carrying a towel” position. Reason(s):  Eliminates the need to push the follower into moves.  Sends a clear signal to the follower regarding when and where he/she needs to move.

·Tip: Adjust your “scapula’d” arm to followers shoulder level.  Reason(s): Raising your arm above the follower’s shoulder height will cause pain for him/her throughout the dance.  This position will vary from follower to follower. 

Follower Tips

·Tip:  Push up slightly with your “scapula’d” arm. Reason(s):  Helps to create the solid connection between you and the follower.

·Tip: Push slightly back with you scapula.  Reason(s): Creates a better connection with the leader’s arm.

Ladies right turn

Combined Tips

·Tip:   Reason(s): 

                Leader tips

· Tip:  Break back on 6 Reason(s):  To let the ladies know that you are about to do something different.

· Tip:  Arm up on 1 Reason(s):  To let the ladies know that you are about to lead them into the turn

· Tip:  Keep your arm just above the ladies head Reason(s):  It will help them keep their arm in the right position, and allow them to have more balance on their turn.

· Tip:  do not spin the wheel, swirl the coffee. Reason(s):  Not to push them out of their axis.

· Tip:  Lead the ladies forward on 2 and start the turn on 3 Reason(s):  Allows better control when switching from right turn to left turn.

                Follower tips

·Tip:  Do not anticipate turn, and go with the guy’s speed Reason(s):  Will help you get better following habits

 ·Tip:  Keep the arms at 90 degrees. Reason(s):  To be more balanced in multiple turns, and to be able to feel guys push immediately.

·Tip:  Keep the arms loose at all times unless you feel a push from the guy Reason(s):  Stiffing up on turns lead you hanging on to the guy which makes you heavier on spins.

·Tip:   Step forward (straight forward with no intention of turning) on 2. And start your turn on 3. Reason(s):  till 3 you do not know which direction he wants you to turn.

Cross-body lead

                Leader tips

· Tip:   Open on 1, do not even look at the ladies Reason(s):  invites the ladies other side. Looking at them usually makes you lean toward them which makes you have a bad posture also blocks their way while they are trying to walk across.

 · Tip:   Do not lead with your left hand, or push with the right Reason(s):  all you need is the elbow connection on your right arm to make the ladies feel comfortable. Otherwise they feel like they are thrown around.

 · Tip:   Do not let your change your frame when you open up for one Reason(s):  Letting the elbow drop behind your shoulder level will make you lose the connection.

 · Tip:   Keep feet apart on 1 Reason(s):  so she will have  enough space to go across.

                Follower tips

·Tip:  Do not rush to go across Reason(s): you will lose connection if you walk pass him before he leads you to.

 ·Tip:  Press against his right hand with your shoulder blade Reason(s):  to maintain contact