Pattie's Dance Tips
June 11, 2011
Dance Connection Pt. 2
Occasionally, Mark Pablo and I include technique exercises in our Thursday night West Coast swing. This dance tip evolved from one of those exercises plus numerous discussions with other dance professionals. There are many different ideas about the handhold for the West Coast swing. I prefer the concept of the blade of the follower’s right hand resting in the crease of the leader’s left palm with three fingers of the hand curled in a soft large curve. The follower gives slight outward resistance while the leader gives slight inward resistance in order to maintain connection. In a two-hand hold, the arms drape relaxed between partners with the leader establishing the height of the hands from the floor by positioning the hands between them and at about the height of the followers Center Point of Balance (CPB), which is usually near the follower’s belly button. This is the place best suited for guiding movement from the follower’s center. Some leaders in West Coast swing position the hands too high. If the leader moves forward from their center but with the hands too high, it applies force to the follower’s upper torso and may cause backward pitch of the body. This may cause a delayed response from follower and often results in too much slack in the arms, which diminishes the stretch of the movement. The torso has strength and stability. Moving from our center creates more powerful and consistent movements. Our limbs possess speed but move inconsistently causing a more choppy or jerky action. This is why we teach a body leads rather than arm leads.
Try this with a partner. It is an exercise that aids in understanding the concept of “matching resistance.”
First, in a two-hand hold, the leader shifts his center forward so his weight is over the ball of the foot while the follower briefly delays then gives equal resistance inward toward the leader.
Second, the leader shifts slightly backward so his weight is closer to his heels and the follower, again slightly delayed, shifts backward matching resistance.
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