This entry is part 4 of 4 in the series Pot-StirsThe next step in learning the pot-stir is for the follower to learn how to take off from the setup position. This drill will focus on the moment between compressing into the leader’s right hand and when the leader takes over in powering the turn.… Continue Reading
Tag Archives: following
Balancing the Pot Stir
This entry is part 2 of 4 in the series Pot-StirsFor the follower, a pot-stir is fundamentally a pirouette. The mistake most followers make is trying to power their own pot-stir. Instead, you should aim for just enough juice to make it between a half and a full turn around from your starting point; from… Continue Reading
Learning the Opposite Role
Anyone who is serious about learning to dance should learn both roles for the dance. You don’t have to become an expert in both roles. But, experiencing the dance from the opposite perspective teaches you how lots of little details—from hand position and distance to prep timing and settling weight transfers—can dramatically affect how pleasant… Continue Reading
Partnering Skills: Mirroring
Watching pro WCS dancers play is amazing in part because they are so good at mirroring each other and building on their partner’s ideas. This drill is designed to build your own mirroring skills in two respects. First, it will help you build the habit of observing your partner and matching what they are doing.… Continue Reading
Staying into Compression
This entry is part 4 of 4 in the series Connection TheoryThe previous post in this series described the away, or leverage, connection. This post will describe the towards connection, which is also known as compression. A compression connection is used whenever the follower’s center is supposed to move away from the leader’s center. Mario… Continue Reading
Musicality: Accenting the 1 for Followers
For followers, accenting the 1 of the musical phrase is more challenging than for the leaders because you don’t get to pick the pattern that is being led. As a result, you need to have options to accent the 1 at any point within a pattern. The good news is that you don’t have to… Continue Reading
Stretching: Learning the Arc of Momentum
From a physics perspective, what happens when someone goes bungee jumping is remarkably similar to the stretching that should happen on an anchor in WCS, according to Robert Royston. Let’s say that you have a bungee cord that is 20 feet long, and you jump off a bridge. For the first 20 feet down, you… Continue Reading
Staying Back in Leverage
This entry is part 3 of 4 in the series Connection TheoryIn west coast swing, movement by the follower towards the leader results from an away, or leverage, connection. This partner exercise is designed to help both partners maintain that connection. Mario Robau describes the away connection in terms of waterskiing. The leader is the… Continue Reading
Smooth Connection: Playing with Quarters
The goal of this drill is to help dancers become aware of when they break connection with their partner. The Drill: Connect with your partner in open position as normal, and feel the away connection where the fingers pull against each other. Put a quarter in between this connection point; the quarter should be held up… Continue Reading