I have heard the word "pull" used in several videos in reference to the lead partner giving the lead direction for a turn or move down the slot. I am trying to find out how much "pressure of the pull or tension" does the lead do in order to lead a move down the slot (for example in a left side pass or right side pass with a turn). Let me explain further. My "pull" was never a yank or hard pressure, but I did use a little "pull-pressure/tension" applied by my hand to the followers hand as I started to lead the move. That was how I was doing it. Then in a class was at, locally, I was told not to apply any pressure at all and only very lightly nudge the followers hand to lead them in the move down the slot (ie: the left side pass, or right side pass with a turn). So I am trying to find the correct and professional / experienced information as to how much "pressure of the pull/tension" is the lead suppose to apply. Can you help with that?
I got the answer, from Brian's Video, on his website (requires a full membership). entitled; "Connection - Light connection for better responsiveness". What he said was to develop a light connection, as the leader, to ensure better responsiveness. A light connection means light "tension" or "pressure" on the followers hand. So there is no pulling, at least, or should be no need to "pull" a lead. Brian also said in the video, that followers need to be responsive as well, meaning this connection, in its entirety, is not all on the lead. The follower has to be proactive to the point where she recognizes what the "light connection" is leading and responds accordingly. The follower should never depend on the lead to physically direct them, because that forces the lead to increase his tension and pull to get the follower to move. Therefore, as a baseline standard, to develop and promote a light connection requires both the lead and follow to know what a "light connection" means and feels like. Once the standard is developed for you and your partner's dancing, or just your dancing, then depending on the move, maybe the lead requires a little more tension or pressure for the lead connection, making this relative to the move, its styling, etc. Brian made that a mention in the video as well.
Hi there! Let me see if I can share some thoughts.... I have heard the word "pull" used in several videos in reference to the lead partner giving the lead direction for a turn or move down the slot. I am trying to find out how much "pressure of the pull or tension" does the lead do in order to lead a move down the slot (for example in a left side pass or right side pass with a turn). Brian B --- In short you'll apply as much pressure (or as little) as is needed to get the job done and communicate your intention. Let me explain further. My "pull" was never a yank or hard pressure, but I did use a little "pull-pressure/tension" applied by my hand to the followers hand as I started to lead the move. That was how I was doing it. Brian B -- Yes I often use the terms Push & Pull for leads as well as Forward & Away for connection. These are just simple terms that most people can understand without a deep understanding of dance terminology. Keep in mine you never want to PULL (read yank) on a partner :-) Then in a class was at, locally, I was told not to apply any pressure at all and only very lightly nudge the followers hand to lead them in the move down the slot (ie: the left side pass, or right side pass with a turn). Brian B --- To expand on what I said above... Different dancers use/teach/like different amounts of pressure/connection. I think ultimately the right amount is the one that gets the job done. So I am trying to find the correct and professional / experienced information as to how much "pressure of the pull/tension" is the lead suppose to apply. Can you help with that? Brian B --- As new dancers or students we often want there to be "one way" to do things. (I sure was one of those people) but after almost 20 years of teaching I've come to realize that there are many ways to be correct. As to which one to chose... My best advice is this. 1. Find a good teacher - that has experience in getting people from your level of WCS to the next level (this does not have to be a champion dancer) 2. Trust their teaching - You may be inclined to 'short cut the process' by finding 'the best way' but ultimately to become good you're going to have to put in a lot of time. You'll make some mistakes.... You'll create some bad habits. Don't sweat it. Trust your teacher. If there comes a day when you out grow them... you'll know (they will too and they should likely recommend the next step in your journey. Keep up the good work! B
@@WestCoastSwingOnline : Thank-you, Brian B, for the time you have spend providing a reply and answers. With CZcams videos, I tend to be very selective when posting requests for advice, so this says, I respect your replies and answers. Yes, I concur with what you said, to use as much tension or pressure as needed per the pattern, style required, etc. This also includes, at the social dance level, the type of follower I dance with, as some tend to want a little more pressure/connection than others. Having watched your website video on a light connection to develop first, that really helped clear things up. That, with what you said above, combined with your website video information, provides me with a base understanding of what I need to do and that goes a very long way, so thank-you.
Another great video fella.
Thanks buddy! We're working hard :-)
I have heard the word "pull" used in several videos in reference to the lead partner giving the lead direction for a turn or move down the slot. I am trying to find out how much "pressure of the pull or tension" does the lead do in order to lead a move down the slot (for example in a left side pass or right side pass with a turn). Let me explain further.
My "pull" was never a yank or hard pressure, but I did use a little "pull-pressure/tension" applied by my hand to the followers hand as I started to lead the move. That was how I was doing it.
Then in a class was at, locally, I was told not to apply any pressure at all and only very lightly nudge the followers hand to lead them in the move down the slot (ie: the left side pass, or right side pass with a turn).
So I am trying to find the correct and professional / experienced information as to how much "pressure of the pull/tension" is the lead suppose to apply. Can you help with that?
I got the answer, from Brian's Video, on his website (requires a full membership). entitled; "Connection - Light connection for better responsiveness".
What he said was to develop a light connection, as the leader, to ensure better responsiveness. A light connection means light "tension" or "pressure" on the followers hand. So there is no pulling, at least, or should be no need to "pull" a lead.
Brian also said in the video, that followers need to be responsive as well, meaning this connection, in its entirety, is not all on the lead. The follower has to be proactive to the point where she recognizes what the "light connection" is leading and responds accordingly. The follower should never depend on the lead to physically direct them, because that forces the lead to increase his tension and pull to get the follower to move.
Therefore, as a baseline standard, to develop and promote a light connection requires both the lead and follow to know what a "light connection" means and feels like.
Once the standard is developed for you and your partner's dancing, or just your dancing, then depending on the move, maybe the lead requires a little more tension or pressure for the lead connection, making this relative to the move, its styling, etc. Brian made that a mention in the video as well.
Hi there!
Let me see if I can share some thoughts....
I have heard the word "pull" used in several videos in reference to the lead partner giving the lead direction for a turn or move down the slot. I am trying to find out how much "pressure of the pull or tension" does the lead do in order to lead a move down the slot (for example in a left side pass or right side pass with a turn).
Brian B --- In short you'll apply as much pressure (or as little) as is needed to get the job done and communicate your intention.
Let me explain further.
My "pull" was never a yank or hard pressure, but I did use a little "pull-pressure/tension" applied by my hand to the followers hand as I started to lead the move. That was how I was doing it.
Brian B -- Yes I often use the terms Push & Pull for leads as well as Forward & Away for connection. These are just simple terms that most people can understand without a deep understanding of dance terminology. Keep in mine you never want to PULL (read yank) on a partner :-)
Then in a class was at, locally, I was told not to apply any pressure at all and only very lightly nudge the followers hand to lead them in the move down the slot (ie: the left side pass, or right side pass with a turn).
Brian B --- To expand on what I said above... Different dancers use/teach/like different amounts of pressure/connection. I think ultimately the right amount is the one that gets the job done.
So I am trying to find the correct and professional / experienced information as to how much "pressure of the pull/tension" is the lead suppose to apply. Can you help with that?
Brian B --- As new dancers or students we often want there to be "one way" to do things. (I sure was one of those people) but after almost 20 years of teaching I've come to realize that there are many ways to be correct. As to which one to chose... My best advice is this.
1. Find a good teacher - that has experience in getting people from your level of WCS to the next level (this does not have to be a champion dancer)
2. Trust their teaching - You may be inclined to 'short cut the process' by finding 'the best way' but ultimately to become good you're going to have to put in a lot of time. You'll make some mistakes.... You'll create some bad habits. Don't sweat it. Trust your teacher. If there comes a day when you out grow them... you'll know (they will too and they should likely recommend the next step in your journey.
Keep up the good work!
B
@@WestCoastSwingOnline : Thank-you, Brian B, for the time you have spend providing a reply and answers.
With CZcams videos, I tend to be very selective when posting requests for advice, so this says, I respect your replies and answers.
Yes, I concur with what you said, to use as much tension or pressure as needed per the pattern, style required, etc. This also includes, at the social dance level, the type of follower I dance with, as some tend to want a little more pressure/connection than others. Having watched your website video on a light connection to develop first, that really helped clear things up. That, with what you said above, combined with your website video information, provides me with a base understanding of what I need to do and that goes a very long way, so thank-you.