How do we prevent against overall sloppiness in our dancing?

[squirrel]

It is normal I think to have difficulties when dancing with someone you've never danced with before. Or even with someone you haven't danced with in a long time.
It is in our nature to relax when something is familiar and I think I am not really paying attention when dancing to someone I am used to. I think more about styling and shines or I just let go and play with the music, because I am confortable with them.
But a new dancer is a challenge and therefore I focus on him, instead of my moves. Of course, I tend to relax after 1-2 dances as I start to adjust to the lead. I don't think even the top salseras of the world can follow and adjust instantly... :)

[vin]

Guys also have this stress of a first dance with someone new as well.
I'm glad it's not just me. Sometimes that first dance with someone new can be nervewracking. I danced for the first time with one local salsa celebrity last week and we had a horrible dance. She told me to ask again later, maybe she blames herself and wants to prove herself to me?

I dance with alot of the same people over and over again and it can lead to sloppiness in my lead. Maybe we can rephrase this question for leads as well as follows.

Since most of us tend to dance a good portion of the time with people that we have danced with before, how do we prevent against overall sloppiness in our dancing?

[nicelau]

having just been to a new class at a new club, i know exactly what you're talking about.
from a follower's point of view i danced with people i'd never danced with before and some i found were ok, others i had terrible dances with...
but i am grateful - it's dusted the cobwebs from my salsa and given me new inspiration!

i think the issue is we get too settled on one style, we get used to the way people dance which in turn allows us to add style and shines cos we don't have to worry about moves, which is good...
on the other hand with new people i tend to get nervous and forget about my styling most of the time... :oops: (something i'm working on...)

at the end of the day i think it all comes down to practice and experience. the longer you do salsa for the more it becomes engrained in your being. even when you think you live, breathe, dance salsa it's not always enough... but in the mean time, it does help to make sure whilst dancing with our 'regulars', at the same time to keep challenging ourselves with new dancers as well. don't get stuck in a rut! :tongue: