Could someone briefly describe the positon / action of the man's left hand when leading an inside turn, especially at 4, 5 and 6?
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Leading an inside turn
- Thread starter darrencorgan
- Start date
darrencorgan said:Could someone briefly describe the positon / action of the man's left hand when leading an inside turn, especially at 4, 5 and 6?
Just to clarify. Are you talking about a cross body lead with inside turn? Or a left turn from basic?
CBL with inside turn for the woman.
darrencorgan said:CBL with inside turn for the woman.
I'll describe what I do from a open position, straight two-hand hold. Both hands begin at normal level. Leader's body opens up on 1,2,3 and there is little action in the hands other than maintaining connection. On (or slightly after) 4, the leaders right hand starts to extend to lead the follower across on 5. The right hand extends down the track and over the left arm which is of course now across the track since the leader has moved laterally. As the follower steps across on 5, the leader releases his right hand and before 6 the leaders left hand starts to arc upward to lead the turn. The arc is initiated before 6 so that the follower has completed half a revolution when she steps on count 6. The left hand reached its apex by 6 and starts it's decent afterward. (The force/speed of the arc-ing motion can also indicate a multiple turn.) Depending on the follower, the left hand resolves to an open hold whenever she finishes the turn, which can vary depending on the partner.
GTO Bruin said:...On (or slightly after) 4, the leaders right hand starts to extend to lead the follower across on 5. The right hand extends down the track and over the left arm which is of course now across the track since the leader has moved laterally. As the follower steps across on 5, the leader releases his right hand...
All this right hand extending and what not is mostly for styling anyways, since the follower knew from 123 that she was going to advance into a CBL and she saw the leader get out of her way.
GTO Bruin said:...and before 6 the leaders left hand starts to arc upward to lead the turn. The arc is initiated before 6 so that the follower has completed half a revolution when she steps on count 6. The left hand reached its apex by 6 and starts it's decent afterward.
Indeed. It feels really nice for the follower when the leader delays lifting the hand until or just before 6 (lifting on 5 will block her turn); and it is very comfortable to have one's hand be held up all the way until beat 7.
GTO Bruin said:...The force/speed of the arc-ing motion can also indicate a multiple turn...
That is so. but only after 7 if you want her to spin the extra turn. If you want her to walk it you have to lead it earlier (on 5&)
I forgot to mention that I was describing On1, without considering that darrencorgan may dance On2 or other. Didn't mean to be presumtuous. Also as Nikka states, the arm extending has a styling element, but since the usual lead with the right hand in closed position is unavailable, the lead is with the the extension - though the follower knows from the open track that it's coming.
There are whole threads either here in SF or on the sister forum DF discussing the extension - timing, bouncing etc. Some advocate waiting until count 5 before extending. I do as I describe and start extending before 5. If I'm in a two-hand hold, the left hand holds the follower back, hence the cross over on the extension. But even in a single hold, it's really up to the follower to know not to cross until 5.
A lot of newbie followers get anxious when they see the open track and cross too early. With them, I try to gently indicate for them to wait using my frame or tension in the hands. Doesn't always work. :roll:
I don't mean to be presumptuous again, but these posts are read by many. For a L over R cross-hand hold the left hand extends, then arcs up with the timing described.
There are whole threads either here in SF or on the sister forum DF discussing the extension - timing, bouncing etc. Some advocate waiting until count 5 before extending. I do as I describe and start extending before 5. If I'm in a two-hand hold, the left hand holds the follower back, hence the cross over on the extension. But even in a single hold, it's really up to the follower to know not to cross until 5.
A lot of newbie followers get anxious when they see the open track and cross too early. With them, I try to gently indicate for them to wait using my frame or tension in the hands. Doesn't always work. :roll:
I don't mean to be presumptuous again, but these posts are read by many. For a L over R cross-hand hold the left hand extends, then arcs up with the timing described.
Thanks a lot.