A little matter of spotting

[Mala]

Can anyone tell me if there are several ways of spotting when turning? I've come across different methods with different instructors and am not at all sure what's the best way to spot.

One seems to be to spot in front, look over your shoulder as you turn and spot on the other side, and then spot in front again. Could that be correct???

The other seems to be to look at one spot, look as long as possible at the same spot, then as you turn finally whip your head around to look at the same spot in front once again.

Whih of these is the right way? Or are there different spotting methods for different movements?

[MacMoto]

One seems to be to spot in front, look over your shoulder as you turn and spot on the other side, and then spot in front again. Could that be correct???

The other seems to be to look at one spot, look as long as possible at the same spot, then as you turn finally whip your head around to look at the same spot in front once again.

Whih of these is the right way? Or are there different spotting methods for different movements?
Hmm, maybe these are different spotting tecniques for different turns?

I was taught to spot twice when doing a cross-body turn, or any other x+1/2 turn where you end up facing the opposit direction from where you start with. Having said that, I don't really (consciously) spot in the initial direction of travel. Once the leader is in sight, I spot him.

When doing full turns (single, double, triple...) where you finish your turn(s) facing the same direction, you spot where you want to finish (the second method in your post).

[Mala]

Oh yes, when dancing with a partner, one can spot the partner on turns. But when doing solo dancing.... Like there's an instructor who says to do a right turn and follow it immediately with a tight hook turn. He always says "Look over your right shoulder".

[pr]

Like there's an instructor who says to do a right turn and follow it immediately with a tight hook turn. He always says "Look over your right shoulder".
:? The first alternative sounds strange to me... I always use your second alternative (but I spot a little bit different while doing half turns...). That is turning the head as late as possible during the turn. Ballet dancers use this method... :) 8)

[peachexploration]

....When doing full turns (single, double, triple...) where you finish your turn(s) facing the same direction, you spot where you want to finish (the second method in your post).Yes, this is true although I just learned that I "wasn't" doing this which is why I was going off balance and/or my turns were sloppy. Practice in front of a mirror and spot yourself or draw a huge dot on a piece of paper and place it on the wall. That will help alot. :) I'm still working on this but I'm getting better. :)

[Mala]

One of my instructors used to tell me to make sure I did a little spotting practice for just 2 minutes a day--and it would get real good. Maybe one of these days I'll listen to him!

[peachexploration]

Yeah Mala. My instructor gave me that homework for this week too. I'm getting much better. :)

[MacMoto]

Yeah Mala. My instructor gave me that homework for this week too. I'm getting much better. :)
Care to share the homework? I need to work on my spotting technique -- I lose balance when I try to spot. :(

[peachexploration]

Yeah Mala. My instructor gave me that homework for this week too. I'm getting much better. :)
Care to share the homework? I need to work on my spotting technique -- I lose balance when I try to spot. :(Mac, you have the right idea as you've mentioned above. Things to remember are keep your knees slightly bent, hands above the waist, legs underneath your body and feet close together. The other thing is that you have to focus on the object whether it's the guys chest, face or something on the wall.

[MacMoto]

The other thing is that you have to focus on the object whether it's the guys chest, face or something on the wall.
You know my problem? I have this bad habit of automatically focusing on the guy's face -- which tends to be higher than my eye level. I need to learn to look straight ahead, not up, as soon as the leader preps me for spins. :oops:

[peachexploration]

Yeah Mac, I know exactly what you mean. I also think the sometimes the guys "face" can be distracting. Especially, if he makes a funny face like did last week and kept cracking up. The chest is much better for me unless I'm taller than the guy, then I have no choice but to look at his face or the top of his head. :P :lol: :P

[pr]

I know a good exercise but it is hard to explain in words :? I'll make a try anyway... :)
Stand in front of a mirror (or a wall) with both feet together. Fix your eyes on a spot. Take small steps and keep moving in a circle at the same time locking at the same spot. When you cannot turn any further without turning the head then turn your head fast and find your spot again. Finish the turn and continue with some more. :)

[Mala]

Yep, that's the one we all do. It's all graphically demonstrated at http://www.ballroomdancers.com in the Learning Center under spins and turns. Specific url

http://www.ballroomdancers.com/Learning_Center/Lesson/2/Default.asp?page=5