How do I pick up new partnerwork moves outside of class as a leader effectively?

n00bdancer

n00bdancer

Changui
I’ve been dancing salsa (on2) for about a month and can comfortably get through social dances while varying my combinations a bit.


Right now, I’m comfortable leading:


  • Right/left turns (leader & follower)
  • Cross body leads (including inside turns)
  • Enchuflas
  • Basic copa variations
  • Some cross-hand holds

There are a few moves I’ve learned in class (like CBL outside turns) that I don’t use much socially yet.


Training context​


  • ~1 partnerwork class (1 hr) every weekday
  • 1–2 footwork classes (1 hr each), ~6 days/week

In class, I usually learn one combo per session and can execute it by the end (with some mistakes).
But in socials, I probably only use ~60–70% of what I learn.


Current approach​


When I try to use a new move from class or video:


  1. I attempt it during a social
  2. If it fails, I move on and revisit later (or rewatch the class video)
  3. Over time, I refine it through repeated social attempts

Challenge​


I want to start learning additional moves from online videos, but I’m struggling without a partner to practice with.


  • Shadowing helps me understand the move, but doesn’t build enough muscle memory
  • In class, followers sometimes back-lead or anticipate, so it’s hard to know if my lead is actually clear
  • I only really “learn” a move after trying it multiple times in socials

Current method for learning from videos​


  • Watch (sometimes in slow motion)
  • Shadow practice a few times
  • Try it once or twice in a social

How can I more effectively learn and retain new moves from videos without a partner?
 
So your entire dancing experience is just for a month or you've been doing other dance styles and you've been focusing with on2 for just a month?
 
TurqoiseHexagon said:
So your entire dancing experience is just for a month or you've been doing other dance styles and you've been focusing with on2 for just a month?
Click to expand...
He does have ChatGPT though, so there's hope!

You need to learn the rules to leading. The leading following dynamic is a little biomechanical machine, with set rules of what can happen at any moment, on any weight shift. Once you know the rules, there isn't any pattern that you see on social media that isn't easily decipherable.
 
Understand that there are only 12 figures (unless you count the r and l turns that are preps for cbls) and a few variants on basic steps and floor movement.
Once you have the basic moves down, do a different variation. Figure out how ro interrupt them with other figures half way through.
Then go to youtube and watch a vid you like and just watch follows footwork.
 
When I started I did not go to social dance for the first 7 months (I could do the patterns in the class). At first few socials I was struggling to remember anything. At the end of year 2 or 3, I could watch someone else do a move, try to copy it to some degree. Now after 10+ years I do not remember the patterns and I do my limited moves often and I am surviving well in social dances.

I would say if you have taken a class, just practice the class pattern at home many times and on the same day go to a social to practice it. Or if the social event includes a class, practice that pattern multiple times in your social event. For me, remembering the patterns at that speed was hard, so this worked. Also taking a part of a pattern for socials is also helpful.

Most ladies come to socials to socialize and to dance. So if you can strike up conversations without any goal, sometimes you will find girls wanting to practice with you (I have been to bootcamps (usually 2 or 3 hour long) where at the end one or two girls were interested to practice the moves).
 
Youtube, if you can find yourself a dance wife that you can practice with you can teach yourself a lot.
 
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