How would a lead feel about this?

E

esa negrita...

If you watch this video (at 40 seconds), going into a XBL, the follow extends her left arm in front of the lead. Is that disruptive or awkward at all? I want to try it but it seems unnatural and I don't want to accidentally elbow anyone.

youtube.com/watch?v=NQhkYfF31no
 
esa negrita... said:
If you watch this video (at 40 seconds), going into a XBL, the follow extends her left arm in front of the lead. Is that disruptive or awkward at all? I want to try it but it seems unnatural and I don't want to accidentally elbow anyone.

youtube.com/watch?v=NQhkYfF31no
Click to expand...
I don't really like it. Before she extends her left arm the follower has to be sure from the lead's prep that he is not, for example, going to lead an outside turn. Or a false cross-body or block of some sort. The left arm would likely impede those possibilities that the lead might have intended; and at the same time I can't see that it adds very much to the cross-body move by way of graceful styling. She could instead, for example, wrap her left arm across her chest and towards her right shoulder. That looks pretty, and keeps the arm out of the way. Although again, it cuts down on some of the lead's options (e.g. if he wants to catch her left hand half way through to execute a double-handed turn or spin on the follower.

Well, that's my initial view but maybe others can see good reasons for it, and no reason why not to?...
 
My instinct is it feels wrong - I wouldn't like to take my left arm off the leaders shoulder when he's still got his right hand on my shoulder blade. Also, since the leader's still got the followers right hand, I feel the left arm may get in the way depending on what follows next.

Besides, in the demo at the start of the clip, she doesn't seem to do it - the arm just naturally leaves the guys shoulder without the extension.
 
I've seen it done in real life. I've had it done when dancing and I don't like it. Extraneous...and can get in the way. I really cannot say anything positive about the move. Of putting her hand in front. Then that last pop bit at the end...I hope that this is only done if there is clear indication that there is time for it. May have a follower trying to do the "pop" everywhere when there isn't time for it.

Really don't like it.
 
I don't like it at all. At that stage the leader may want to trace the arm because he needs it and she takes it away, doesn't really look good either :?
 
I don't think that this kind of styling is really looking good. It's even for me the first time to see a lady doing such a styling in a CBL. Also I suppose it limits the possibilities for the lead to do something different then the CBL that the lady expects. So I would suggest trying some different styling.
 
If you can correctly guess that your lead is not about to lead you into something else that might use your left hand (as jambo mentioned), you'll be fine doing this.

Or if you want to intentionally steal the lead.

You can mostly guess very well if for eg the end of the xbl is going to be a big musical break and you know for sure that your lead will respect the break and give you a big-pause. At this point, your styling can add dramatic effect to the musical pause.

It's worth learning and putting it in your bag of tricks. But use it judiciously :)
 
It looks quite "L.A." to me... I wouldn't have a problem with a follower who did this... though it would force me to account for it in the moves I used. If you use this, I reckon you need to be strict with yourself at bringing the arm back in directly towards yourself... if you get an unexpected turn and you don't bring it in, it'll be everywhere, taking out eyes, slapping posteriors, stealing jewellery... well maybe not the last one.
 
It's kind of an "excuse me get of out the way" thing. I've never seen this done (either watching or dancing). I say try it once (at most) and see what kind of reaction you get. Wouldn't overdo it though.
 
dont like it at all. i sometimes walk the opposite way to the girl on 6 (on1)so her left hand trails along my back and i collect the hand with my right hand above my right hip and do a break then something else. if there's space :)
 
Hm. I kind of think this is a bad idea, for reasons mentioned already:

1) It prevents the leader from doing anything else with the move other than a standard CBL.

2) That hand looks like it could swipe out the leader's eye if the follower isn't careful.

Styling is supposed to streamline the dance, not interrupt it. IMHO it's about finding a pretty way to keep your arm out of the way and available for the leader, rather than forcing him to adapt to your random limb placement.
 
What I don't understand about that tutorial is that when the music is on and they're actually dancing, she never does that move. Why break it down, so to speak, if you aren't going to put it back together again? Although it looks quite awkward, I still want to see what it looks like in real time.
 
I just had a peep at a couple of their other videos :?

I really don't like her styling, her arms look messy but I think the basics are far more important and this lass can't seem to control her turns at all :?

Also at the end of this video, when they show the move 'On2' who told them that On2 dancers stomp about like maniacs? :lol: :lol:

youtube.com/watch?v=3gPbp0KlPZo&mode=related&search=
 
noobster said:
Styling is supposed to streamline the dance, not interrupt it. IMHO it's about finding a pretty way to keep your arm out of the way and available for the leader
Click to expand...

Yet again, noobster, you've nailed it in one! Well, pretty nearly - we could maybe add that styling can also prepare the follower's momentum.

I bow.

Pity you are in far-away California ... sigh sigh.
 
Jambo said:
...[snip]... who told them that On2 dancers stomp about like maniacs? :lol: :lol:
Click to expand...
Yeah. In my experience, when people start dancing On2 (ET2) they more often tend to start floating around like fairies suffering from gender dysphoria! :roll:
 
Flex said:
noobster said:
Styling is supposed to streamline the dance, not interrupt it. IMHO it's about finding a pretty way to keep your arm out of the way and available for the leader
Click to expand...

Yet again, noobster, you've nailed it in one! Well, pretty nearly - we could maybe add that styling can also prepare the follower's momentum.

I bow.

Pity you are in far-away California ... sigh sigh.
Click to expand...

I agree on all points. ;)

youtube.com/watch?v=NQhkYfF31no

The hands need to be in predictable positions at each part of a move (being available for the leader as Noobster says). If I decided to do a 360 CBL straight after that styling the arm would probably become trapped in front of her instead of on the guys shoulder.
 
I didn't mind it at all.

I worry that I'm over-controlling in my dance - though a female friends and teach say not - and it's nice to be surprised sometimes.

If a lady did this a couple of times, I'd have no problem and would try to adapt / show off her styling.
 
Jambo said:
I just had a peep at a couple of their other videos :?

I really don't like her styling, her arms look messy but I think the basics are far more important and this lass can't seem to control her turns at all :?
Click to expand...

Haha don't get me started!

Her arms are often in 'random limb placement' mode which doesn't help her balance. Arms are there to help counterbalance your weight changes and need to be in the correct place at the correct timing, natural like.

The CBL footwork is the main problem though in her turning as she tries to spin on the spot on 6 and then takes a big step on 7. It would look much nicer and her balance would be better if instead she stepped through it with nice clean pivot steps.

If you're going to do CBL spins, learn to do them properly.

Also it's teaching bad habits to beginners, which in my book is unforgiveable for a so-called-teacher. At the time of this video they were barely intermediate level themselves.

Jambo said:
Also at the end of this video, when they show the move 'On2' who told them that On2 dancers stomp about like maniacs? :lol: :lol:

youtube.com/watch?v=3gPbp0KlPZo&mode=related&search=
Click to expand...

You mean that's not how it's done?! :shock: :lol:
 
TheBear_CanDanceToo said:
Jambo said:
...[snip]... who told them that On2 dancers stomp about like maniacs? :lol: :lol:
Click to expand...
Yeah. In my experience, when people start dancing On2 (ET2) they more often tend to start floating around like fairies suffering from gender dysphoria! :roll:
Click to expand...

Snigger!
 
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