When we talk about leading in dancing, we traditionally mean a man leading and a lady following his lead. A better word for leading and following would be partnering. By that word we presume that there are two equal partners forming a unit – two people dancing with each other, for each other and sharing their dancing.

When we lead, it is never by physical force. To lead in the best sense of the word is to suggest, to invite, to feel…….

In this age of speed, power, and floor coverage the fine art of dancing together and using floorcraft is no more a priority to a vast majority of competitors. To be able to dance together and use floorcraft you have to be able to lead and to follow, to act and react, to listen, to feel and respond, to give and receive and to allow yourself to become one with your partner. The key to that is in the awareness of your own body and its actions and how they affect your partner, and how your partners actions and reactions in turn affect you. Another most important element is an understanding of correct body posture. If it is not correct, it will affect every action you make and also affect your partner. The next important element is awareness of use of space as an instrument of leading. You have to be aware of the space you create for your partner to dance in and of the space between both partners.

To lead is to transmit through body actions an appropriate signal through a point or points of connection to your partner, who accepts it, decodes it and reacts accordingly and by that sends a new message back. That means that the partner receiving the information will always react with a slight delay that is needed to process the received information. By leading we provide the partner with necessary information regarding direction, weight, shape, balance, timing etc. The signals we use are shifts of body weight, changes in balance, body shaping, arm and hand shaping, changes in tension etc. To be able to partner, you have to be open and willing to accept the signals and messages from your partner and react to them. Leading and following, or partnering is an exchange of sensory information, a constant flow of energy from one partner to the other and back. A very important part of understanding leading is to never separate the lead from the movement or action itself. It is an integral part of the movement and should never be seen as a separate element. Another important part is the clarity of message. It means that everything we do at a certain moment suggests just one response. If our partner is receiving opposing or conflicting messages it creates confusion and the flow between partners is broken.

So often we see dancers involved just with their own action, or with presenting themselves to the audience that we see them as a separate unit and not a part of the couple. They are just dancing set routines close to each other at the same time. They are not really dancing with each other. We see the man and the lady as separate, fighting with each other and competing against each other, when they should merge into a partnership supporting and assisting each other. Listening, feeling, allowing the energy to flow between them allowing the partners the freedom to express, but at the same time function as a unit is what gives life to dancing.

The natural walk is inefficient, with lots of extra movement, and is a poor base for efficient dancing. The dancer must learn to center the body and settle into the bone structure. When inviting the lady to dance, do not hold arms up and out as if to push her away. Instead, give her space to move into. Create shapes as you move, not before. Do not think of moving the lady, but rather the space she is in. (Do not force her into movement, give her space for it. Give her the space she needs and what you want her to use.)

If the man just dances, without trying to lead, he will lead with the actions. The lead is always part of the action, and not separate. Leading is “Please” and “Thank You” not “Do it!”

Exercises for space awareness and orientation:
1. Walking with your eyes closed.
2. Dancing with one or both partners eyes closed.
3. Dancing with your eyes closed, even the parts where you are apart. (Complete silence required for concentration, use spotters for safety.)

Improvisation Exercises:
1. Changing roles, even in choreographed routines.
2. Slow motion movement.
3. Dancing solo and with props.

The above exercises will help create a feeling of trust and relaxation within the partnership.