The key to dancing well with a partner and enjoying it is the right balance of leading and following. Although choreographed routines are used in competition and performance, ballroom dancing is, at its core, social dancing, which means that it relies on communication between the dancers. One leads, determining the direction they go and how far they move, and the other follows, keeping up with the changes without overstepping. It can be challenging, but with practice, you can make it look just as effortless as the professionals!

Leading

In ballroom dancing, the man generally leads. He almost always steps forward first, usually on his right foot. The man leads his partner through a variety of small movements and weight changes. For example, a slight backward pull of his shoulder indicates that she should step toward him, while a press against her raised hand tells her to step back. It's crucial to maintain a proper dance frame because, without it, those communications can get lost.

The lead has a lot of responsibility in the dance. It's his job to take his follower through every step, which means he has to make decisions on the fly if there's no choreography. This can be daunting, especially for beginners, but leading is just as important as knowing the steps.

Following

It's generally the woman's role to follow in a dance. That sounds easy, but it requires just as much skill as leading. She's just as responsible for maintaining the dance frame, and she must pay attention to all those small changes in her partner's hold. If she gets too close or too far away from him, their connection will be lost, and they'll lose the ability to dance together smoothly.

For many women, following is the hardest part of ballroom dancing. The follower shouldn't move at all until she gets a signal from her lead, regardless if he's off the beat or out of time. Every move she makes should be dictated by the lead, which can be difficult. Following requires trusting your partner to communicate well and make you look good.

Valeo Dance Fitness Studio offers private ballroom dance lessons with Asiya Khasnutdinova, voted Best Ballroom Dance Instructor in Atlanta. From salsa to swing, tango to foxtrot, we have the style for you! To start learning the art of lead and follow, contact us today!