No doubt, dancing with beginners is trickier than dancing with advanced/intermediate dancers.
Most social dancers start with salsa dancing. That also means, you'd encounter a lot of beginners in salsa/Latin socials in this back-to-school season.
I went to a Latin social full of beginners.
I hope salsa instructors teach them soon enough. In the meantime, here are my tips to dance with beginner-followers.
On the social dance floor, I usually take a moment to assess her skill level. Pay attention to the following;
Before dancing
Is she wearing dance-appropriate shoes?
Platform, rubber-sole, shaky high heels are causes of tripping or twisted ankle. Be extra careful to dance with her.
Her physique
Is she tall, short, or in the middle? Looks heavy or light? Is she athletic, trained or untrained? Does she look like she can move? Dance is done with body as the tool, and this kind of initial body diagnostics is a part of social dance. But there is always a room for surprise.
Basic footwork
Is she doing basic steps?
At least this much needs to be taught at first, before going on to the main floor.
Is she stepping on time?
On 1 and On 2 are confusing. But at least, everyone should listen to the song and figure out the step timing and be consistent.
Does she have quick feet, or is she slow to respond?
How she moves is a big giveaway. If her feet are slow (as with many beginners), she can stumble easily. Be extra careful.
Attitude
Is she willing to dance?
Is she having fun, or nervous and stiff?
Is she willing to follow-and-dance?
If not, I may just dance double solo. Still can be a good time.
Partner work
Can she follow cross body lead?
If so, that means she can match direct lead-input to her body frame to her footwork. A good start.
Does she have arm frame (not noodle arm)?
A follower with noodle arm is unleadable with arm/hand input. You may need to stick with two persons solo dance or body lead.
Does she follow her hand?
"Follow her hand" requires internal coordination in her body. Arm frame needs to be there, which also needs to be connected to body and her feet. You lead with your body and the energy flow goes through direct contact point(s), which is mostly your hand(s). Beginner followers may not know how to respond, and the response may be late or feel forced. In the case, that much is what you can now. Force it, and you may get elbowed unintentionally.
Can she do both inside spin and outside spin?
Inside turn (she spins toward her centerline) and outside turn (she spins toward outside) have distinctive energy flow patterns. Inside turn is continuous, while outside turn has a moment of pause/pushback. Proper response requires proper frame.
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I am happy if a beginner follower can do this much. At this stage, they might already be at an intermediate dancer-level. Social salsa is not complex or difficult to have fun.
Intermediate dancers can teach beginners. In fact, many of local social dance instructors are intermediate dancers. Nothing is wrong with it.
From "advanced" dancers, I want to see some "wow" factor, something to distinguish themselves. Advanced dancers need to present awesome dances that are inspiring, so that they make others want to dance like them.
That is my definition of "advanced" dancers. Have nothing to do with his/her contest points or data on CV, but just the convincing power of his/her dance here and now. The standard is high, but I can hope.
Everyone is a beginner at first. Is there anyone who becomes an advanced dancer among these new beginners? I wonder and hope.
