20 Things I Learned from Role Reversal

Once your dancing stabilizes in one role (leader/follower), you might consider learning the opposite role. West Coast Swing is increasingly encouraging of being ambi-dance-trous; channeling the teamwork aspect of the partnership rather than the relationship aspect.

People venture here for a variety of reasons;

1. There’s a role imbalance at their local dance scene and they are tired of sitting out partnerless, or having to be aggressive to score a partner each song.
2. They thrive on challenge
3. They are curious what it feels like to be on the other end
4. They recognize the feedback value of the discovering the other role’s perspective for improving their original role skill.
5. They were compelled to learn the traditional gender role, but they actually have a preference for social dancing the opposite role.
6. They value ambi-dance-terity as a requirement in developing into a “complete” dancer.
7. They are aspiring teachers and learn the opposite role out of necessity.

For me, I learned both roles very early on because I was trained to teach ballroom. But I never invested any time into leading WCS until apparently I started getting “too good” for people to ask to dance...

I know that's ridiculous, right? It’s like others decreed me “off limits” when I reached a certain level, and since then, I’ve been left alone for a lot of dances. 

This had nothing to do with me, because if you know me, I'm one of the most social butterflies on the floor- i love dragging people out of their chairs, making sure everyone's having a good time. 

So, years ago, I started inviting wallflower followers to dance so I could be proactive about making my own fun and not waiting around for it. This was an opportunity to work on my leading.

Here’s what I learned when I started doing this. Can you relate?

1. Lower-level followers are the most patient with my mistakes
2. I catch myself favouring one side of my body
3. I only have 11 patterns, but I can make all of them match the music.
4. Counterbalance is quintessential.
5. Apparently I appear to have fragile shoulders? Followers hesitate to put their hands on me.
6. Next time I wash my hands I have to wash my right wrist too.
7. High ponytails suck. So does white solid deodorant and body lotion.
8. What a body lead really is.
9. Floorcraft- a whole different ball game.
10. Oops I forgot to lead any invitations and the song’s ending…
11. I learned what their last partner was like... for better or for worse...
12. Tester moves are required for self preservation.
13. I’m getting better at pattern math.
14. My technique isn't perfect, but I’m centered, I move from my core, and I work with the laws of physics. Oh, and I actually dance my body.
15. Frame is a skill that is severely under-taught.
16. A little piece of me has PTSD from getting my fingers wrenched every time I lead multiple spins.
17. It makes me feel incompetent for a second when a follower anticipates a much cooler pattern than I was planning on leading.
18. True followers at all levels are those who can mechanically compensate for errors.
19. Just like with leaders, I’m always curious to see if the follower feels as good as they look.
20. I much prefer songs I know. That eliminates one variable I don’t have to worry about.

Now, years later, I lead at an Advanced level, and I've been venturing slowly into competitions with Strictly Swing and have even been learning choreography as a leader.

I feel unlimited in my dance - because I know both roles, I always have the choice and I know I can give any partner a good dance. Plus, I have discovered a whole new way to challenge myself - switching!

I know my leading has improved my following in that I am better able to recognize setups that my leader is trying to create, but also it has improved my backleading (which is a positive, advanced skill) so I can contribute with proper physics to co-create with my leader.

Whenever I teach an Introductory WCS, I always spend the first 15 minutes or so teaching the mechanics of both roles to everyone, so everyone can get a good sense of what it's like to be the move-er and the move-ee. Then I ask them to choose the role they want to learn starting now until the end of their Beginner series. Later if they want, they can take the series again in the opposite role.

I love that this has become so normalized, it's not even a novelty anymore. Learning the opposite role is a superpower waiting for you – you’ll be surprised what you learn from it!

And if you see me on the dance floor, ask me to lead/follow/switch!