Why leaders keep stepping forward on count 1

Recognize this scenario?

In starting to lead a whip or Under Arm Turn, the leader steps forward instead of back on count 1. 

Most of us know this is a mistake. But why? And how do we fix it?

It's not as obvious as you think

I posed this question in the Train WCS Smarter Facebook group (by accident, actually - I meant to post it in the West Coast Swing Teaching Community group), as an invitation to a thought experiment.

There was a simple video clip demonstrating a Whip, with the teacher giving the basic fundamental reminder to leaders to not step forward on count 1. 

Just to clarify, it's not that a leader would never step forward or sideways on 1 - there are circumstances and tactics where this is necessary or desirable. But the baseline mechanics of the dance generally prescribe the leader stepping back on 1 to initiate the follower's forward momentum.

So I posed the question in the post:

"Ok, but what causes the leader to step forward on count 1?"

Several teachers responded with their technical suggestions, and none of them were wrong. 
It shows that they understand the chain reaction of cause and effect of this very common accidental leader error. 

But...

Let's get to the root of the problem

I posed this question to prompt teachers to actually dig deeper, more primal than incorrect "techniques" and ask themselves:

What is causing the leaders to make this technical error?

They're not stepping forward by choice - it's because they are falling in that direction and they are responding by instinct.

Why are they falling in that direction?

Because they are being pulled forward by their own arm using the tension from the follower.

Why is their own arm pulling them forward?

It's not by choice. It's because their biceps are too engaged, flexing at a time when they should be extending or isolating. 

Why?

The underlying cause

Here are two underlying psychological reasons for this accidental leader error that are often underestimated:

1. a conceptual misunderstanding of the function
2. an instinctual reflex in response to tension forces

Leaders can be told the correct techniques of which muscles to integrate, or the tactic of where they should step on count 1, but this will not be enough to fix it if #1 and #2 are not resolved. 

And this will "block" their progress if they don't learn it as early as possible:

#1 A conceptual misunderstanding of the function

#1: is a complex answer we dive DEEP into in the Swing Literacy Dancer Development Program and train teachers how to explain it it simple efficient class-friendly terms in the Teacher Development Program. But for now:

Leaders need to contextualize their role as the generator (slingshot) of the follower's (rock) travel, as opposed to the mirror image of the follower (pulling themselves forward).

The techniques they are taught about grounding, elasticity, and muscle engagement are to support that slingshot function.

Said simply: they need to know that the task is to move the follower, not themselves. 

You'd be surprised how much of a lightbulb moment this is for people, even those with lots of experience.

If this is not taught explicitly, they will resort to #2:

#2: An instinctual reflex in response to tension forces

Human instinct under tension is to either yield or oppose.

Since leaders know their job is to "lead", they will instinctively oppose, which typically will mirror the follower's direction: pulling themselves or falling forward because of the tension.

But unless they are taught the foreign concepts of *how* to regulate those opposition forces with resisted release, graduated tension, elasticity, etc, they won't have the tools needed to oppose effectively/efficiently.

Said simply: to accomplish #1, they need to build new instincts, which requires new tools.

But these new tools don't have to be complex - I introduce them to beginners on Day 1 and refine them for years.

Teaching the tactic of "always step back on count 1" isn't wrong, but it's not enough:

if the teacher doesn't point out this contrast with human instinct, and teach those new tools to override it:

• the leader will continue to entrench this ineffective habit because they "thought they were doing it right",
• OR, they'll step back on count 1 like they were told, but never really know why or how to do it effectively to provide a foundation for advanced skills to be built upon.

This issue is magnified by 2 different ineffective follower habits:

-the follower who is stiff and "heavy": the leader instinctively feels the need to compensate by tensing up, but if it's just with their biceps instead of bracing with counterbalance, this pulls them forward.

- the follower who doesn't move with agility when lead on time: the leader instinctively compensates by adjusting their footwork to move more around them, "faking it" as though the follower did travel.

Great dancers can have bad habits

This leader bad habit doesn't just happen to Beginner or Novice dancers! This is a habit that can stick with leaders even as they advance in your experience. (Even Champion leaders have admitted to "falling" forward into their 1's when they didn't need to or mean to.)

This is because followers have learned to adapt and cope with leaders when they do this, which accidentally reinforces the behaviour. No judgement here - just pointing out the inevitable. 

This means that it's even more important to practice good habits, get feedback from authentic followers, and get coaching regularly throughout your dance journey to keep honing your instincts.

Get the techniques

Want to know the technical HOW of the tools required to fix this leader error? Find them in DDP Module 3 where we don't hold back - we thoroughly define, dissect, and demonstrate the skills for counterbalance, grounding, elasticity, and authentic leading, along with progressions and practice drills.