There can only be one leader and one follower, and the follower may try to hijack the lead at any time.
If you can see it, you can write it; if you can write it, you can execute it.
The lead should never be obvious, and it is usually done with the right hand, not the left.
When you collide with someone (not if), the important thing is how you recover.
All steps are not boxsteps. Throw in some promenades, twinkles and lock steps to draw interest.
It’s okay to corrupt a step and make it yours.
It is usually the most experienced dancers who lose their footing and fall to the floor.
Keep your mind open to new steps from lessons and different places to dance, but remember lessons are no good unless you apply and execute them.
It’s okay to sweat from adrenaline rushes, as long as you sweat with confidence.
You will always be judged on how good you make your partner look.
Even if you may be the best dancer in a showcase, you are only as good as the weakest link.
Maintain a strong frame – it hides a lot of mistakes.
Never judge a dancer by size or age.
Focus on your partner and the audience will love you.
If you are doing latin, it’s best to move your hips and not your shoulders.
Be able to separate your chest from your hips.
Most ballroom dancers are likeable because they want to be dancing.
There are no bad ballroom dancers, just some with less experience and drive.
Your goal is to make the woman look good, not yourself.
Have a strong frame – it hides a lot of bad steps.
Have a strong lead – and most women can follow.
The right floor, the right music, the right dance and step, the right partner, can make it look so easy.
Do the basics flawlessly before you try the harder steps.
The dance police are only in your mind.
You don’t always have to get on the dance floor first, but if you do it is all yours for awhile.
Don’t get cocky, you might end up on the floor when you least expect it.
You don’t have to show-off, but you can play.
Steps are interchangeable, but the dance might be different.
Don’t try to do flairs if you have never done them. You will screw them up.
Try the silver and gold steps, and if you mess them up try again.
Things are not always what they appear, when the man appears to lift the woman the world does not know she is jumping up.
In a foxtrot mixer try your most advanced step first, and see how she reacts. It might be your best dance ever.
If you foul up a step and get off the count, a hesitation will always work.
Always look straight ahead, not at your feet and keep your back straight.
Know when to do a toe lead and a heel lead.
All dances do not go up and down, but none are done flat-footed.
You can have two left feet for a lead, as long as you syncopate the step.
You get dizzy if you keep doing left turns, with no transitions or right turns.
In Argentine Tango you move to the music and your partner moves to your steps.
Your feet are not always moving, but your chest is.
Dance with other dancers at dance camp – you can find out how well others relate to you.
Always bring a fan, a handkerchief, your dance shoes, a great attitude, and a bottle of water.
In the end, if the woman did the steps you wanted her to do – you led her correctly. If she did not do the steps, it’s your fault, not hers.
At some point the steps stop being steps and become a dance. You will absolutely know when that happens.
Other resources:
How to manage by results – Dale Conkey
How to defeat Saddam Hussein – Trevor Depuy
Purpose Driven Church – Rick Warren