My partner is a good four inches shorter than I am, but is nonetheless a fantastic leader. When he leads me into turns, both free-standing and not, the height difference has a tendency to throw me off-balance. Anyone have any advice for how to stay balanced and not end up flailing around so much? Thanks.

As far as free spins goes, your height difference shouldn't be much of a problem. As long as he remembers to lead you into a free spin through the center of your body(i.e. your hips), you should have no problem following it. Now, turning while retaining a hand hold. I recently heard a coach say this to me and it made a lot of sense. Tell your partner to think about leading your shoulder into turns as opposed to your arm. Likewise even at 4 inches your hand for any underarm turn should not be much more than about an inch above your eye level. Your hand should be raised just enough to let your shoulder to elbow be parallel to the floor. Just a few points of advise that i've heard and thought i pass on

FanBlade2:

Thanks for the tips. I've subconscuosly do all of that . . . however, I used to concentrate on keeping my hand steady by watching it and the follower as she came around.

We have a dance floor in our house, and last night I tried your "think about leading her shoulder into turns as opposed to my arm."

I didn't tell my wife what I was doing, just told her I wanted to try something I had been thinking of. She immediately felt the difference. Then I explained what the change was . . . we like it!

Thanks again . . .

stay centered spot, spot, spot,
head up and sholders down, and make sure the foot your turning on is the same one that is going back.
sign
Bob Powers.