In Foxtrot - How as a leader to I let my partner know / feel that I am changing from SSQQ to SQQ and visa versa? Without using a set sequence of figures or verbal ques?

Larry

A slow followed by another slow does not rise, a slow followed by a quick does. Foxtrot overall doesn't have as much rise as the other dances so it's subtle, but it's still there.

Going forward, a slow that is followed by another slow has the footwork: Heel. Your toe will lower, but your heel will not begin to rise until after your other foot has passed the standing foot on the way to the next step.

In contrast, a slow that is followed by a quick has the footwork: Heel, Toe. We could already assume that the toe will lower, but this clarifies that the heel will then begin to rise even BEFORE the other foot passes that standing foot on its way into the following quick.

There are other elements to how you move as well... for example tango has no rise and fall at all, but still has both slows and quicks.

Another thing to think about: part of what makes a quick quick is that the following step is lead sooner than the step following a slow would be.

Thanks, that helps in leading but can she fell the difference in time to kow what is coming next a Slow or a Quick?

Larry. Changing from ssqq to sqq there is a lowering of the heel to the floor on the second quick. This might help.

The heel always lowers on the last of a group of quicks (and if the lady is moving backwards, her heel lowers on the quick before the last as well). Since both patterns have two quicks, the difference there won't help the poster's situation.

Anonymous. The lady lowers every time when moving backwards, body rise only.
For the man a TH usually precedes a heel lead which should indicate that the next step is going to be a slow.

Yes, the step after a mutual lowering will be a slow. But the question wasn't how to make an initial slow clear, it was how to lead the SECOND slow in a SSQQ pattern - how to make it different from a first quick in a SQQ pattern.

I guess I am still confused. It doesn't seem clear no wonder the follower is confused when I change.

Which way does she get confused? Does she do a slow when you wanted a quick, or more likely a quick when you wanted a slow?

Perhaps you could try practicing a series of walks, without rise, all slows. Then at random times, you could take the right foot walk with a bit of upswing and follow with left foot to side on toe as quick, then close the right foot for a second quick. After that go back to the series of slows. Might as well do it backwards too.

Also, make sure you don't have bounce in your SSQQ foxtrot. Some people use that instead of the progress of their body weight through the foot as a means of leading each step - it looks silly, and it won't extend to the SQQ figures. Since you'll have to learn the real way for those, might as well start leading with weight position from the start.

Larry,

Does your follower maintain appropriate and sufficient body contact with you throughout? If not, the follower would tend to be weak in picking up your lead, unless both of you are dancing the same pattern of figures.