We have had problems for years coming out of the O.T.T.L. Each time my wife comes out of the promenade position in a different direction, I have no choice but to follow her as she is the same weight and height as myself.

Hi cdroge
Over-turned turning lock?
Coming out in promenade (in any figure) - we've had a lot of trouble with this too.
I think the main point is this: your partner doesn't open into promenade until you signal her to do so. She must stay in, essentially, the normal closed hold position until your body shaping signals her to open. It's so easy to 'know' a promenade is coming up, and to turn straight into it. This will pull you off balance.
I'd be very interested in others' views, as i'm still not the best on this.
What i've tried is to practise with my partner dancing a figure which can end in closed or promenade position, so that she must wait for the' signal'
But the bottom line is that i'm working hard on improving my leading. Good solid leading is the key.

Thanks Phil. I think the Lady's should come out of it like the Man does on an open telemark that is backwards,I think it is the direction that she places her LF and not taking the time to lower on it but none of these seem to work?

Hi cdroge,

In my experience there are two very typical hang-ups on the turning lock. One has to do with *over* rotation, which doesn't seem to be your problem the way you described it. The second is much more likely -- a lack of proper usage of the 2nd step (the lock itself) -- so I'll address that one.

Many students tend to race through the 2nd to the 3rd step, without enough attention to the usage of the [man's left, lady's right] foot to create the necessary action. There are two surefire signs that you have this problem: (1) If you can execute a reasonably comfortable open impetus, but not a turning lock to PP, and (2) if you or your partner doesn't have the ability to stop entirely on the second step.

Obviously in momentum-based dancing, one should not expect to be able to stop completely at any given moment. However, if you have a particular area where the dancing runs away from you, it's sometimes a good idea to counteract it by learning to stop, to give yourself the opportunity to analyze and correct the action, before injecting momentum back into it.

So try stopping with your feet crossed, and if you can't, that's your first lesson. Once you can, then take step 3 very slowly, paying particular attention to the use of your left (lady's right) foot as you leave it. Make sure, like an open impetus or pivot to promenade position, that you're using good principles of inside/outside of turn, and that you're not turning the lady to promenade until after she has shifted her weight entirely onto the 3rd step.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Jonathan

"We have had problems for years coming out of the O.T.T.L. Each time my wife comes out of the promenade position in a different direction, I have no choice but to follow her as she is the same weight and height as myself."

There have already been some good suggestions for various areas where the problem might be, particularly earlier.

In addition to those, another thought might be to try dancing a turning lock that doesn't go to promenade. Then the difference between that and the more typical promenade one will have to come from the difference in feeling between the two - introducing both possibilities requires more care in coordination. You will have to actually lead one or the other, and she won't be able to go ahead because she won't know which one it is going to be.

Thanks Jonathan and Anymouse I will put your instructions into practice. I have over the past four years learnt so much from this website that at the age of 72 my friends have told me we are dancing better than when we use to compete at the prechampionship leval.

cdroge. Coming out of a Turning Lock into Promenade Position. Or in an Open Imputus. In an Open Imputus step six is a side step. It clearly states the the body is facing the LOD. Always has been and always will be.
What may have some bearing, whilst I have mentioned an Open Imputus. Richard Gleave on his tape goes into detail about on step four the mans head must go back with the foot. To keep it forward is a major mistake and can cause problems.

Something to be added to the Turning Lock following the Over Turned Spin Turn. It can be deceiving in its name using the word Lock Step. Our normal Lock Step for want of a better word is loose. The Turning Lock is much deeper. If it is done with a very ordinary locking action your base will be too wide. The RF will be too wide causing problems getting into Promenade. The turn on the Lock can be like on a saucer and not a manhole cover. As you come out on the count of three it is still a side step, foot pointing diagnal to centre, body facing LOD.