Lead and follow

In partner dancing there is a lead and follow. A lead is in control of the way the dance will go. He decides which figures or moves will be danced, and how to move the follow. The follow does what the name implies, follows the lead. To actually be able to lead and follow a connection must be established. More advanced dancers will take many cues from each other, the follow styling her own moves as she likes within the parameters communicated by the lead, and communicating feedback to the lead which he incorporates into his own syling and leads.

Sometimes the follow even steals the lead and then the roles reverse. (Advanced swing dancers do this to enhance their dance connection and to add a little fun into the dance).

The Lead has different steps to do than the follow. The Follow generally mirrors the Lead's footwork. If the lead begins on the left foot, the follow will begin on the right foot. More rarely, as in choreographed pieces, tandem charleston and other situations where the follow is in a tandem or shadow position, the lead and follow will end up on the same foot.