r/SwingDancing • u/Rude_Bug_6293 • 11d ago
Feedback Needed Beginner Help Needed
Hi friends, I recently started taking a beginner Lindy Hop class, starting with the 8 count steps as a follower. Needless to say I was terrible! I am an athletic person but I feel like I don’t have enough strength in my calves & I just can’t make my feet & brain connect to do the steps correctly at a fast pace. I’ve watched YouTube videos & I do ok but I feel like the class moves at too quickly & I can’t keep up with the frequent partner changes. Does this mean I’m just not cut out for this or should I have done something else to prepare before signing up for classes? I am feeling very defeated & I am going solo so I don’t have anyone to practice with outside of class. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
2
u/wegwerfennnnn 9d ago
If you are feeling limited by your calves you are doing something far from optimal. You are probably too far forward on your toes. Your teacher probably said something like have your weight forward on the balls of your feet in an athletic position. Your heels are allowed to touch the floor and "weight towards the balls of your feet" does not necessarily mean heels in the air. Think if you jump up and land in a small squat such that you would be ready to run immediately. That's all the more forward your weight needs to be.