AustinImprovWiki - PSRDance Andrew Sutton Workshop 2

There should be no gaps between your arm and the follow.
- This is true regardless of how close the closed connection is.
- The more contact there is, the stronger the connection.
In this class, we didn't really use counterbalance.
- Instead, the lead focuses on moving his right bicep forward until it is flush with the follow's back.
The connection between the follow's left hand and the lead's back is equally important.
- This is absolutely necessary if the lead wants to move you backwards.

There are several variations on a slide; they just end on different beats.
- Variation 1:
  - 1-5: as normal
  - 6: prepare your inside leg to kick back
  - 7: kick it back
  - 8: let the other foot catch up.
  - 1: step with inside foot
- Variation 2:
  - 1-5: as normal
  - 6: prepare your inside leg to kick back
  - 7: kick it back
    - Also let your outside leg drag back, and transfer some weight to it.
  - 8: step with inside foot.
- Variation 3:
  - 1-5: as normal
  - 6: kick your inside leg back without preparation.
    - Also let your outside leg drag back, and transfer some weight to it.
  - 7: step with inside foot.
Another variation forces the follow backwards...
- 1-4: As normal.
- 5: kick your inside leg forward
  - Also, sort of hunker down and prepare to shoot backwards.
- 6: Bring back your inside leg
  - As you do this, give a strong strong lead backwards.
- 7: Reach back, catch the follow's right hand with your right hand, and provide a strong lead forward.
- 8: Gather the follow up into normal Charleston position.
Note that all of these variations require the "hidden" connection (between the follow's left arm and the lead's back) to be very strong.

We did the "walking the length of the room" exercise.
Remember that most songs build
- And if you start the song going all-out, you'll have nowhere to go from there.

Variation 1:
- 1,2: Rock step.
  - Note that the '2' needs to bring the follow around in front of you, in order to have enough time for...
- 3&4: Inside turn.
  - You should have led the follow into the turn and released your right hand from her back by 4.
- 5: The follow gets to a position opposite you.
  - At about 5.8 you should be leading her back again.
- 6: The follow returns to you.
- 7&8: You catch the follow in closed position.
Variation 2:
- 1-6: As before
- 7&8: You block the follow's left hand and lead an outside (clockwise) turn.
  - Lead the follow straight down the line she was going in 6.
  - Make sure you get out of her way.
  - If you like, you can temporarily place your right hand on her back to help her through.
Other variations are possible, but by this point I was too tired to really pay attention.