Lead, follow or switch: roles in partner dance

In partner dances such as salsa, bachata and kizomba, every dancer has a role: lead or follow. People used to say "gentleman" and "lady". You hear those words less and less, and for good reason. Below are the questions I get asked most about the roles.

What does a lead do?

The lead sets the direction: which figure comes next, when there is a turn and where the couple moves.

That happens not with words but through the connection: your hands, your arm, your upper body. Leading is thinking ahead. You listen to the music, choose what you want to do and signal it in time, so your partner can respond. And you keep an eye on the floor, so you don't dance into another couple.

What does a follow do?

The follow feels what the lead signals and turns it into movement, with their own balance and their own style.

That sounds passive, but it is the opposite. A good follow listens very precisely and decides how a turn or a step looks. Within what the lead signals, there is room for an accent on the music or a styling. In good partner dancing, both people contribute.

Does gender matter for which role you dance?

No. A woman can lead, a man can follow, and so can everyone in between.

When you sign up for a class, you choose the role you want to learn. That should have nothing to do with who you are. You can see this in the scene too: where it used to be taken for granted who led and who followed, you now see all sorts of combinations on the floor and in class. That is good for everyone, and it also helps when there is an imbalance between leads and follows.

What is a switch?

A switch is someone who dances both roles. Learning both is becoming more and more common.

The reason is simple. If you know both roles, you understand better what it is like for your partner. A lead who also follows feels how an unclear or heavy lead comes across. A follow who also leads understands why a lead sometimes needs a moment to prepare something. That way you know what to pay attention to as a partner, and you get better in your own role.

Some switches even change roles within a single dance. That only works once you have a good command of both sides.

Lead or follow: which role suits me?

Choose the role that appeals to you most. There is no easy or hard role, just a different one.

• Do you want to shape the dance and think ahead? Then leading might suit you.
• Do you want to be carried along by the music and the connection? Then following might suit you.
• Not sure? Start with the role you feel most comfortable in. You can always add the other one later.

Can you learn both roles at the same time?

Preferably not from scratch. Learn one role until you feel the basics, then add the other.

Learning both at once is confusing, because the footwork and the movements are mirrored. Once you have the basics of one role, the second one actually goes faster, because you already know the figures from the other side.

What if there are too few leads or follows in class?

Then schools often fill the class with experienced dancers in the role that is short.

Many schools deal with an uneven ratio. Which side is short differs per style, per school and per group. That is another reason switches are welcome in class. And it is also why you don't have to wait for a partner to start; read more in learning salsa without a partner.

Is the lead the boss?

No. A good lead pays attention to what the follow is comfortable with and adapts.

A follow can always say that something is too fast, too forceful or too close. Leading is making a suggestion, not giving an order. See also boundaries and safety on the dance floor.

Where can you find a partner dance class?

On Baila Discover you can find schools that teach partner dance, by style and by town. Have a look at salsa classes, kizomba classes, tango classes or salsa in Utrecht. If it is your first time, read your first dance class.