I bet it's true that in pro-am competitions, the amateurs follow a lot. That's also a sad commentary on the sport. I would hope there would be less back leading. I realize that the dancers, especially the pros, are concerned with how they look before the judges and audience, but I hope the judges pick up on the back leading and judge accordingly by giving fewer points to those who do back lead. My professional instructor expects me to lead her as I have been instructed to do, and though she might go where she thinks I want her if the lead during a show weren't the best, I would hear about it later, in a nice way. Thats what I pay her for.

Yes I thought that men being back led were marked down.

If the men could lead properly, why would they want/need to pay a pro partner to dance with them?

oh, ouch. sorry you feel this way and perhaps if this is really the case, the male student needs to find a different teacher. I am a pro and dance pro am with several of my male students and trust me, they lead. that's my job as a professional female instructor.

No, an instructor instructs. and you didn't address my (rhetorical) question: if a man can lead, why would he want/need to dance pro/am (ie pay a dance partner)?

I can lead so I will be happy to tell you why I use a professional instructor.

My instructor knows how to move her body. She can get out of my way. Leading doesn't mean picking up a rag doll and throwing her around the floor. We need partners and not everyone is willing or able to dance at a competitive level.

Do you know any good dancers that have never worked with a professional? I don't. Even the professionals are dancing with other professionals. Would you expect a professional to choose one of his students to dance a championship level competition just to demonstrate his great leading skills? Of course not.

My instructor is paid to NOT backlead. She is paid to help me experience good dancing so that I can replicate the experience with other amateurs.

Now as far as Amateur competitions go, I think they are valuable but I doubt their honesty. I once watched a finals in Atlanta where the nations top amateur couple was dancing.

The lady was ill and she ran off the floor and vomited in the lobby during the final heat.

Not only did she fail to complete the competition but her performance suffered and she was still granted with the #1 trophy. I had never before seen a sports meet where someone abdicated but still won.

Sadly, you're correct. USADance has given up any pretence of integrity to chase after the pro/am dollar.

Not that pro/am competitions ever had any integrity to begin with.

jj

I was referring to a time when they were known as USABDA and there were no professionals.

I hope I have answered your question about why professional partners can be good for amateurs

With respect to leading (and following), I remember two pieces of advice from two professionals:

1. A lead is a suggestion.

2. Leading is (usually) influencing the motion of a partner who is already moving.

In my opinion, following is harder than leading. A professional partner knows how to follow.

(There is a third piece of advice, for followers in a competition: If he falls, fall with him. But don't hit the floor first.)

But you will learn to lead better by working with an amateur partner. An amateur woman who applies herself can learn to follow just as well as a pro.

jj