By Bernhard De LucaUpdated
On udansa connect, you’ll find dance partners to practice familiar Jive figures with in a short partner exercise. To get started, describe your basic step, your dance role, and the figures you already know.
After a memorized sequence, even a different order can feel unfamiliar. A short exercise with changing decisions shows you whether you're really responding to your partner or already anticipating the step after next.
In these Jive partner exercises, decisions change, not the dance roles automatically. The leading person still prepares direction and movement through the familiar connection. The following person waits for that, instead of setting off just because they hear the figure's name. A spoken call does not replace the movement impulse. This also lets the following person choose a task without taking over the lead.
Choose two figures for the first session that you both already know and can start safely from the respective starting position. You can keep the selection small: the challenge comes from the unexpected timing and the changing choices. Complete one figure fully. Only once you have reached the appropriate starting position does the next task begin. You need neither a new figure nor a fixed connection for this.
Use short, clear names from your classes and call out the task during a running basic step, not in the middle of a turn. The call applies to the next suitable opportunity, not as a command to switch immediately. Later, one sentence is enough for your notes, following this pattern: “Task heard, movement awaited, arrived together.” The guide to writing down dance steps shows you how to record observations like these. The note should prepare your next session, not store a complete choreography.
Take a minute: Decide on the dance roles and name your two familiar figures. Agree on who calls first, and that you’ll only switch from a suitable position; both of you can use the same names for the figures.
Practice the familiar basic step for two minutes while counting out loud. Start the back step at the same time, using the feet you learned for your respective roles, and return together; you'll hear the same count and won't have to catch up with each other.
Keep dancing for two minutes and focus on the two alternating steps. Count the familiar pattern with „1, 2, 3 a 4, 5 a 6“ and keep your steps small; you can hear your weight changes landing on the same beats.
For three minutes, the first person chooses between the basic step and your two moves, in no set order. Call out the move during the basic step and let the lead follow; the other person waits for the movement, and both complete the task in full.
For two minutes, let the other person give the instructions, but keep your dance roles. The new instructor chooses another task only once you arrive; if the switch works, someone else gets to decide, without you having to switch who leads.
Dance for one minute without saying figure names. The leader chooses from the same small set of figures, and the follower responds to the familiar lead; you can start a familiar figure without naming it together beforehand.
Use the last minute to cool down and take notes. Record one successful spontaneous response and one task for next time; your note should describe an observed moment, not just “went well” or “was difficult.”
In the course, you can learn more Jive figures and then incorporate them into your partner-switching exercises.
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That's how
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Preparation
Exercise
Wrap-up
Yes, for this partner exercise, you can count aloud instead of playing music at first. One person keeps counting throughout while the other calls out tasks. This way, two different ways of counting do not compete with each other. The silent final round only means not calling out figure names, you can keep counting.
If you only know the basic step, you can coordinate the back step and change steps together, but you cannot practice choosing figures yet. Leave out the corresponding task rounds for now and end the session earlier. New figures need their own learning time. Explaining them on the side during the reaction exercise mixes two different tasks.
No, for this plan, you only switch the person calling out the tasks. Switching dance roles would also involve different feet, paths, and leading tasks. If you have both already learned both roles, you can repeat the whole plan later with reversed roles instead of switching in the middle of a round.
Twelve minutes is a practical time frame, not a prescribed training duration. The short blocks give each task its own place and prevent the figures round from taking over the whole practice. Repeat the plan after a break if needed. If your concentration wanes or you feel discomfort, end the session earlier.
Keep dancing the familiar basic step until you reach the familiar starting position for the task. The figure name does not mean you have to start immediately from an unsuitable handhold or position. If you do not know the transition yet, leave that task out of the selection instead of making up a connection during the round.
No, you only need someone who knows the same basic step and selected figures. You do not have to be a couple or train together regularly. The guide to partner dancing without a romantic relationship explains how these practice partnerships work. With a new practice partner, start by counting together again.
