Go ahead and release your arms from connection point 1 for a moment and shake them out. If you hold the dance frame for a long period of time before your arm and back muscles have adjusted to the new position, you will feel like your arms are going to fall off. Although you released connection point 1, remain in the same foot and body positions, with your feet shoulder width apart standing 1-2 feet away from your partner, so you can create connection point 2.

The second connection point involves the leader’s right palm, or hand, and the follower’s left shoulder blade—or scapula, for the more technical term. Leaders, you’ll take your right palm and place it across the follower’s shoulder blade. Ladies, it is best if you lift your left arm up and out of the way—just don’t rest it on top of the leader’s arm yet. Now, ladies, you want to make sure you’re leaning slightly back and that you’re being fully supported by that hand. If it’s done correctly, you should be able to try to fall backward (not straight down) and not be able to because of the connection between the leader’s right hand and your shoulder blade.

Leaders, your partner’s shoulder blade should be right in the middle of your hand and you should be able to pull slightly with your fingers to the right to get your partner to move to your right or push slightly with the palm of your hand toward the left to get your partner to move to your left.

Connection point 2 should be practiced by the leader attempting to move the follower to the right, to the left, forward, and backward, solely based on connection point 2. Practice these motions slowly and make sure both partners are perfectly clear on the directions. Followers, make sure you’re not thinking about what’s happening and that you’re letting your body weight fall into the hand of your partner. Leaders, make sure your movements are clear and confident. The follower should not have to think about where to go; she should be guided smoothly in any single direction.

Connection point 2 is critical because mastering it will enable one of the most important leverage techniques in social dance. Leaders, if your hand directly covers the shoulder blade and your partner is slightly leaning back, your hand is on what’s considered to be your partner’s “center point of balance.” If at any time your hand goes above or below this point, you’ll lose control over your partner’s body, and your partner will no longer feel secure. Go on, try it. Lower your hand about four or five inches and have your partner slowly lean backward the same way. Is she secure or comfortable? It’s also good to know where your hand shouldn’t be and why, so make sure you both understand so you don’t accidentally fall into bad habits later.