Hi Emily,

              As Jeff says, it depends on the next move.

              If you Balance Right & Left then you are too close to do a good Allemande Left. So for the men in a Tidal Wave in a dance like Trip to Lambertville who have to balance then Allemande Left, it is much better to Balance Left & Right.

              On the other hand, Balance Forward & Back always makes the next move satisfying.  Though perhaps you then lose a bit of the acknowledgement of the people to whom you balance.

              Balance Forward & Back is always best if the next move is Extend, i.e. walk forwards (often to the next Ocean Wave), especially if you want to put a spin into the Extend.  It gets your momentum going in the correct direction.

              If you search the Caller’s Box for “Walk Forward” you will find 712 dances that may meet your requirement!

              It may be worth reminding the dancers that when the wave is going to balance forward and back, then you don’t want to be in a straight line with the other dancers, you want to be back away from the line of the wave, so that when you balance forwards you don’t damage your shoulders.

            Happy dancing,

                   John                      

John Sweeney, Dancer, England   john@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574

http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent

From: Emily Addison via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: 30 June 2023 03:07
To: contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net
Subject: [Callers] Dances with balancing waves forward and backward?

Hi folks :) 

As a dancer, I remember loving the feel of waves lines that balance forward and back. However, I don't have any dances that specifically call for that.  

Might you have suggestions of dances that specifically call for Bal F&B or which often get modified for that feel of a balance?

Thank you!

:) Emily in Ottawa