[MartinHarper]

Proper lead swapping is a lot of fun, and I'm all in favour of it. It does require two dancers who are both able and willing to dance both roles. The act of lead swapping itself is something that needs to be learnt: giving the lead away, accepting it when it's given, hijacking and being hijacked. In the absence of classes on these things, prepare to experiment and get things wrong.

It is important to me that whoever is taking the lead role should actually be leading, and that both dancers should know who is leading at any particular time. Suppose I am in follow mode, and I want to take over the lead for the duration of a break. First, I need to take over the lead, and my partner needs to realise this. Next I need to lead my partner to stay in-place whilst we strut our stuff. Finally, I need to return the lead to my partner, or else keep leading.

Personally, I have difficulty recognising when I have been given the lead - often we spend a few beats with neither of us leading, before I realise and pick things up again.