[Gadget]

Firstly, it is very, very hard for a lady to "fluff" a move; especially one that you don't know.

The only way that it may feel like it is if (when) you anticipate a part of a move that the lead is changing and half commit to the anticipatory action, then realise the lead is continuing in a completely different direction and half stumble into that.
Even then, a good lead should be able to pick up on the direction the lady is travelling and adjust his lead accordingly; the lady may feel slightly more resistance than normal in that little bit of the move ("oops - you didn't want me to do that, did you?"), but the move should continue and finish how the lady anticipated it.
To me, this is half the skill of leading - being able to adapt and adjust any move to accommodate the lady; not "forcing" the lady into a move that she may have mis-interpreted my lead on.

When ladies don't know a move and are suddenly led into unfamiliar territory, they can't anticipate; so you have to follow the man's lead out onto more trodden paths. This makes it fairly easy for the men to lead - no pre-conceptions.

As with Zuhal, I've had some comments along the lines of the following:
"I don't know this move!"..."yes you do - you've just done it"
"What do I do here?"..."exactly what you are doing"
"What am I meant to do now?"..."just listen to the music and go where I'm leading you"
"I had no idea what I was doing!"..."you were following perfectly"
"Where am I meant to go when you do that?"..."do what? - you went where I led you" {Actually, this one I tend to spend a little more time on to make sure that the lady "gets it"}

How a man can "fluff" a move for the lady:
- The lead is in the wrong direction. From leading a turn left instead of right, to leading her away from you instead of towards.
- The lead is contradictory. You try to turn move them one way, but the move goes another.
- The lead is off-balance. Leading too far away from your partner.
- The lead is too strong. Dragging the lady is never inductive to a nice dance.
- Cranking a turn. Let the lady turn, don't turn her.
- The lead is uncomfortable. Too close or trying to manipulate the lady where she doesn't want to go.
- The lead is indecisive. Juddering or constantly changing the direction of the lead mid-way through a move confuses and makes it very hard work for the lady.
- The lead is ambiguous. In the middle is very confusing for the lady; do they duck to turn under or stop at a block?
- The lead is too weak. You are inviting the lady to take control and move where they want.
- Starting a move too soon. Rushing into a move throws the timing off
- Leading a move too late. Don't know what move to do... then suddenly rushing into the first one that pops into your head.
- Ending a move too soon. Need to get out of this move and into the next one. Again throws the timing off
- "Bouncing". Emphasising every beat through the lead (hands or knees) makes it harder for the lady to listen through the noise.
- Leading too advanced moves. Any move that requires the lady to perform a 'specific' action on cue (not led).

How a lady can "fluff" a move for the man:
- ...erm...
- Anticipating. Especially on "advanced" moves.
- Distracting. sorry, but talking and sometimes clothing or "sexy" styling can wipe a man's repertoire completely from their mind. {Not that I'm complaining mind you }


As a parting shot: I sometimes lead beginner ladies into moves they don't know - but only if I think they can follow them (and revert if I find they can't). If I lead you into a move you don't know, please take it as a compliment that I think you are advancd enough to follow it.