[DavidB]

Originally posted by Gadget
Every time you push your partner's hand, you should move backwards and every time you pull, you should move forward

For the purposes of this exercise - yes. Remember this is an exercise designed to improve a particular area of a man's dancing - namely wild leading. Some people might include it in their own style when they dance freestyle, but the aim is to develop a feeling that you try to recreate no matter how you dance.

trying to keep equal pressure in the lead?

Not quite - the pressure constantly changes, but the lady should match whatever pressure the man gives. Ever noticed that when you dance with a good lady, you always know where she is and what she is doing. It's because she maintains the connection, even when you are not leading anything.

I take it that you try to keep your "center" and pivot if the lead is to the side, and advance/retreat if the lead is more central?

That is what the ladies do when they follow.

So in the 'first move' example, the "open out" would result in almost going back to back with your partner?

Sort of. A lot depends on the relative size. With a big man leading a small lady, the energy in the lead would not result in the man moving as much as the lady.

The whole idea is to realise how long it takes a body to actually move, and how large that movement is, whilst still being comfortable.

(The first move is interesting. As I understand it, the 'official' Ceroc way in the twist is that the man and the lady both twist away from each other. I do the opposite - I twist in the same direction as the lady. This is a completely different type of lead - I start it my moving my body, and keeping my frame. You don't get many of these 'body leads' in Ceroc. I prefer the look of it, and hopefully the lady shouldn't feel any difference.)

David