[Gadget]

{warning: long post }

Originally Posted by MartinHarper

I think you mean the lady's right arm?

as anyone who has ever partnered me during a class will testify, the terms "right" and "left" are confusing for me.

Originally Posted by ToeTrampler

Also, as a beginner, the combs can be difficult to get in the correct position for. IMHO there are far too many 'don'ts' associated with these combs for them to be in the beginners section.

I think that this is one of the primary reasons it is included: every beginner move teaches one (or more) core concepts and movements that the rest of your dancing is based on. If you can master the 'basics moves', then any other move just contains elements of these and what you are learning from then on is how to put them together in relation to the music. If an 'intermediate' move is difficult or challenging, then one of the main factors may be that your skill in leading(/following) the underlying basic move it draws from is not good enough.

What {I think} needs to be right for a comb:

• On the turn, the man steps in when the lady's back is to him; not stepping in leads to stretching and leaning (for both/either) and being too far away from your partner for the move to work. If you step in too soon, you risk an elbow in the face. If you step in too late, you will rush the next bit and may pull the lady into you.
  
  
• See your partner's face before drawing hand over your head; if you start too soon, your elbow will have a tendency to point forward in just the right height to hit the lady in the face. If you try to rush it, you are pulling your partner off-balance in the middle of a turn. You have so many different options to explore from this position - comb yourself, the lady, almost comb, turn yourself, a second turn for the lady, stay and let the lady improvise, swap hands, throw the hand...If you rush it, you will have missed an opportunity to surprise and impress your partner.
  
  
• Place your left hand on lady's right hip; that's the bit on the side of the lady, just below the waist band of her skirt/trousers (if they are wearing a dress, you have to guess it!). Too high and you try to block the lady's waist - this has no bone underneath and can be painful. The fleshy bit of your hand should be on the hip bone with fingers resting gently on the side of the hip. Too far round and you can't lead with it. Way too far round and you are in danger of being labelled a 'slease'.
  To do the next bit perfectly, it will continue the hand motion of the lady's turn slightly - of your hand is not there to act as a block, the lady will turn half-side-on to you {if she is following perfectly }
  
  
• Ladies place your left hand on the inside of the man's left shoulder; this is your control to break free if you get uncomfortable with the man's proximity, hand position or halitosis. Don't lean in - if anything, the hips should be forward and the torso slightly back.
  
  
• Draw the lady's hand over your head; If you try to pull the lady's arm round your neck it will cause an undignified 'elbow waggle', it will stumble your partner towards you.
  As you do this, halve the gap between you, using the left hand to keep the lady parallel with you.
  
  
• The lady's hand/fingers should be on your right shoulder; well, the gap between your neck and shoulder. If it doesn't want to reach, you are probably too far away. See the next two points...
  
  
• The right elbow should point to the floor; no-one wants to experience your sweaty oxters. It also looks uncoordinated and awkward if you have elbows everywhere - and they can be a hazard to the lady's head. This is only difficult if you insist on holding on to your partner's hand or are struggling to get her hand behind your neck; light grip, down to fingertips will give an additional four inches to play with {}
  
  
• Differences in height can be reduced by extending one leg and bending the other knee while taking the lady's hand over your head; bending at the waist and sticking your bum out is not attractive. Try to keep as upright as possible. Bending both knees prevents the lady from getting close enough. The bent knee should be between the lady's legs. The straight leg can be out to the side, behind or in - {My preference is infront because I can use it to adjust the space between us; the drawback is that you have to time it right and make sure the lady is not travelling at the time you stick it out.}
  This drop of levels should be no more than to take you down eye to eye (although this is a bit intimidating, eye to top of head works well.)
  Once the hand is over, do not try walking in the lunge position - use a beat to straighten up; release the lady's right hand if necessary (of your hands do slide apart, move the left hand to the lady's lower back - fingertips brushing spine - this is not used to pull the lady closer - just to indicate that the move isn't finished yet; most ladies will try to disengage when you release the hand.) If this hand is released, you can maintain the illusion of a 'normal' comb by keeping your right hand on your right shoulder.
  
  
• If a 'slow comb' fits with the music, the left hand moves up and round the lady's lower back so that fingertips are against the spine. just moving round laterally from the waist is not advised - remember that the ladies knee is between your legs. The hand on the back can apply gentle pressure to invite the lady closer still, or lead her in a small circle, but is not used to prevent her from escaping.
  
  
• Rocking steps for a slow comb should be small and come from the lower half of the body; larger steps throw you both off balance and look poor - simple transfer of weight is all that's necessary: feet stay on the floor. Shoulders and upper body follow the hips - it's not an arm-jive!
  
  
• An exit from a slow comb, should be prepared for; you can just take a step away from the lady while removing your hand from her back, but since her other hand is round your neck, she will probably follow you: You either have to remove that hand first, or place a hand on her opposite hip/arm so you can give a gentle push.
  
  
• The exit from a short comb is very small; you only need a small, gentle push to move the lady away, and you will both be stepping back - so you don't need to take huge steps. You should end the move with a relaxed and bent left arm (ladies right) it should never be at full stretch or you loose contact.
  When sliding down the arm, you should not have to retract it to catch the lady's hand - gentle extension and let the hand slide down to a natural hold. You should not loose contact with the lady.
  If catching with the right hand from a comb, take your left back to your side and offer at waist level; the action of stepping back will allow the ladies hand to just fall naturally to her side - you want your hand to intercept this path. If you leave your hand out, the lady will naturally aim to catch it (before you have offered the other hand.

I think that you could probably do a 'masterclass' workshop on each beginner move that would take an hour or so and only deal with the one move (with a few example variations) Would this be a good idea for a series of workshops?

Also during this transition it is very easy to forget and start your hand heading towards the ladies waste/hip. Now if a newer beginner hasn't seen the old version, is this just not going to make them even more uncomfortable as they wonder what you are up to?

yup, good point. And how can you even touch their right fore-arm without doing the rightguard test?

In general since beginning Ceroc I've been impressed by the way the beginner moves are made interesting enough to enjoy and provide a good basic variety to dance with but at the same time straight forward enough pick up after a few goes. However, as far as the combs go I think Ceroc have dropped the ball.

I disagree here - the "basics" are not intended to be "simple"; they are intended to give you a basic grounding for the rest of your dancing.