---
title: 1 Catches%3A Essential Skills
description: 
published: true
date: 2026-04-28T08:02:00.567Z
tags: Blues
editor: markdown
dateCreated: 2026-04-28T08:02:00.567Z
---

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## FOCUS 
- This lesson teaches essential skills for catches in dance, focusing on technical details like body rotation, hand placement, and footwork to achieve a smooth parallelogram shape.
## TIP & TRICKS:
- Leaders rotate body clockwise and shuffle to create space for followers.
- Place hand on partner's right side, avoiding squishy bits for a solid connection.
- Maintain frame with shoulder down and back straight to keep connection.
- Find balance in hand pressure: not too hard like a brick wall, not too soft like an autumn leaf.
- Followers absorb weight by rolling through the foot on the third step.
- Use rotational energy to maintain body alignment and deepen connection.

##REMEMBER
- Focus on maintaining a relaxed but firm connection to guide without forcing.
- Keep feet aligned on a straight line to ensure proper balance and positioning.
- Avoid stepping too far to the side to maintain forward momentum for the follower.
- Match the leader's connection with responsive pressure from the follower.
- Practice slow absorption of weight to enhance control and fluidity.
