Role Reversal in Tango

Or: Why dancing both roles brings double the joy.

Reading time: 4 min

“Role reversal? Oh no, that would only confuse me…”

“Then the men won’t want to dance with me!”
“I need to get one role right first.”

Role reversal in tango isn’t some advanced upgrade.
Role reversal means gaining understanding from minute one.
The earlier you start, the better.

what it really feels like for the other person?

Then try leading... or following. Depending on what you’ve done so far.
Because there’s a difference between knowing how a movement works –
and actually experiencing it in your own body.

• • “Wow, this is a lot. I’m supposed to listen to the music, plan the sequence, lead AND dance well? Respect!”
• • “Ugh, the follower keeps darting off – how am I supposed to create clarity like this?”
• • “How am I supposed to dance a forward ocho if the leader’s left arm twists my wrist?!”
• • “Damn, standing on one leg is not that easy – and they do this in high heels?!”

As a follower, you can surrender, allow yourself to be led, let go, drift.
As a leader, you can create, combine, develop ideas.
Coordinate yourself, feel, take responsibility.

And as a nice side effect: at the milonga, you can choose more freely who you want to dance with if you master both roles.

Double the options. Double the fun. Double the tango magic.

Role reversal will change your tango. You’ll suddenly learn:

• Where you need to step to keep the connection

• When you become too heavy – or too light

• What makes an embrace feel pleasant for the other person, and what definitely doesn’t

• When your partner’s axis is especially sensitive and needs your awareness

• What helps. What disrupts.

I still remember it clearly:
I had been dancing Tango for about 10 months when I was supposed to lead for the first time.
I was in practice embrace – ready – and the teacher said:
“Okay, now go.”

And I said:
“But... I can’t. Someone’s standing there.”

I was convinced I would just run her over.
It took me half a song before I finally dared to move.

Today I laugh about it – and I know exactly how that moment felt.
And that is more valuable than any technical explanation.
I can much better understand what the leader needs to feel in order to think: “She’s here”, “She understands”, “She’ll move”.
I’ve understood how important it is to communicate to the leader that you understood – and how to do that.

Whether I always succeed in that is another story...

• Better technique in both roles

• More musical decisions

• More connection

• More empathy and patience

Yes – you’ll be much kinder to your dance partners once you’ve stood in their shoes. Literally. (Seriously guys, you should really try dancing a big side step in heels while keeping your axis… whew.)

With my Role Reversal Light private lesson bundle, you can simply explore the other role and learn the basics.

Careful! You might enjoy it and want more.
(No problem – I’m here for you.)

Give it a try – what do you have to lose?