Leading the waist-level HALO™ turn for Followers

This was for me, probably the most rewarding lead to get right. Done properly, the signal is clear, comfortable, effective with new followers, and leaves them in no doubt as to the Lead's intent.

In the following study, we'll use the example of a waist-level HALO turn for Followers anti-clockwise, Follower's right in Lead's left hand. The information is presented from the Lead's perspective, but it is useful for followers to be fluent with the material.

These are the things you should be aware of:

The follower's elbow travels along a circular path around the follower's waist
Imagine that the halo has expanded to the size of a hula-hoop and slipped to the follower's waist level. The objective is to supply lead force in such a way that the follower's elbow continues to travel along this hoop.

The lead signal for the turn begins with a lateral travel of the handhold
After the appropriate amount of equilibrium pressure is established, the handhold moves at waist level on the horizontal plane, from the start position towards the Lead's centre-line across the partnership. The follower begins to supply energy which is translated into rotational body movement, emerging from the resting state.

The angle between forearms of the Lead and Follower decreases
As the handhold travels, the angle between the Lead's forearm and the Follower's forearm decreases from the 180° angle (a straight line) at set-up, to approximately 90° by the time the hold reaches the Lead's centre-line (assuming no change in orientation).

The leverage the Lead has on the Follower's wrist increases as the forearm angle decreases
This is true up to the maximum point of leverage, which is when lead force is applied perpendicular (90°) to the follower's wrist i.e. when the handhold is on the Lead's centre-line. Beyond this, leverage begins to decrease.

As leverage increases, the Lead rolls the Follower's knuckles toward the floor
It's vital that you understand this point properly, so let's perform a static practice (Lead's perspective):

1. Set up Follower's right hand in Lead's left;
2. Establish equilibrium pressure and begin moving the handhold laterally to your centre-line;
3. Stop when the handhold has travelled one-third of the total distance. Notice that both forearms are no longer in a straight line. Your partner's forearm should be roughly pointing at you;
4. Roll the follower's knuckles downwards toward you, easing your partner's wrist into a lock;
5. Once the lock is achieved, continue rolling the knuckles downward. Notice that this causes your partner's elbow to swing outward and upward, abandoning the hula-hoop path;
6. Repeat the above step, but lower the handhold towards the floor as you roll your partner's knuckles downward. You will find that lowering the handhold at the correct rate allows you to keep your partner's elbow on the hula-hoop path.
   

The Follower must have begun to move before the knuckles are rolled downward
More lead force is required to initiate a manoeuvre (to overcome the resting state), than when the follower is already in motion. It is important that you initiate movement before flexing your partner's wrist, to avoid placing undue stress on the joint.

Exercise Caution
The following point requires a good deal of precision and sensitivity on your part. Executed properly, a minimal amount of lead force is necessary. If you encounter a good deal of joint resistance from your partner, abandon the effort and try again.
Continue rolling the Follower's hand firmly and smoothly until it turns palm-upward
This should cause the follower to turn until restricted by her/his own right forearm across her/his lower back. This is sometimes called an “arm bar”, because the arm acts as a barrier restricting further movement.

Reverse the turn using only the fingertip pads of the gun fingers of your left hand
Apply a lateral lead force from right to left, through the gun fingers of your left hand, into the “little hooks” of your partner. The follower's right hand must be allowed to rotate freely back to the start position.

Please note: the direction of lead force should be either horizontal or downward. A force directed upward reinforces the lock and does not allow your partner the flexibility to reverse the turn.
 

Summary

1. Set up;
2. Establish equilibrium lead;
3. Initiate turn by moving the handhold to your right;
4. After your partner as started to turn, begin rolling her/his knuckles downwards, simultaneously lowering the handhold, ensuring her/his elbow travels on the same lateral plane;
5. Continue until the Follower's right arm bars her/him from turning any further;
6. Recover to the start position.