Travelling Moves

[Bill]

What is irritating - and potentially dangerous is when couples travel when they should be doing more or less 'static' moves and so it becomes impossible to work out where they are going.

Not sure why but lots of dancers now travel round almost in huge circles regardless of the moves and so bump into others casuing bumps and bruises. And as someone mentioned earlier - the leader who does a walking move then goes into reverse without any idea of who or what is behind him

Awarness of space is obviously something that a whole workshop can be devoted to !

[cheeks]

Originally Posted by Bill

What is irritating - and potentially dangerous is when couples travel when they should be doing more or less 'static' moves and so it becomes impossible to work out where they are going.

Not sure why but lots of dancers now travel round almost in huge circles regardless of the moves and so bump into others casuing bumps and bruises. And as someone mentioned earlier - the leader who does a walking move then goes into reverse without any idea of who or what is behind him

Awarness of space is obviously something that a whole workshop can be devoted to !

[David Bailey]

Originally Posted by Bill

Not sure why but lots of dancers now travel round almost in huge circles regardless of the moves and so bump into others casuing bumps and bruises.

It's all this ballroom lessons influence, I knew nothing good would come of it .
I haven't seen much travelling around the floor in my local places, having said that...

[JoC]

Originally Posted by Bill

Not sure why but lots of dancers now travel round almost in huge circles regardless of the moves and so bump into others casuing bumps and bruises. And as someone mentioned earlier - the leader who does a walking move then goes into reverse without any idea of who or what is behind him

Any top tips for what a lady might do to encourage her partner to dance a bit smaller or look where they're going a bit more...? I'm sure I've probably danced big when I shouldn't but generally the more I dance the more aware of space I get and I think I'm getting the hanging of dancing 'neat' when necessary.

On a packed dance floor recently I was led forward by my partner in a walking move which went fine. We then started reversing as described above without my partner looking. Unsurprisingly the space behind had filled instantly and I stopped the move backwards (because we definitely would have crashed), which seemed to be met with a bit of confusion (or something...). Is there a tactful way for a follower to limit moves in the name of safety without spoiling the dance and coming over all power crazy, or is it a case of stuff it, if someone isn't going to look they can like it or lump it? I think I maybe just answered my own question...

Don't mind taking some of the responsibility but don't want to p off all my partners!

[El Salsero Gringo]

Originally Posted by JoC

Unsurprisingly the space behind had filled instantly and I stopped the move backwards (because we definitely would have crashed), which seemed to be met with a bit of confusion (or something...).

Sounds about right to me. I'd much rather be pulled up short by my partner than dance into someone. You can always say "you were about to crash into that couple there..." if he looks a bit confused.

In ballroom, both dancers share the responsibility for collision avoidance. If the lady sees a conflicting couple, say over the man's shoulder, she squeezes his hand (presumably the harder the squeeze, the greater the danger.) In MJ, how about using the same technique?

In order to get your lead to 'dance smaller', you can always ask him: "I love your style, but could we dance smaller please because I'm worried about hitting another couple..."

Or, just kick him hard in the shins while he's looking elsewhere then swear blind it was another couple.

[JoC]

Originally Posted by El Salsero Gringo

Or, just kick him hard in the shins while he's looking elsewhere then swear blind it was another couple.

Nice, I'll try that one next time... just nobody tell on me, aha probably not many people know who I am on the forum anyway, problem solved!

Does anyone have the username 'Hacker' yet...

[JoC]

And thankyou for the other advice too, too new to the forum to get cheeky .

[David Bailey]

Originally Posted by JoC

Any top tips for what a lady might do to encourage her partner to dance a bit smaller or look where they're going a bit more...?

Very good question - as a follower, the influence you have over the leader is limited tho

Originally Posted by JoC

<snip> Unsurprisingly the space behind had filled instantly and I stopped the move backwards (because we definitely would have crashed), which seemed to be met with a bit of confusion (or something...).

Exactly the right thing to do!

Originally Posted by JoC

Don't mind taking some of the responsibility but don't want to p off all my partners!

Good dancing technique will never put of () people you want to dance with