Looking Confident on the Floor

[QPO]

I dance with women and men equally and have no problem with it...I did it last night being the lead and still did my thing.

[emeralddancer]

BOT .... dancing big, showing big, walking on the floor big, anything big...  has nothing (i personally believe) to do with anything at all physically.

"BIG" is also back to attitude.


OK .... challenge ...

I challenge each and everyone of you to watch amateur dancers. (the youth in particular - because many do not see the up and coming so much at this point)

Anyway .... this is my challenge ...

When you look at these teens what couple walking onto the floor grabs your attention?
What couple as they are standing there grabs your attention?
What couple as they "prepare" to dance grab your attention?
What couple that dances grabs your attention?

I ask these questions because you will find in each of these instances where attitude, confidence, a true sense of being "comfortable" (lack of a better word) on that floor .... You can actually SEE these things. And in seeing these things ... THAT is what is BIG. THAT is what judges notice.

There is an "air" or "aura" or "vibe" that is picked up.

Just like there is one for the opposite or negative.

People are naturally drawn to those that are confident, relaxed, self assured, an inner vivaciousness, etc ...

here are some vids from 2009 US Nationals in Baltimore ....enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/user/paradigmdvd#play/uploads/54/LWG_koFdWDk

http://www.youtube.com/user/paradigmdvd#play/uploads/48/oU6YEfzmxn8

http://www.youtube.com/user/paradigmdvd#play/uploads/36/i3c65cqoTRE

http://www.youtube.com/user/paradigmdvd#play/uploads/42/hTYlybYdxp0

http://www.youtube.com/user/paradigmdvd#play/uploads/46/8EKGxZD-jtI

[etp777]

Lookin big, confident:
Shoulders down and back
Head up, neck straight, eyes up (This part is especially important for women wearing false eyelashes, as having head straight with the fake eyelashes, you still look like you're looking down)
butt kept in/under, don't let it stick out
upper back muscles (slips my mind), wide to create space and look of power
In rhythm, make sure everything's grounded, keep movements parallel to/into floor, not rising up. 

etc.

[QPO]

Lookin big, confident:
Shoulders down and back
Head up, neck straight, eyes up (This part is especially important for women wearing false eyelashes, as having head straight with the fake eyelashes, you still look like you're looking down)
butt kept in/under, don't let it stick out
upper back muscles (slips my mind), wide to create space and look of power
In rhythm, make sure everything's grounded, keep movements parallel to/into floor, not rising up. 

etc.

check
check
check
check
check
check

oooo now I forgot to dance   

[Lioness]

And most importantly, feel confident. The audience/judges wont buy it if you're doing all that but looking weak and nervous.

[QPO]

you have to believe you can do it, then you don't get nervous and you are one step closer to seeking your goal. We practice and dance in front of people all the time, sometimes we are the only ones on the dance floor and don't have a problem with that.

[elisedance]

so, can you look too big - I mean is there a danger of looking arrogant?  Far as I can figure there is not but I'm not sure...

[etp777]

I don't think so, as long as the partners are properly matched.  When I see couples where one partner (generally the guy) is too confident, too big, etc, and woman is smaller(in space/attitude, not size), that looks really bad. 

[SwingWaltz]

I don't think so, as long as the partners are properly matched.  When I see couples where one partner (generally the guy) is too confident, too big, etc, and woman is smaller(in space/attitude, not size), that looks really bad. 

That's definitely true!

[emeralddancer]

there is such a thing where couples can be to arrogant even together evenly.

with just "boorish" behavior, lack of regard to others on the floor at the start of heats, lack of regard to other dancers while dancing, lack of regard to the judges,  there is just that "vibe" of something that just "smells" of "I am better than everyone or we are better than everyone", the "look at me aren't I just the cockiest thing ever".

they are not dancing to dance, they are dancing for blood.

there is confidence and attitude and then there it ATTITUDE.

(I tend to see this sort of thing more in the amateurs competing at lower levels. Especially people that pros tend to dance down.)

[TangoDancer]

there is such a thing where couples can be to arrogant even together evenly.

with just "boorish" behavior, lack of regard to others on the floor at the start of heats, lack of regard to other dancers while dancing, lack of regard to the judges,  there is just that "vibe" of something that just "smells" of "I am better than everyone or we are better than everyone", the "look at me aren't I just the cockiest thing ever".

they are not dancing to dance, they are dancing for blood. there is confidence and attitude and then there it ATTITUDE.

(I tend to see this sort of thing more in the amateurs competing at lower levels. Especially people that pros tend to dance down.)

Agreed.

[elisedance]

there is such a thing where couples can be to arrogant even together evenly.

with just "boorish" behavior, lack of regard to others on the floor at the start of heats, lack of regard to other dancers while dancing, lack of regard to the judges,  there is just that "vibe" of something that just "smells" of "I am better than everyone or we are better than everyone", the "look at me aren't I just the cockiest thing ever".

they are not dancing to dance, they are dancing for blood.

there is confidence and attitude and then there it ATTITUDE.

(I tend to see this sort of thing more in the amateurs competing at lower levels. Especially people that pros tend to dance down.)

well put

[QPO]

yes I agree, there is a difference between confidence and arrogance....and sometimes people get confused between the two. Arrogance is the wrong attitude for dancing and not admired.

It is about respect as everyone on the floor is trying to do their best...and you have to respect the effort they do, as there are plenty of others that will never take that step.

[QPO]

we are practicing being more confident on the floor. I had a man tell me at a comp, they we did not walk out like we thought we could win....I took that on board.

[Lioness]

Dp and I are constantly practising making ourselves look more confident and big. It seems to be working, because people are commenting on how much better out posture is now.