Floorcraft on the social floor

[SwingWaltz]

Being able to NOT have an accident/incedent is just as much a part of being a good dancer as learning the dances well.

Judges often penalize dancers who colide carelessly.  But the trouble is for us that the large dancers are too often assumed to be at fault.  We had only one significant collision at our last competition - a short couple turned the corner facing backwards and ran straignt into us where we were standing after a turn - we were not moving - and they even fell on the floor, a mess of arms and legs (but did not hurt themselves thankfully).  After they apologized and said that their routine was crazy having to go backward with both of them facing the wrong way.

I talked to one of the judges (who is a regular at our comps) after the comp and she told me that my partner was too agressive on the floor.  Its true that at one time (2 yrs ago) he was but he has become very good at floor craft and avoiding hits since.  Since that was our only significant incident it seems she assumed it was our fault - and I think that size is a major factor.

DP asked what happens if we bump into someone on the comp floor, and I told her that there's someone hiding on the podium waiting to shoot anyone who bumps into people on the floor. I think she's a bit scared now. 

[elisedance]

Well, as long as they did not blame you....

[Lioness]

Not sure if you're talking to SW or me, but I'm pretty sure they blamed us. We're the more experienced couple, therefore we should be able to avoid a random couple crashing into us from our blind spot.

Hey, does anyone have a spontaneous TARDIS?

[QPO]

I know some of your social dancers, it is all about them....

[elisedance]

Not sure if you're talking to SW or me, but I'm pretty sure they blamed us. We're the more experienced couple, therefore we should be able to avoid a random couple crashing into us from our blind spot.

Hey, does anyone have a spontaneous TARDIS?

With fame comes heady responsibility.  Be kind to the little people...

[Rugby]

...and the tall people too.   

[QPO]

 

was looking for a lawn mower but  this was the closet things I could find

[Lioness]

They'll be swept away by our floorcraft skills...

Or something. The wonderful dodging skills they've helped us hone

[QPO]

well then you will be prepared for the crown as I believe they can get nasty  for that sort of stuff.

[elisedance]

One thing DP does is to shorten his stride markedly - this is amazing practise since it means I have to feel the lead in a new context.  Very useful for competition dancing too in restricted spaces...

[Lioness]

DP is very good at watching the floor. I'll see something over his shoulder, squeeze to warn him about it, and he'll just say "I already know". Must be eyes in the back of his head.

As a result, collisions are rare, unless someone starts dancing against LOD, just randomly. I figure people in our division should know better by now, so we should be fine.

[NZ_Guy]

One or two couples insist on practising their competitive routines on the social floor with seemingly little regard for floorcraft. One couple in particular seems to be really keen on throwaway oversways, regardless of the traffic around them.

[elisedance]

One or two couples insist on practising their competitive routines on the social floor with seemingly little regard for floorcraft. One couple in particular seems to be really keen on throwaway oversways, regardless of the traffic around them.

Well, take heart that they would (should) be quickly dinged on the competition floor.  Not paying regard to your fellow dancers is food for disqualification. 

To their defence (if there is any), they are probably working on the TAOs in their lessons and, as I am sure you are aware, it takes umpteen repetitions to get them correct.  Also poses such may be a nuicance but they are certainly less hazardous than QS scatter chasses on a crowded floor.  The problem is not that you are going to run into anyone (competition dancers should be at a level where the will not) but that the innocent social dancer does not know that.  And yes, I have seen the whites of their eyes (and a couple that actually ran away).  So mea culpa... (although we are much better now..)

[QPO]

One or two couples insist on practising their competitive routines on the social floor with seemingly little regard for floorcraft. One couple in particular seems to be really keen on throwaway oversways, regardless of the traffic around them.

well there has to be allowances....we often do our routines but having said that if th floor is really crowded we wont go on the floor. If we do we only do a bronze level routine. Focusing on our shaping.

I have found that the comp dancers here tend to be far more accomodating thatn some of the soical dancers who get a bit miffed!

[Lioness]

I have found that the comp dancers here tend to be far more accomodating thatn some of the soical dancers who get a bit miffed!

Yeah...you guys are much nicer about us accidentally cutting you off/running into you than some of the social dancers.

(Sorry, btw)