Dance and Sports

Course code: Path. Fit 3

Social and ballroom dances

Popular couple dances without set patterns are classified as social and
ballroom dances. Most social dances are characterized by the man leading and the
woman partner following whatever steps, styling, and rhythmic variations he
chooses and indicates.

Social dances are usually done to introduce people with one another during a
formal social gathering or to welcome guests to a social gathering. Many of the
social dances like polka and mazurka started as folk dances while some were
deliberately designed for its social purpose, such as the waltz, regoudon and
polonaise (Nimor, 2006). Social dancing is believed to had existed since the
beginning of human society in some forms.

Ballroom dancing has lots of benefits for young people. It is less threatening
to their young developing bodies compared to many sports such as football,
basketball and hockey that endanger forming cartilage, break bones and in some
cases disfigurement cause by various swinging sticks and equipments. Ballroom
dancing provides general conditioning for the body. Mentally, it stretches the
thinking and the “do – it” abilities of the young. The sense of achievement is a
confidence builder. Teamwork of couples is more stimulating to concentration and
learning. For older groups, competitive dancing is an excellent learning
achievement and self-confidence. Socially, the young people have an opportunity to
interrelate with others, especially the opposite sex, in a setting that includes
discipline and emphasis on courtesy and consideration for others. Ballroom dancing
provides lesson on social skills that will be beneficial to the youth for the rest of
their lives.

Ballroom dance training offers unique advantages. It is not only a rhythmical

exercise that adds life, graceful muscular movements but it is also a group
recreation. A child who has learned ballroom dancing gains not only improved
posture and coordination but ease in relationships with companions. Dancing is one
means of instilling graceful body coordination, it is also a muscular activity that
brings social ease. A girl who has learned to be a good ballroom dancer never fades
into a wall flower. A Boy who can dance is spared from many agonies of a teenage
self – consciousness. Children who dance well are popular, ones instilled, those
ingredients of a good manners are never forgotten. Ballroom dancing offers more
than mere steps it includes charm of manners and consideration of others.

COMMON DANCE TERMS

1. To Address Partner is to bow to partner. Facing partner, boys bow by bending

slightly from the waist as girls do curtsy.

Curtsy is to bend knees and body slightly with a bow of the head; the weight
of the body is on one foot. One foot crosses the other in rear.

2. An Amalgamation is a combination of two or more patterns or movements.

3. An Amateur Dancers is a person who is dancing as a hobby and who does not
seek financial gain from teaching or dancing.

4. A Ball change is a transfer of weight from the ball of one foot to the other foot.

5. A Basic figure is a standardized step pattern, which together with other

constitute the basics of a dance.

6. To Brush is to lightly touch the inside edge of the supporting foot with the inside
edge of the free foot between changes of weight.

7. A Chasse is composed of three changes of weight with a close on the second

and may be performed sideward or forward.

8. A Choreography is a creation or compilation of steps, patterns and movements,

which make up the dance or a dance routine.

9. To Close is to move the free foot next to supporting foot with one change of
weight.

10. A Commando is a forward or backward rock and close.

11. A Combination is a group of consecutive patterns and choreography. It is

similar to amalgamation but it sometimes involves a slightly more advanced set of
patterns.

12. A Continuity Movement is the continuous passing of the step from one step
to the next.

13. The Contrary body movement is the action of turning the opposite hip and
shoulder toward direction of the moving leg. It is used to begin all turning
movements.
14. A Conversation is a position when partners stand side by side, right hand of
the gentleman holds the lady’s waist; L arm of the lady placed at the gentleman ’s,
outside arm at the side.

15. A Corte, in tango, is a stop and change of direction either forward or backward.

16. A Cuban motion is a discreet but expressive hip movement achieve by

bending and straightening the knees with carefully timed weight transfer.

17. Dance Sports is the official name given to competitive Ballroom Dancing.

18. The Floor chart is the ability of the leader to maneuver around the dance floor
in a skilled and controlled manner as to avoid colliding with the other dancers.

19. A Drop is a theatrical movement in which the follower’s body remains in

contact with the floor.

20. A Fan is a half a turn done on the ball of one foot while the free foot is kept
directly behind the foot on which the turn is made.

21. A Figure is a standardized step pattern that, together with the other patterns,
constitute the dance.

22. A Hip motion is a very general term to mean any type of hip movement used
in Latin dancing.

23. A Pivot is a turning movement during which the free foot is kept either in front
or directly behind the foot on which the turn is made.

24. A Spin is a turn done in place using both feet, usually done as a couple.

25. Variation is a varied or more advanced pattern than the corresponding basic
figure, which still contains the same main elements.

DANCE POSITION

Ballroom or Social Dance Position – partners stand face to face, shoulders

and hips parallel. Boys R hand is placed around Girl’s waist. Girl ’s L hand rests
lightly against his R shoulders. Boy’s L hand is raised to the side holding the Girl ’s R
hand. The fingers of her R hand rest lightly in the palm of the Boy ’s L.
 Open or Conversation Position – partners stand side by side, both facing the
same direction. Girl R of partner. Boy’s R is around Girl ’s waist in back. Girl ’s L hand
rest lightly on Boy’s R shoulder. Outside hands may be joined with arms extended
forward or the outside hands maybe on hips or side.

Shoulder – Waist Position – partners face each other. Boy ’s places hands on
Girl’s waist. Girl’s hands are on the Boy’s shoulders.

Cross – Hold Position – partners stand face to face, R hand joined over L
hands, extended about waist level.

Promenade Position – partners stand side by side, both facing on the same
direction. Girl at R of partner. The hand crossed in front, R hands joined over L.

Schottische Position – partners stand side by side, Girl to R of Boy both

facing the same direction. Boy’s R arm around Girl’s waist, her L arm shoulder
behind his R shoulder, her L hand resting lightly on that shoulder, free hands on
waist.

Varsovienne Position – partners stand side by side, girls stands to the R and
slightly in front of Boy. Boy reaches R arm over the girl ’s R shoulder and takes her
R hand in his, his L holds her L a little above his L shoulder.

Swing is a rhythmic rotation of a couple performed with a walking step or shift

steps.

Elbow Swing – hook designated elbows firmly of the hand carried at the
height of the locked elbows. While swinging, pull away from partner at shoulders.
 One Hand Swing – with the elbow bent and down , join the designated hands
at shoulder height. In balancing “pull against pull ” while swinging, apply pressure
against the thumbs and heels of hands, pulling away at shoulders.

Two – Hand Swing – Boy present hands at shoulder height with palms up,
elbows close to sides and should support while balancing “pull against pull ” leaning
away at shoulders.

Waist Swing – In a modified closed ballroom dance positions with R foot and
hips adjacent the support weight of the body on the R foot swing, balance “pull
against pull”, leaning away from partners at shoulder.

Hungarian or Russian Swing – dancers stand facing in opposite direction with

R(L) hips adjacent, each R(L) arm around each others waist in front, on partners
hip, L(R) arm curved over head, both lean slightly away from each other when
turning.

Star post – Partners are in opposite directions, their right hands holding each
other, lady facing away from audience ; while gentleman faces the audience.

Challenge position- Partners face each other about a step apart without
touching.

Cuddle or skating position – Woman is at man’s left or right side, both facing
the same direction; one arm of man is across woman ’s back.

SOCIAL DANCE GUIDELINES

Practice correct dancing position even without a partner.

Maintain a good standing position. Bring out the best in your look.

Keep your weight over the balls of your feet to make you feel quicker and lighter,
and place your weight even on the soles of your shoes. No weight on the heel.
Maintain the habit of keeping feet close together unless you are taking a definite
step. Feet apart are not a pretty sight.

For a graceful dancing, always turn your toes out, not in.

When dancing with a partner, adapt a comfortable position for both of you; not too
close and not too far.

Don’t lean forward or backward. Just assume a natural comfortable dancing

companion.

When facing the audience, the lady is at the right side of the male.

SOCIAL DANCE ETIQUETTE

Do not teach your partner on the dance floor.

Anticipate the next step.

Be confident strive to become a proficient dancer.

Don’t show off.

Find mutual topics of interest for conversation, never gossip.

Dancing Personalities

Dancing is an expression of one’s personality. We can read one ’s

personality and character by the way he dances. Traits such as timidity,
aggressiveness, and consideration for others, arrogance, and other
characteristics are revealed when people dance.

Dancers who loves themselves--- point their toes too gracefully.

The cuddly couples--- are fun to watch if they are not related to you.
The bully type--- meanders around the dance floor, pushing his partner into
everything that comes his way.

The casual dancers--- girl show that sloppy I don’t care posture and the man just
shuffling along.

The possessive man--- holds tightly on his partner’s back. His posture is
crouching as though ready for a springing pounce.

The jealous girl--- clings to her partner like a glue, looks up in his eyes and is
always tremendously attentive.

The timid souls--- could almost sink to the floor if you stare at them. Males have
an apologetic manner and takes faltering steps, barely touches his partner. He is
hard to follow because he is too shy to lead. The girls of this type take uncertain
steps, droop their arms and get an until-death-do-us part grip on their partner.

In common usage, Ballroom dance refers to the ten dances of International Standard and
International Latin, though the term is also often used interchangeably with International
standard dances.

International Style

International Standard dances are normally performed with Western Music. A

couple dances counter clockwise around a rectangular floor following the line of
dance.

Costume

Women – full gown Men - bow tie and tail coats or tuxedos, vest

Dances :

1. Slow Waltz 2. Tango 3. Viennese Waltz

4. Slow Foxtrot 5. Quick step

International Latin Dances are performed with contemporary Latin American Music and with the
exception of a few traveling dances.

Costume

Women – Short skirted Latin outfits Men - outfitted in tight fitting shirts and pants

Dances :

Cha-cha 2. Samba 3. Rumba 4. Paso doble 5. Jive

RUMBA

The name Rumba was originally applied specifically to the dancing style with lascivious
movement of the hip, bosom and other flexible parts. The Rumba influence came in the 16 th
century from the black slaves from Africa. The native Rumba folk dance is essentially a sex
pantomime danced extremely fast with exaggerated hip movements and with a sensually
aggressive attitude of men and a defensive attitude on the part of women.

The music is written in 4/4 time, which gives 4 counts to each bar of music, 1, 2, 3, 4.
The beat values are 2, 3, 4-1 or quick, quick, slow.

Cha-cha-cha

There are various theories as of the origin of Cha-cha. It could derived from the Spanish
chacha meaning nursemaid, or chachar meaning to chew coca leaves, or from char meaning
tea. This dance evolved from the Mambo and has its origins in the religious ritual dances of
West Africa. The music is usually in 4/4 time, sometimes 2/4. The Cha-cha-cha is a Cuban
dance, based on the Rumba. Counting is 1,2, 3 and 4

Reggae

First developed in Jamaica in the late 1960’s. The term reggae more properly denotes a
particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady. It is
based on rhythmic style characterized by accents on the off-beat known as the skank. It usually
accents the second and fourth beat in each bar.The music is 4/4 time and counting is 1, 2, 3,4.

Samba

Comes from Brazil. It differs from other Latin- American dances because it is lively and
vigorous and the feet is constantly leaving the floor. It is literally a bouncing step. It involves
much knee action with the dancers bodies resembling a swinging pendulum as they sway and
turn. 2/4 time 1 ah 2

Waltz

It is the first dance to use closed dance position. The waltz was to be performed solely
for the demonstration of elegance and not pleasure. The name comes from the German word to
revolve, turning with smooth gliding steps. Music is ¾ time 1, 2, 3.

Paso Doble

It finds its roots in the Spanish style music of the 1930’s. It is popularly known as the
man’s dance, portraying the story of the matador with ( the female being ) his cape where the
matador is to weild his cape according to the anger and intensity of the roaring boar.

Jive

The origin of the word jive is unknown but it may refer to jivetalk, or bad mouthing. This
word reflects the character of the dance for it is sassy and loud. It came from the African
American slaves. It is known by many names, sometimes called Swing, Jitterbug, Lindy hop, or
Charleston, although it is completely different dance. Music is 4/4 time 1,2,3 and 4/ 1 and 2, 3
and 4.

Swing

An outgrowth of the jitterbug, it is marked by quick, strenuous movements sometimes

accompanied by acrobatics in its present form; it maybe a lively smooth dance. Benny
Goodman is the band leader credited with the developing the rhythm of Swing. It is named after
Charles Lindbergh’s solo flight across the Atlantic ocean in 1927 Music is 4/4 time sometimes
3/4 1,2,3,4/ 1,2 ah 3

Tango
 Originated in the lower class of Buenos Aires especially in the Bario de Las Ranas. It
was first known as baile con corte- the dance with a stop. It is characterized by sudden changes
of direction and its many flaring and dipping steps. Music is 2/4 time 1,2/ 12

Foxtrot

An American dance evolving from trotting dance in 1913. Dancers gliding around the
dance floor with little up and down motion. It is known as the first truly American ballroom
dance, was named after Harry Fox. Music is in 2/4 time 12/ 1,2