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Problems with smooth technique
Posted by Rumbaluv
10/16/2002  2:01:00 PM
I am having problems in my frame keeping my weight off of the man's left arm and I was just recently informed that I was not carrying my own weight. How can I fix this I have tried but I find myself concentrating so hard on staying "light" that my technique starts to falter. Also I am having problems staying down to the ground in my smooth especially, I can get down on the 1--2 and as I transition to the 3 I start to pop up like a top. If you can give me any suggestions I would greatly appreciate it because my partner and I will be attending Ohio Star Ball (my first time) and I want to do my best for this rather important competition. Thank you ahead of time I value all of your advice
Which level are you dancing?
Posted by TheDitz
10/16/2002  4:48:00 PM
It sounds like you are just starting out.

Can't say much about the popping up on 3. Took me several years to stop it, but I still do it.

But as for the frame, there are a couple of things to try. First, try to determine which muscles you are using to hold up your arms. Typically, it's your upper arm, or top of your shoulders. These muscles, I've tend to tire very easily, and so your arm will start to droop, making it look heavy. The muscles you actually want to use (and this will take time) are your lats. You can find these by putting your arms in frame position, pull the elbows backwards (like rowing). Feel your shoulder blades pop up. Now put your hands above your head and pull them down behind your head (overhead press). Same thing should happen. This is where your frame should orginate. (Side tip: When you do arms over your head, and the coach says pull your shoulders down, pull from the same area.)

A couple of other problems, is the man's hand tucked up under your shoulder, or is it falling down your back. I know this was my first reason for droopy arms, as my coach was used to dancing with shorter women. I was trying to maintain contact through the whole arm, which I needed then. Now my contact is at the palm and his hand on my back.

Next, is there a significant height difference? My arms are a bit longer than my instructor's, so our coach has him take his hand to the fingers more on the side of my back. That way my arms don't stick out by themselves.

Lastly, what does your coach say?

What I find really funny, is that I spent all these years learning how to be "light" in bronze, by carrying my own weight. And now that I'm starting in Silver, I find out that I have to be able to lean into my partner, and him into me (aka catching each other's weight) to create energy to explode out of a step and control the speed. Now I get to spend years learning how to do this. It never ends does it?
re: Problems with smooth technique
Posted by Blair
10/18/2002  3:01:00 PM
Like Dronak, I suspect you mean the man's right arm. When you are told that you are not carrying your weight, it really means you are not holding up your arms entirely on your own. In other words, you are resting your forearm to some extent on your partner's arm. The easiest way to solve this is to raise your arm (slightly) until it barely touches his shirt sleeve. If you can feel significant contact with his arm, you are not carrying your weight. Rather than thinking about being light, try to minimize your contact with his arm. You may even find it beneficial to eliminate the contact altogether until you get the feel for holding up your arms.

Blair

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