Topic: Bouncing

[Simon]

Well I believe that dance trainers are the reason so many dancers bounce often imitating budgies ignoring the music.  lets dance smooth  cool and sexy.   

Not sure it's the fault of the dance trainers!  But say you begin a dance with someone and they're bouncing all over the place with little connection to the music or happily moving around you and the dancefloor without being led as such, what does etiquette allow or call for?  Should you ask them which track they're dancing to, ask them if they'd mind being led, lead much more firmly, slow right down so their relentless bobbing is in such contrast that they get the hint, not worry about it as it's only one dance, throw yourself into it and mirror them even if you're both completely adrift from the music, etc.?   

What do you reckon Ladies and Gents?

[Nick M]

But say you begin a dance with someone and they're bouncing all over the place with little connection to the music or happily moving around you and the dancefloor without being led as such, what does etiquette allow or call for? 

There are 2 issues here

1) bouncing
2) not being in time with the music

Number 2 is easier - you need a firmer lead to ensure they dance in time. Bouncing, on the other hand, is very hard to control*. Some people seem bouncier than others. Some classes seem to breed bouncier dancers. All the man can do, if partnered with a bouncy lady, is match his style to hers. It doesnt work if the man is trying to be smooth, and the lady is bouncing.

Nick

*cue jokes about sports bras

[John Gimber: Webmaster]

Nick

*cue jokes about sports bras

Hey, bouncing isn't a problem if you offer your partner enough support when dancing...

[Mr Cool]

My pet hate is bouncing in any form of dance whether it is MJ Lindy, Balboa, Shag or Ballroom. It just looks silly to me. I firmly belive dancing should be smooth and with style  following the music.
A good confident lead can sometimes reduce bouncing to a managable level, a tactic I use is to dance the blues which removes the bounce and you can dictate the timing.
Sadly many dancers do not dance to the music and many never will. Again a confident lead can help but if all else fails smile thank your partner after one dance and move on.
As for ladies dancing around without a lead well I for one encourage ladies to do there own thing  breakaway steps are  useful if your partner bounces or can't feel the music sometimes the eyes alone are the best connection.  
 

[DavidB]

I firmly belive dancing should be smooth and with style  following the music.

But if the music is not smooth...

Strangely enough I think the 'bounce' started because people were subconsciously trying to dance to the music.  In modern jive you are usually stationary on the downbeats and moving on the upbeats in the music. Downbeats sound longer and more drawn out, and the upbeats are shorter and sharper. Dropping down on this sharp beat when you move is the easiest thing to do, and it feels like the right thing to do. Then you rise up on the upbeat when you finish the step, and you are bouncing before you realise it.

[Graham W]

Women who cant dance to rhytm - I cant name any in Leroc!
I'd let the bouncers get on with it myself, a lot of peple change by watching others..

G

[ClaireLSt]

I'm with Mr Cool on this, but whether I actually achieve in practice who knows!
It def looks better with no bounce or bouncy kicks eek!

[Elaine]

I'm with Mr Cool on this, but whether I actually achieve in practice who knows!
It def looks better with no bounce or bouncy kicks eek!

Bouncing is best done with a ball, preferably on a beach! 

I did actually jump up and down once when being led by a bouncer and he thought it was wonderful!  Sheesh! 

Elaine

[Justine]

ive just been reading all about bouncers and i cant help thinking thats me haha!!! can anyone who has danced with me please tell me if im a bouncer and a terrible follower, please be honest then i can correct it hope fully as ive always danced rock n roll and im finding it hard to change to leroc, but is a little bit of bouncing rythem or no as i just dance to the music am i supose to just do the moves with no movement in my steps??? please someone tell me. As i went to elmgrove last tuesday and they said i had to start from scratch, can someone please tell me if i am that bad as i can change if i am told, thanks   justine x

[Elaine]

ive just been reading all about bouncers and i cant help thinking thats me haha!!! can anyone who has danced with me please tell me if im a bouncer and a terrible follower, please be honest then i can correct it hope fully as ive always danced rock n roll and im finding it hard to change to leroc, but is a little bit of bouncing rythem or no as i just dance to the music am i supose to just do the moves with no movement in my steps??? please someone tell me. As i went to elmgrove last tuesday and they said i had to start from scratch, can someone please tell me if i am that bad as i can change if i am told, thanks   justine x

Remeber I showed you how to follow the Guy's hand with your belly button?  (Courtesy of David Barker)

[Elaine]

ive just been reading all about bouncers and i cant help thinking thats me haha!!! can anyone who has danced with me please tell me if im a bouncer and a terrible follower, please be honest then i can correct it hope fully as ive always danced rock n roll and im finding it hard to change to leroc, but is a little bit of bouncing rythem or no as i just dance to the music am i supose to just do the moves with no movement in my steps??? please someone tell me. As i went to elmgrove last tuesday and they said i had to start from scratch, can someone please tell me if i am that bad as i can change if i am told, thanks   justine x

Remeber I showed you how to follow the Guy's hand with your belly button?  (Courtesy of David Barker  )  Are you able to do that with a smooth lead?  Foot work in Le Roc is fabulous Justine, but that is not bouncing!  What did Steve Wonnacut suggest?  He is one of the smoothest dancers about...........


Elaine

[Justine]

so you think my footwork is ok then elaine?? i do try and do everything that you say elaine but i had a bit of a knockback from the teacher at elmgrove i think his name was dave??? he said that i had to start from scratch when i thought i was starting to do ok, im not putting him down as he knows more than me about leroc dancing, but i would love some feedback from dancers that i have danced with so i can change any bad habbits, thankyou elaine for the reply.  justine xxx

[Elaine]

But you have danced with Steve haven't you?  What did he say?

Perhaps you were having an off day when you danced with Dave?  We all get them!


Elaine

[Nick M]

so you think my footwork is ok then elaine??

Are you going to Cardiff on Friday Justine? If so, I would be very happy to dance with you and give you feedback

[Lou]

Perhaps you were having an off day when you danced with Dave? 

From that comment, it sounds more like David was having a bad day!  

Sorry, Justine - I've never seen you dance, so I can't give you any specific advice, I'm afraid. However, I've danced with several ladies who have done Jive before, but are new to LeRoc. I can normally tell who they are as soon as I dance with them, as they do have a different tension in their connection - it's a lot firmer and they do need to be lead more firmly. And they do tend to bob about a bit, but this is something that mellows with practice and experience. Maybe this applies to you? I don't know.

If you see me at a dance or class, come over & I'll be happy to lead you for a while. I'll get Elaine to point you out to me - or vice-versa. I think it's great that you're so willing to learn how to improve your dancing. Just don't get disheartened!