Dance Floor Etiquette

PART I

DANCE FLOOR ETIQUETTE: THE BIG 5

  1. Be courteous and safe on a crowded dance floor: dance smaller steps so all can enjoy the music.
  2. Dance slot dances (hustle, nightclub two-step, West Coast swing, shag) with the grain of the floor.
  3. If you are not on a wooden floor, the first person on the floor usually sets the direction of the slot. Then…
  4. Find your spot and keep your slot.
  5. Those dancing the foxtrot, waltz, country two-step (progressive dances), have the right-of-way, along the perimeter of the floor. Make room for them by moving to the center of the floor to not obstruct their LOD (line of dance).
  6. Do not instruct on the floor unless your partner asks for help. Then move to a corner, well out of the way.
  7. Dance only the basics with beginners. Showboating will only discourage or sour the beginning dancer.

PART II

DANCE FLOOR ETIQUETTE: LEADERS AND FOLLOWERS

  1. Understand that there is one leader and one follower. Know your role.
  2. Both dancers must provide good frame to facilitate good leading and following.
  3. Do not hang on your partner or expect your partner to hold your arms up.
  4. Do not squeeze, pull, jerk, or drag your partner.
  5. Leaders, move your partner’s arms gently to avoid shoulder injuries.
  6. Remember: technique is just as important as knowing steps and patterns.
  7. Your partner’s shoulder width should be your gauge for size of steps.
  8. On a crowded floor, common sense should dictate which patterns to use.
  9. If you bump into someone, kick or step on someone, apologize whether it was or wasn’t your fault.
  10. Protect your partner by being aware of your surroundings.

PART III

POLITENESS: DO’S AND DON’T’S

  1. Do ask anyone to dance. Then, guide your partner by the hand onto and off the floor.
  2. Do decline to dance politely. But, don’t dance with someone else to that song.
  3. Do not persist to ask the same partner to dance after a declination.
  4. Do not correct your partner on the dance floor. Remember–you are social dancing.
  5. Never dance with a drink in your hand!
  6. If you are not dancing—step off the dance floor.

PART IV

DANCE ETIQUETTE DURING GROUP LESSONS

  1. If you’re not planning to take the lesson, you might want to arrive closer to 7:30.  Please keep conversations to a minimum during the lesson and keep your voice down so the teacher’s voice can be heard.   
  2. Those taking the lesson:  Do not talk while the teacher is talking.
  3. Those taking the lesson:  Do not instruct while the teacher is instructing.
  4. Follow the teacher’s instructions during the lesson’s breakdown, point by point to insure you are stepping correctly. Then:
  5. Practice those steps as the teacher counts them for everyone. Or …
  6. When told by the teacher to practice repetitions for a few moments.
  7. Do not enhance what is being taught by adding your own variations or extra enhancements.
  8. Ask the teacher questions if you are confused or need more demonstrations.

Increase the enjoyment of your dance experiences. Kindly apply this information about dance floor etiquette at all ONCJC functions. Thank you.