Does Size Really Matter???

[Vince A]

On another site they were asking "Does size really matter? and it intrigued me enough to bring it over here . . .

This, of course relates to the what looks good regarding the height of dancers. They imply that dancers [around] 5'6'' seem to look better than taller, more clumsy-looking dancers.

What's your input on this?

I'm 6'0" and think that their rationale sucks and they are "looking up" for answers!

[dancergal]

Hey Vince, my b/f Wayne, who is 6'2" thinks that the better male dancers are shorter too. They can move and spin around faster and the follower can easily follow someone more her size. Especially when you are doing turns over the leaders head. I won't do some moves with Wayne because it's too hard to reach over his head comfortably and knee problems keeps him from bending too deep to help me.

[salsarhythms]

Great topic Vince...

I don't know about that one...I'm 5'11" and never had
any real issue with that other than having to adjust if
and when I was dancing with someone that was of
smaller height.

Also my friend Carlos is 6'2" and let me tell you this guy
just flows out there regardless of who he's dancing with.

I could see the rationale being used, but like I said with minor
adjustments you can compensate for such things.

Now Dancergal makes a good point. You don't do certain
moves with your b/f because of his height...and that's the
key...I'm sure you guys have been able to adjust and dance
the way you guys can.

I really don't think one is BETTER than the other...

[NeoDevin]

Well, I might have though size mattered, up until last weekend. My salsa workshop instructors, the guy was about 6'6", the chick maybe 5'3". They still both looked amazing together. So even if size matters, it is definately secondary to skill.

[jon]

Of course size matters. I'm much taller than most of my partners (6'3") so I don't do many barrel rolls in swing; I don't dance in extremely close tango position if my knee is near my partner's crotch as it sometimes is; I don't often take full strides in waltz and foxtrot because my partners can't keep up; and I don't expect my partners to help navigate at a ballroom dance, since about all they can see is my shirt pocket. I'd prefer to be more compact where spins are concerned, too.

There are disadvantages of being shorter. People are adaptable. If given a choice, I'd rather be about 4 inches shorter for dance (and airplane, and car, and bus...) purposes, but it's really not a big deal much of the time.

So even if size matters, it is definately secondary to skill.

Word. My most-favorite dance partner in the world is about 14 inches shorter. But sometimes it is nice to dance with a really long-legged woman and just eat the floor up in quickstep :-)

[SDsalsaguy]

In addition to everything already said here I think this also depends on purpose. A 6'4 ballroom dancer with a compatible partner can achieve picture lines that a shorter dancer, no matter how talented, never could.*


*And by the same token, the 5'6 ballroom dancer can achieve pivots that the 6'4 dancer will have to envy for his entire life…it's not what you got, it's knowing how to use it!

[Sagitta]

…it's not what you got, it's knowing how to use it!

I like this!! :) All too true. If I am dancing with a really tall person, and as I am about 5 2? - I don't really know -- my repertoire changes. What I dance depends on the person I am dancing with, and size is one of the factors that plays a role. :)

[SDsalsaguy]

Exactly Sagitta…and it is exactly this point that both salsarhythms and I had been advocating some time back in our various threads emphasizing the importance of dancing *with* your partner.

[salsachinita]

it's not what you got, it's knowing how to use it!

How true! One of my favourite dance partner is about 4 inches shorter than me (and I am 5'6!)

*I got the tape measure out to do the conversion......just for you guys :wink: *

[SDsalsaguy]

*I got the tape measure out to do the conversion......just for you guys :wink: *
Thanks salsachinita, on behalf of all of us here who are metrically impaired. :wink:

[salsachinita]

*I got the tape measure out to do the conversion......just for you guys :wink: *
Thanks salsachinita, on behalf of all of us here who are metrically impaired. :wink:

Any time. SD!

*metrically impaired....!! :lol: :lol: :lol: *

[SDsalsaguy]

*metrically impaired....!! :lol: :lol: :lol: *
(glad you liked that! :wink: )

[Sagitta]

Exactly Sagitta…and it is exactly this point that both salsarhythms and I had been advocating some time back in our various threads emphasizing the importance of dancing *with* your partner.

I know. I know your whole bible back and forth by now!! It limits my dancing sometimes as I am just starting out dancing, and don't know much, but it's making a difference!! Downside is that I really feel for the followers when I am taking a break and while chatting notice follows being abused on the dance floor!! :(


*I got the tape measure out to do the conversion......just for you guys *

Once you do something extra to please some people the requests start rolling in from all those who feel left out!! :( :)

Since you go to all that trouble how about also including the metric values as well for those who don't follow the imperial system!!

[Adwiz]

I don't think size is a huge problem, but it does take a whole lot more work for a tall dancer to look good. Shorter dancers do have benefits from a lower center of gravity that helps them look good with less technique.

Not long ago we watched an Under-21 championship competition and one of the couples featured a very tall male dancer, at least 6'4". He had excellent form and made it to the finals but I noticed that his height meant his mistakes (I shouldn't call them that because they weren't mistakes as much as technique imperfections) stood out much more vividly than those of the shorter guys.

[SDsalsaguy]

I know. I know your whole bible back and forth by now!! It limits my dancing sometimes as I am just starting out dancing, and don't know much, but it's making a difference!! Downside is that I really feel for the followers when I am taking a break and while chatting notice follows being abused on the dance floor!! :(
WoW! Thanks for that vote of confidence! :shock: :D

And I know what you mean about sympathy while watching followers... I've been known to visibly wince while watching some leaders "salsa" combat tactics.

[Taita]

Great Topic Vince.

I guess the question should really be "does height really matter???", but I get your meaning :wink: . (overweight could be another topic altogether...) The answer would be..... it depends. For social dance, it really doesn't matter, just have fun. Competition is another story. For our Standard/Smooth friends like jon, a height mismatch will require a higher level of skill to pull off and may not be a good idea in some cases. In the end, quality of dance is so subjective, height can impact presentation. Given 2 couples of equal skill, people will naturally watch the couple who look better together.

As far as skill, the answer is... use what you have to your advantage. Like Jonathan mentioned earlier, taller dancers have the advantage of height. They will always be noticed and can show very impressive lines which can be seen by everyone. Shorter dancers could never present themselves to the same effect.

Shorter dancers have the advantage of a lower center of gravity which gives greater lateral mobility and balance. As adwiz mentioned earlier, taller people need a greater level of skill to match and mistakes tend to be more visible. I guess if you're somewhere in the middle, you're screwed.... :wink:

[SDsalsaguy]

I guess if you're somewhere in the middle, you're screwed.... :wink:
Not really...at all but the highest levels the judges are often looking for reasons to weed people out as much as, if not more than, reasons to pass them on. An in-the-middle couple may fit very well into the "nothing problematic so don't need to weed them out" model.

Just a thought...

[Taita]

I guess if you're somewhere in the middle, you're screwed.... :wink:
Not really...at all but the highest levels the judges are often looking for reasons to weed people out as much as, if not more than, reasons to pass them on. An in-the-middle couple may fit very well into the "nothing problematic so don't need to weed them out" model.

Just a thought...



Relax, it was just a joke.....

[SDsalsaguy]

Sorry Taita, I guess the tone of my comment didn't come across the way it sounded in my head... :(

I knew you were kidding...because of your :wink: at the end if nothing else, but also saw it as material for a substantive comment.

[Taita]

Sorry Taita, I guess the tone of my comment didn't come across the way it sounded in my head... :(

I knew you were kidding...because of your :wink: at the end if nothing else, but also saw it as material for a substantive comment.

LOL, np bud. You're comments did remind me of a discussion I had last night with a friend of mine. My friend is a very pretty blonde woman who is too short to be considered tall and too tall to be considered short (average I'd say :wink: ). To her, the top latin and standard dancers were either really tall or really short and they used this to really accentuate their style. To her dismay, she decided she was neither. After re-assuring her it is always about skill and connection, a question formed in my mind. Are there any unique advantages that an 'average' height brings?

[Furuidan]

hmmm, i thought the subject was referring to something else.... :wink:

I am 5' 5", im supposed to be 5' 8" as an adult. I think shorter people look sharper sometimes, depends more on skill though.

I'm thinking about moving in with my 24 y/o brother in L.A next year so i can get into some dance classes. I will have to have a job too. so i got some big plans going on for the next couple years.

[DancingMommy]

On another site they were asking "Does size really matter? and it intrigued me enough to bring it over here . . .

This, of course relates to the what looks good regarding the height of dancers. They imply that dancers [around] 5'6'' seem to look better than taller, more clumsy-looking dancers.

What's your input on this?

I'm 6'0" and think that their rationale sucks and they are "looking up" for answers!

Well, taller dancers look "better" doing Standard/Smooth according to popular myth, and there does seem to be a lot of them on the floor... because of their height they can create longer lines. However, hubby & I are under 5'6" and we can outstride a lot of "tallies" we've seen. Being closer to the ground makes us move faster. :P

Taller dancers do look a little funny dancing Latin/Rhythm because they are longer limbed and not as compact. I once had a coach who referred to short dancers as "compact and energetic". Since you are closer to the ground, you can move faster... Our coach doesn't dance Rhythm if he can help it because he "looks silly" (his words). Of course he's well over 6' tall.... A veritable giant to my 5'2" high self. It's funny taking a lesson from him solo. I feel like a real midget. Makes dancing with hubby seem that much easier. :lol:

[Vince A]

Now that this has been re-opened . . . I just wanted to tell everyone "thanks" for keeping it clean . . . I only thought that the topic would get you to look at it!

By the way . . . how about taking the "size " thing the other way . . . just overall larger bodies? I'm not picking on any particular group, I sometimes have students that are overweight, and am looking for good responses, albeit I've given the correct ones so far!

I've seen a few larger competitors reach "Advanced," and maybe one Pro that I can think of who recently passed away. Why?

So, is it the judges who weed them out or . . . . . .???

[dancergal]

I've seen a few larger competitors reach "Advanced," and maybe one Pro that I can think of who recently passed away. Why?

So, is it the judges who weed them out or . . . . . .???

I've heard it said that the judges do consider "looks" in their judging. If a particular dancer is good looking, slim, or handsome they will be considered above someone of somewhat equal skill level. Haven't you noticed how many "good looking" people are in the winner's circle?

[salsachinita]

........for that reason, my ex (a well-known salsero) had never really been too keen for the competitions.......he is a large guy (think Tito Nieves) who moves so well he made all the women look like goddeses on the floor :shock: !

I have a slightly different issue. Being heavy boned with long legs & arms (AND as tall as a lot of guys here) I usually missed out on being lead into fancy lifts etc. (dips I do :wink: if the lead is there)

The petite girls get them all the time coz the guys told me that, even if their techniques are not quite there, the size/weight of them made them easy to manipulate.

*now would someone plz SHRINK me....? :roll: :P *

[Sagitta]

I have a slightly different issue. Being heavy boned with long legs & arms (AND as tall as a lot of guys here) I usually missed out on being lead into fancy lifts etc. (dips I do :wink: if the lead is there)

The petite girls get them all the time coz the guys told me that, even if their techniques are not quite there, the size/weight of them made them easy to manipulate.

*now would someone plz SHRINK me....? :roll: :P *

Yes.. someone plz SHRINK them all!! :roll: :) I'm small; slim and short(5' 2" or 5' 3") and light (117lb maybe), so of course I would hesitate to do lifts and dips with people very much larger then myself. :( I'm supposed to be able to be there 100% if the follow does not know what she is doing, right? [Had one bad dipee who nearly did something awful to my back as she threw herself into a dip] My universe is a small one indeed!! :(

[pygmalion]

I think there are a lot of barriers to larger sized people reaching high levels in competition. There are prejudices, there are difficulties with finding flattering costumes, there are physical limitations (and competition gets really physical), and, at least for ballroom, there are difficulties with things like hitting nice clean lines.