What's with foot stomping?

[little_mouse]

Went to a practice party last night and this one couple was on the floor dancing to every song (smooth & rhythm) - looks like they have been dancing together for years.

Every so often the man would stomp his foot--I mean really slam it against the floor. I've never seen anyone do that before. Why is he doing that? I kept wanting to say ole.

[mamboqueen]

I've only heard it done in paso - it's called an apel. From what I hear, judges aren't overly fond of really loud stomping. But, I have never head it done on a social dance floor...kind of strange....

[musicchica86]

I've seen it done in a certain FADS-syllabus tango step...not sure what it's called though.

[contracheck]

I've only heard it done in paso - it's called an apel. From what I hear, judges aren't overly fond of really loud stomping. But, I have never head it done on a social dance floor...kind of strange....
In Paso, there is a legitimate stomping step besides Appel. In the 2nd DWTS, van Amstel was demonstrating the real stomp step well; this is, unlike appel, usually syncopated step. Speaking of Appel, some people like Johan Eftedal are against noisy Appel. He says, "don't make a hole in the floor."

[Adwiz]

Speaking of Appel, some people like Johan Eftedal are against noisy Appel. He says, "don't make a hole in the floor."

The Appelle, like the Paso, has its roots in the bullfighting ring. Bulls have poor eyesight, and the matador attracts their attention not by the sound of the stomp, but by the vibrations it creates. Of course, on the dance floor, the audience hears the sound and it can be quite dramatic, but it should not be created by downward force but by a slightly horizontal movement. Yes, the heel does connect, but it swishes at an angle rather than straight down. Some judges recognize that an overly loud Appelle is simply the heel coming straight down, which is incorrect technique and thus should be frowned upon.

In Tango, some men add drama to the Four Step by creating an Appelle-like stomp on the final step. However, it should never be loud, just a more forceful step to add a dramatic flourish. It would be noticeable as a step distinctly different from others in Tango, but never loud. Again, if a man does this loudly, as seemed to happen in the social setting described, he is simply using incorrect form.

[contracheck]

The Appelle, like the Paso, has its roots in the bullfighting ring. Bulls have poor eyesight, and the matador attracts their attention not by the sound of the stomp, but by the vibrations it creates. Of course, on the dance floor, the audience hears the sound and it can be quite dramatic, but it should not be created by downward force but by a slightly horizontal movement. Yes, the heel does connect, but it swishes at an angle rather than straight down. Some judges recognize that an overly loud Appelle is simply the heel coming straight down, which is incorrect technique and thus should be frowned upon.

In Tango, some men add drama to the Four Step by creating an Appelle-like stomp on the final step. However, it should never be loud, just a more forceful step to add a dramatic flourish. It would be noticeable as a step distinctly different from others in Tango, but never loud. Again, if a man does this loudly, as seemed to happen in the social setting described, he is simply using incorrect form.
Thanks for the description of Appel. Fropm now on, I shall do it ion the way you described. Btw, isn't it interesting that everyone spelled Appel differently: Apel (MQ); Appel (me); and Appelle (you). MQ usually has impeccable command in English, and you're obviously an expert in Paso, but I think Appel is the correct spelling (Dancevision tapes use Appel). Or, considering the intellectual leve of the three, all of the spelling may be correct.

[fascination]

i've seen it done by some gents in the tango...and let's just say its the sort of gents with whom I would never tango...lttle too fond of their own sense of power...roll eyes

[Roadrunner]

I've seen this done in social dancing - not often, but it does happen. One of the instructors at my studio will often stomp to be dramatic or playful in the Tango or Cha-Cha. It's just an every-now-and-then thing, not throughout the whole dance. It's a stylistic option.

[little_mouse]

...It's just an every-now-and-then thing, not throughout the whole dance. It's a stylistic option.

For the 3 minute songs they were playing, he was doing it 6 or 7 times in each song. We got used to it after a while, but it sure did startle us at the beginning.

[cornutt]

For the 3 minute songs they were playing, he was doing it 6 or 7 times in each song. We got used to it after a while, but it sure did startle us at the beginning.

Yeah, that's too much. I might stomp once or twice at most, to accent a step in tango. Unless I'm having a stomping contest with a certain dance instructor who is easily provoked. :D

[mamboqueen]

: Apel (MQ); Appel (me); and Appelle (you). MQ usually has impeccable command in English, and you're obviously an expert in Paso, but I think Appel is the correct spelling (Dancevision tapes use Appel). Or, considering the intellectual leve of the three, all of the spelling may be correct.

I used to work with a woman whose last name is Apel and I think I fixated on that. Next time, I'll google it first ;)

[mamboqueen]

Although, now that I google it:

http://www.dancevision.com/store/DISSK75/

[waltzgirl]

Was he stomping in every dance? That's just odd. I've seen guys do it in tango, cha cha, and mambo but, in a social situation, it's more of an emphatic step that mostly communicates to their partner, not a loud bang.

[contracheck]

Although, now that I google it:

http://www.dancevision.com/store/DISSK75/
A good thing that I did not take a chance with you, because I have not seen you make a mistake.
See this one :http://www.dancevision.com/store/ISCB39/

[SDsalsaguy]

No wonder the confusion... even DV doesn't have internal consistency on this one! :lol:

[tanya_the_dancer]

Some people do it in tango in ronde to fan step.

[NielsenE]

Some people do it in tango in ronde to fan step.

The sad thing is, most of the time the people who stomp on that step, really shouldn't be drawing attention to their ronde....

[contracheck]

No wonder the confusion... even DV doesn't have internal consistency on this one! :lol:

This is probably a French word like several other words in Paso (e.g., huit); Webster does not have "Apel" or "Appel".
Another English dictionary, however, lists "appel" but neither "apel" nor "appelle." See http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=appel&x=32&y=16

[Keelzorz]

I've also encountered some unexpected stomping in swing dances. Some of the more showboating types will style their peek-a-boos with a stomping motion as the break to the side and show off the girls. I know one guy who will land crouched with both feet to really grab attention.

But....if they were stomping in rumba and waltz, there might have been some issues "afoot".

[delamusica]

there might have been some issues "afoot".


:rolleyes:

[kayak]

My neighbors are big in the competitive square dance world. It is a funny combination because we live in a big city. Anyway, just as there are bronze, silver and gold levels, their world has different levels of sqare dance certification. So they invited me to see one of their exhibitions. They do a lot of stomps for affect in the higher level patterns.

[JoepiE]

Paso Doble is a dance very much related to Flamenco (some people even say it is a form of Flamenco). In Flamenco "stamping" the feet is done about one third of the time. Last week I had a Flamenco lecture in a Standard/Latin dancecamp. The Spanish lady giving the lecture explained us how the stamping is done. It's axactly like Adwiz said, it's not vertical motion, but a forward motion (don't you love your knees or what??).

In Int'l Paso it can think of two ways it could be used:
1) like a matadore in the arena, attracting the attention of the bull
2) like in Flamenco, making a rithem with your feet

The first one will only be done once or twice in a routine for obvious and already mentioned reasons (and because you shouldn't need a lot of stamping to get attention...).

In Flamenco stamping is done extremely sincopated and with a number of different techniques ((almost) never vertical), always standing up straight and very rarely travelling. It can be used in a couple of "places" in the story told in Paso (Espana Cani and other songs). In that occasion it will be a show-off piece of the man (yet another in Paso) being the matador chalenging the bull, or it's used by the lady (being the bull at that point, not cow!! ;) ) to challenge the matador.

In Int'l Tango stamping is used quite often to make a accent (or getting attention) allways used at very quick changes in direction.

In Int'l Cha Cha it's done too, perhaps even more often than in Tango. Here it's to make an accent as well. It's mostly done with an suddenly ending movement (impact) with the man being realy strong.

Exept for Flamenco only men stamp. It's always the man being as manly as he can get, really strong and claiming a lot of space, showing off to his lady and intimidating everybody (exept his lady) around him. Stamping is just not really feminine (that's perhaps why women stamp when their angry... ;) ).

In Flamenco it is indeed a display of strength, but it's very musically. Also ladies do it like that, being strong in feet and poise, displaying their assets (English? I mean ass and breasts, excuse me for my poor English).

This is the bigger part of what I know of stamping in International Style competitive dancing.

[hamstersphere]

I went to a group paso class a few weeks ago, in a studio above a restaurant, and the instructors were sure to appel very, very quietly (presumably so as not to bother the diners below). But sure enough, by the end of the lesson, everyone was appel-ling like there was no tomorrow. I'm sure the diners loved us ...
No matter the implausibility of paso in any sort of social setting, it's at least great for getting out aggression. :)

[LindyKeya]

This is probably a French word like several other words in Paso (e.g., huit); Webster does not have "Apel" or "Appel".
Another English dictionary, however, lists "appel" but neither "apel" nor "appelle." See http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=appel&x=32&y=16

Yes, I believe "appel" is the correct spelling, and yes, it is from the French (for "call," from the infinitive "appeler"). If I remember correctly, however, the ISTD books spell it "apel."

[and123]

No matter the implausibility of paso in any sort of social setting, it's at least great for getting out aggression. :)

SO true. I remember in the past when my (now ex-) partner and I were having "issues" right before a Latin lesson. Our Latin coach took one look at us and said "We're doing Paso today." ;)

[bjp22tango]

The ISTD Revised Technique of Latin-American Dancing (the older book with all dances included) spells it Appel.

[bjp22tango]

As for the stomping footwork, you mentioned it was an older couple. My guess would be the leader has a few favorite moves that he likes to dance to everything and he really enjoys the stomp. That could be his version of a "flashy move". LOL

[Ultima]

maybe he has a wooden leg? ;)

[tangotime]

From a judges viewpoint, many of my colleagues dis approve of overtly pronounced " stamping " of the feet. Think-- effect not attention

[tanya_the_dancer]

I went to a group paso class a few weeks ago, in a studio above a restaurant, and the instructors were sure to appel very, very quietly (presumably so as not to bother the diners below). But sure enough, by the end of the lesson, everyone was appel-ling like there was no tomorrow. I'm sure the diners loved us ...


My son goes to an afterschool tutoring place to get help with his writing skills. Right above it is a dance studio, which specializes in ballet/tap/jazz. You can hear them whenever they're doing the tap.

[chocolatchica]

From a judges viewpoint, many of my colleagues dis approve of overtly pronounced " stamping " of the feet. Think-- effect not attention

Really? I've heard from other people that judges dont like it too much either. I think it adds some drama to the paso (seeing as how paso is so drmatic and serious). I think a little stomping sprinkled ina routine isnt bad. But it all depends.

[DennisBeach]

As for the stomping footwork, you mentioned it was an older couple. My guess would be the leader has a few favorite moves that he likes to dance to everything and he really enjoys the stomp. That could be his version of a "flashy move". LOL

A few times we have made the mistake of going to a big band dance. A lot of the people do a mismash of polka, waltz, foxtrot, swing and do it to everything. maybe they are in this category. Although I have seen some do a bounce all the time, I have not seen any that were big on stomps.