View Full Version : Ideal Height Difference in Standard
10Dancer
06-17-2004, 08:10 AM
I've heard so many different opinions on this. What is the ideal height difference between Standard partners? Some say 2 inches, some say 6, without shoes. I know that there are competitive couples with both small and large differnces in height but I'm trying to figure out what is ideal.
Chris Stratton
06-17-2004, 08:20 AM
I think 2 to 6 inches about brackets the range that works well. 4, or perhaps 3 may be ideal.
Elizabeth
06-17-2004, 09:20 AM
Its not just a matter of absolute height. Leg length is important. I find it less than comfortable to dance with a number of men who are taller than me in absolute terms because their legs are shorter than mine.
Ideally I like a partner who's hip is level with mine when I'm in heels. This usually transtlates to a guy who's four or more inches taller than me. Outside of the ideal range, taller men are more comforatble in general than shorter men.
Dancing with men who are shorter than me can be a dangerous proposition for the guy in question. :oops:
10Dancer
06-17-2004, 11:50 AM
Thanks for the replies. I hadn't really thought of it in terms of leg length but that makes complete sense. Now if only I were a few inches taller finding a partner might not be such a challenge...
Kitty
06-17-2004, 02:15 PM
I think 2 to 6 inches about brackets the range that works well. 4, or perhaps 3 may be ideal.
I find it not perfectly comfortable to dance with someone who is only 2 inches taller. It might be because I'm short, so I'm very used to larger height difference. I mean, it works with short guys, but it just feels too light.
robin
06-17-2004, 02:21 PM
I think it just depends on the individuals. Look at the world champions: Chris and Hazel are virtually the same height in shoes, she might actually be fractionally taller than him. The number 2 (Tim & Jo) have quite a substantial height difference...
I've certainly seen everything from a foot difference to a slightly taller woman working well...
marykomatsu
06-17-2004, 03:52 PM
Now if only I were a few inches taller finding a partner might not be such a challenge...
Don't give up 10dancer! Kiyoshi (my partner and husband) is just a fraction taller than I w/o shoes and I am taller with shoes. It can be done, with determination. Our leg length is identical, a positive trait referenced by another poster, and this does seem to make things more comfortable.
My coach tells me that Massimo and Alessia are just about the exact same height, like Chris and Hazel. I am told, though it is beyond my own knowledge, that Chris uses Hazel's size to his advantage as she is the grounded force in the partnership allowing him to use his energy very, very strongly. And then there are the Irvines, where she was taller than he.
Many combos are possible so don't limit yourself to a finite number of inches. Good luck!
Sagitta
06-17-2004, 10:32 PM
I have no choice. I'm short and so the majority of people I dance with are tall, taller and taller then me...and heavy, heavier and even heavier than me. Dancing with those with smaller height differences does make it easier for the more challenged dancers like myself. :oops: I never thought about leg length...something to ponder about. Instead of leg length I would think foot stride. How comfortable the follow is adjusting to someone who just cannot take as large steps as her, and so on and so forth. I guess if you were forced to take smaler strides then you wish it to match your partner the dance might not be as enjoyable....
pygmalion
06-18-2004, 06:17 AM
Leg length match does help. I have very long legs, proportinally, and have been able to dance comfortably with some REALLY TALL guys, even though I'm fairly short.
tuxedosam
06-28-2006, 02:42 AM
My standard partner seems to be huntching a lot. He thinks it is due to our height difference. He is 6'3 and with shoes, on I am about 5'8.5. Is he too tall for me? Will it be safe for me to get 3' tall heeled court shoes? With the heel tip on, it may bring me to 3 1/4 inch taller. Will that be useful? What's the ideal partner height for me? 5'11/6'? Thanks.
Laura
06-28-2006, 04:15 AM
I'm 5'4" and used to compete with a guy who is 6'1". I've partnered with with two different guys who are 6'2". None of these guys hunched down to reach me, and with the current 6'2" I'm only wearing 2" heels because my bad ankle can't take anything higher.
So your partner might need to learn more about improving his posture and adjusting his frame to meet you. And you might need to learn more about stacking your posture for maximum height, and also maintaining a stretch upward through your spine.
fluffy
06-28-2006, 05:37 AM
It's not a small height difference but be no means insurmountable: Howson & Bolton have a larger height difference, as do Marat & ALina, Russians who regularly make amateur finals. There is also a good Italian couple in the semis with a big height difference. I attended a lecture by Howson & Bolton where the addressed their height difference: the guy needs to dance his height but perhaps adjust his hold from the elbow downwards, and not rise too high. The girl may need to adjust her hold keeping the shoulder down and not lower too much (or the guy will get stuck!)
I've danced with someone 6'3": I'm 5'6" wos, and that was fine. My current partner is 5'10" and feels a little short at times. I was told about a 4" difference in shoes is about right, although obviously there is leeway either side.
Also, a lot depends on body proportion, and just plain whether or not you fit well together. A tall man with proportionally short legs could probably dance with a much shorter girl.
Chris Stratton
06-28-2006, 07:32 AM
You can fix the height difference in the hold to a degree by being willing to "slip" further down his arms before finding your place - don't put your hand too high up his right arm, and especially don't let it get to the outside.
There will still likely be a difference in leg length, and that is what really matters (though being able to see over his shoulder is usefull too). For the leg length difference, higher heels might give him a little more space for lowering, but are likely to reduce your travel at least at first, and he may notice that difference more.
It will be important to really perfect the leg vs. weight timing technique of inline movements, and to learn the precise directions for those steps that aren't quite forward and inline, but go just enough to the side to not be blocked by the partner.
flexi
06-28-2006, 09:48 AM
Seems best if the girls hip divits are about the same level as the man's when she wearing her shoes.. making her leg lenght about the same as the man's..
the height can be very different for people with long or short torsos compared to long or short legs...
tanya_the_dancer
06-29-2006, 09:25 AM
My standard partner seems to be huntching a lot. He thinks it is due to our height difference. He is 6'3 and with shoes, on I am about 5'8.5. Is he too tall for me? Will it be safe for me to get 3' tall heeled court shoes? With the heel tip on, it may bring me to 3 1/4 inch taller. Will that be useful? What's the ideal partner height for me? 5'11/6'? Thanks.
I am 5'4" and both my teacher and my husband are 6'2". Moreover, my teacher's partner (with whom my husband takes his private lessons) is also 5'4". It seems to work out fine, although my husband does have a tendency to lean forward.
skipper
10-13-2008, 06:25 PM
I always think the "center" match is the best. Yet adjusting dance position can make it work with anyone.
Just talk to your favorite coach and ask. My teacher had me in one kind of position with someone smaller/slighter than the person I dance with now.
dancepro
10-13-2008, 09:33 PM
I've heard so many different opinions on this. What is the ideal height difference between Standard partners? Some say 2 inches, some say 6, without shoes. I know that there are competitive couples with both small and large differnces in height but I'm trying to figure out what is ideal.
I don't think that the most important thing is the hight difference. In all my years of coaching, I have ever only seen one couple were it was impossible for them to dance together because of the height difference. There has been great partnership where the lady has been taller then the man (Bill & Bobbie Irvine and Richard & Janet Gleave) Then other partnerships where the man was quit a bit taller then the lady (Peter Eggleton & Brenda, Michael and Vicky Barr) and of cause partnership where they were about the same height. The basic standing position (neutral position) has to be different depending on the height difference. You can work with even very big extremes but it takes work. My partner and I had a height difference of 7.5 inches and we dealt with that difference quit well. There are trick you can do to make yourself look bigger or smaller depending on what you need to make the partnership look harmonious. So don't give up before you have worked on the standing position (neutral position) with your teacher and/or coach.
So what is the ideal? I don't want to say that there is an ideal. There has been many couples that have won big competitions with height differences disregarding what people thought the ideal would be. To me the important thing is to make it work disregarding what people might think is an ideal. I would say to become a top dancer it is more about being unique looking in a pleasing and harmonious manner. Sorry, that might not be the answer you were looking for.
Dancepro
I like the look of a couple where there is not too much difference, but I have danced with both taller and shorter people and I don't have a problem with either. You just need to be centered and matched in energy. I think it would always look good regardless of height
PretzelsAndBeer
10-14-2008, 08:23 AM
Two cents from a non-expert:
I like the previous comment about matching leg length. I'm moderately tall (not a giant, about 6'1") and I like to take a good long stride in waltz and foxtrot. Not many women can match my stride. I don't mind backing off a bit but it's a joy to get a long legged partner and cut loose.
Standarddancer
10-14-2008, 08:34 AM
I work the best with guys about 4 inches (10 cm) taller than me, don't prefer guys shorter than me or too much the same height as me, don't like the feeling of have to lower excessively to match the guy's height, putting too much pressure on my knee or leg muscle; I admire world Champions like Bobbie Irvine could be dancing with a partner slightly shorter than her.
fascination
10-14-2008, 08:43 AM
oddly, FP was my height, shorted when I wore heels but b/c I am long waisted and don't have very long legs, I felt much ore size appropriate dancing with him...NP is probably officially a better height, I am guessing 4 inches taller than me but his legs are long and his arms are long and I often feel as though I am nearly swallowed up in his stride an his wingspan...then again, it could just be a matter of getting used to it...moving isn't much of a problem but it is definately more of a challenge and his arm span, well I feel postitively stretched to the limit, whereas my arms were longer than FP's so I got quite used to a very different feeling...shrug...it's all good
I admire world Champions like Bobbie Irvine could be dancing with a partner slightly shorter than her.
How about admiring Bill for dancing with a partner slightly taller than he? :D
Ithink
10-15-2008, 06:43 AM
She can only personally speak to how hard it is for a woman to dance with a short man and therefore admire that ability in a woman. Therefore, she cannot empathize with Bill as much as she can with Bobbie:) Speaking from the same experience...
what are the challenges for men who have partners that are only marginally shorter / around the same height / taller than them?
Empathy and admiration are not necessarily connected.
what are the challenges for men who have partners that are only marginally shorter / around the same height / taller than them?
Getting kneed in the soft and tenders.
Meh, when the difference is barely visible, shape like crazy. Granted, I should take my own advice, but that's irrelevant. My partner's either exactly my height or perhaps a half an inch shorter when we're in Standard shoes. When I remember to shape off of him, it looks fine. However, I think my legs may be longer, because once we're no longer into our legs, it's much less comfortable.
Ithink
10-15-2008, 07:37 AM
Getting kneed in the soft and tenders.
Well, if that's the only challenge, then it's definitely not something to admire as I would think Bobbie would know better than to do that...
Standarddancer
10-15-2008, 09:40 AM
She can only personally speak to how hard it is for a woman to dance with a short man and therefore admire that ability in a woman.
exactly, so well said.
Standarddancer
10-15-2008, 09:46 AM
How about admiring Bill for dancing with a partner slightly taller than he? :D
He should certainly be admired too:D I watched one of their teaching demonstration video on youtube, absolutely amazing!!!
Just as lady dancer, I certainly admire other great ladies' ability dancing with a shorter partner (not an easy job).
elisedance
10-15-2008, 11:06 AM
Meh, when the difference is barely visible, shape like crazy.
I'm working with two partners at the same time, one is 'perfect' 4 inches taller (AmP) the other (pro) about about equal in heels. I'm no expert but I do find it easier to create a big shape with the shorter of the two, indeed its easy to get lazy and have a minimum shape with a tall partner. Previous pro was 6 inches shorter and it was very difficult to dance - I used to stick my bottom out to compensate.
Since I'm 5'10" w/o shoes, dancing with someone who is taller is quite a luxury - I've never tried a partner taller than AmP. I wouldn't know how to do it. Out of curiousity, how does a significantly shorter follower get a big top line?
Out of curiousity, how does a significantly shorter follower get a big top line?
When I've danced socially with much taller partners, I've noticed that the more into their knees they are, the easier it is to shape off of them. Otherwise our centers don't connect as nicely.
Terpsichorean Clod
10-15-2008, 01:08 PM
I both admire and empathize with Bill. :cool:
PretzelsAndBeer
10-15-2008, 01:31 PM
what are the challenges for men who have partners that are only marginally shorter / around the same height / taller than them?
I've danced with a few partners who were eye-to-eye with me, or close to it. The only real challenges are; 1) I find it's a little more physically taxing to hold a good frame; 2) visibility is limited so floorcraft is harder.
Standarddancer
10-15-2008, 02:36 PM
I'm working with two partners at the same time, one is 'perfect' 4 inches taller (AmP) the other (pro) about about equal in heels. I'm no expert but I do find it easier to create a big shape with the shorter of the two, indeed its easy to get lazy and have a minimum shape with a tall partner. Previous pro was 6 inches shorter and it was very difficult to dance - I used to stick my bottom out to compensate.
probably also because the pro guy is more capable of creating nice shape, more smooth movement, better balance, etc. so much easier to make the couples' shape look great.
fascination
10-15-2008, 02:41 PM
dunno...I suspect that the same height does allow for a bigger look on the topline...I feel so far below and swallowed up with NP b/c he is taller than FP...I felt like it was much easier to get out there with FP
LatinDancer006
10-15-2008, 02:51 PM
F., is that your FP in the avatar?
fascination
10-15-2008, 02:53 PM
that is the NP (new pro)...for FP, you would have to look in my album
dancepro
10-15-2008, 03:17 PM
Well, if that's the only challenge, then it's definitely not something to admire as I would think Bobbie would know better than to do that...
I know for a fact that Bobbie didn't bend her knees or go down in her knees to make the partnership work. I never saw her bend her knees excessively and I saw her every week for 8 years. Surely if she had gone down in her knees, I would have seen it at one time or the other. There are trick that are used in both the Square school and the Body school to deal with height differences that are excessive either way.
Dancepro
dancepro, can you share some tricks for dealing with the woman having longer legs than the man?
Two cents from a non-expert:
I like the previous comment about matching leg length. I'm moderately tall (not a giant, about 6'1") and I like to take a good long stride in waltz and foxtrot. Not many women can match my stride. I don't mind backing off a bit but it's a joy to get a long legged partner and cut loose.
Hello, long legged woman here, enjoys cutting loose.:)
Since I'm 5'10" w/o shoes, dancing with someone who is taller is quite a luxury - I've never tried a partner taller than AmP. I wouldn't know how to do it. Out of curiousity, how does a significantly shorter follower get a big top line?
I always find it easier with taller guys, more room to stretch.
Katarzyna
10-15-2008, 05:21 PM
ha ha I like shorter guys for exactly same reason
etp777
10-15-2008, 05:35 PM
ha ha I like shorter guys for exactly same reason
Good to know.... ;)
Katarzyna
10-15-2008, 05:36 PM
much much easier to dance with :)
much much easier to dance with :)
Oh, good! We still haven't danced Standard yet!
elisedance
10-15-2008, 09:11 PM
So, keeping a tally here, taller and shorter guys are easier. Guess you same sized guys are just out of luck...
Ithink
10-15-2008, 09:45 PM
I know for a fact that Bobbie didn't bend her knees or go down in her knees to make the partnership work. I never saw her bend her knees excessively and I saw her every week for 8 years. Surely if she had gone down in her knees, I would have seen it at one time or the other. There are trick that are used in both the Square school and the Body school to deal with height differences that are excessive either way.
Dancepro
Did I say she did? Not sure why you're quoting me...
standardgirl
10-16-2008, 03:11 AM
somehow, I seem to prefer dancing with shorter guys than taller ones. I'm 5'5" w.o shoes and I find it most comfortable dancing with guys around 5'8". And someone 5'7" who knows how to move is always more comfortable than a 5'10" to 6" guy. My topline also looks much better when dancing with shorter guys.
somehow, I seem to prefer dancing with shorter guys than taller ones. I'm 5'5" w.o shoes and I find it most comfortable dancing with guys around 5'8". And someone 5'7" who knows how to move is always more comfortable than a 5'10" to 6" guy. My topline also looks much better when dancing with shorter guys.
Makes sense. Trying to maintain a frame with a taller guy alone requires more brain effort for me. Trying to shape on top of that is a substantial challenge. With a shorter gent, the topline is easier to maintain, which I guess results in greater ease in shaping.
So when y'all are saying, "with a shorter" man, are y'all meaning shorter than YOU or just shorter than the average guy? Because when I think shorter, I think shorter than me. But some of y'all seem to be saying shorter than the average guy, but still 3 inches or so taller than you.
etp777
10-16-2008, 11:47 AM
Sounds like I should start on standard. :)
PretzelsAndBeer
10-16-2008, 12:57 PM
Hello, long legged woman here, enjoys cutting loose.:)
Shall we?
Standarddancer
10-16-2008, 02:03 PM
much much easier to dance with :)
oh really? I never expect you prefer shorter guys:D
Standarddancer
10-16-2008, 02:04 PM
kat, looks like you'll be possibly chased by a lot of shorter guys;)
Katarzyna
10-16-2008, 02:42 PM
oh really? I never expect you prefer shorter guys:D
So much easier to dance with, well, for competition and results not always best option, but lady can look herself so much better with shorter guy (as he cannot affect her quite as much :) )
I have had shorter partners before way easier to dance with than my last few tall ones
Kassia
10-16-2008, 02:53 PM
Makes sense. Trying to maintain a frame with a taller guy alone requires more brain effort for me. Trying to shape on top of that is a substantial challenge. With a shorter gent, the topline is easier to maintain, which I guess results in greater ease in shaping.
I find excatly the opposite.. My dh, and partner is much taller than me..
About 11 inches to be exact.. I prefer to dance with tall men cause i don't bump knees with them if they are not so good at maintaining thier frame and position to the right of the lady... And most of all dislike dancing tango with shorter men.. I am 5 ft 2 in so men shorter than me is rare.. Not impossible tho!
But on the flip side of that our teacher suggested that my dh take some lessons with one of the taller teachers sometime cause it would be good for his posture...
Standarddancer
10-16-2008, 03:00 PM
interesting thread. people really have different preferences...
tanya_the_dancer
10-16-2008, 03:59 PM
I don't like to dance with guys shorter than myself. Of course, I am 5'4" without heels, so shorter than myself rarely happens, but occasionally it does happen. Assuming the guy is so-so, I prefer shorter ones (like 5'7"-5'8"). Tall guys have a tendency to lean forward over the girl. If the guy is not so good and much taller than the girl, it is like double whammy.
elisedance
10-16-2008, 05:14 PM
interesting thread. people really have different preferences...
Yes indeed - and its not all predictable either. You can be short and prefer talller men (logical since thats what you are likely to get) or tall and like short men but we've had several tall women who prefer tall me (self included) though I don't think we've had a short woman who prefers shorter men..
come to think of it, I wonder which of the dwarves danced in 'so you think you can dance' with Snow White...
WaltzElf
10-16-2008, 08:03 PM
Each time I've gotten a new partner, she's been progressively shorter. My first partner was what people generally consider "the ideal hight" perhaps an inch or two shorter than me with heels.
Second partner was a few inches shorter, but still well within the "comfortable" range.
Newest partner is about shoulder height with heel.
I am most comfortable with my newest partner - anyone taller feels "too big" for me now.
ashybang
10-16-2008, 11:12 PM
All my dance partners have been approx 4-5 inches shorter than me apart from one lady who was just 2" shorter.
They have all been brilliant to dance with, however the tallest partner somehow gave a more comfortable `feel`.
elisedance
10-17-2008, 12:24 AM
Newest partner is about shoulder height with heel.
I am most comfortable with my newest partner - anyone taller feels "too big" for me now.
Hmm. So unless you are 7' or so I suppose we are not meant for each other... :)
All my dance partners have been approx 4-5 inches shorter than me apart from one lady who was just 2" shorter.
They have all been brilliant to dance with, however the tallest partner somehow gave a more comfortable `feel`.
:cool::cool::cool:
standardgirl
10-17-2008, 05:23 AM
So when y'all are saying, "with a shorter" man, are y'all meaning shorter than YOU or just shorter than the average guy? Because when I think shorter, I think shorter than me. But some of y'all seem to be saying shorter than the average guy, but still 3 inches or so taller than you.
I meant, shorter than average. For me, I am 5'5" and that makes me 5'7.5" with shoes. I prefer dancing with guys between 5'7" and 5'8" which means that we are either the same height or me (the lady) is slightly taller in shoes.
I think 5'8" is ideal for me and 5'7" to 5'9" would be just great, given that the guy knows how to move and doesn't have particularly short legs, of course. ;) I am, however, at the moment dealing with a 6'0" guy, which is not all that fun...
SwingWaltz
10-17-2008, 05:49 AM
I'm not sure about the ideal height, well I don't go around measuring people's height anyway. For me, it's a matter of if I feel comfortable dancing with her. A couple of things I look for in terms of height match:
1. Similar hip level, so when I take a step our legs movement and stride match.
2. When I put my arm level with my shoulder, the lady should comfortably fit in the frame.
3. Something independent of height is body type, probably off the track of this thread, but I think body type is as important as height. Not to discriminate against any body type, but I have really slender body and dancing with someone 3 times the size of me despite the height is plain awkward.
It's all in the leg length...
standardgirl
10-17-2008, 07:17 AM
It's all in the leg length...
I still think it's more than just the leg length though. I've danced with a partner who's about 6 inches taller. However, our leg lengths match almost exactly. The feeling is still not so good though. For the steps/moving part, it is OK. But I just don't like the topline we have, or more precisely, the topline I have. It doesn't matter how well our leg lengths matched, there is still this difference with the shoulder level, and I just have to say that it's much easier to shape with a shorter guy. or maybe, I am just lazy... ;)
fascination
10-17-2008, 07:24 AM
I agree SG...it is very hard I think to keep the shoulders down and shapewith the head when the arms have to be extended higher up with a tall man and further out WRT wingspan...granted, that in and of itself creates a larger shape but it is a different one than the one I am accustomed to being able to achieve through my own body...sort of like; if the flower can't get up and over the edge of the vase, it can't really shape as it might....I feel like I can't get up and over the vase..now I am certain that it is b/c I am just not smart enough yet...but it doesn't change my reality at the moment...makes note to self to have this discussion with NP
[...]if the flower can't get up and over the edge of the vase, it can't really shape as it might....I feel like I can't get up and over the vase..now I am certain that it is b/c I am just not smart enough yet...but it doesn't change my reality at the moment...makes note to self to have this discussion with NP
And here, my friends, we have an excellent example of getting the nail right in the head! Well said, Fasc.
PretzelsAndBeer
10-17-2008, 10:02 AM
... dancing with someone 3 times the size of me despite the height is plain awkward.
Troo dat.
Standarddancer
10-17-2008, 11:28 AM
It's all in the leg length...
arm length matters too, maybe not as much as leg length or shoulder height
Standarddancer
10-17-2008, 11:31 AM
if the flower can't get up and over the edge of the vase, it can't really shape as it might....I feel like I can't get up and over the vase..
lovely cute expression!
asdepique
10-29-2010, 08:29 PM
I was taking advanced courses with a woman much shorter than me. I'm 6"0", She's about 5 '0". Last week, I stopped after 6 weeks of group classes, because it's increase the level of difficulty when learning tough variations. The others couples in my class seem to learn the variation more quickly. It wasn't the case before, when I was dancing with taller partners.
Andreth
10-30-2010, 01:39 PM
At 5' 8 1/2" (just found out about that 1/2", so I am excited about it and must mention it, lol), in my shoes (at 5' 11") I end up dancing with lots of guys just about my height, and have gotten used to that. Now I've started with a practice partner who is 6' 3", and that is a totally different feeling. Everyone says we're a perfect height match (and in those terms and build/body type, yes, we're pretty much ideal), but it doesn't feel as good as with some of the shorter guys. Like everyone has been saying, I'm not sure how exactly the extension works when you're dancing with someone significantly taller, besides the fact that most beginnner tall guys tend to hover over the follow (and he definitely does too). And what about the legs? I'm used to worrying about my knee ending up in inappropriate places (lets just say), and now my waist is quite a bit lower than his, so he is the one having that issue, partly I think because he tends to bend the knees when going forward rather than extending and pushing onto the moving leg from the standing leg. Trying to figure out how to maintain contact and yet still not get in his way is frustrating sometimes.
I'm 6' 2" and my wife is 5'6 1/2" ish - many people say we are well matched height-wise. Her pro partner may be a little taller than I am and when people compliment them I can see what they are talking about (I'm his stunt double ;) after all).
fascination
10-30-2010, 09:11 PM
further confirmation that you need an Am smooth partner from indiana...:)...I am exactly 5' 6 and 1/2 ish
:D :D
Well, let's see, we moved Northward from LA to San Francisco - does that help any?
fascination
10-30-2010, 09:15 PM
pout...not particularly...but I am persistant :)
latingal
10-30-2010, 10:44 PM
Actually reb, I think your wife's pro partner may be an inch shorter than you...but what's an inch or two, and heck I LOOK 5'6"...are you auditioning smooth partners? LOL
aha - taller and more handsome!
Someday . . .
uh oh. Cat fight about to break out between fasc and latingal over who gets to be Reb's smooth partner.... Where's a mod when you need one??!!??
fascination
10-31-2010, 07:47 AM
lovey, she is in the wrong weight class to venture into the arena...but alas, she does have proximity on me...dangit
tanya_the_dancer
10-31-2010, 09:08 AM
I think the skill level also matters. I am same height as my teacher's pro partner, so we both have to deal with the same 10" difference. But she's obviously a much better dancer than I am, so it affects her less.
Ecclesiastes3_4
10-31-2010, 03:18 PM
I think the skill level also matters.
I agree. I am 5' 7", closer to 5' 9" in my dance shoes. I regularly dance with 2 guys who are 6' 4". They're both good enough dancers that I don't have any problem even though they're 9" taller than me.
Last year, my partner was my height but had shorter legs than I do (I'm a leggy lady). I think that matters as much as height.
tanya_the_dancer
10-31-2010, 04:26 PM
I agree. I am 5' 7", closer to 5' 9" in my dance shoes. I regularly dance with 2 guys who are 6' 4". They're both good enough dancers that I don't have any problem even though they're 9" taller than me.
Last year, my partner was my height but had shorter legs than I do (I'm a leggy lady). I think that matters as much as height.
I'm 5'4", 5'6" 1/2 with heels. So 99% of guys are taller than I am. I found that with a good leader, the height difference doesn't matter as much, although both need to make some adjustments for it. If a guy is not so good, but shorter (like 5'8"-5'9"), it's OK, but if a guy is tall and not so good, it's like a double whammy.
danceronice
10-31-2010, 04:57 PM
I'm 5'4", 5'7" in my heels and while the height difference between Rhythm Pro and NP doesn't seem to matter as much with Latin, between Smooth Pro and NP, where there's less of a height difference between them? HUGE difference dancing Smooth. I feel much less under NP's feet (he's a shade over 6'.) I haven't danced much Smooth or Standard with him (we're doing a showcase Saturday and then Ohio, so there's not really time for anything else) but what little I have just works better.
Given our height difference, my DH and I really lucked out in our body types. Without shoes, I'm 5'3" and he's just over 6'. Happily, I have very long legs for my height, and he has a very long torso, so in dance shoes our hips are right about level. It's not optimal, but at least we can move together easily. If our proportions were opposite, I don't know if we could dance standard together. And would he really have been worth marrying if I couldn't dance standard with him? (Kidding! Kidding!)
stash
12-30-2011, 10:24 AM
I don't think is so much about height. Like anything, if you practice at it and work on it, I'm sure that something will click and it will feel comfortable... Unless there is a foot difference.
I am one of the shortest people on our team and finding a partner was hard when I lost my first partner. Many of our guys are closer to the 6' range when I am only about 5'1 with no shoes and 5'4 in heals. A lot of the problems that came up weren't about leg length at all. It was more about the guy lowering correctly (ie not hunching over or lowering too much into the knees) and me not stretching enough into my frame.
Currently I dance with my boyfriend and we still struggle a bit with the height difference, even though he is the best fit I've as a partner. Our biggest issue right now is that I still look like I'm peaking over his shoulder.... :eyebrow: Though it's getting better with each comp :)
dancerdol
12-30-2011, 11:34 AM
I don't compete in Standard now but, I train in Standard with a top teacher/coach and he is just a tiny bit taller then me when I am in 2" heels. I am 5'6 1/2 and I think he is probably 5'9" or 5'10" Our leg lengths almost match which means that I can truly feel exactly when he is bending his knee to move and the leg compression gets me ready at almost the same time.
My Smooth competition pro is 5'11" and I found dance position harder to maintain in Standard with him.
toothlesstiger
12-30-2011, 11:55 AM
I am one of the shortest people on our team and finding a partner was hard when I lost my first partner. Many of our guys are closer to the 6' range when I am only about 5'1 with no shoes and 5'4 in heals. A lot of the problems that came up weren't about leg length at all. It was more about the guy lowering correctly (ie not hunching over or lowering too much into the knees) and me not stretching enough into my frame.
I think this is the critical piece. If both partners are properly balanced, and moving correctly, a much greater height difference can be accommodated. Otherwise a big height difference amplifies the effect of the taller partner leaning too far in any direction.
mindputtee
12-30-2011, 12:31 PM
My partner and I have about a 6" height difference without shoes. I have pretty long legs though and it works great for us. There's a guy at socials I occasionally dance with though that's a good few inches shorter than me without shoes, and then goes on to lower a ridiculous amount. I've started to avoid dancing standard with him because it's just uncomfortable and I'm afraid that one day I'm going to knee him in the crotch and that will be sad.
scotttocs
12-30-2011, 11:20 PM
Just seeing this thread again....
It is about what each person can dance.
at 5'10", I used to have a partner years ago who was 5"2 perhaps, and it works.
Earlier this year I tried out with someone who was 5'3ish and I couldn't get into my knees comfortably enough.
I've gotten older, my knees weaker, and I was out of shape, but at the end of the day, I couldn't make it work to a point where it made sense to pursue. I'm not sure there is an "ideal" but there is a range each person can work with at any given time, and that range itself can change.
mygoldfish
12-31-2011, 06:37 AM
I'm 6' tall. Barefoot. haha...although I have very little dance experience at this point, based on what I've experienced in my ballroom class last quarter, there's no set ideal...and I'm glad too, cause, needless to say, it's tough to find a partner taller than me - especially if I put heels on, haha. During my ballroom class I danced with a wide variety guys anywhere from waaaay shorter than me to significantly taller than me; when I think about which ones were easiest to dance with, four actually come to mind...one was about six inches taller than me, a big football player; one was just a couple inches taller than me; one is two inches shorter than me; and one is waaaaaay shorter than me.
Sometimes there are some adaptations that need to be made to make it work with shorter partners, depending on what we're doing. In particular, I find that some dips tend to be difficult to execute when I'm with a much shorter partner. Or, for example, the guy who is just two inches shorter than me is teaching me lifts, and height definitely effects some of them...but if we just keep that in mind and adjust accordingly, it works out. He was originally afraid to do some of the lifts with me and made me practice them with taller partners for fear that my height would get someone hurt, but we've started figuring out how to do all of them despite our height differences.
Overall I guess I've found that it's just a matter of personal preference and adaptation...different heights work for different people...which seems to be the general consensus of this thread!
fascination
12-31-2011, 07:37 AM
welcome to df
mygoldfish
01-01-2012, 09:36 PM
thanks!
Romanov-X
02-06-2012, 06:43 PM
It is true that it is ultimatly about proper balance and movement, with which hinderances may be overcome. And also that leg length is quite important. But if you're as tall as me, such things only come later. Where most people are talking of guys that are equal in height or maybe even a taller lady, I'll be happy to find a lady even near my height!
Measuring at 6'5" my ideal partner would be about 6 feet tall, and not even here in Holland are there many (dancing) ladies that tall... Normally I like being tall, even in dancing. It's however not nice if you're partnerless like me...
Well at least I don't have to worry about knees coming too high up ;)
Gorme
02-06-2012, 09:55 PM
If you can find a long-legged girl who is about 5'10" without heels, that could work out.
star_gazer
02-06-2012, 10:21 PM
If you can find a long-legged girl who is about 5'10" without heels, that could work out.
I know a long-legged 5'10" without heels girl
twothreefourone
02-06-2012, 10:38 PM
Welkom bij DF, Romanov! :)
BenjaminT
02-07-2012, 07:16 PM
Without shoes, I'm 5'8" on a tall day. As of late, I've been smitten with this lass that started showing up to the socials. I think she's a little over an inch, maybe two inches, taller than me without shoes. *warm thoughts :)*
Honestly, her biggest issue is being comfortable with being tall and standing out. It's like there's a mental block that keeps her from owning every inch of her lovely height. I have a bit of anecdotal evidence to support this.
Last social we were sharing a tango and I teased her that it was finally time to stretch those long legs out. Her response was, "Oh great! And I try so hard to hide them." There was a hint of seriousness that explains her reluctance to lift her posture.
I think with a bit of coaxing she'll be gliding in no time. That smile and those eyes are all the motivation I need to keep chipping away... Did I mention I was smitten?
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