Creating volume on the competition floor

[pygmalion]

I've seen a few pros compete who were very small people, in physical stature, but who were HUGE on the competition floor. How the heck do they do that? Meaning, how much of it is illusion and how much is real (i.e. dance posture, use of costumes, eye contact with the audience, etc.)

How does one fully use their space on the competition floor? Thoughts, anyone? (LOL. don't give away your trade secrets. :wink: :lol: )

[UltraMagnus]

no replies....it is simple, don't stop moving....ANYTHING....if you get you arm all the way out too soon, you cut yourself "short"

[kwa445]

One way is to keep really nice posture with your head up at all times. My coach really stresses being "open" or not keeping your arms right by your body. I think doing bigger movements also helps make you look larger than you really are as well.

[Larinda McRaven]

Wow, there are several different techniques that pros and top ams employ. But they are hard enough to describe in person on a lesson, let alone put in writing...

One easy piece is the concept of "progression before rotation" Lets say you are going to step fwd on your left foot and sightly turn left while creating a circle fwd and up with your left arm. If you let your body turn relatively sooner and more than you progress, your circle will be cut short, giving a tighter look. If however, you progress the left side of your body fwd more and sooner than it actually turns, then the circle of your left arm will fill up more space.

Different ratios of progression/rotation give different looks and any good dancer will use them all to achieve different looks.

[Vince A]

Another way is to learn the "dance walk" . . . and you'll be tall and noticeable BEFORE you start dancing . . .

[canadiazn]

My partner and I are relatively short, 5'2 and 5'6 respectively (w/o heels). This issue has been quite an interesting ordeal for us. I have to say, for us, on our never ending quest to match top italian size "hugeness" there are a few things we try to apply to our dancing... almost none of which is "illusion".

Although we are a amateur couple, some things have really worked for us in the "hugeness" department. Posture/Body Line has been the biggest help for us. Just standing, I am constantly stretching my body to the max. I feel my spine lengthen to the sky every time I set up to dance, and elbows stretch to infinite. The head position is also a very key aspect in making the look, more professional and confident.

Another key thing I've found that helps is choreographing. With the height "disadvantage", we are able to travel faster and further more easily than most other couples. Lots of movement matched with eyecatching lines create awesome contrast in speed and will keep the audience interested. Ironically enough, I've found myself using more and more lowering action to control speed and to travel more.

What our couple lacks as a smaller couple, is a real full swing, and a tall draping characteristic in our lines. I guess we try to draw attention to our stronger points and hide our weaker points in the choreography as well. I must say, it has worked quite well so far. We are currently Finalists in the Canadian Standard Championships, as well as Ten Dance.

I look forward to any other helpful advice from a fellow short dancer ;)

[Kitty]

My partner and I are relatively short, 5'2 and 5'6 respectively (w/o heels). This issue has been quite an interesting ordeal for us. I have to say, for us, on our never ending quest to match top italian size "hugeness" there are a few things we try to apply to our dancing... almost none of which is "illusion".

Although we are a amateur couple, some things have really worked for us in the "hugeness" department. Posture/Body Line has been the biggest help for us. Just standing, I am constantly stretching my body to the max. I feel my spine lengthen to the sky every time I set up to dance, and elbows stretch to infinite. The head position is also a very key aspect in making the look, more professional and confident.

Another key thing I've found that helps is choreographing. With the height "disadvantage", we are able to travel faster and further more easily than most other couples. Lots of movement matched with eyecatching lines create awesome contrast in speed and will keep the audience interested. Ironically enough, I've found myself using more and more lowering action to control speed and to travel more.

What our couple lacks as a smaller couple, is a real full swing, and a tall draping characteristic in our lines. I guess we try to draw attention to our stronger points and hide our weaker points in the choreography as well. I must say, it has worked quite well so far. We are currently Finalists in the Canadian Standard Championships, as well as Ten Dance.

I look forward to any other helpful advice from a fellow short dancer ;)

Thank you so much for your post. You are giving me hope :-).
I am short myself (5'1") and often feel it is a huge disadvantage...

[lissie]

Our ballroom coach was a top graded amateuar before he started teaching a few years ago. He's significantly shorter than me - about 5'5" I'd guess and a slim build. I'm 5'8" with long legs - I cannot keep up with him if he decides to move out ! Its nothing to do with height unless you are talking maybe top 10 in the world. - it appears to be all to do with balance and using hte standing leg rather than flinging the moving leg arount.

He also spent about 6months getting me to relax my top line and not over stretch the top line - but is not necessarily up - its more a 3D conscept - more out out (for the woman) - but not achieved by leaning! :?: Basically its why ballroom is a lot bloddy harder than latin :D