Ideal Height Difference in Standard

Joe said:
How about admiring Bill for dancing with a partner slightly taller than he? :D
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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).
 
BM said:
Meh, when the difference is barely visible, shape like crazy.
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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?
 
elisedance said:
Out of curiousity, how does a significantly shorter follower get a big top line?
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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.
 
JJ said:
what are the challenges for men who have partners that are only marginally shorter / around the same height / taller than them?
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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.
 
elisedance said:
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.
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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.
 
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
 
Ithink said:
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...
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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?
 
PretzelsAndBeer said:
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.
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Hello, long legged woman here, enjoys cutting loose.:)
 
elisedance said:
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?
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I always find it easier with taller guys, more room to stretch.
 
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