Falling (following the dangerous vienese waltz tread)

P

Patapouf

New Member
I am wondering how many of you here, (especially ladies) experience any kind of falling or tripping on the dance floor either in public or during pratice, and how your partner reacted to it? Did they let you fall, or did they try to do something about it?

I asked this because I fell once during practice with my partner doing some complicated pattern in AT (more like show tango than social stuffs), and he did absolutely nothing to try to save me from the fall. Not that I expected him to cushion me, I'd appreciate it so much if he at least tried to catch me or grab my arms, even if he didn't catch me in time, the effort would be very much appreciated. Instead he just stood there, doing absolutely nothing, watching me fall, then asked, "are you ok?". It sort of ruined the trust I had for him, after that incident when we danced together again, it just felt like something was missing. (May be this was unnecessary, we were actually interested in getting involved romantically, but of course after that incident, I sort of feel like I lost faith in him so nothing ever happened).

There was also one other incident, also during "practice" (more like playing around creating dance moves), I fell, this time my partner (a different person) went all his way to grab my arms, he managed to catch me in time, I really appreciated it. After that incident, I have a new found respect, faith, and trust in him. A secure feeling when I dance with him.

So I'm just wondering if anyone else here have this kind of experience, and what it did to the dancing or personal relationship with that particular partner.
 
He didn't even try to catch you?! What kind of partner is that! I stumble every now and again (who doesn't?), and I've gone down a few times - but every guy I've ever danced with at least tried to catch me, and they succeed in at least breaking the fall about 95% of the time . . .

He really didn't even try? At all?

:?
 
Nope. He didn't even try (at all). :? I know, that's kind of sad, it really made me rethink about getting involved with him romantically, and dancing with him of course. :?
 
Wow! I'd say that it's an automatic reaction to try and help someone who is falling right in front of you. It's so strange that his impulse wasn't to at least reach out a hand and try and grab you, even if his reaction speed wasn't fast enough to actually stop you from falling.

The only similar experience I've had is when pivoting in Swing. A couple of times I spun off center and nearly fell but I was going too fast to see whether my partner tried to help or not!

I would say that unless you are wearing bracelets and a belt made of barbed wire, there's no reason that a dance partner shouldn't try and save his or her partner from falling. :shock: :D
 
I've fallen twice. Once during WCS, no real reason for it, I just went down. My partner didn't attempt to break my fall/catch me and didn't even apologize. I have not and will not dance with him again. I landed on my tail bone hard.

That was the second fall. The first fall was doing Hustle. I had been dancing everysong since 9:30p and it was about 2a. There might have been one bathroom break. I sat down exhausted and a pro I knew asked me to dance. I'd never danced with him, but had talked with him and knew him to be a great, sweet guy. Well a few spins later, we bumped backs while spinning, my legs gave out on me and I went down. He attempted to catch me and appologized profusely. The whole thing was actually a bit funny, so it was easy to get up and keep going. Despite my month of hustle to his years, he took all the blame and was really concerned.

Everyone falls at some point, I just hope it's not a bad experience when it happens.
 
I've fallen a few times, and whoever I was dancing with ALWAYS at least tried to keep me from falling. Even if I've never danced with the guy before. Even if it was someone I knew didn't like me all that much. Moreover, if I saw my partner start falling over, I'd try to help him out too, even though I'm smaller than most people I dance with. That's part of dancing, you're supposed to help each other out.
If a guy wouldn't try to help me in practice, there's no way I'd get on the competition floor with him. I can't even count all the times my parters saved me from a serious injury with a quick stop or a change of direction or an instant alteration of the step we were doing at the time. I cannot imagine dancing with someone who wouldn't look out for me.
 
I have tripped a few times and manage to catch myself a lot of the time but occassionally I'll slip and not be able to catch myself usually with my instructor because I'm really trying when dancing with him. He will always protect me and catch me. I have absolute 100% trust in him. Haven't fallen with anyone else I suppose because I don't put the 150% effort in that I do with my instructor.

We do have a couple of inconsiderate leads that tend to throw you around a bit and for the less well balanced, they are a problem causing trips and falls all the time. I just stand my ground and only go where I want to and I don't fall. My shoulder on the other hand ....... ouch! :shock: :lol:

EDIT: Now I think about it I have almost fallen with a female instructor too and managed to catch myself as she was trying to stop me falling. If nothing else I'm pretty good at recovering from my own slipups. :lol:
 
I've fallen twice, both during practice. Both times during the foxtrot, and both times when I was dancing separate from my partner. My feet just went out from under me. Totally different parts of the choreography -- I think it's a coincidence that they both happened during the foxtrot. Although not a coincidence that they both happened in the same pair of shoes. ;)

No, my partner didn't try to catch me -- he was far enough away (and in one case not facing me) so it wouldn't have been possible. No big deal, I was naturally cushioned by landing on my butt both times. ;)
 
I haven't danced awhile myself (and when I did, it was during a group lesson for cha-cha and I fell backwards), but if I were to ever be in that situation where my partner were to fall, I would do my best attempt to catch her, or at least hold on to her arm/back so that she could steady herself. (I also remember learning that in the original "Shall We Dance" movie)
 
That's sucks the guy didn't even make an effort to catch...

The Viennese fall I was involved with, I tried to catch her as she was falling, and she pulled on me like she was falling to her doom, and took me down with her. Later, when we were laughing about it, we agreed that it would be best to use me to ease her decent (if a fall were inevitable) rather than take us BOTH down.
 
I can't image not making an effort to catch a falling follow.

My right arm is under her left, and already holding her back with my left hand. And my right hand is holding hers. At the very least slowing the follows fall seems like a natural reaction to me. I don't get it. :roll:

Hopefully you are ok?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Dance Ads

Advertise on Dance Forums Reach dancers, teachers, studios, event organizers, and dance-friendly brands. View ad options
Back
Top