Random footwork in latin questions

[dansa]

I have some random questions about footwork in Latin which im curious what you have to say about...

1. When do you have to point your feet in Latin? Should it be as much as possible?

2. When you dance, you dance mainly on your balls? Sort of that the heel is not touching the ground so often..?

3. Having a "flatfoot" (on both feet ofcourse) does it restrict a dancers abilities in any kinds of ways?

4. What is the real professional dancers trick of making dancing look so easy and beautiful? what to learn from their footwork?

5. Being a good dancer involves good balance on the feet, but how can you train to get better balance? Or is it something that comes with time? I was thinking if there are any particular excersises for this..

Thanks for your help! :cheers:

 

[chica latina]

My point of view:

1. When do you have to point your feet in Latin? Should it be as much as possible?

You push from the foot causing it to roll up and lift the heel up, yes you should get your arch up and forward as much as you can... some people prefer flex toes and others pointing toes-I've seen top coaches teach either way.

2. When you dance, you dance mainly on your balls? Sort of that the heel is not touching the ground so often..?

No. The majority of your body weight is in the balls of your foot... but in most of the steps you put the heel down. Depends on the dance and figure

3. Having a "flatfoot" (on both feet ofcourse) does it restrict a dancers abilities in any kinds of ways?

Everyone has weak points... that just mean you will have to exercise and work your ankles to get them strong enough... Do calf raises & jump rope.

4. What is the real professional dancers trick of making dancing look so easy and beautiful? what to learn from their footwork?

I believe is isolation. so even though they are working their feet/legs/hips a lot.. upper body remains calm and flexible.

5. Being a good dancer involves good balance on the feet, but how can you train to get better balance? Or is it something that comes with time? I was thinking if there are any particular excersises for this..

Pilates is recommended, but also if you practice the basics or your routine by yourself.. and try to be grounded with time you will gain more balance.

Hope it helps..

 

[pinkstuff]

Thanks for the information - I had a lot of the same questions as well

 

[madmaximus]

1. When do you have to point your feet in Latin? Should it be as much as possible?

- When creating a line. Pointing the toe is a result of other movement. One doesn't focus on pointing the toe, rather on the movement that will inevitably result in pointing the toe.

2. When you dance, you dance mainly on your balls? Sort of that the heel is not touching the ground so often..?

- Latin is "toe-biased" most of the time, it is also "forward-biased" (see CL's answer).

3. Having a "flatfoot" (on both feet ofcourse) does it restrict a dancers abilities in any kinds of ways?

- Myth.

4. What is the real professional dancers trick of making dancing look so easy and beautiful? what to learn from their footwork?

- Aside from the obvious other answers, learn the nature of building a proper looking line, then focus on moving your body--not your feet.

5. Being a good dancer involves good balance on the feet, but how can you train to get better balance? Or is it something that comes with time? I was thinking if there are any particular excersises for this..

- eleve/releve exercises on one leg without holding on to any support and with the eyes closed.






m

 

[Angel HI]

Chica's and MadMax's posts are spot on. Re exercizes, add dancing all latin steps (less the middle step of the triplet) in the forward third position (heel to arch), and maintaining an inside edge on the weightless foot. This will increase the latin look incredibly, but quickly.

 

[TAK]

add dancing all latin steps (less the middle step of the triplet) in the forward third position (heel to arch)

Can you say some more about what you mean by this? Intrigued, but not sure I get it...

 

[Angel HI]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Angel HI
add dancing all latin steps (less the middle step of the triplet) in the forward third position (heel to arch)

Can you say some more about what you mean by this? Intrigued, but not sure I get it...

Realize, please, that these things are difficult to describe, and more difficult to teach in cyberspace. But, let's go.

All latin movement begins with the feet. There are 5 foot positions: 1- closed (side by side/standing); 2- apart (in parallel); 3- heel to arch (latin); 4- parallel fwd/back (walk); 5- heel to toe (hence the term 5th position break).

Before getting into pushing with the balls of the feet, etc., if the feet are in the correct positions, a natural latin movement will be prerequisited within the body. Try this rumba box exercize; stand with the weight on the left foot (slightly turned out) with the right foot in front placed heel to arch - toes pointed straight forward. Dance a side step R (slightly turned out), place the left foot in front - heel to arch - toes pointed straight forward. with pressure on the ball of the left/fwd foot, switch the weight to the left foot, swiveling to place the right foot in front - heel to arch - toes straight fwd. Dance a back step R. This, of course, is the first half of the box step, but danced in thirds. It is obvious how the placement of the feet directs the movement of the body.

Finish by applying all of the things mentioned before in the posts by Max and Chica. Bonne chance.

 

[dansa]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Angel HI
add dancing all latin steps (less the middle step of the triplet) in the forward third position (heel to arch)


Realize, please, that these things are difficult to describe, and more difficult to teach in cyberspace. But, let's go.

All latin movement begins with the feet. There are 5 foot positions: 1- closed (side by side/standing); 2- apart (in parallel); 3- heel to arch (latin); 4- parallel fwd/back (walk); 5- heel to toe (hence the term 5th position break).

.

I think to visualize the feetposition you can see it here: http://ballroomdancers.com/Learning_Center/Technique/Foot_Positions/

Am i correct?

 

[kathyt cupcake]

I think to visualize the feetposition you can see it here: http://ballroomdancers.com/Learning_Center/Technique/Foot_Positions/

Am i correct?

Yes.

for one of the original questions about pointing your feet--
I recently took a workshop with one of the well known NY based coaches who preaches no pointed feet in latin (until you are advanced), and instead working the feet/arches through the ball of the foot but the ball of your foot and toes stay grounded. I can see the advantage of this being that you would avoid the common problem of pointing your feet and losing connection with the floor.

Also re: madmaximus' exercise- you might want to start w/ eyes open before you go to eyes closed.

 

[cornutt]

4. What is the real professional dancers trick of making dancing look so easy and beautiful? what to learn from their footwork?

From my recent lessons, I'm starting to think that a lot of it has to do with learning to push off of the foot that is going to move. From having run track in high school, I've always thought of it as using my core/hip/thigh muscles to make the weight transfer and "pull" the moving leg. Learning to "push" the moving leg with my foot is already making a difference that I can see, even though I don't do it very consistently yet.

Another thing I'm learning is that good Latin dancers don't always do a full weight transfer. The way they move their bodies makes it look like they do, but they really don't. Example: side rocks in cha-cha.

 

[Angel HI]

I think to visualize the feetposition you can see it here: http://ballroomdancers.com/Learning_Center/Technique/Foot_Positions/
Am I correct?

Yes. This is correct, except that I would like to see the forward foot positioned more straight forward toward the partner).

From my recent lessons, I'm starting to think that a lot of it has to do with learning to push off of the foot that is going to move. I've always thought of it as using my core/hip/thigh muscles to make the weight transfer and "pull" the moving leg.

Though you are correct, I want to emphasize the ever important usage of the ankle in, not only pushing, but controlling the drive and positioning of the movement.