Straight or flexed legs at the top of rise in smooth?

L

LordBallroom

Member
My understanding is that there isn't a clear cut answer to this question. I've heard some say to keep a slight flex and others that it's ok to have a straight leg at the peak so long as it's not being held in that position. What are the thoughts of people here?
 
yes, I can see both being fine...it is really under standing the point, not knowing the rule...the point is that once you have straightened that leg all the way you can do much but have to go or stand there in a precarious way...you want to maximize your time to be rising so that you are continuing to move (in most situations)...
 
They should be slightly flexed. Because you need to be able to gently bend your knees to absorb the shock of coming down from the rise and make it happen slowly. It is difficult to recover if you completely straighten your legs (especially if you have hyperextended knees)
 
The way one of my coaches phrased it was "braced but not locked." It helps me envision it, though the Latin dancer in me always manages to get to fully straight. I gotta work on that. x_x
 
My coach advises to keep the knees ever so slightly flexed at the top of the rise... thighs burning the entire time! Sometimes I forget and go all the way straight, but it always feels a lot better when i keep them "braced" or slightly flexed. My dancing just feels so much more "smooth" (pun TOTALLY intended :D )
 
I have always been taught that you should never lock your knees on a standing leg, so I often say "straighten your leg" or "on a straight leg" even though there is a slight flex. That flex protects your knees and aids balance and control.
 
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