Tango: Stopping Extra Momentum

[caw]

I have a move in my routine, it's a reverse turn modified to be faster. The steps are the same, but the counts are QQ&QQS

My partner, as a follow, seems to have no problem with this move, and when I try it as the girl, I don't have a problem either. It seems when I roll back onto the flat foot moving backward, it is easy to stop myself. But going forward is where I have a real issue.

I just can't stop myself, and so I end up cutting all the power out of my steps a few moves before, so my momentum will decay to a point where I can stop it, but I am told this makes it look boring.

Are there any tips from the Standard Pros out here?

 

[Mr 4 styles]

not a pro but dance lower and more grounded

 

[fascination]

also not a pro....but a general rule is, if too much is continuing to go forward, you need to figure out what needs to go backward at the same time

(and my guess would be that it might need to be your butt and your head)...then again, I am not a pro

 

[Mr 4 styles]

(and my guess would be that it might need to be your butt and your head)...

i was trying to find a nice way to say that.. perfect

 

[caw]

thanks. I'll try that, and by "pro" I meant I suck at standard and my broom dances better than I do, so you're all pros

 

[twnkltoz]

I'd have to see it to tell you for sure, but make sure you're not shoving your head forward (leading with your head). Keep your blocks lined up--Head, shoulders, hips, ankles. Make sure the momentum and drive are coming from your backside and not your head and shoulders. Think about being heavy, sending your weight and energy down into the floor, particularly on the second to last step.

Oh, and and when you stop at the end, think about engaging all your core muscles--squeeze your butt, pull your tummy to your spine, squeeze your legs together (or feel like you are, even if they're apart).

 

[vit]

I just can't stop myself, and so I end up cutting all the power out of my steps a few moves before, so my momentum will decay to a point where I can stop it, but I am told this makes it look boring.

Doing something slow / decaying the momentum isn't forbidden in tango. It's the contrast between quick/sharp and slow movements that does the trick and avoids looking boring. So take care you do last two quicks early and sharp enough so you have a time to arrive to the last slow step on time. Last step (if it is closing step) doesn't need to be rushed, it is slow so you have a time to stop

 

[caw]

The last step is a passing step, but it makes sense that if I'm late on the previous steps that the last step would be difficult. I'll pay attention to that, and to keep my head and butt back, squeeze my but, adductors, and core, and send my energy into the ground. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[fascination]

I'm not sure I concur about Squeezing the butt, because that (IMV) would have a tendency to make you want to take your hips forward and you really want something more like sitting...so keep an eye on that

 

[twnkltoz]

Yeah...don't do it so much you thrust your hips forward. Mostly you just want to engage the muscles to stabilize you.

 

[vit]

The last step is a passing step

So is it Open finish and you proceed backwards or into some swivels (otherwise there would probably be no need to stop)? In that case, don't make long step, retain the poise back, you need it to counterbalance as it is a check. You can also use some shaping to help this

 

[UKDancer]

I'm puzzled. If you are dancing either a closed or open finish with timing QQS, that is the standard timing, so I can't see why you are having difficulty 'stopping'. On which step are you having difficulty, and is it really related to the QQ& first three steps, or something else?

 

[fascination]

I am also thinking that compressing enough may be a significant factor here

 

[madmaximus]

CAW, the solution to your query is an old technique known as Split-weight.

And it's very simple.

At the apex of your step (that instance when your feet are widest apart) check that your body is centered between the feet (thus your "weight is split" between both feet), instead of 8 or so inches behind the forward-travelling foot.

Controlling the stop should be a whole lot easier.

Probably the only time I would advise the use of split-weight movement in Standard.






m

 

[caw]

I tried some of the suggestions at practice today, and nothing really had definitive results for me. I may need to see a coach.

So is it Open finish and you proceed backwards or into some swivels (otherwise there would probably be no need to stop)? In that case, don't make long step, retain the poise back, you need it to counterbalance as it is a check. You can also use some shaping to help this

CAW, the solution to your query is an old technique known as Split-weight.

And it's very simple.

At the apex of your step (that instance when your feet are widest apart) check that your body is centered between the feet (thus your "weight is split" between both feet), instead of 8 or so inches behind the forward-travelling foot.

Controlling the stop should be a whole lot easier.

Probably the only time I would advise the use of split-weight movement in Standard.

The next step is a point through to promenade, so I kind of have to finish with my weight over that foot. I'm not sure being split weight there would work, unless I was to end split weight, then transfer weight forward onto the foot to stand on.

I'm puzzled. If you are dancing either a closed or open finish with timing QQS, that is the standard timing, so I can't see why you are having difficulty 'stopping'. On which step are you having difficulty, and is it really related to the QQ& first three steps, or something else?

Yes, I think the QQ& is causing me to build up so much momentum, that I glide over my feet on the QQS and have trouble stopping. On the other hand, maybe I've been doing the QQS wrong my whole life, and I have only not had this issue before because the previous steps were slower and allowed me to cover up my inadequacies. In all probability, I am probably doing something significantly wrong during both parts

I am also thinking that compressing enough may be a significant factor here

Are you suggesting that I compress more on certain steps, or maybe on all of them?