Follows on Balls of feet?

S

Salsauna

Follows- This question may seem basic but I have to ask. For a while now I have been dancing almost 99% on the balls of my feet. My instructor always presses her follows to be as light as possible. It works but wonder if it really necessary.
My goal is to be as light as possible to my partner. I want to give the impression of gliding as well (if that makes any sense).

Do you guys think this is the best method? What technique or tips do you incorporate?

Thanks- :)
 
Salsauna said:
Follows- This question may seem basic but I have to ask. For a while now I have been dancing almost 99% on the balls of my feet. My instructor always presses her follows to be as light as possible. It works but wonder if it really necessary.
My goal is to be as light as possible to my partner. I want to give the impression of gliding as well (if that makes any sense).

Do you guys think this is the best method? What technique or tips do you incorporate?

Thanks- :)
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If I am following on2, I think I am mostly on the ball of my feet on 2 and 6 (e.g. while following CBL) and when I am spinning (on balls of both feet). There might be certain other times when I use balls but can't recall right away. And I am light and can glide fine. In fact sometimes too light (which is not good).

I think if you dance only on ball of your feet whole night, you are sure going to have some sore feet the next day. Plus will it not be uncomfortable to do so ?
 
I don't know about necessarily making you light, but being on the balls of your feet definitely helps you to be quick and responsive. I've noticed this to be true in my dancing and in others....and yes, it can be tiring...gotta build up that muscle strength. But hey, it gives you great legs so it's a win/win situation ;)
 
ALL rhythm is danced - Ball-- FLAT.-- ballet dancers, you are not !! ( there are very occasional heel leads )
 
I know one lady (who's lovely to dance with) who, when wearing flats will dance as if she's got heels on - the heel of her foot never gets within two inches of the floor. Looks a bit odd if you notice it whilst watching her dance, but when dancing with her you don't notice and like I say, she's lovely to dance with. :)
 
terence - if I read you right you are saying the whole foot touches the floor, but also if I read you right you are NOT saying the weight is over the heel. Is that right?

i.e. though the whole foot is down, the weight should be somewhat forward so that the ball of the foot is 'live'. Sorry, my terminology fails me.
 
tbcd--- Not unusual, but heels are necessary to provide the correct " pitch " in partnership dance . More importantly-- the long term health hazard . Witness the Prof. teaching-- if it were more viable ( teaching and dancing for hrs on end, yr after yr ) they would wear flats ( and compete ) in same .
Having " flats " on occasionally, is not a bad thing perse' , but would advise against, on a regular basis .
 
Absolutely correct --- the heel " kisses" the floor-- a lowering action must be seen to occur. The inside quarter of the forward part of the feet. is where the compress and release action occurs . ALWAYS think inside edge of feet
 
TheBear_CanDanceToo said:
I know one lady (who's lovely to dance with) who, when wearing flats will dance as if she's got heels on - the heel of her foot never gets within two inches of the floor. Looks a bit odd if you notice it whilst watching her dance, but when dancing with her you don't notice and like I say, she's lovely to dance with. :)
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Only one? I've seen more followers than not who keep their heels off the floor while in flats. I find it looks rather nice to my eye.

I know I do it as well - actually I think my natural heel-floor distance is about 2 inches because it feels no different whether I dance in flats or heels of that height.

A significant minority do dance flat-footed in flats (40% maybe? and more common with Frankie-type followers I think?) and that looks quite nice as well but in an entirely different way, much more 'street.'
 
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