A Technical Introduction

(Western Dance – Couples )   

A Technical Introduction:

Country Western Couples’ dances are done in a flowing progressive anti-clockwise direction around the outer edge of the dance floor. ( with the exception of stationary dances, e.g. East & West Coast Swing etc )

A natural smooth movement is emphasised.

Dancers use a relaxed posture with slightly flexed knees keeping their feet close to the floor and move with a level gliding motion.

Synchronised movement is emphasised in all aspects of country western dancing.

Couples dance in complete unison as one unit both dancers move in time to the music.

If a hand is not joined it is usually held at waist level.
As in all couples dancing the man leads, the woman follows; better still she interprets that lead.

Each is a separate responsibility and should be done well.
Proper lead and follow techniques enhance the couple’s ability to dance in unison and maintain rhythm, timing and balance.

All dancers should follow Dance Floor Etiquette, if you are moving slower that other couples move to the inside of the floor so you do not interrupt the other dancers.

The counts described below are only intended to give the basic step pattern and do not include the many variations created by rhythm breaks and syncopations.

A rhythm break or variation occurs when the basic rhythm pattern in altered by extending or changing the basic rhythm count, e.g. Two Step – instead of dancing two slow steps and two quick steps the rhythm could be changed to danced six quick steps.

A syncopation occurs when any step places the accent between the beats of music, e.g. Swing – instead of dancing a rock step a syncopation could be included by dancing a kick ball change.