Choreographed Group Dances Common Problems

(excerpt from the book Partnership Dancing™)

In Country Western, Folk, Israeli and many other types of dancing, you do choreographed group dances in lines and circles.

The Electric Slide and Macarena are two pop dances in this genre. Not in these dances, but in many others, you hold hands.

There are even loosely choreographed group dances that have only a couple of steps, vaguely known by the dancers, but gamely attempted at parties, like the Conga line and the Hora.

All these dances have the potential for danger and a few rules, I here propose, could make them safer and easier to do. First the problems, then the solution.

Force is Dangerous

The first big huge problem is the application of force.

Pushing and pulling on one another is dangerous. There are a lot of not young folks about. We all have accumulated injuries and cannot heal quickly from new ones.

When you dance with a group, you are not a human chain. Do not hang onto others in an attempt to keep the line together. No one is drifting out to sea. Let others go if they cannot keep up.

Actively Guiding is Confusing

Another problem is when you try to help others by actively directing them into turning or going in a particular direction. You accomplish the opposite of your intention, confusing them and making it harder for them to follow.

Dancing is hard enough. Do not try to guide others in group dancing. All you are doing is distracting them.

Let others figure out what to do for themselves.

Calling Steps is Bad

Calling steps is bad. Too much information. You are not playing Simon Says. If you are trying to teach someone to dance, you want them to focus on the music.

However, helping others to orient themselves by giving large chunks of information can be fine, such as reminding dancers of the part they are on, a thematic rhythm or a whole pattern of steps.

Watching the Feet is Bad

Do not follow by looking at feet, which causes you to have poor posture, throws you off balance and disorients you.

The Solution is Partnership Dancing™

Once again, Partnership Dancing™ comes to the rescue, because the laws of dancing with a partner apply equally well to dancing with a group.

Partnership Dancing™ works with groups because the laws governing the interaction of dancers are the same whether they interact with one or many.

The Leader and Followers

In group dancing, we use the term Leader for the head of a group and Followers for everyone else.

When holding hands, the Leader is at the head of the line in the direction of movement. If in a closed circle, the Leader is usually the teacher of the group.

Everyone follows the Leader.

You Are the Two and the One is Ahead of You

We can use the One and Two roles from Partneship Dancing™ in group dancing to describe the relationship of the dancers next to you. In the line, the dancer ahead of you in the direction of movement is your One and you are their Two. The dancer behind you is your Two and you are their One.

The Law of Balance

The Law of Balance applies to groups.

Everyone does their own dancing. Do not apply force to anyone else. Do not grab others' hands, do not hang onto them and do not reach for them. Let everyone move their own body parts. Do not throw others off balance. No pushing and pulling.

Keep Good Balance and Posture

You follow much easier if you have good balance and posture.

Move the same way as described under the chapter on Balance under Moving Your Body. Keep your weight on your supporting leg and move from your center. This way you can adjust your movement as you see someone else move.

Orient Yourself and the Feet Will Follow

You follow by orienting yourself to the position.

The easiest way to follow is to follow someone's their body, not their feet. Orient yourself to the dancer ahead of you. Stay on their shoulder. Orient your shoulders to theirs. Your feet will naturally do the right thing if you move in the right direction.

Everyone Owns the Space They Are In

Do not run over anyone. If someone does not know the dance and is in your way, dance in place until that dancer moves on.

The Law of Connection

The Law of Connection applies to groups.

Followers use the connection, both physically and visually, to follow what others are doing.

If you know the dance, dance clearly, move early in the beat, move your body before your feet and move from your center, so others can see and feel where you are going. Telegraph your movements by preparing for direction changes the beat ahead of time. Look in the direction of your next movement and wind up before you turn.

Use a Right Handshake Hold

Use a right handshake hold. Extend your right hand like you were shaking hands. Put your left hand in your neighbor's right hand.

Use the right handshake in a similar way for shoulder holds, adjusting for height as needed.

Move Your Feet to Keep Up with Your Leader

The Leader of the line sets the pace for the line. Maintain the connection with the dancer ahead of you. If you cannot keep up, let go.

Do not hang onto the dancer ahead of you. Do not drag the dancer behind you. Do not attempt to control the pace of the line. Let everyone move at their own pace.

If you feel any tension in the connection with the dancer ahead of you, that means you are going too slow. Move your feet. Go faster.

If you feel tension in the connection with the dancer behind you, that dancer is not going fast enough. Let them go.

Points To Remember

1. Use Partnership Dancing™ for dancing with a group.
2. Let everyone do their own dancing.
3. Use a right handshake hold.
4. Keep up with the Leader.