Dance Foundations

Our dance foundations for Modern Jive are designed to make sure that you are able to have the best dance possible while making sure your partner is safe

Safety

Making sure that your dancing is safe for your partner and those around you

Connection

Creating a safe and comfortable connection with your partner to allow a two way conversation of dance

Frame & Posture

Maintaining a good frame and posture allows you to control your own balance and movement

Timing & Footwork

Stepping to the beat of the music and initiating the dance on the correct foot

Assisting Your Progression

Additional practice is the best way to help improve your dancing. Make the most of the time available at our Monday and Thursday night classes as well

Beginners Review & Video (for private use only)

Straight after beginners, come down to the back of the hall to video the moves that you just learnt. You will also have the opportunity to go through any technique or ask questions in relation to the moves from class (Teachers and helpers will be down the back (for limited time)

Staying for freestyle dancing

Make sure that you stick around for freestyle dancing after class and dance with as many people as you can. Leads and follows, don’t be shy to ask each other to dance

Practice at home if possible

Regular attendance to classes

Private lessons with one of our teachers

Intermediate & Beginner Plus Dancers

Once you have progressed up to the next level, make sure that you continue to attend the beginners class. This is the best place to practice basic technique, improve on your dancing foundations and have fun while supporting new beginners in our dance community.

Beginner Leads

Need to be able to lead core beginner moves and demonstrate the following:

Safety For Your Dance Partner

• Making sure your partner is safe while dancing

• No yanking of a follow’s arms or rough leading

• Leading your follow on the dancing slot while safely moving on and off the slot when needed

Connection

• Having the correct handhold at the follows waist height - no thumbs or gripping

• Adjusting your connection to your partner while providing a smooth and clear lead

Frame & Posture

• Maintaining your own balance while keeping your posture upright throughout the dance

• Starting at the correct distance from your partner to maintain your frame and posture

Timing & Footwork

• A basic understanding of timing including stepping to the beat of the music

• Taking small steps from our starting position by initiating your step back with the right foot, followed by the left foot while closing at the end of the slot/move

Beginner Follows

Need to be able to follow core beginner moves and demonstrate the following:

Safety For Your Dance Partner

• Avoid rocking back past your centre of gravity, as this will pull your lead off balance

• Dancing on the slot

• Not anticipating moves whilst waiting for the lead to initiate a move

Connection

• Having the correct handhold - no thumbs or gripping

• Adjusting your connection to your partner

Frame & Posture

• Maintaining your own balance while keeping your frame and posture engaged throughout the dance

• Maintaining balance and step turning on the spot during returns

• Starting at the correct distance from your partner to maintain your frame and posture

  Timing & Footwork

• A basic understanding of timing including stepping to the beat of the music

• Taking small steps from our starting position by initiating your step with the left foot, followed by the right foot while closing at the end of the slot/move

These are our core beginner moves that you need to be able to lead or follow clearly.

Week to week, we will also teach other non core beginner moves as well.

·  Accordion

·      Basket

·      Catapult

·      First move

·      Loop throughs

·      Hook spin

·      New yorker

·      Manhattan

·      Slide break

·      Shoulder block

·      Step across

·      Yoyo

·      Wurlitzer

Beginner Plus Leads

Need to be able to demonstrate the following:

Safety For Your Dance Partner

• Dancing to the level of your partner

• If leading dips/leans - making sure your partner is safe while using the correct technique

Connection

• Maintaining the correct distance from your partner during moves & improving on your dance connection

Frame & Posture

• Learning to lead with your body

• Awareness of the tone zone (as discussed in class)

• At the end of a move after returning to the end of the slot, make sure your body faces your partner

Timing & Footwork

• A full understanding of timing including stepping to the beat of the music

Beginner Plus Follows

Need to be able to demonstrate the following:

Safety For Your Dance Partner

• Dancing to the level of your partner

• If following dips/leans - making sure your partner is safe while using the correct technique

Connection

• Maintaining the correct distance from your partner during moves & improving on your dance connection

Frame & Posture

• Awareness of the tone zone (as discussed in class) which will allow you to adjust your frame and posture during more complex moves

• At the end of a move after returning to the end of the slot, make sure your body faces your partner

Timing & Footwork

• A full understanding of timing including stepping to the beat of the music