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Never carry food, drinks, glasses or cans onto the dance floor. It's both dangerous and unpleasant |
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Never walk through a line of dancers to cross the floor - always walk around or wait until the dance has stopped. Remember, a dance floor is for dancing - it's not a footpath! |
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Never stand on the floor to talk - if music is playing, go off the dance floor to chat. This includes standing around the edges of the dance floor - dances can and often do move from one side of the floor to the other and no dancer likes running into or trying to dodge a "chatter". |
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Never start a different dance unless there is plenty of room and you sense it is acceptable |
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Never hog the dance floor to 'perform'. If the floor is full, take small steps and watch for collisions |
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Never, if you are dancing away from your usual haunts and you find the regulars are doing a dance differently or to another song don't tell 'em they're wrong - line dances tend to vary considerably from place to place |
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Never stop dancing to teach, especially if there is no room. Try to teach off the floor if you can find space. On the other hand, if you notice someone nearby who is having trouble, it is quite acceptable to call out the steps (but not too loudly), whilst continuing to dance yourself. This in fact is a good thing to do - it's a great encouragement |
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Never, even if you know the dance being taught and the person next to you is struggling, talk over the instructor. It is confusing to the learner and irritating to those around you, not to mention the instructor. There should be only one person teaching a specific dance at any one time |
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Never let your feet, knees, arms or elbows become dangerous weapons on the dance floor |
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Never show off or show-boat. Crazed variations, turbo spins, high kicks and jumps just put people off - YOU! |
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Never, if you bring along a child, should you let them run around or across the dance floor - it's both irritating and dangerous |
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Never lose sight of the fact that often, more than one linedance can be done to any particular song and that generally, the more advanced dance is to the rear of the floor. However this is usually at the discretion of the DJ. When there is a split floor (whether with two, three or even more dances), it is a good idea to leave as much distance as possible between the different dances, especially if one or more of them moves considerably. If the dance floor is crowded, it is not a good idea to split the floor. If you are at a class, it is not good form to attempt an alternative dance unless the instructor OK's it. If you really must do your own dance in class whilst the other's are doing something else or if you want to do a solo act at a social, then it is advisable to do so discretely, putting as much distance as possible between yourself and the other dancers. If this sounds picky, just recall how many times you've miss-stepped when someone near you makes a mistake or does something un-choreographed. |
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Always listen to the DJ. It is customary for a DJ to designate the dance and to 'count you in'. Alternatively, the first line always picks the dance if the DJ does not call it. If you don't know the dance, dance in another part of the floor where you are not in anyone's way. |
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Always encourage and support beginners. It only takes a few kind words to make you a new friend. Remember everyone (including you) was once a beginner.
Similarly, if you are a beginner, be tolerant of more experienced dancers. They may need a little more room than you might expect |
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Always, when dancing near beginners be mindful and courteous and don't show off. Too many variations can put people off if they are unsure of themselves. If you want to enliven a beginner level dance, do it away from any beginner dancers.
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Always go to the front when starting off a dance. Others can then line up behind you |
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Always, if the dance has already started when you arrive on the dance floor, pick up the dance at whatever point those already on the floor are at. Linedancing is all about dancing in step with everyone else, after all. Also join the end of a line, not the middle! |
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Always, if you are seated or standing around the edge of the dance floor, be considerate of those dancing - if the dancers move towards you, move out of their way. |
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Always clear the dance floor area after a dance ends and before the next dance begins if you're having a conversation with a friend. If you don't need the floor space for dancing, others do. |
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Always be gracious and apologise when caught in a 'bump' even if it was not your fault |
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Always replace any drinks you accidentally knock over and be sure to say sorry |
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Always leave the outside edge of the dance floor clear for partner and couple dances |
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Always give way to dancers around the edge of the floor |
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Always dance with the flow. The Line Of Dance (LOD) is anti-clockwise |
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Always keep the noise levels down when instruction or announcements are taking place |
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Always show your appreciation. Applaud live acts, instructors and DJ's - they work hard for you. Furthermore, if the DJ does a good job, let them know you have appreciated their efforts. People are all too willing to air a complaint, but compliments are few and far between. DJ's, like beginners, thrive on compliments - and you are more likely to get your requests played, especially if they are dances only a handful know! |
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