Spatial awareness in dance

Ask any social dancer about annoyances, and you can bet that a high number of answers will be spatial awareness in dance. Especially of other dancers around them. Or more likely lack of awareness of other dancers. It is so important for safety on the dancefloor. As Ceroc seems to be moving more towards slotted dancing, is that the answer to improving dancefloor awareness of other dancers?

Experiences of different social dancing

As someone who came to Ceroc via salsa I was used to being led all over the place. But there were rarely crashes or near misses on the social dancefloor. And that was despite people dancing LA style, On2 and Cuban style on the same dancefloor. 

I had a lot of issues with salsa, but spatial awareness wasn’t something that was an issue. Salseros tend to dance smaller, more compactly. There’s very little flashiness outside of showcases, fewer dips and I don’t recall seeing any drops. Everyone seemed to be much more within their own space when dancing. Leaders and followers.

With Ceroc and other modern jive freestyles, I’ve been stood on, nearly tripped up, elbowed, and had some leaders try to lead me into a dip or drop where it wasn’t possible spacewise. I’ve also had to abort quite a few moves before I would have hit someone else. But I’ve heard worse from others.

I’ve also done a few years of west coast swing. There’s been less of an issue there, potentially because I’d rarely been to a packed out dancefloor compared to Ceroc. But probably more likely that everyone tended to be moving largely in the same direction. Or if there’s anyone going in a different direction, you’re more likely to know where they’ll end up relative to yourself.

Why spatial awareness in dance is important

The obvious one is safety.  

If both leaders and followers are aware of what’s going on around them, everyone feels safer on the dance floor. 

This increases trust with your partner. 

You’ll more likely to enjoy the dance and remember it for the good points. 

And you’re more likely to want to dance with them again.

Slotted dancing – is it the answer?

With Ceroc moving more towards slotted dancing, with Silc increasing in popularity, maybe this will start to see improvements with better awareness on the dancefloor.

I’m not sure why Ceroc is still seen as such a circular dance anyway. I started way back in 2007, and classes have always been in rows, with moves going forward and back. Much more slotted than circular. Although maybe not making so much of the leader moving off their line to let the follower past.

I always preferred dancing in a more slotted movement than going round in circles. But I have to think back to my leading days. It’s definitely easier to find yourself still moving in a slightly circular motion with your partner than straight.

So more slotted dancing might help. But isn’t the only answer.  Can you believe line dancing sometimes has the same issue, despite everyone dancing the same steps in lines! There’s often one person dancing too big for the space that’s available while others are taking smaller steps and more aware of where those behind them are.

How to be more spatially aware on the dancefloor

1. Be accountable and self aware

Everyone should try and take accountability for their own dancing and understanding where you’ll be going, and where there is or isn’t going to be space. Yes, there’s slightly more onus on the leader as they’re obviously deciding what move is coming next. But it doesn’t take much for both to glance around as you’re dancing to check the space you’re moving into. 

It does take a bit of practice especially if you’ve only just started dancing and are concentrating on the moves. But it’s usually not beginners who are the major issues on the social dancefloor.

2. Dance within the space available

Some people like to put a lot into their dancing whether it’s styling, flamboyance, or just uncontrollable dancing. It’s very much about being self aware and understanding how you dance within the available space as well.

3. Be in control of your body

Especially control your spins.  

If yours are wild and you don’t know where you are when you’re doing a spin, practice. Find some drills to practice, learn to spot, keep arms in tight on free spins. Don’t overspin if you’re not in control. And definitely don’t wave your arms around wildly.

Struggling with spins, check out my tips on how to spin.

4. Think about suitable moves

Leaders should think about what moves are suitable on a crowded dancefloor. No aerials – they’re not appropriate on the social dancefloor. And drops need to be thought about what is going to work, and what isn’t (clue, dips are more likely to be safer).

5. Be confident to abort a move if needed.

Followers need to be confident enough to stop a move if you think it won’t be safe for the space. Either abort and do something on the spot instead, or divert so you head in a different direction.

6. Use a block

If someone’s about to knock into you, a palm out as a warning can help, or gently touch them on the back/shoulder to warn them you’re there.

7. Learn about slotted dancing and watch the room direction

Listen in class if teachers are talking about slotted dancing, and/or giving safety recommendations. And give slotted dancing a go, noting the direction of flow of the dance floor.

It’s also applicable to class too – helping you see what’s being taught, giving others the space to see as well. Adjusting rows where needed (my biggest bugbear when people are totally unaware that people are cramped in one area but don’t move, and others who don’t speak up!). And just generally making the most of the available space.

I found it interesting reading about how ballroom dancers create space, alongside the general importance of spatial awareness in dance.

Ultimately we all want the dancefloor to be a safe space, limiting injuries. And it’s everyone’s role to make an effort in thinking about how and where they’re dancing.

What helps you think about spatial awareness on the dancefloor?