Country Dancing Do's and Dont's

If you're new to the Country Dance scene, it's always good to know the rules of the dance floor. Here in Arizona, we've got a few standard rules to keep the peace in our bars. We at Dance FX Studios have decided to share with you the top 3 rules of dance floor etiquette so you don't make a fool of yourself when you decide to get out there.

1. Progressive on the outside, Rhythm, Line, and Swing on the inside.

This rule is taken straight from the old school ballrooms. If you and your partner are traveling along the floor, keep on the outside and travel counterclockwise (think Nascar). This is known as line of dance or LOD. Faster couples should stay in the farther outside lanes, and slower couples closer to the inside. If you're a Rhythm (Arizona) Two Stepper or prefer to Line Dance, keep it to the middle of the dance floor. This way, you're a lot less likely to be run over by a fellow dancer! Oh, and if you aren't dancing, there isn't room for you on the floor. Take your conversation elsewhere.

*Unfortunately, a lot of dancers ignore this rule. If there's no room for Progressive (Texas) Two Step, BE NICE. Keep your steps small and work on your maneuvering. You aren't the only one on the floor, so be respectful of the dancers around you. If everyone is predominantly dancing Rhythm Two Step or Country Swing, it may be a good idea to try to adapt.

2. No glass, booze, or lit cigarettes on the dance floor.

You don't bring glass to a pool, so don't bring it on the dance floor. Be nice and keep the drinking at the bar. As tempting as it is to try to twirl a girl with a drink in your hand, it's incredibly dangerous. There isn't usually a lot of room, so the likelihood of that beer bottle getting knocked out of your hand is pretty high. Now... Picture a few hundred dancers in slick cowboy boots trying to dance across broken glass and a wet, slippery floor. Doesn't end well, does it? Keep the spilled drinks and hazardous materials away from the people who are just trying to have a good time.

This all goes double for lit cigarettes on an outdoor floor. I doubt you want to accidentally burn someone who brushes by you. Keep it classy and take your smoking to the side.

3. No tricks or flips on a crowded floor.

Again, this all comes down to safety. True Country has made its way into bars over the last few years, but a lot of dance halls are starting to ban the crazy flips and dips due to liability issues. Tricks are lots of fun when you've practiced them with a regular partner and you have lots of space, but there is no room for them on a crowded dance floor. It is incredibly dangerous to be thrown into the air by a stranger because you haven't properly communicated what type of lift is going to happen, nor have you trained to execute it safely. The pros in youtube videos have practiced those lifts together for ages, so they are going to look a lot better than you when you drop that girl you just met. 

The other side of this is, even if you've been dancing with this partner and practiced everything for years, there is no accounting for everyone else on the floor. New dancers don't always know to keep an eye out for tricks and may very well dance right under your lift. Save yourself the lawsuit and keep the lifts for the performances.

If you're looking to learn to dance Country the right way, rules and all, join us at Dance FX Studios. Located in Mesa, just off the 60 and the 101, we are a hop, skip, and a jump away from just about anywhere in the greater Phoenix metroplex. We offer customized private dance lessons to give you the best one-on-one learning experience and group dance classes if you're looking for something a with a bit more of a crowd. Not sure if Country Dance is your thing? We also teach Latin, Argentine Tango, Ballroom, Swing, and more! Come check us out and get your boots scootin' the right way.