The Essential Etiquette Rules for Partner Dancing in Line Dancing

This week, my Wednesday improver class had so much fun learning a "barn dance" style dance called Cheeseburger - be sure to check out the video on our Facebook page!

Couple practicing partner steps in line dancing

I included this classic dance (see the steps here) because I wanted my dancers to know the concept of the "partner dance track". If you think about athletics venues, there's a big arena with a wide track around the outside, and a rectangle space in the middle, and it's the same basic design for line dance dance floors. Line dancers get to dance in the middle, and partner dancers dance anti-clockwise around the outer track on the dance floor. Importantly, partner dancers have the right of way, so if you're a line dancer, it's up to you to adjust your steps to keep out of the way of the partner dancers.

Now, on some large dance floors, that's no problem at all; on smaller floors it can get congested, and if that happens, the safest thing to do is for the line dancers to leave the floor and sit that one out. Having said that though, I have seen partner dancers who really seem to be trying to prove a point - e.g. dancing sideways rolling vines so large that any line dancers trying to dance in the middle are going to need very good life insurance... that's not kind, is it? But I have seen it happen, and I don't think those individual dancers should be feeling proud of themselves. We are all here to enjoy ourselves, and a little give-and-take is to be encouraged, in my opinion. (I should say - most partner dancers are lovely, it's a rare exception to find someone trying to prove a point!)

I explained this to my Wednesday group - partner dancers dancing anti-clockwise on the outer track, line dancers in the middle - and then we shared the floor dancing Choosin' Texas, with a partner couple around the outside and line dancers in the middle. Everyone happy!

Some line dances have an adaptation for partner couples, an example is the Contentment Waltz, and here I'd recommend the couple just move to the edge of their line - there's no need to progress around the track.

"Barn" dances, on the other hand, are usually a whole-floor endeavour, so if a barn dance is happening I'd advise either join in, or sit out.

Some safety thoughts to finish,

• Be careful when crossing the flow. The partner dancers, particularly when the set is forming, will be like an oncoming river of people - if you're trying to get to the middle, be aware of the partner dancers and try to get to the middle before the outer track fills up. If you've left it too late, you are probably safest to sit out rather than trying to dash through a gap.

• Joining a partner dance? Join at the end of the couples. Don't try to barge in to a partner dance that's already formed, find the end and join there (just like in a bank queue!) Watch the steps of the pair next to you and follow along.

• Taller person on the inside. Usually this is the gentleman! Take the inside position with your lady to the outside.

• Be gentle. If you're leading, there's no need to push or pull, use gentle movements (and words) to guide your partner.

  
  

By respecting personal space, you create a safe and enjoyable atmosphere where everyone can focus on enjoying the dance.

Over to you - any other tips I've missed? And have you ever seen partner dancers trying to prove a point?