Ballroom Dance

J M (Mike) Nelson
Email:jmnelson@cloudnet.com
Phone: 612-810-0157

Peer Assessment

Partner dancing enhances the dance experience only if each party is willing to help make the experience enjoyable for both participants. This requires a willingness to be sensitive to each other and to make a sincere effort to accommodate. We constantly assess each other during the dance, but we rarely discuss our assessments; sharing this information can be helpful. The following describe assessment procedures that can be implemented with two friends or within a small group. With openness, honesty, trust, concern, care, genuine friendliness, and a sincere desire to learn, these exercises can lead to major improvements in partner dancing. Though peer assessment will not resolve all problems, the feedback from others will certainly help you become more comfortable and confident, and it will likely move the group toward an improved norm.

Individual

Form two, equal lines facing each other, gender notwithstanding.

Assess each other's individual execution of sequential box steps in SQQ.
Repeated with several partners, this can provide meaningful feedback for improvement of individual style.

Criteria:
Stepping with the music?
Steps either forward, backward, or to the side?
Walking rather than "bouncing?"
Upright posture and no swaying?
Movements smooth and continuous and not erratic or sudden?

Closed Position.

With a partner, and in closed position, execute sequential box steps in SQQ.
Repeated with several partners, this can provide meaningful feedback for improvement of partner dancing.

Procedure options.
1. Implement, discuss criteria with partner, change partners, repeat.
2. Implement with another couple and take turns observing and assessing.

Criteria:
Lead definite and not harsh?
Frame firm and not rigid?
Torsos and frame form three, parallel planes?
Steps either forward, backward, or to the side?
Stepping with the music?
Walking rather than "bouncing?"
Upright posture and no inappropriate swaying?
Movements smooth and continuous and not erratic or sudden?