Moveing far in Waltz?

Question

I'm doing a waltz solo for singles and I'm a really tall guy and my teacher says it should be really easy for me to move far but I can't seem to get half way across my long wall!

Whats the trick because I try to move best I can but it seems to always come out twice as short.

Tips? technique? w/e?

Answer 1

Yeah, technique is the answer. Hopefully your teacher will tell you more about it. I'm not sure I can teach technique over the internet, but the key for movement is being in balance and using your standing leg. The power comes from the standing leg. On every step you take, try to spend a little more time on the standing leg if you can, or pay more attention to it anyway. Waltz has Rise and Fall, as you have probably heard. It's there not just to make it pretty, or because your teacher said so. Utilise rise and fall for the movement. When taking a step forward make sure your body doesn't tilt back, keep yourself in a forward poise at all times. Don't be afraid to run your partner over. It's her job to get out of the way. What I often see is people are afraid to take a step. Leaders tend to bend their body at the waist. If you bend backwards she'll complain that your legs are in her way, and she'll be right. If you bend forward your head is invading her space and restricting her movement, which in turn makes her heavy. Make sure your back is stretched up.
Be sure to use your foot correctly. For International Standard, do all the heel leads and toe releases conciously if it doesn't come naturally yet. Heel leads and toe releases is a by-product of correct technique, but if you're not there yet - just do it conciously.

Last but not least: is your routine long enough on the long wall?

Answer 2

I'd be willing to bet you're not using the floor. It you're too high, you won't be able to extend. Keeping the bottom half low and the top half high is one of the big tricks in dancing Standard/Smooth dances. If the knee of your standing leg isn't well flexed as your moving leg moves forward, you're not going to be able to take advantage of your height, and you're also not going to be able to connect with your partner as well. Ask your instructor to watch. It should only take a minute to diagnose.

Answer 3

He means it should be easier for you cuz youre tall and have long legs. long legs= farther in less steps.

Basically try to take as far a step as you can without bending your knees... and sometimes being on the ball of your foot helps too...try it out...