Yeah hope it wasn't something I said!

What did people think of Simon's technique in the Waltz? It got marked very highly but he didn't really seem to use the floor and drive through, or always look that comfortable.
Kristina looked extremely happy with it though!

Thought Frankie's technique did look pretty good in the Jive, her knees were very high, and she was going for it, I thought dancing in heels and on a surfboard must be pretty challenging!

Nope.

Ooh I do have a question actually! A technical question... I wouldn't usually ask but my teacher has started to joke that I'm just getting this wrong to mess with him so I'm at a bit of a loss!

The weight change between the feet when you go into fan position in cha cha cha (and rumba as well, I guess.) The bit where you close R to L then transfer the weight and move out on the left foot. I'm just... doing it wrong. Repeatedly. I'm moving out on the correct foot at the correct time, it's more that I'm... gosh I don't even know. When I close the feet I think I'm not bending my leg, I'm rising up on my toes and it just doesn't look right.

I've explained this phenomenally badly but yeah... any suggestions? I can do it super duper slowly but even in rumba I find that I don't have enough time to do it properly. Keep doing it slowly? Just keep trying and trying?

I can do it okay maybe 1 out of 50 times I think...

EDIT: glad to hear it, Fuschia Groan.

Yes, re Simon there are always ways to improve. He could have used his feet to better effect, been lower in his legs and had better use of standing leg, therefore, as you say, been able to drive along the floor. This would have been a great asset to use as the music was so slow. But for a beginner though, he did very well. He has developed a passable frame and has good posture. I would have liked a little more movement, a little more rotation and swing and sway but thats me being picky ...I really hope Simon makes the final, I have been routing for him from the start.

I would agree, Jennifer. I thought Frankie kept up with Kevin very well, and I really liked that there were plenty of authentic jive steps, and the routine wasn't just a mix of swing-cum-rock n roll that most SCD couples do.

I would like to have seen more use of her free arm - there were quite a few times when her left arm was just hanging down by her side as if she had forgotten it was there! Not sure that it needed any more bounce, especially at that speed. You do have a point about men ou-tdancing their partners in comps, especially the up and coming amateurs trying to impress!!!!

hi girls I asked my dad and brother who are both latin champions and both thought it was a 'proper jive' my brother said about the free arm too Kaycee but did point out how much Kevin had improved Frankies legs from her cha - also Ian Waite awarded it his first 10 of the series as did Camilla - think the criticism Kevin gets on here is because he dances with Frankie as if in a dance comp and as you say the guy does overdo it in jive it is what they all do my brother said compared to say pixie marks it was undermarked

I know its off topic but thought you and Kaycee would appreciate it hows this for a group dance from the 2009 world salsa championshipss (note the moves in this that Janette used in her salsa) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpXiUkUUnrI

That's a fabulous clip, thanks bendymixer.

I certainly recognised some of the moves Janette uses - especially the 'limbo' type move! But mostly the whole thing is effective because of the fast strong accurate footwork; they'd never be able to dance like that with weak sloppy feet. We were always taught footwork first, top dressing second - think that is true of all dancing?

I like the fact that Kevin manages to dance strongly and know that Frankie will keep up with him - I don't think she gets enough credit for that, and is often undermarked. I do like Pixie's dancing, but I feel Frankie's has more depth.

also some of her samba gimmicks in that routine too

Dare I say it - does she know the difference?

don't think so

Great to hear your comments. Maybe bounce is not the word I'm looking for...more of a body tick? Rather than keep the body still and pump legs only...the body gets into it too? Sorry can't really explain but hopefully you know what I mean? That was all that was lacking for me, picky point, overall I thought it was great and to that speed !

Exactly. Good foorwork, great technique, foundations of good dancing. Can't beat it

Thanks for answering my question

I hesitate to post in a thread where very knowledgeable people are making sensible comments (not my usual territory at all !)
But it looked to me as if Kevin was holding back a bit so as not to outdance Frankie. He hasn't always done that in earlier weeks, I feel.

Hi Mr C..nice to see you, all are welcome here too. I and others also thought he did not outdance Frankie, she did a great job coping really well with a very fast jive.

Jennifer, I am just glad that you, Bendymixer and the other really knowledgeable dance enthusiasts on here have stayed the course and keep watching/contributing.

I was afraid that you would get fed up with all the 'dumbing down' that's going on and waltz off into the sunset!

[Did I read somewhere that SpinTurn has left, but possibly not for this reason? Shame, she posted good stuff too.]

You are right, Kevin was definitely holding back so as not to outdance Frankie; there is no way she could have kept up with him if he had danced at his full-out competition level.

But the ALL the pros have to hold back in ALL their dances, for that very reason, including Kevin in previous weeks.

BTW - I love your name "Mr Cellophane" - from a great musical, if I remember correctly?

Correct! Brilliantly performed by John C Reilly.
(I was thinking of my futile attempts to get served in a busy bar at the time I chose it!)

Haha, no not me. Made of much sterner stuff, think us dancers ( and the pro's on here) are quite thick skinned ! Yes, I heard Spin Turn had left and that is such a shame, I loved reading her comments, and progress of her lessons, She had an enthusiasm that matched mine, that's for sure.

my problem now is people I know on these shows was Ok with Darren, Matt and Ian just knew them from when my brother competed but now there are ones (cliftons) I have known parents for years and seen the kids progression - hard when you read some of the comments out there I only look at a few threads now.

I stopped visiting Big Brother (yes I am a fan of show) forum when pupils ended up on show and x factor ) have a relative in a northern soap who I have threatened for years not to go on Strictly she is too old now I think ) but have two former pupils in northern soaps one of which was a champion british freestyle champ though she never took latin or ballroom and I know she is toying with it if she does is it will have to bite finger tips to bone if they started in on her

Don't blame you, I only look in a couple too. Not worth the aggravation in the long run.

kaycee/jennifer did you notice 70% of that VW was out of hold with Pixie doing balet stuff and nothing said