Sorry to hi-jack - so would that be Balls balls over the balls?

In the case of Ed Balls, absolutely

I can get mine on quickly I just can't get them off without a faff!
I'm 3 or 3.5 with wide feet & a high instep, I have a nightmare getting shoes too! I'm going to end up as one of those grotty shoe dancers at this rate!

I should've taken up contemporary dance or something else you do in bare feet ....

If you have a partner, ask them to do it for you... its much easier

Hi ballroom & latin people!

Could anyone identify the step at the beginning of Georgia's samba (30 seconds in): https://youtu.be/RJA6_iVSj0o

The push and release type movement?

Checked a whole load of samba syllabus vids on YouTube, but couldn't find anything. It's a step (or series of steps) I've seen in a few sambas on Strictly.

Hi Nina, hoping the knowledgeable Latin ladies with answer this for you. I dance these steps but don't know what they are called. I suspect that they may not have a name as they are not basic groups and not in the syllabus, but hopefully someone can clear that up. Sorry can't help on this one

Hi Jennifer, no worries! Thanks for responding.

Does anyone know which arrangement of unforgettable Daisy and Aljaz used for their waltz? I love the nat king cole version so was wondering if anyone had any waltz arrangements of it and if so where did you find them?

Yes, I don't recognise them as syllabus steps.

A shame! All the things I love don't even have a name! Thanks though

Actually I think it may be a running zigzag (non syllabus) http://m.56.com/view/id-NzQ0MzgyODk.html

Well done Ann, yes this is it. I seemed to remember my teacher calling it a zigzag but this is definitely it !

I've never danced it!

They are quite quick and if the Samba is quick.......

Ohh, thanks! Now, if only I could put one foot in front of the other

Hello all,

Just wanted to ask your opinion on Louise and Kevin's Waltz in a choreographical sense? To me, with only expertise of dancing coming from Strictly, it came across as more of an American Smooth with much of the dance either not in hold or in a different hold from usual. However, none of the judges picked up on this and she scored one off a maximum?

Just a quick answer from me, the parts that were in hold were fantastic, the best technically. However I am old school and a waltz should be in hold all the time. I expect Kevin knew the dances he would be up against so tried to make it more appealing
I like ballroom dances to be done in full hold, but what she did, she did well

I thought the way Louise danced that waltz was excellent, recognisable waltz groups and her feet were excellent as Jennifer F said last night she was tracking her feet in places something you do not see celebs doing often

Thanks for your replies. Is the unusual hold they used a recognisible hold for a Waltz? I'm not sure how to describe it without watching the dance again (I'm currently on my phone) but not the 'flower in a vase' hold?

It looked to me as if they danced the first part of it in what is essentially a practice/open hold.

In terms of the actual shaping in closed hold, that's a matter of preference as to how far the follower extends to create that flower in a vase type of position - when I was first learning I was more focused on being in the correct position in terms of body contact vis a vis the leader than how far I was extending to create shape in the top line.

But someone much more knowledgeable than me can probably give a much better explanation - I've just been waiting for a chance to join in the chatter here and that was something I noticed about Louise's waltz so thought I'd join in

Thanks. Can a practice/open hold be choreographed to be used in a competition setting then?

please do join in Mystical everyones views are valid

Although one of my favourite dances on a show like Strictlty sometimes the Waltz can appear a bit dull especially if not in a lovely ballgown and tails with dreary music (and up against a showstopper samba). Doing parts of it out of hold etc and adding little flourishes ok by me when the feet were as good as Louise last night

I onder if Kevin had any input into suggesting a short dress for Louise so that he feet would be 100% visible. I wouldn't know exquisite footwork if it bit me on the bum, but your remarks and comments by JenniferF suggest that Kevin may well have wanted Louise's footwork well and truly on display.

I was disappointed with her dress - it has to be the full regalia for ballroom as far as I'm concerned!

Short answer to that one: no.

I'm another who's knowledge of B/R + L is mostly limited to SCD, tho I'm no novice to dance outside of the ballroom.
Is it acceptable for the eye line to be down towards the floor as much as Louise seems to do? In all the styles I'm more familiar with, projecting outwards is something taught from baby class onwards.

That said, even I can see what beautiful feet she has