http://www.dancesport.uk.com/training/paso.htm

Follow the link.

I concentrated on the performance but anyone remember the flamenco taps? That's Gold standard.

That was a great paso.

Thanks for that. I have posted on other threads asking what should have been in for those who are complaining about content, because, having watched the dance many times in Spain that was the most authentic Paso I have seen on Strictly.

Yes, frankiecat, I read your post on the other thread and although not a former resident of Spain I've seen authentic paso in similar contexts and I thought it was just as it should be.

Maybe Len's never been to Spain! Or perhaps the problem is that the poor soul has spent too much time indoors judging dancing competitions?

What happens in Spain is irrelevant to how Paso Doble is judged across the world, though. Just because a dance originates there doesn't mean that the way it's performed in competition is the same.

Erin has been criticised for not incorporating enough paso content.
Looking at the spec. on dancesport I don't see that the dance was devoid of paso.

Spain or no Spain!

It may be true that 'competition' version bears no relationship to how the dance is performed in Spain (although why the judges would bang on about it being the dance of the bullfight etc if that is the case is odd!) But you still don't enlighten me as to what was left out or put in that doesn't conform to competition requirements. The only specific criticism I have gleaned from the fund of knowledge on these boards is that there wasn't enough 'in hold', although the specifications don't seem to give a percentage. The original is seldom in hold until the final denouement - as in Erin's version.

I've just asked more or less the same question on another thread.

Post after post screaming "No content!!", but none that clarify the omissions.

Mind you, doesn't alter the fact that - for me - it was the most thrilling performance I've ever seen on SCD, bar none.

I don't know what would be missing either. Watched it a few times, and there is definitely content, excellent footwork and lines.
By far, the best, most thrilling dance of the series, and best paso ever in SCD. Absolutely jaw dropping. I find it rather ridiculous that there are so many people slagging off a dance that had the audience giving a standing ovation!

Perhaps we need to send Len to Spain (on a one-way ticket after last night). If you say it is similar to ones you have seen in Spain that is good enough for me. It looked pretty authentic to me as well from other dances I have seen. Thanks!

Considering also that Len is normally more concerned with too much swirling around of prop capes, and that Austin did no such thing...

Didn't it have some nice coup de pique in there too?

The only addition I would have liked to have seen is the chasse cape which iirc they didn't do and I'm sure Austin would have been quite capable of.

Still, what's better - an overly complicated routine performed poorly or a straightforward routine performed well?

People have definitely done more complicated paso routines on the show before but no one has ever come close to the level of performance Austin had last night.

I'm not a dancer, don't know anything about correct tecnique, but I do know that this paso gripped me from start to finish. Just rewatched it and yes, it was as thrilling as I thought it was!

What got me about Len last night is that he was prepared to slam Austin and Erin for "not enough content" in the Paso, and yet gave Rachel a 10 for her first dance when he admitted himself that he could not see her feet so wouldn't know if she made mistakes or not. Are we to assume that in Rachel's case "performance" was sufficient in itself, but in Austin's case it was not - even though the performance was truly outstanding. I was not a great Austin fan until last night, but his paso had me out of my seat and "oleying" all around the room - and at my age I should show a little more decorum!

I do so agree! I can't claim to be an expert on the classic steps for a paso but for me Austin's paso had everything . Some of the people that were so telling us about JS's entertainment value are some of the people bleating about not enough content in A and E paso. I thought it had everything and it was surely what I call entertainment.

Agree with your post. This had everything, very entertaining, and in my humble opinion looked technically good. This far surpassed a JS performance because it was more entertaining and acheived a technical level he could only dream of. The only dance this series I have watched several times.

I loved it - and I have been involved with dance (learning, performing and teaching) for more than 20 years. I have also studied flamenco - and have been going to Spain regularly for over 15 years. I think I know my paso

I thought Austin nailed it. It's the best I have seen him dance so far and, in a particularly tedious and dull year for SCD, it's the most excitement I have seen on the show since this series started.

SCD is about entertainment. It's not a ballroom competition but a fun dance contest involving amateur dancers and ballroom pros. It's all too easy for ballroom fanatics to get het up about tiny details. I understand their passion for ballroom, but it's not really appropriate for SCD. There is only a certain level the 'stars' can get to. If they go beyond it's wonderful, but rare. We should enjoy it for what it is - and sod the heel leads

Good for Erin. The choreography suited the music, it suited Austin, it worked and the crowd reacted as they should. What more can we ask for?

If you hated it, fair enough. I Love Marmite but thousands would disagree. So be it: it was ever thus

the Paso Doble's origins is FRANCE and the name is taken from the french march Paso Redoble - and was developed in the 1930's in Paris by Piere Lavelle, it is NOT a spanish traditional dance.

Whilst I take the point that this is an entertainment show with amatuers if the show requires the dancers to perform a Paso Doble then surely they should do SOME Paso in the routine - the routine last night had virtually nothing of the Paso in it at all - Erin and Austin's routine suited the music yes - but with almost no Paso in it at all it was Showdance

Here is Paso proper!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=aGeq1aA9ON0

Now I'd never expect a celeb to dance like this, before someone jumps on my back. Of course not!

But you can get a flavour for the dance and the range of steps that are danced, which Austin didn't really do that many of. The other big difference for me is that dancers show the authority and power through their movement, and not just through posing, posturing and shouting. Now I don't want to say that's all Austin did, but compare with Jill and Jill with these, and you can clearly see how she actually danced this properly.

thanks for the clip - and totally agree with what you posted!

Weather it was a "proper" paso or not

I loved it, just watched it again and it is thrilling

That's what I didn't like about Austin's performance (other than the lack of content!). Passion should be shown through the body and the face, not through shouting.

As I now understand it, the roots of the paso are in southern France - also bullfighting & flamenco country.

It seems that the dance was formalised by Pierre Lavelle - as were the rumba and the samba, I believe. By that token, presumably they, too, are French dances?

I didn't really enjoy his paso it's one of my favourite dances but I didn't think his was very exciting or passionate - all a bit pantomime for my taste. the waxed chest was weird too but that's a whole different issue

Agree. I have to admit that I don't know what "content" should be in a paso, but I thought Austin and Erin's paso last night was fabulous - and I have never been a fan of his. If it was a case of voting for who you wanted to leave the competition, I would have been voting to get rid of Austin - until yesterday's dance. That was the first time I really thought he deserved to be in the final, so credit where credit is due.