Ballroom dancing on a crowded dance floor is a skill that comes with time.  There’s even a name for it, floorcraft. Basically, it means watch out for the other guy, just like when you’re driving.  You know how it is, you learn to predict what the other driver is going to do because you both know the rules. You must learn to use this skill when navigating a crowded dance floor.

As you begin to look for new places to dance, you may find yourself at a traditional ballroom or at weekly events at a dance studio or a Swing or Latin club.  

You’ll probably branch out to nightclubs, bars, weddings, and cruise ships.  You might find a few couples dancing ballroom-style at these gatherings, but lots of people will be on the floor having a blast shaking it up.  

When you’re dancing at a ballroom function, an experienced couple will automatically navigate a crowded dance floor with ease.  That’s because they can anticipate the movements of their fellow dancers. However, it’s unchartered territory when most of the dancers are free-styling it.

Social Dancing Floorcraft Do’s and Don’ts

• Don’t show off with big steps and arm styling.  Keep it small and mind your own space.
• Use your traveling steps to relocate to a spot on the dance floor that’s less congested.
• Watch what the other couples are doing. If you see a pattern that they’re using and it offers a safe opportunity to travel, go for it.
• In the event there’s unavoidable contact made, apologize and move on.

Let’s talk about accidentally stepping on someone on a crowded dance floor.

Whether it’s your doing or the other guy or gal, it’s gonna happen.  Nobody’s perfect and this is very common on a social dance floor.  If you happen to be the offender, the key is to learn how to minimize the damage.  The way to do this is, when you feel something other than the dance floor under your feet, don’t, repeat, don’t put full weight on your foot.

If you’ve ever seen the pained look on the face of the dancer who’s toenail you just ripped off, you’ll understand what I mean.

What about bumping into someone or hitting them with an outstretched arm?

Good floorcraft is essential. Remember, we’re not only talking about other ballroom dancers. Some people are happy to groove to the music without holding their partner. Free-stylers usually keep to their own little area and avoid wandering around a lot. They don’t expect other dancers to move around the dance floor, because they don’t do it themselves.

On the other hand, here come the ballroom dancers. We’re trained to make use of the whole dance floor. If it’s a Frank Sinatra Foxtrot or a Norah Jones Waltz, you can expect us to weave in and out of traffic on a crowded dance floor. And, that’s okay as long as common sense is used.

This is where superior partnership skills come into play.

Of course, Watching and sensing where your fellow dancers are is important. Yet, there’s more.

• Stay grounded with soft knees. This keeps you closer to the floor and makes it easier to perform quick changes of direction.
• Keep a solid frame. Loosie-goosie arms won’t keep you and your partner safe. A good frame is one way to make sure you’re having fun when you’re dancing on a crowded dance floor. In addition, no one gets hurt.
• If you get boxed in, make sure you have a few moves that you can use while you’re marking time in place.
• Stay relaxed when things are tight. Here’s a chance for you to show your creativity. There’s nothing but love when you’re dancing.

In case you’re wondering, here’s the Dance Safari post on, “What Not to Wear on the Ballroom Dance Floor“.

To sum it up, don’t let a crowded dance floor keep you in your seat. Learn and use a little floorcraft to make the most of the space you have. Go forth and dance!