This warm up topic is frequently brought up... heres an interesting response, from R. gleave..

when asked about what he did to warm up before going onto the floor , he replied.... " Nothing " .

There is a saying that if you are running your business the same way you did 25 years ago you can be sure your main rival aren't. In most sports the type of training and the attitude they had in those old days wouldn't carry them through today. Just think back to the 50's How many major Championships were there . Blackpool The Star and in 1956 the International. Don't forget that British Dancers could not compete outside the UK. Remember how Graham Strowebridge copped a five year ban for doing just that. That was about 52 or 53. If you can remember the major Photographer at these comps. That was Graham'.s father.
On Richard G's tape he said that before going on the floor and into the competitions he and his partner used to count aloud the Waltz as 1 and 2 and 3 and. And on the floor he would still count the same for a dozen or so bars, softly.
Didn't you go into those afternoon practice sessions at Blackpool.

But also, there were numerous amat. comps, from Novice to 3 and 4 dance just about every w/end ,so plenty of opportunity to get " conditioned " , not to mention the practice time available in many of the larger cities public b/rooms .

Dont think I ever ran out of somewhere to practice ( 7 days a week if necess. )

I was asked when I wrote that my teacher an International Competitor after an absence from her partner would when preparing for a competition not get into a close hold untill during the second day. What on earth do they do during that time. They go over their routines solo dissecting every one of their moves. Every toe every heel and every shape and balance to music solo.

What one seldom sees today, are dancers ( of any level ) literally dancing thru " amalgam,s ", solo .

The old saying " if you cant dance it by yourself, then you sure as hell cant dance it with someone " ,never held more true .

Terence. If there are any disbelievers on Solo practice I would suggest they Google Slowfox Lesson and watch.

many have had late entry fees.. one cannot always plan for contingencies.

And.. i think we are making a mountain out of the proverbial mole hil !!