ive recently purchased some latin shoes but found out that im moving on to modern.....will it matter if i use latin shoes for modern

BOOMSHANKA

By all means it will make a difference at least on the competitive floor! Remember, you need a complete costuming look and latin shoes won't give you that in modern - some judges will deduct points on costuming issues. Social there's not a real problem, I always wear latin shoes out socially, they just look better than a court shoe with pretty much everything (except you ballgown!!!)

Strictly speaking, in a regular dancesport competition scored by the skating system, there are no points deducted for anything. In rounds prior to the final, couples are given either an "R" (recall) mark from each judge in each dance, or are not given anything. In the final, couples are ranked by each judge in each dance using the placings 1 through X (where X is the number of couples in the final, usually six).

Now, the wrong shoes (or dirty or excessively worn shoes) will not impress some judges and they may use that against you when deciding when to give you an "R" or where to place you in a final. But it's not like there's a score sheet where the judge writes down "bad shoes, minus 5" or anything like that.

Just wanted to point this out, as some participants, especially new ones, in dancesport don't have any idea how dancers are marked or what the marks mean. When they hear things like "you'll lose points" they might get the idea that there is an actual point system, which there isn't. A judge might keep a personal mental point system to help sort out where to place couples, but there's nothing official and nothing is recorded other than the "R" marks and the placings in the final.

no

off course im not giving latin up its my best area, but my instructor suggested we move back in to modern for a bit

BOOMSHANKA

Oh for heaven's sake, don't go buy new shoes just to look acceptable! The reasons for having two different pairs of shoes for each style. How comfortable would it be to practice proper technique in reaching back with your toe (standard) if you were wearing open toed shoes? Ouch. There are many reasons why each shoe is built the way it is, ask your local shoe supplier.

If you are a beginner then you can get by with one pair of shoes (latin) because your standard technique is not developed yet. However, you need the shoes to move forward with any technique developement!

Always remember FUNCTION over FORM

Best wishes, M

In a word...YES!

You can certainly begin modern training in your latin shoes, but if you choose to continue with Modern you will most definitely need the appropriate shoes.

Are you leaving latin behind??? I sincerely hope that you will be doing both, they provide an excellent balance for one another.

Best wishes, M