There is a saying in sport that you should play to your strength. Some advice given by former champion, and who is one of the leading coaches in the world Steven Hillier. If there is something in a routine that you dont feel right with the chances are you will never do it well. So throw it out.Which means if you have a coach who insists that you do something that fits the above. Then they are an idiot.

Professor Moody also lent that advice to Harry for the Horntail.

I disagree in part (unsolicited opinion forthcoming) with "when in doubt, throw it out". It's dancing, not dairy-based perishable product.

If there's something in a routine that doesn't feel right, do it until it *does*. The block is mostly cerebral anyways. I know, easier said than done- my own blocks form a nifty transparent house: Cuban motion, pivots, running right turn, etc.

If having a coach that cares enough about your dancing to motivate you to break down barriers between your mind and body and dance makes them an idiot, then give me a nuthouse. But then... neither myself, my partner, nor my coaches allow ourselves to become so entrenched in routine and pattern that we can't think outside the box to dance circles around those who are so co-dependent figurally speaking.

If one was to throw out everything that would "always give them problems"... perhaps they should take on a sport more like, I dunno... paint-by-number? In a monastery?

I agree with Diva. My coach knows me well enough to know that I will give up on something far too soon. I hate to admit it, but I have cried, "it doesn't feel right" just because I can't do something and I'm getting tired of trying. I am not a natural dancer and almost everything doesn't feel right in the beginning and for sometimes for a long time afterwards. I guess it comes down to goals and agendas. If your coach truly does not listen, and seems to be constantly at odds with you, then I guess someone is the idiot.

DivaGinger. I should have made it clearer that you in no way dismiss technique. And Steven Hillier was or rather still is a Standard International Style Ballroom Dancer and Teacher. There is a Ballroom Dancer who has a youngster had trouble with an Open Telemark. As a Professional he never in his competition routine does an Open Telemark. Would you with all the success he has had insist that he include an Open Telemark.
Myself I don't like more than one Pivot. I have seen over the years too many people, especially the older group, not able to stay upright on Pivots. They wobble. They appear like a psychotic horse bolting from a burning stable. Which has turned me completely off that group. If you insisted I do them we would soon part company.

Seems to me that the problem is with the instructor's personal work ethic, not with the student's abilities. I wouldn't insist he do anything, accomplishments or not, but I *would* wonder why he couldn't do one, and expect him to do a basic syllabus element if he were in fact teaching me.

I have the feeling we'd part company on a lot of stuff, but I like you, so I'll keep snapping at your heels If you saw some of the horrendous things my partner and I tried to execute, you'd run screaming from the thirtysomethings, too.