Hi everyone,

I have my first competition this Sunday. Can anyone please tell me what I ought to do with regards to walking on and off the floor? Hold hands or her hold my arm? Which side of me does she walk? etc

many thanks

If you have a lesson between now and Sunday, ask you teacher to help you -- sometimes being shown something is much more effective than reading a description. But I'll try!

The lady should walk on the gentleman's right, so that your right side is to her left. Often the couples walk out holding hands, with the hand holding the lady's hand up in the air at about chest level. He's "presenting" her to the audience, sort of offering her up for everyone to look at. When you're done dancing, you present the lady your arm, and she puts her arm in yours (still your right to her left), and you walk off the floor together.

Well, that's the way I was taught it at least! Good luck this weekend!!

if this is your first PRO AM competition, shame on your coach - obviously you are the 'mealticket' by his/her side. Presentation is everything, and so is preparation. A pro-am situation demands that the Pro lead you through everything - after all, isn't that why you are a pro am student? You're paying obscene money to be led through the process, figuratively and literally.


If you are an amateur partner, you'll need to ask your coach. Am students need to bring up these issues, as the coach is more likely working on the dance aspects.

Certainly not Pro Am, it's nothing big at all. It's an inter-collegiate competition at university.

If you are walking onto the floor one behind the other as in for instance the first round. Don't present the lady, you have not done anything yet. If you are being called to the floor by name or number, this is different. Practice walking with the lady right hand to left. Take about six paces or so and lead her across your front to your left side, she can curtsy , you can acknowledge your partner by looking in her direction. Remember you are being watched as you walk on and off the floor. Walking off make sure the judges can see your number. It has been known that a judge who was a bit slow filling their card can still be looking for a number to fill his or her card.

THat's a good tip - about walking off so the judges can see your number!! I've often thought the judges have an almost impossible task - i certainly wouldn't want to attempt it.

One of my first times dancing in a non-beginner event, one of the judges was looking at me funny between dances. I didn't get it, so played dumb. This guy then walks out on the floor behind me and writes down my number. D'oh!