[Tango-L] BsAs Floorcraft - How is it really?

[Charles Roques]

Shahrukh wrote:

<<< Well, "dance-only-in-your-own-lane" is somewhat oversimplified, though I 
can see it could be a good practice drill in a class...>>>

This is a good point and although people that teach this have their heart (or feet) in the right place, it isn't this rigid.  Teaching strict lane boundaries and never crossing the lines is being too draconian about applying the rules.  It is okay, and even necessary, to sometimes cross into another lane (within reason) and you will see it often at milongas, as long as you are not disturbing anyone or impeding the flow because of it.  Of course you try to stay in your lane, but the more important issues are to not cross back and forth with great leaps from the inside to the outside, pass or cut in front of other dancers, remain in one place too long doing a showy step....in general maintaining a pace that flows with the rest of the room.  The people that are in front of you and behind you when you start the dance should be more or less in the same place when you end the dance.

And no, as Shahrukh says, leaders do not signal each other.  That is a tango urban myth. They pay attention to their partner so that she does not bump into other dancers.  But they are very aware of the other dancers.

Cheers,
Charles