Don't Jive Angry

Sometimes when competing, a dancing couple has miscues that don't normally occur. I don't know if the pressure of the situation or nerves or anxiety about performing well causes the interruption in what, until that point, had become a rote drill. Steps that have been practiced and practiced at nauseum.

Action and his partner competed in a small studio competition this weekend. There has been a long-standing debate between the two of them about who should lead. The partner knows the choreography inside and out, so she thinks she should lead. Action is the boy, and is supposed to lead. She, being a strong woman, will not submit to follow. Action, being a little smaller, can't overpower her. This debate has usually worked itself out by the beginning of each dance, with one or the other conceding.

But not this time. Action was going to lead. He started, she didn't follow. She then started, but he didn't follow. The following is the result of ballroom miscommunication:

Trying to corkscrew your partner into the floor won't fix the problem. They took 3rd place, out of 4 couples, in this dance.

They will continue to practice.