LINEDANCE FLOOR ETIQUETTE

This is not intended as a complete guide on dance floor etiquette, but more of as an outline based

on common sense and courtesy.

Generally the dance floor is divided into three areas for the comfort and enjoyment of all.

1. CENTRE (HUB): for the line dancers.

2. OUTSIDE LANE: (around edge of floor) for two steppers and couple dancers

3. CORNERS: For East Coast / West Coast Swing & Jive (Rock ‘n’ Roll) dancers

· Never carry food or drinks (glasses, bottles or cans) onto or across the dance floor.

· Never stand on the floor to talk - if the music has started and you’re not dancing – please vacate

the dance floor immediately.

· When dancing near beginners - be mindful, courteous and encouraging and remember -

everyone was a beginner once.

Give your fellow dancers room to move. Don't hog floor space at their expense and don't accidently dance on top of them.

· Be helpful to visitors and newcomers.

· Remember the floor is for everyone. If you are dancing in lines, try to leave room around the

outside of the dance floor as a circle lane, available for the couple dancers.

· Those dancing around the outside lane have the right of way. Please don’t block their progress.

· When dancing around the floor as a circle or partner dance, the line of dance (LOD) is always

anti-clockwise.

· If the floor is crowded, take small steps, enjoy the company and be wary for collisions.

· Should you bump into someone, it is courteous to apologize whether it is your fault or not.

· If possible, start another line rather than join one which may block the outside circle lane.

· Don’t stop dancing on the floor (while others are dancing) to teach another dancer, move off the

floor to a quieter area.

· Never walk through a line of dancers (when a dance is in progress) to cross the floor – wait or

walk around the floor.

· If the dance floor is empty and you are starting off the dance, go to the front so that others can

fall in line behind you.

Beginners are advised to stick to the center of the dance floor - that way, no matter what wall you may be facing, there will be someone in front of you who (hopefully) knows the dance and whom you can follow. The reverse of this is that advanced dancer's should try to stick to the sides.

· Where permission has been given to do so, you can start a split floor dance other than what has

been called, by going to the back and ensuring there is adequate space between the two dances

· Join a dance that is already started, at the same point and on the end of the row.

· And finally, keep your head up, keep smiling and enjoy yourselves.

Compliments of Lonestar