Yeah, to my mind floor craft is something people need to be really mindful of. If will occasionally happen that you bump into each other but the amount of times I've seen someone leading ridiculous moves for the space that's available on the floor is scary..

Is it not a case of the lady taking large steps back?   If you take a large step back the heel leaves the floor and falls downward, so you are much more likely to skewer someone elses instep ( sorry for the visual, but its descriptively accurate )     I think a leader can control a lot of things e.g. where a lady steps, how much a lady steps forward - no problemo, but how much a lady steps backwards is up to her to some degree and perhaps maybe how professionally the backbreak is given.

I had the very good fortune to dance (salsa) with Daniela De Fanscesco a few months ago, not only was she a joy to dance with but she wore some pretty respectable heels.  What I did notice was when she stepped back, unless I led it, she took a step of about 140-150mm from center (max).  ( thats 5-6 inches for non-metric system users      If thats how the uber-professionals do it, I think its worth emulating.

My current instructor reminded me of this last week when he really showed how small steps can make fast music seem slooooow if the steps were really really small so thats double bonus imo.

My two cents:  Large Heels + small steps = safe non bruised feet.    Now the question is how to avoid those elbows and the shoulder punch during reverse cross body double turn!

- Edited by Hugh1a on 22/03/2010 at 11:27

I actually caught a heel in the eye once, i was doing a lift at the time though

I have to agree with Hugh on this, if people take controled steps and dont lift their feet too high off the ground, there is less risk of injury.

But there are many factors that can cause heel related injury, sometimes its just bad luck you happen to have your foot in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Tom

Other than getting a heel to the eye... Its time to say take the pain and then say OWE to the leader. He should then be careful of her steps. if their dancing to a slow song the leader may be new but also the pain should be less. If their dancing to a rapid song the leader should be on the lookout for you or at least apologise for throwing her into you.

Hi LL, 

If the leader throws the lady somewhere then yes 100% the guys fault, but I think that the leader is responsible for stepping on the ladies and the lady behind him, he avoids this by taking small steps, which is admittedly easier as his feet are closer to the ground, but not impossible for the lady as far as I'm aware ( I've never worn heels so cant really say for sure )

I say we accept is as part of life and move on.

If someone keeps stepping on you, dont dance near them. Respect everone around you. its not always the guys fault, its not always the girls fault. Sometimes its because people are off time, sometimes its because people are on different time, sometimes its because there are a mixture of styles on the floor. But its going to happen, there is no way around it. All we can do is try our best to make sure we dont do it to anyone else, and hopefully others will do the same. Peace and Love

Tom

It's a dangerous world out there on the dancefloor. As a lady you have to be responsible for your own safety to a certain extent, be aware of your surroundings and be especially alert if there is someone dancing all over the place next to you. It's difficult for a leader to see behind them when they're about to lead you into a cross-body move, most guys will do a quick check over their shoulder before leading, but we have to keep looking as we're moving across and if someone is getting too close then you have to abort the move...

If you're dancing in a really busy club there is a danger of someone behind you stepping on your heel, usually in this type of setting I either take a really small back step or I step in place in lieu of stepping backwards - sticking your behind out also helps as a bumper...lol

With regard to banning heels in salsa club, I have to disagree with you. Ladies need heels for more than aesthetic value, they help us implement correct following technique.

- Edited by Laura on 12/04/2010 at 01:05