The importance of choosing the right shoes for dancing cannot be overstated. People who are professionally involved in dancing understand this very well. To achieve mastery, they have to spend a significant part of their time in training. And if the perfection of the movements of the body and hands depends on diligent repetition and consolidation, then the right shoes are necessary for good foot work. Ballroom dancing is an amazing world that has nothing to do with everyday life. It is inappropriate to walk down the street in dance shoes, just as it is impossible to skillfully perform dance steps in an everyday model.
Ballroom shoes are a specific tool that a dancer uses to create his art, since skillfully selected dance shoes can increase the feeling of the floor, allow you to harmoniously and beautifully perform body transfer.
How to choose the right shoes for ballroom dancing?
Dance shoesshould not only be beautiful and comfortable, but also meet the established requirements. It must be chosen in accordance with the age and intentions of the dancer. Usually, due to the growth of children's feet, large shoes are selected for children by one size.
Ballroom dancing for adults involves the purchase of two pairs - for the European and Latin American programs, since the technique of performing these dances is different. In the standard European program, the beginning occurs with the movement of the heel, and in the Latin American program, the toe. Therefore, it is necessary to use special shoes for each dance.
Ballroom dancing dictates a rule for children and adult dancers that must not be broken under any circumstances - purchased dance shoes must be comfortable.
When buying during the fitting, it is necessary to put on more than one leg, but try on a pair at once, fully fastening. After that, it is recommended to perform several steps. During these steps, the shoes should not press too hard, but it is especially important that they do not dangle.
The top of dance shoes is made from materials that stretch over time and sit on the foot as it should. Usually these are products made of leather and satin. Therefore, it is not scary if, when buying, it turns out that brand new shoes are tight. It is bad if dance shoes are too loose on the foot - over time they will hang out. Choosing the right dance shoes will minimize the risk of injury.
About types of dance shoes
At first, a beginner dancer can get by with universal shoes with a wide, low heeland closed toe.
But after a while, the coach will advise you to purchase ballroom dancing shoes separately for the European and Latin American programs: for the "standard" - closed, and for "latina" - reminiscent of sandals.
Their flexible sole will improve the quality of the foot, move more confidently and balance, performing the nuances of dance movements.
There are several types of dance shoes:
- Rated children's. Ballroom shoes for girls are distinguished by the presence of a relatively high (3-3.5 cm) heel, in shoes for boy dancers it should be 2-2.5 cm.
- Women's shoes for the Latin American program ("latina") are usually produced with a heel length of up to 8 cm.
- Women's shoes for the European program ("standard") - 5.7 cm.
- Men's latina shoes usually have a heel length of up to 4 cm.
- Men's shoes "standard" - 2 - 2.5 cm.
About buying competitive shoes
After reaching the first stages of mastery, dancers usually strive for recognition. The road to glory passes through participation in all kinds of competitions that require the purchase of one more, additional, competitive shoe. The competitive couple must be beautiful, clean and fresh - after all, this is an addition to the stage image of the dancer.
Women's shoes "standard" - a classic elegant boat with a pointed or rounded toe, with a low (up to 5-6 cm) heel, which allows the legs to get less tired. Production material - soft satin of different colors, which can be modified (painted to matchsuit or embellish with appliqués) by yourself.
Men's European dance shoes are classic, elegant shoes with a wide, stable heel. The top is usually leather, satin, synthetic or patent leather. The latter is not for beginner dancers - "sticking" of the varnished surface can lead to the development of incorrect technique. Lacing should be parallel, the material for the laces must be non-slip.
Women's shoes "latina" - usually with a closed "toe" - a membrane that supports the foot. The most popular are shoes that have an "alley" of intertwined thin membranes. There may be options with knots and buckles. There must be a jumper consisting of several straps in the upper bow. Solid is stiff and does not allow you to properly pull the toe. The strap jumper is more flexible.
Often this model has a long strap that can wrap around the ankle or foot. At the same time, it is necessary to have a soft fastening for the strap on the back of the shoes, which allows you not to rub your legs.
The toe of women's Latina shoes is usually oval, but there may be other options. Fingers should not "fall out" on the floor, but there should not be a significant "reserve" near the thumb.
Men's Latina shoes - usually black, matching black trousers, with a heel that is firm but slightly higher than the standard. Parallel lacing with five holes. The oval of the toe should match the shape of the foot. Seams should not be felt - they can rub in the futurelegs.
How to choose dance shoes for a child?
This shoe is specially designed to orthopedic standards. Ideally, the child's legs should not get tired in it. These shoes ensure the correct position of the legs in the dance and the correct development of posture.
Specialized children's ballroom shoes are essential for good results.
It is not recommended to buy shoes for growth, it is better to purchase a model with a fullness regulator. The material of manufacture must comply with sanitary and hygienic standards: natural and artificial leather, brocade, satin, shoe mesh.
The heel should be low so that the load is evenly distributed.
For the little ones, it is better to buy not matte, but bright, glittery shoes that would stand out on the parquet. At children's competitions, among other elements, the work of the foot is evaluated, and legs in bright shoes will be visible from afar.
Reality often breaks stereotypes, and so it is with children's dance shoes: contrary to the established opinion about the need for rigid ankle support in children's shoes, it should be remembered that children's dance shoes must be flexible enough to allow the toe to pull.
It is not necessary for a child to buy expensive imported shoes, you can also choose domestic high-quality shoes.
Dance shoes for girls and boys
For child dancers, one pair of shoes will suffice at first. For an older student, it is necessary to purchase Latin and standard shoes.
Children-dancers fit steady shortheel. The heel in shoes for girls under 12 years old should be up to 3.5 cm, over 12 years old - up to 5 cm. It is more convenient to learn the dance technique in low-heeled shoes.
Girls should wear dance shoes only during training and performances, in no case should they be worn in everyday life, as this can damage the development of the skeleton (a heel of 20.5 mm is above the permissible norm).
Boys' ballroom shoes should be elegant and comfortable, and suitable for training and performance. If dancing has become a serious hobby for a child, you should buy him shoes made of genuine leather. If he is just starting to dance, you can buy inexpensive shoes made of artificial leather. For good grip on the floor, the sole must be natural. The top is usually black, matte or lacquered. May have a shimmery effect, but no glitter.
Heel height - 20-20.5 mm. The sole should be: for the “standard” - solid, rigid, for the “latina” (if preparation allows) - separate. You can buy shoes for a boy dancer with a small margin up to 50 mm, a large margin can harm the foot.
How to determine the size of dance shoes?
Sizes of ballroom shoes are often not the same as metric. To avoid mistakes when buying or ordering individually, instructions for determining the correct size will help:
- you need to put your foot in a thin sock on a sheet of paper lying on the floor;
- using a pencil, outline attached toleaf leg (you need to hold the pencil perpendicularly);
- use a ruler to measure the foot. Foot length is the length between the big toe and the heel.
When giving the seller your data by phone, you should indicate the length of the foot, and the specialist will orient and select the required size.
In addition, size matching tables will help buyers navigate on their own. The modern shoe market has several dimensional systems: metric, standard, European. Knowing your parameters from one of the systems, you can use the tables to transfer them to another if necessary.
So, all the recommendations have been read and taken into account, and the new shoes gently compress the foot, shine with varnish or sparkles, the sole gently touches the floor, evenly distributing the dancer's weight along the entire length of the shoes. Everything is ready - now the music will play and the magic of incredibly beautiful movements will begin. Good luck and light parquet!
