We are competing the Cha-cha in the European competitions (Mountain Cup & Vana Tallinn trophy) at the end of May, and find it a difficult dance as it's not part of our test structure, so we are not totally sure what the judges are looking for. Any hints and tips welcome!

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

I would say the biggest thing in the Cha-Cha is the overall expression and making sure your feet are nice and tidy in the opening section following the deep inside edge. Also coming out of the final corner of the dance MUST be deep in order to allow for a nice deep inside edge.

There also has been some discussion as to what exactly the feet are doing in the opening slides in terms of staying on the ice, crossing, and what sort of timing, especially for the girl since the guy has an easier step to make. Make sure the slides are on 3-and-4 and the cross will happen on the "and" of the 4th beat and no earlier as you do need to complete all 3 slides.

Make sure that the quicker beat steps are crisp and not mushy. For example, steps 3 and 4 of the dance (LFI, RFO-Ch), and even more so step 9 (the half-beat LFI-Ch after the RFO out of the slalom steps).

If you can make the slalom steps have some crispness (definite umph on each "down") that also will give some sense of Cha-Cha.

Finally, on the LFO swing roll (step 11) and the RFI swing roll (step 14), use the 4-beat timing to your advantage and make sure that the free leg stays clearly in back for the full 2 beats, then quickly and crisply moves in front for the last 2 beats. Often at this level, skaters will have indistinct swings (timing-wise) on their swing rolls.

Hope this helps.

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American Waltz... Once, Twice, ???? ...

Q: How many coaches does it take to fix Jen's Dance Intro-3 Problems
A: 5 and counting...

Thanks, Jen. As it's a recreational dance here, there's a great deal of variation in what is done - I might have to pick your brains privately about the actual steps!

One thing that some people do here is on the RFI swing roll before the restart, they do a wiggle with their free leg, rather like the "yee-hah!" on the Hickory Hoedown if you know what I mean - should that be done? We've always just done a plain swing roll.

If that dance teaches one anything it's how to push - it's really hard to fill the rink with it. And we are not very good at the 2-footed slalom, either; we can do it beautifully as an exercise round the rink, but just left-right-left-right-cha-cha-CHA in the dance tends to be a bit wild & woolly and rather slow (like all our skating!).

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!