Weight transfer (dance move)
Encyclopedia
A weight transfer or weight change is dancer's movement so that his weight is moved from one supporting foot (or supporting limb/body part) to another one fully or partially.
Walking
, for example, involves shifting of the body's weight from one foot to another, so freeing the first so that it may be lifted and moved forward. This process is a 'natural' movement in humans and other animals, but is in effect a complex process of biomechanics
.
In the full weight transfer, the center of gravity
becomes vertically projected onto another body part (e.g., foot) freeing the first one so that it may be freely lifted or moved. (In fact, lifting the foot off the ground is a simple test often suggested for the beginners to ensure that they have completed the practiced dance move
and their weight is on the proper foot.)
In partial weight transfer the center of gravity is shifted to project between the old and new support body part. In some dance moves, such as ball change
, the force produced by pushing with the new supporting foot at the moment of the partial weight transfer makes it possible to lift the previous support foot for a short time, followed by the drop back onto the first supporting foot subject to the gravity force.
technique. In general, important components of foot action during a dance step are foot movement, foot placement, and weight transfer.
Weight transfers of the leader are important cues in leading and following.
Walking
Walking
Walking is one of the main gaits of locomotion among legged animals, and is typically slower than running and other gaits. Walking is defined by an 'inverted pendulum' gait in which the body vaults over the stiff limb or limbs with each step...
, for example, involves shifting of the body's weight from one foot to another, so freeing the first so that it may be lifted and moved forward. This process is a 'natural' movement in humans and other animals, but is in effect a complex process of biomechanics
Biomechanics
Biomechanics is the application of mechanical principles to biological systems, such as humans, animals, plants, organs, and cells. Perhaps one of the best definitions was provided by Herbert Hatze in 1974: "Biomechanics is the study of the structure and function of biological systems by means of...
.
In the full weight transfer, the center of gravity
Center of gravity
In physics, a center of gravity of a material body is a point that may be used for a summary description of gravitational interactions. In a uniform gravitational field, the center of mass serves as the center of gravity...
becomes vertically projected onto another body part (e.g., foot) freeing the first one so that it may be freely lifted or moved. (In fact, lifting the foot off the ground is a simple test often suggested for the beginners to ensure that they have completed the practiced dance move
Dance move
Dance moves or dance steps are the building blocks of many dances.More complex dance moves are called dance patterns, dance figures or dance variations....
and their weight is on the proper foot.)
In partial weight transfer the center of gravity is shifted to project between the old and new support body part. In some dance moves, such as ball change
Ball change
Ball change is a dance move that consists of two steps: a partial weight transfer on the ball of a foot , followed by a step on the other foot...
, the force produced by pushing with the new supporting foot at the moment of the partial weight transfer makes it possible to lift the previous support foot for a short time, followed by the drop back onto the first supporting foot subject to the gravity force.
Partner dancing
Control of weight transfers is an important part of the partner dancePartner dance
Partner dances are dances whose basic choreography involves coordinated dancing of two partners, as opposed to individuals dancing alone or individually in a non-coordinated manner, and as opposed to groups of people dancing simultaneously in a coordinated manner.In the year 1023 the German poet...
technique. In general, important components of foot action during a dance step are foot movement, foot placement, and weight transfer.
Weight transfers of the leader are important cues in leading and following.