The Golden Rules (2nd Edition) by Christa Fenn & Jörg Helmer is the English translation of the German book Die Goldenen Regeln – 2. erweiterte Auflage. Based on the Second, Expanded Edition (2019), this practical ebook presents essential principles and aphorisms for Standard Ballroom Dancing, combining decades of dancesport experience with insights from sports science.
Rather than teaching complete routines or syllabus figures, the book focuses on the principles behind effective dancing. Its concise rules encourage dancers to understand, discuss, practice, and apply important concepts of movement, balance, partnership, leading and following, rotation, swing, energy management, and Tango technique.
The book begins with fundamentals and leading, followed by detailed principles for body and couple position and the mechanics of walking. It explores body contact, balance, weight transfer, supporting- and free-leg actions, foot pressure, knee and hip mechanics, and the relationship between the two partners.
Further sections examine turning movements and CBM, including rotational actions and heel turns, before moving into three important types of swing: Pendulum Swing, Metronomic Swing, and Rotational Swing.
A dedicated chapter on energy management explores how acceleration, control, tension, release, and breathing contribute to dynamic Ballroom movement. The book also includes a separate section on the special technical characteristics of Tango, covering couple position, Tango walks, foot action, knee action, and Promenade Position.
Of particular interest to serious Standard dancers and teachers is the chapter Principles from “The Ballroom Technique.” It discusses technical concepts related to Tango and the Swing dances, including footwork, Promenade Position, Whisks, Rise and Fall, Slow Foxtrot rhythm, and Quickstep actions.
The final section focuses on communication in training and instruction, with practical ideas for dancers, teachers, trainers, and coaches on learning, correction, motivation, and effective technical communication.
Contents
- Fundamentals and Leading
- Rules for Body and Couple Position
- Rules for the Mechanics of Walking
- Rules for Turning Movements
- Rules for Swing Action
- Rules for Energy Management
- Special Features of Tango
- Principles from “The Ballroom Technique”
- Communication in Training and Instruction
The Golden Rules (2nd Edition) is an excellent reference for Standard Ballroom dancers, competitors, teachers, trainers, and coaches who want to develop a deeper understanding of dance technique, movement, partnership, and teaching principles.
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