Blood on the dance floor

For those who were there last Thursday, you know most of the details. For those who were not, here are the ones you need to know:

• The toe nail of a dancer was partially lifted.
• There was, as a result, blood on the dance floor.
• The toe nail was lifted after a collision with the foot of the partner.
• The partner was not wearing dance shoes, but rubber soled runners with a tread pattern.
• The dancer who sustained the injury was wearing open toed dance shoes.
• The dance was quickstep.

These injuries can happen in dance. But we would still like to minimise the frequency and severity.

One way to minimise both is to ensure that you dance as instructed. Ballroom is, despite what many might assume, the most dangerous of partner dances - if lifts and dips are excluded. That is why, in class, we talk so much about the right frame to ensure that people dance with the right alignment and connection. 

Therefore, please, when you are next in dance class, focus on ensuring you always dance with the right embrace. Never, let the figure compromise the embrace. If you can't do the figure without compromising the embrace, then do not dance the figure.

The same goes for your partner. If you feel unsafe dancing with them, then ask (if following) or say (if leading) that only simple figures will be done.

You are entitled to choose not to dance with someone if you feel unsafe with them or if you feel they are not safe for themselves. 

Another way to minimise both the frequency and severity of an injury to the foot is to wear proper footwear.

Closed toe shoes (ballroom ladies shoes are closed toe - while Latin ladies shoes may be open toed) will prevent your toe nail from catching on another shoe.

Suede soles (in the case of leads especially) lack the grip and geometry to catch a toe nail should it be exposed. Also, the soft soles allow less pressure to be placed on a partners foot should you stand on in. And the thinner sole gives a person a better sensation of what is underfoot so your instinct to lift your foot - and prevent injury to another if you apply pressure to their foot - can be better utilised.

Therefore, if you have been dancing for some time, then you should have proper dance shoes and dance with a proper frame. And, regardless of how long you have been dancing for, ensure you are dancing within your and and your partner's ability.

Thank you for reading this and now choosing to take action to ensure your own and other dancers' safety.