Ice dance - test solo pattern dance or partnered pattern dance?

[Live2Sk8]

Hi, I'm just learning the first three ice dances (DW, CT, RB).   If I ever wanted to test these dances, what advantages or disadvantages might there be to testing partnered versus solo?  I don't have anyone who could be a partner for competitions and I don't think I would ever compete, although there are 2 competitions where I could do solo dance.  Usually it ends up being an exhibition for anyone who signs up.  I have the announcement for one of those competitions and for the solo dance events, requirement is to have passed either partnered or solo, doesn't matter which.

Main disadvantage I see to testing partnered is the added expense - paying a dance coach to practice with me then paying for the coach at the test. I am also terrified that I will put a foot wrong and hurt the coach and/or myself.

Main advantage I see to partnered pattern dance is that it would probably help me learn to set the edges properly and set the pattern better than I am doing on my own.  But I could always do a couple of lessons for that, and still test solo.

Thoughts?  I haven't thought beyond the first 3 dances - they're enough of a challenge at the moment but I was surprised to learn how much I enjoy putting on my mp3 player and whirling around the rink!

[jjane45]

I agree that training partnered = rapidly growing costs, especially if it means getting two coaches, one to partner with and another oversees.

Solo testing disadvantage: if you decide to skate partnered later, you will need to retake all tests. Personally, skating solo means I'm much more likely to go off pattern and off music...

While I enjoy skating solo but  partnered ice dance - if done well with a good partner - makes me feel really accomplished

[jjane45]

Re: hurting the coach or yourself. I've always been terrified of synchro skating because of the added risks involved, but strangely partnered ice dance actually feels safe. when I partner equally inexperienced skaters in group dance class, we skate slowly with lots of caution. The coach I skate with is excellent at defensive skating.

for the lower dances I imagine the injury factor from tripping each other is lower because it's forward skating with no turns? As long as one remembers the steps it should be alright...

[Skittl1321]

Is your regular coach teaching you the dances, or are you teaching yourself? If your coach is working on them with you, keep in mind that USFSA allows same genders partners if they are your coach- so if you regularly train these and dance with your coach in lessons, you would not need to hire a "dance partner" for before test practice and the tests.

I think the solo disadvantage is huge: if you test partnered, you can still enter solo events.  If you test solo, you can't do partnered without testing again.

[Skittl1321]

for the lower dances I imagine the injury factor from tripping each other is lower because it's forward skating with no turns?

I agree, until you get to swing dance, the trip factor is VERY low.   When I was just learning the Rhythm Blues my coach would often just glide during the step behinds to offer support, as I was less stable when he did the step behinds as well, but it wasn't an issue of getting tangled up. 

I have kicked my coach a few times on the Canasta Tango though.  I actually asked him to stop wearing really expensive jeans for lessons, because I couldn't afford to replace them if I slashed a hole into them!   He's a former pairs skater, so my little kicks in the shins or elbow to the ribs were pretty much nothing to him

[TreSk8sAZ]

100%, absolutely test partnered if you can. I am that skater that had no coaches willing to test parntered when I started dance. Tested through two bronze, then I moved. Spent so much more time and money having to relearn and retest the earlier dances. As was said, you can always compete solo even if you have parntered tests.

Believe me, I have kicked, tripped, kneed and pushed my dance coach while learning all different levels of dance. I have never taken my male dance coach down no matter what I did, and they kept me upright. My new dance coach is female and a bit smaller than me - I really doubt I can take her down either.

I think the advantange to learning and taking tests partnered is you get the best of both worlds - you learn the dances in the proper place, with proper timing, and you still learn how to do it on your own, too. My coach regularly makes me do a solo pattern to make sure I'm picking up on everything, plus I'm competing solo dance right now. If you have a coach teaching you dance, hopefully they can test with you or they have someone come in to prop all of their dancers, so the cost wouldn't be outrageous.

The advantage to solo is that you learn proper technique on your own, without ever relying on someone to assist you in doing so. I will say, however, that my solo dances are ten times better now that I have danced partnered than they were when I was learning just solo.

[Live2Sk8]

Thanks for the replies so far!  My same gender coach is teaching me.  She hasn't mentioned partnering me during a lesson or for a test (I am a LONG way from testing!)  There is a male dance coach in the area but then the costs start ratcheting up.  Lots to think about as I continue learning.

On the injury factor - I know the steps but I just worry that I will extend too far, not far enough or in wrong direction, or I will get nervous and do something stupid to hurt the coach or myself.  The panic factor is always there, too, if someone else on the ice gets too close.

I would never want to test these twice, both from a cost perspective and a stress/anxiety perspective so it sounds like testing partnered is the way to go.  Maybe by end of year?  (Dare to dream...especially since my freestyle and moves are not progressing).

[Skittl1321]

My same gender coach is teaching me.  She hasn't mentioned partnering me during a lesson or for a test

My coaches have never wanted to partner me at all until I was solid on the steps, both male and female.

I do not like to do the Rhythm Blues end pattern unpartnered due to some fear from when I first learned it, so when I 'relearned' it (I did the first 3 dances with female coach like 3 years before I started them again with male coach- so everything was basically retaught) I did the sides solo, held the wall for the end pattern, and then went back to do the sides.  When we go to music, I would do the sides solo, he would hold me for the end pattern, then let go for the other side.

So it is possible your coach has this same idea that she won't partner until you are solid on the dance, and not that she won't partner at all.  Or maybe she doesn't feel comfortable partnering, but for the first 3 it isn't really an issue of needing a strong partner.   If you feel like you are getting pretty good on the steps (maybe first just dutch waltz?) why not ask your coach if you can try it partnered?

[taka]

I do dance solo but in the UK where you can change between partnered and solo without retaking any tests.

Pros
- You learn to generate the necessary speed and power entirely by yourself with no assistance.
- Correct pattern, technique and timing is all down to you too - there is no hiding!
- No on else to trip or kick or generally annoy!
- No-one else needed to practice.
- No additional costs above normal lesson costs.
- Here solo dance competitions have a LOT more entrants than partnered!

Cons
- I'm a poor partner as I only partner infrequently. (My coach is at least 8 inches smaller and about half my weight so she is too scared to partner me much I think... she struggles to lead me which freaks her out! )
- Some dances make more sense partnered! It helps to know what your partner will be doing and when. It helps with placement and understanding exactly where your feet and shoulders etc need to be. You will still need to know and learn some of these even if you skate solo.
- Certain dances are harder to do solo (high level ones mostly) as it is hard to get into the correct position to do the steps without a partner.

Personally, I don't see me dancing partnered anytime soon. There are so few men at my rink and even less who do any dance (single figures) that it is not really an option open to me. If I want to do dance I need to learn and do it solo. I do try and learn how to partner dances but I don't really do them often enough with someone to become very proficient. Just as well I love doing dance solo!

I guess you need to decide if any potential extra costs of learning / testing partnered are worth it if you don't see yourself as ever being likely to compete partnered anyway!

[SynchKat]

I am in Canada where we don't have two streams but I have ice danced my whole life so here's my two cents.

About hurting a partner.  NEVER worry about this.  A good partner knows how to get out of the way of danger and should be solid enough to be able to steady an unsteady skater.  They also know the "dangers" of their job and have more than once had a pick to the shin.  If you are with partner they will be aware of where the other skaters are so you don't have to worry about other skaters on the ice.  They will keep you out of harms way.  So many times I see a woman being partnered by a guy and looking all around.  This really messes up with the holds so just relax and let the partner do their job.  I usually advise people who are worried about their partner that they could probably step on them , trip them whatever and they won't go down.  Partners and coaches have been skating most of their lives and if they are like me they are more comfortable and stable on skates than in shoes. 

Biggest benefit to doing tests with a partner is they can keep you calm.  I have partnered many dances and have called out every single step, I have waited to start with a child who is trembling with nerves.  I have taken people through tests who are made to go extra times and as someone who knows what is going on I can reassure them that the judge wants to pass them so do "x" step beautifully.  The last test I partneredI was able to keep the guy on the right edges and tell him to slow down at certain points where he was rushing. 

So if it's not too much difficulty I would say go the partnered route.  But then again I am just used to skating with someone so I hate being out there all alone. 

[Icicle]

I agree, until you get to swing dance, the trip factor is VERY low.   When I was just learning the Rhythm Blues my coach would often just glide during the step behinds to offer support, as I was less stable when he did the step behinds as well, but it wasn't an issue of getting tangled up. 

I have kicked my coach a few times on the Canasta Tango though.  I actually asked him to stop wearing really expensive jeans for lessons, because I couldn't afford to replace them if I slashed a hole into them!   He's a former pairs skater, so my little kicks in the shins or elbow to the ribs were pretty much nothing to him

I only kicked my coach once or twice, and it was on the Canasta Tango too. He didn't get hurt, but he said, "If you do it on your test, I'll fall and you'll fail." that scared me enough, and I never did it again.

[Icicle]

So if it's not too much difficulty I would say go the partnered route.  But then again I am just used to skating with someone so I hate being out there all alone. 

So true! For me, it's much less scary to test with a partner. I had my solo dances (CT and RB) videotaped a week before my tests, and I was terrified at how horrible I looked. Then I took those tests with my coach, and I looked like a completely different person, quite decent actually. It was a pleasant surprise. See: a good partner can cover up some of your imperfections; he can help you get on the edge, for example. 

[jjane45]

See: a good partner can cover up some of your imperfections; he can help you get on the edge, for example. 

It can go both ways and the key is matching your lines. I made the mistake of NOT taping partnered practices before my first dance test (dutch waltz, canasta tango, rhythm blues) and it's glaringly obvious that 1) I rush, and 2) my free leg swing does not match Partnering Coach's beautiful positions.

[Skittl1321]

It can go both ways and the key is matching your lines. I made the mistake of NOT taping partnered practices before my first dance test (dutch waltz, canasta tango, rhythm blues) and it's glaringly obvious that 1) I rush, and 2) my free leg swing does not match Partnering Coach's beautiful positions.

Do you think it effected your test results though?  For those tests, I don't think judges expect the tester to match the beautiful positions of a professional.  (Though rushing isn't good...)

[SynchKat]

Judges would never expect a tester to match the lines of the partner.  A good partner should be able to keep the tester on time.  I have often skated a fraction of a beat slower to slow down a partner. 
And also a partner should be aware enough during a test to tone down their beautiful extensions, etc.  You aren't there to outshine the person testing.  Often when partnering the partner is on two feet or "faking" steps. 

[Skittl1321]

Often when partnering the partner is on two feet or "faking" steps.

Sorry to hijack from the original thread- but can you explain a bit more what you mean by this?

For example, a lot of times during practice (so he can turn around and watch my feet) my coach would not do the RB step behinds but just glide on two feet.  If our 'real' runs- he of course does the steps.  Is it allowable during the test for him to not do the steps?  It is definetly easier for me when he doesn't!

I know for a pairs test (unless they changed this recently) that even if both partners are not testing, both must 'pass' (so for example if a partner who already passed the test toe picked over on their camel spin entry and didn't do the spin for a SBS spin reskate, the testing partner would get a retry, even if they were perfect).  I assumed dance tests were the same way and the partner would have to do all the steps completely.  So can you clarify what you mean by 'on two feet'?

[SynchKat]

For a lot of the higher level dances the partner will do a lot on two feet especially if they are having trouble controlling the tester.  Most people doing tests aren't trained at being a partner so they will try to lead or will lean on the partner.  This is often where a partner will two foot steps. I know for myself in the Ten Fox on the double knee bend when partnering someone I have to often touch down with my free foot to get more control.  Tests are judged on the steps and not the partnering skills. 

I would assume dance tests are the same here and it is just the testee being judged.  The judges have every right to call for a new partner if they feel the partner is lacking in ability or is dragging the testee around.  But next time you are watching a test day just watch the partner.  You will notice what I am talking about.    Sometimes you've got to do what you've got to do to get people through a test. 

[phoenix]

^^i have to say, i've never seen that here in the states (i'm in the midwest). If  the tester can't skate well enough for the partner to skate the dance with them for real, then they aren't ready to test. I doubt judges here would see that & let it fly. I'd be interested to hear from people in other parts of the country about this too!