The Forgotten (?!?) Skill of Floor Craft in Argentine Tango
If one has attended a milonga, they have most likely experienced dancing in a small space. “Crowded” is the word one would typically encounter when learning about milongas as a social dancing event.
This runs rather contrary to how Argentine tango is often depicted in popular media, where dancers are shown performing moves on a big stage or in wide-open spaces.
In truth, milongas, as opposed to “show tango,” are conducted in small spaces, with a couple’s dance space being limited by numerous other couples on the dance floor.
More often than not, when someone is just beginning to learn about tango, steps and figures tend to take center stage in lessons. However, the study of proper floor craft and etiquette on the dance floor is equally important. Tango Mentor makes a strong case for this with a simple explanation:
“Without learning floorcraft, any other skills you learn are useless. You can learn the most complicated and the most attractive moves, but if you can’t use them because you don’t have enough space, your efforts are in vain.”
Thus, to form the foundations of good tango dancing, one must make an effort to also perfect floor craft, which, in some tango communities, seem to be a forgotten skill altogether.
What exactly is floor craft, and how does one improve their skills?
Practica Chiquita at Ultimate Tango
What Is Floor Craft?
Floor craft in tango is often considered as a more technical aspect of the dance.
Regardless, it should be taught, ideally, during the beginning stages of learning.
Floor craft is all about navigation in tango, which can come especially handy in crowded milongas or dance floors with small spaces.
Elegant Tango has a succinct but fairly clear definition of what makes good floor craft:
“Normally floor craft is mostly about not damaging yourself, your partner, other dancers or people sitting out at a milonga, and being courteous to others… Other than that it is very similar in that the leader needs to be very aware of the space available (as does the follower) and probably needs to make more use of pivoting to be able to lead the follower out of the tight corner he’s boxed them into.”
As one can see from this definition, tango applies proper etiquette even in the way dancers ought to move. It is important to keep in mind that milongas are social dances, which is why being considerate to other couples — as well as one’s partner — is vital to achieve a great tango experience. Once more, Tango Mentor makes a good case for this:
“[The] milonguero mindset is more about the connection and people we dance to than the movement and music that inspires us. Social tango is social — which means we should give priority to people and how we relate to them. Of course, technical skills, repertoire, and musicality are important, but they should not be the priority. They are not the goal by themselves — they are just tools to help us build a better experience.
“Dancing without the disruptions that are connected to crowded milongas shapes a different mindset. When you have limitless space, you tend to focus more on the physical mindset and neglect the subtle elements that are more meditative and partner-oriented.”
Thus, by studying floor craft, one can have a deeper understanding of why certain steps and figures are executed in a particular way.
Additionally, they may continue enjoying milongas even with the knowledge of basic steps and figures alone as obtrusive embellishments are typically discouraged in small spaces.
Challenges in Floor Craft
As with any element of a dance, one might encounter a few challenges when it comes to proper and efficient floor craft. To begin, they must first understand what generally constitutes good floor craft. A post from Tanguito (you MUST read it - it’s extremely funny!) gives an interesting take on floor craft, where it compares this concept with driving. It describes six usual floor craft practices commonly observed among dancers accompanied by simple illustrations. To summarize the post, these six floor craft practices are:
Original post HERE. You MUST READ IT!
● Good floor craft: Moving in a counterclockwise motion in a set rectangular way
● Zigzagging: Moving everywhere and anywhere without a specific perimeter
● Maze: Going forward, stepping to the side, going backward, then going forward again
● Parking: Not moving from one’s spot
● Oval: Moving in an oval, disregarding corners
● Hare and tortoise: Repeatedly taking multiple steps forward then stopping
From these descriptions alone,
one could see that good floor craft is primarily described by moving in a counterclockwise motion while staying in one’s lane on the dance floor.
Therefore, one must be aware and mindful of the space they occupy in relation to the room, their partner, and other dancers.
Some may think that, in the case of good floor craft, leaders have more considerable responsibility in steering their partners in the right direction.
However, it is essential to remember that tango is not a solo dance, which is why the follower’s movements are equally as crucial in executing proper floor craft.
A post from Tangology 101 lists “partnering skills” as a vital aspect of the skillful execution of floor craft, defining the responsibilities of both leaders and followers. To summarize, the leaders’ responsibilities include:
● Protecting the follower: Avoid putting followers in situations that might endanger or injure them. Followers are more vulnerable to injuries since they are often on the “outside of most turns” and may be walking backward or have their eyes closed. Additionally, their attire — such as open-toe shoes — may also cause potential injuries during unfortunate collisions.
● Dancing to the partner’s abilities: Leaders should adjust to the follower’s skill level to avoid forcing them into moving beyond their capacity.
Meanwhile, the responsibilities of a follower include:
● Keeping their eyes OPEN: If a follower feels that the leader is inexperienced, they are best served by keeping their eyes open to avoid accidents.
● Keeping their feet on the floor: Followers should not let their feet fly out as this may trip other dancers.
● Avoid executing high boleos: Further to keeping their feet on the floor, high boleos should also be avoided. A follower’s judgment is important in keeping everyone safe, so it might be better to execute a boleo without letting their feet leave the floor. (If you decide to execute any high kicks - keep them toward your partner. Not outwards.)
Aside from these factors, one may also encounter other challenges in floor craft. Since milongas have many other couples on the dance floor, overcrowding and congestion are foregone conclusions. Apart from these, Tango High and Low lists down, in no particular order, other typical behaviors that may pose challenges for good floor craft:
Dawdling
Tailgating
Spontaneous “teaching” or stopping for protracted conversations
Showboating
Performance tango moves
Changing lanes, or entering into or backing into lines of dance (or the ronda) without looking
Passing on the right or left
Pedestrians loitering
Couples criss-crossing at the center of the dance floor
Failing to acknowledge the presence of other couples
Musicality and pacing
In encountering these challenges, it is important to remember that while it’s ideal for everyone to be aware of proper etiquette on the dance floor, everyone makes mistakes.
This applies not only to beginners but even seasoned dancers. A post from Tangology 101 offers a crucial reminder to those who may have experienced collisions or floor craft challenges:
“People will get in your way and will brush up against you and will even collide [with] you sometimes. Please be polite and forgiving especially if they are newer dancers, who could be easily scared away from the dance. If you do have a serious issue with someone, talk to them in private and politely explain your complaint with them, rather than making faces or being aggressive on the dance floor.”
“If you gently graze someone, then there is no need to apologize, but if you bump or collide with someone, then apologize after the song is over.”
That said, how can someone improve their skills in floor craft? What are some basic guidelines that can help?
Tips for Improving Floor Craft in Argentine Tango
Fortunately, there are numerous sources that can provide sound advice when it comes to improving someone’s floor craft skills. Some tips may vary depending on the source, but there are some general guidelines that are often mentioned. The following tips are compiled from various sources such as posts from SF Loves Tango, Tangology 101, Madison Tango Society, and Heritage Institute:
● Stay within lane: This is perhaps one of the most common floor craft tips. Similar to driving, staying within and maintaining one’s lane will avoid collisions. Dancers should keep in mind that other dancers, ideally, have their own lanes to follow and are expecting other dancers to follow theirs for a safe and enjoyable milonga experience. That said, they should avoid drifting or traveling to the center of the dance floor.
● Do not monopolize the space: While one must stay within their own lane, it is also important to leave room for other couples to dance. Dancers should be mindful of the available space and how others may be able to move within it.
● Enter within an area that does not disrupt flow: When entering into the dance floor, dancers should try to do so from one of the four corners and not from the center of a lane. This avoids disrupting the flow of the other dancers already present within the area. However, this may not always be possible due to space restrictions, but it should be the goal.
● Do not park on the dance floor: Maintaining dance flow within a milonga is important, which is why couples are discouraged from “parking” on the dance floor. Parking here can refer to stopping for a conversation or conducting some impromptu teaching. It’s important to keep in mind that milongas are social events and not classes, and it is generally considered bad taste to talk or even teach on the dance floor. These activities are best done in private or during practicas. Similarly, no one should stop even if they have made a mistake. They should simply adjust their movements and apologize later if needed.
● Avoid overtaking: On roads, drivers may sometimes overtake other cars when the vehicle in front is moving at a slower pace. However, in a milonga, this is considered inappropriate and can potentially lead to accidents. Tango is not a race. If a couple is moving slower than one would like, one must adjust their dance in a more circular way to avoid overtaking other couples.
● Do not tailgate: Like overtaking, tailgating is also discouraged on the dance floor. Maintaining a distance of at least three feet from the couple ahead is ideal. One can never predict when a dance couple might back up, so it is best to stay clear.
● Look before backing up: Just as one would never back out blindly from a driveway, one must also look before backing up on the dance floor.
● Take smaller steps: Since a milonga can be crowded and only has limited space, taking smaller steps will make it easier for all dance couples to maximize the available room. This also provides the opportunity to practice steps necessitating tight embraces, which can lead to a better connection with one’s partner.
There are many other tips and tricks to improve floor craft, but those mentioned above are perhaps the most basic and sensible guidelines someone can follow. If one is interested in a more visual representation of good floor craft, they may check out the following videos:
Tango Space’s video on adapting four sequences that can be danced in crowded milongas
Howcast’s video on seven floor craft tips
Safety First
Aside from having an enjoyable tango experience, floor craft is primarily about the safety of all dancers, especially in crowded spaces. While it can feel a bit technical when applied, it is a fundamental skill that can help in proper tango navigation.
Similar to driving, it pays to develop all-around awareness of one’s body and those around them.
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