Worried about my partner

[Guest Enterprisecdr]

After a long absence of not posting on the board I'm back! Anyways, here's my dilemma (but with the background info first)-- I have partnering class at my performing arts high school and the other day my teacher decided for us all to switch partners. I, unfortunately, am the smallest and shortest in the class and he put me with a guy who has no strength what-so-ever as my partner. My partner is also a good 6-8 inches taller than I am (I am 5 feet, 2 inches--107 lbs.). Anyways, we were doing a lift and the teacher was saying something but not to him, and he thought that the teacher said to put me down (the teacher didn't--he was talking to someone else). I didn't hear that, and so my partner put me down without telling me, thnking that I had my feet under me (which I didn't), and then let go. Essentially--he dropped me. And the worst part is is that he dropped me on my bad ankle (tendonitis, tears, and microtears). I have gone to the Doc and used the RICE formula as well as a brace and tiger balm for the past few days. However, I no longer feel safe partnering him (especially since he has dropped other girls before), how do I tell my teacher this, or what should I do? I'm worried that if something like this happens again, that I won't be able to dance for an extremely long time :-( . Can anyone help me out here? Am I doing something wrong? Thanks.

 

-Kat

[Mel Johnson]

You have to keep in contact with your partner throughout a partnering phase, particularly where lifts are concerned. The height differential makes things a little dicey, as he may not be conscious of, or even able to feel, when you make contact with the floor. If necessary, you even have to talk(!), and say, "I'm not down yet", or words to that effect. Granted, this was at a time when he wasn't supposed to put you down, but you have to be aware of where you are in space, and take appropriate action (sometimes very fast!) to avoid accidents.

[Juliet]

Talk to your partner first. He feels as badly about it as you do.

Lots of guys get their strength later and he may not only be inexperienced but not have his full adult-male body under control yet.

 

Partnering is a dialogue. It is no one's sole responsibility. Girls need to learn how to breathe and jump; boys need to be doing those pushups instead of horsing around at the barre when they are not out demonstrating a combination. I know girls who look like thistledown but move like a sack of potatoes, tiny little things who can't do a shoulder sit and heftier girls who are a delight to partner because they are in tune with their body, space around them and their partner.

 

It is a learned art, takes time and patience . Your teacher will be the next step up the complaint ladder, but only after you've tried to work it out with the current partner.

 

Best of luck to both of you---it is hard, I know. Takes trust and practise. I used to give a dancer I was fond of one of those little gold guardian angels (I sewed iit inside her bodice) before she did Corsaire with a particularly unreliable partner. Both were lovely dancers, but not in sync with each other.