With the Viennese Waltz there should be a smooth lilting sway from side to side, rather than the classic ‘rise and fall’ of the other traditional ballroom dances (Waltz, Quickstep, Foxtrot).

Both partners should be driving the dance when it is their turn to come forward. This will result in a much smoother action than if the male is driving then pulling his partner.

The Jive needs to be a bouncy and fun dance with light, quick movements and plenty of personality – i’m already feeling for Joe if he’s been picked for this one!

So who’s got what, and how’s their training coming along?

Zoe Lucker & James Jordan – Jive

Looking quite light on her feet but yet again she needs to get over those nerves of hers!

Could be a solid performance and receive 7’s.

Joe Calzaghe & Kristina Rihanoff – Jive

So far Joe has proved to be very heavy-footed, contrary to the bookie’s early odds. How [or even will?] he cope with the fast and bouncy Jive?

Actually looks like Joe is getting involved in the dance and enjoying himself. Needs to make sure that his toes are pointed down during the flicks.

Could well be his best dance yet though and might even manage 6’s (ignoring the [personal opinion] over-marking of last week.

Ali Bastian & Brian Fortuna – Jive

Brian’s favourite dance is looking a little awkward at times but really good at others.

Haven’t really seen enough of the dance to give an accurate judgement but i’ll predict healthy 7’s.

Craig Kelly & Flavia Cacace – Jive

Craig’s been in the dance-off twice now and I imagine his confidence has taken a real knock.

Needs to keep palms down rather than facing upwards and really should be pointing his toes downwards rather than letting them flick aimlessly during the kicks.

Also needs to bring his feet together a little more during his chasses (and in some cases actually do chasses!)

However it looks like it could be 6’s.

Ricky Groves & Erin Boag – Jive

Could this be a return to the funny for Ricky? His Foxtrot would’ve been a LOT better last week if he could’ve kept his frame under control, less of an issue when it comes to Jive.

Looking pretty good, energetic and with a nice amount of bounce. Again another celeb who needs to keep those toes down during kicks – interesting to see that he’s got himself a pair of dance trainers.

I’m expecting another lively performance from Ricky and at least 7’s.

Chris Hollins & Ola Jordan – Jive

So another Latin dance for Chris, and another chance for Ola to wear very little!

Needs to take smaller back steps when rocking back and keep the head up when he’s kicking (a problem he had during the Quickstep).

Looking good but yet again there’s toes being flung around that should be toward the floor.

Realistically I think 6-7.

Laila Rouass & Anton du Beke – Jive

Laila and Anton definitely deserved their top spot last week, but how are they going to cope with the move from slow and elegant Foxtrot, to fast and frantic Jive?

Well she’s looking a little flat-footed, and wearing boots probably doesn’t help!

Needs to do something [anything!] with her free hand. The training doesn’t appear to be at full speed/performance so really hard to judge.

If that was at full speed then we’ll struggle for 5’s!!!

Phil Tufnell & Katya Virshilas – Viennese Waltz

I saw some surprisingly impressive hips last week, let’s hope Phil’s knee has recovered further and he can show us a really smooth Viennese.

Needs to translate the ‘bob’ into more of a sway but not looking too bad, need to see him out of practice hold to be a better judge of how his frame is holding up though.

Should be 7’s.

Jo Wood & Brendan Cole – Viennese Waltz

Jo still isn’t strenghtening her ab’s and standing up, she looks introverted and is totally lost in Brendan’s frame.

It’s very jerky and bouncy and is nowhere near as smooth-looking as it should be.

Unless she relaxes, and starts to stand up, this will be more 5’s. The only saving grace she has is that there’s only really 3 steps in the Viennese so nowhere near as much to learn as the other dances!

Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone – Viennese Waltz

Very nice presentation with the hands but again does need to avoid bouncing when she closes her feet, and also make sure she keeps the frame up all the way round the dance.

To avoid getting dizzy she really needs to try and focus on the wall as she goes round so that her brain can cope.

Could come off quite nice though and probably straight 7’s.

Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe – Viennese Waltz

I’ve not been impressed with Ricky’s frame in the first couple of ballroom dances and at times there appears to be significant improvement, then at other times his shoulders are out of alignment and it ruins the whole look.

I’d say 7’s but the judges like him so will probably be 8-9.

Jade Johnson & Ian Waite – Viennese Waltz

The tallest couple should definitely be suited to this dance.

We saw Ian and Jade at the International Ballroom Dancing Championships last night and Ian gave me a preview of Jade’s frame and posture, which is looking very good.

This is looking very good and could be the highest scoring Viennese of the night.

I’m going out on a limb and saying 9’s!!!

I’m putting Jade and Ian in top spot with Jo Wood (or even possibly Laila) in bottom spot.

Ian said that he’d seen Laila’s Jive and people will really need to vote for them so it will be interesting to see how the performance comes off.

What about your views, who would you place top, who do you think should be going out?

The post Training updates – Viennese Waltz & Jive appeared first on Learn To Dance.

The contestants have been allocated either a sultry Salsa, or the elegant Foxtrot.

Salsa normally involves fast complicated moves with lots of hip movement, whilst the Foxtrot is a slow elegant dance that should float across the floor.

Both are quite difficult dances to master but I’ve always considered the Foxtrot to be the most difficult dance technically.

So how is their training coming along?

Chris Hollins & Ola Jordan – Salsa

Need to keep the head up Chris, and the shoulders down. Having seen Chris’ Rumba a couple of weeks ago I think this could be good, if he can just keep the performance element there.

For me though I think he could have another Quickstep moment, i.e. head down and just kicking like crazy! So I’m predicting 6-7.

Ali Bastian & Brian Fortuna – Salsa

Salsa is Brian’s forte so this should be good, if Ali can cope with the fast and intricate movements.

We’ve seen Ali perform two Ballroom, and one Latin dance so far. Ballroom is generally easier for the female celebrities and Ali also excelled in the slow Rumba, but how is she finding the faster Salsa?

I think this will be 7’s

Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe – Salsa

Ricky is fast becoming the series favourite, but is it too much too soon?

Needs to watching the arm that isn’t being used and make sure that it’s not just left hanging.

This is definitely a dance that could really show off Ricky’s abilities, and word has it that Ricky has previously had Salsa lessons.

Just like his Paso last week, I think Ricky will really perform this well but I’m seeing 8’s not 9’s.

Jade Johnson & Ian Waite – Salsa

Jade injured herself in training midweek so it will be interesting to see how their routine has had to be adapted.

Definitely really good hip action and attitude, even if she does lack confidence. I’m predicting 8’s for this

Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone – Salsa

Natalie showed in her Cha Cha that she’s not afraid to wiggle her hips, let’s see if she brings that confidence to the Salsa.

Looking at the training their Salsa is starting to shape up nicely and I think this will be 7’s

Phil Tufnell & Katya Virshilas – Salsa

Phil had keyhole surgery on his knee this week, and I’m sure his recovery has seriously affected their available practice time. Let’s hope for Phil’s sake that his knee can hold up under the stress of performing a Salsa, he’d have been better off with Foxtrot.

Not looking good so far on the knee front, but most of the routine is looking pretty good. Unfortunately the effect of that knee is going to result in 6’s.

Ricky Groves & Erin Boag – Foxtrot

Strictly’s funny man returns after an impressive Paso, let’s see if he can keep those shoulders down in the Foxtrot.

Really needs to avoid shrugging throughout the dance, if he can sort that then could be looking at 7’s, but realistically I think it’ll be 6’s

Jo Wood & Brendan Cole – Foxtrot

Jo has struggled with the dances so far in the competition and I think this’ll be another dance she struggles with as the ladies footwork is especially difficult in the Foxtrot.

Based on her previous performances she’ll struggle to make 5’s

Laila Rouass & Anton du Beke – Foxtrot

What a turbulent week these two will have had! Laila has asked that the events of a couple of weeks ago be put behind them, but how will the public vote?

One of Anton’s strongest dances and it looks like Laila’s picked it up excellently.

Could be their best dance yet, and the best of the night, 8-9.

Joe Calzaghe & Kristina Rihanoff – Foxtrot

I can’t work out which of the two dances would’ve been better for Joe, but I think probably the Foxtrot as there’s zero hip action required!

Another dance where I think Joe will struggle to maintain his frame, and it looks like there are some issues with the relationship in training.

Sorry Joe but looks like you’ll struggle to get 5’s

Craig Kelly & Flavia Cacace – Foxtrot

Craig’s grame is looking improved, though haven’t seen enough of the dance out of practice hold.

I’m saying 6-7.

Lynda Bellingham & Darren Bennett – Foxtrot

Definitely lucky to have not been given the Salsa, let’s see what she can do with the Foxtrot.

Looking very nice, though I can’t see her footwork, definitely a dance best suited to Lynda’s personality and style.

Could well be 7’s.

Zoe Lucker & James Jordan – Foxtrot

If Zoe copes with the footwork this could be a really good Foxtrot, Zoe has an elegance when she dances that will really complement the Foxtrot.

If all goes to plan this will be 8’s.

So my prediction is for Laila to be top, and Joe still rooted to the bottom of the table. Do you agree?

The post Training updates – Salsa and Foxtrot appeared first on Learn To Dance.

Phil Tufnell & Katya Virshilas
Waltz – Needs to relax the shoulders, just holding his arms a little high (arms should be a slight incline down from the shoulder). Overall doesn’t look too bad, if nerves don’t get the better this could be a 6-7.

Cha Cha – Could potentially give Ricky Groves a run for his money…? If i’m honest I think Phil will only manage a 6 at best.

Zoe Lucker & James Jordan
Waltz – Looks elegant (when not falling over!). Definitely going to give Ali’s Waltz a run for her money.  Could be a 7-8.

Rumba – Looks quite good, so long as Zoe can ignore her nerves surrounding the sensual side of the dance.  Another 7-8.

Jo Wood & Brendan Cole
Tango –  Needs to keep chin up, still closing up and looking at the floor.  Brendan always dances with passion so let’s hope Jo can keep up.  Think the nerves might get the better of her though and predicting a 6.

Rumba –  A couple of nice moments but haven’t seen enough of the dance to truly judge, think another 6.

Richard Dunwoody & Lilia Kopylova
Waltz – Needs to relax the shoulders, the frame is just there for show and should be kept uniform and relaxed. 5-6.

Cha Cha –  Oh dear, I don’t think the Cha Cha is going to be Richards thing, looks uncomfortable and again another 5-6.

Craig Kelly & Flavia Cacace
Tango – Flavia’s speciality is the Argentine Tango and Ballroom Tango is a close cousin so hopefully something good can be created here.  Right shoulder should not be raised during lines, needs to watch this. Predicting a 6.

Rumba – Hips look a little forced at times, probably going to be a 6.

The post Training updates appeared first on Learn To Dance.