How to Dance at a High School Dance for Teens

Dancing does not need to intimidate you; enjoy yourself.

For some teens, dancing with a group of peers seems fun and exciting; for others, it is embarrassing and frightening. But dancing is not something that should terrify you. Instead, educate yourself before taking on the types of dances that teens love. Learn the basics -- slow dancing, hardcore dancing and even line dancing, which certain rappers and country music artists have brought back into style. Most importantly, enjoy yourself, because that, essentially, is what dancing is about.

Instructions

Etiquette and Slow Dancing

1. Ask a potential partner, "May I have this dance?"

   When asking for a dance, "Elements of Dance Etiquette" suggests that you use simple phrasing. Alternatively, when declining a dance, simply say: "No, thank you."

2. Lead your partner into the dance floor, by the hand.

3. Place your right hand on the small of the back of the follower, while your left hand holds the follower's right hand. The follower then places his left hand on top of your right shoulder.

   If you want to follow, reverse the hand positions.

4. Follow the basic back and forth rock steps for slow dancing, shifting your weight from one foot to the other.

5. Thank your partner and applaud the band, when the song ends.

Hardcore Dancing

1. Move to the middle of the dance floor, if the band begins to play hardcore, metal or punk music. Because hardcore and punk dancing involve some amount of thrashing, find a space with a comfortable distance from other dancers.

2. Stand with a stiff torso and your arms slightly in front of you.

3. Hop, like you are on a pogo stick, according to D.C. Hardcore.

Dance Like Grandma's Watchin'

1. Stand 6 inches from your dancing partner.

   In order to prevent the newer trend of "grinding," Minnetonka High School began a campaign for clean dancing, called "Dance Like Grandma's Watchin," as reported by MSNBC contributor, Jacqueline Stenson. Whenever dancing, ask yourself: "Would Grandma like this?"

2. Show respect for your partner by keeping hands on the small of the back or above.

   Ask yourself: "Would your Grandma want to see your hands stray?"

3. Smile and occasionally look at your partner in the eyes. Say a few courteous and appropriate things, such as: "You look beautiful tonight," or "Thank you for dancing with me."

   Showing respect would make your Grandma proud.

Tips & Warnings

• Always groom properly before a dance -- wear deodorant, brush your teeth and keep mints handy.

• Swing dancing is on the rise at many high schools, according to a report by the Elk River Star News. In this kind of dancing, partners spin each other around, do flips and follow a more complex series of dance steps. Swing dancing allows teens to get close to each other, but focuses more on athleticism than eroticism. If you have time before the dance, join a local program at a dance studio or join your school's team.

References

• MSNBC: When Teens Grind, Schools Freak; Jacqueline Stenson; February, 2010.
• "Elk River Star News"; Teens, Grownups Get Into Swing Dancing; March, 2011.
• University of Texas Dallas; Elements of Dance Etiquette; Aria Nostratinia; 1997.
• D.C. Hardcore: How to Dance at a Punk Rock Show