Do:

• Ask each other to dance - you too ladies - even if you only know 4 moves.
• Accept an invitation to dance - it's unusual to refuse a dance at Ceroc.
• Be careful of other people on the dance floor.
• Apologise if you knock into someone, even if it wasn't your fault.
• Introduce yourself at the start and thank your partner at the end of a dance.
• Ask the teacher to dance - she'll be thrilled!
• Collect a partner from the queue before joining a row.
• Stick up your hand if you find yourself without a partner.
• Bring a towel/spare top/deodorant - it gets hot!
• Have fun!

Don't:

• Bring drinks into the venue.
• Criticise your partner.
• Do drops/dips with your partner without asking her or if it is crowded.
• Worry if you don't know many moves - just dance the ones you've got.

A few good dance habits

Men and Women:

Keep a relaxed hand hold - no thumbs.

Relax your shoulders.

Keep your hands at waist level, unless they're raised for a reason!

Keep your elbows tucked in.

2 beats each for spins, turns and returns - beat 1: in close to partner for spin/turn; beat 2: both step back.

On spins, keep both feet close to the ground - one acts as a sort of stabiliser. Usually if spinning clockwise the weight is on the right foot, if anti-clockwise it's on the left foot.

Men:

Think of leading from your elbow.

Take a big step in when you need to be side by side with your partner.

On turns your hand should go pretty well straight up, over the lady's head, then straight down as you step back - don't draw a big circle over her head.

When learning, don't be afraid to keep repeating certain moves - you can them as 'building blocks' to give you thinking time.

Women:

Allow the men to lead - it'll make them much more fun to dance with.

Keep some tension in your arm - not floppy, not rigid, just enough so that your body follows the lead.

On turns, rather than walking around, turn on the spot with the weight on one foot, then step back directly away from your partner.