How to Choose the Perfect Jive Dance Partner

Jive is an amazing dance style originating from South African countries. It has a unique character: performed in a mocking, playful manner, it looks fun and humorous. Often, jive routines have a specific (also comedic) storyline that helps convey the emotional message of the dance to the audience vividly and fully.

Like any other ballroom dance, jive is designed for partner performance and requires a partner (male or female). Many people tend to think that choosing a partner is secondary, but that judgment is a big misconception.

After all, a dance pair is a single mechanism, one whole. Even if your jive skills are impeccable, if you haven't found common ground with your partner, the dance is doomed to failure. It's important to understand that the rule "every man for himself" doesn't apply here. If you want to reach a high level in dancing, we recommend taking the partner selection process seriously and reading through this article.

First of all, you should pay attention to the basic selection criteria that are considered necessary. You need to know height (the partner should be taller than the partner), class (level of training, special or international), and age. In ballroom dancing, the following age categories exist: Children (up to 11), Juniors (up to 15), Youth (15-18), Adults (19 and older), Seniors (35 and older).

Keep in mind that participating in official jive competitions requires strict adherence to these criteria. If you plan to dance jive at an amateur level (in hobby clubs or at home privately), these conditions are not as strict.

Besides standard criteria, there are also several secondary but equally important conditions for choosing a jive partner. Most of these aspects are based on moral factors. It is very important that your partner is compatible with you in temperament, life principles, and interests. Working as a pair means constant contact with the person, and you can talk about not only dancing but any other topics.

If you have a good relationship with your partner, working on the dance will be comfortable and enjoyable. If you are a beginner, try to find someone more experienced. If you already have some dance experience, you can also choose a beginner.

Nowadays, information is accessible to anyone with an internet-connected device. Therefore, the fastest way to find a jive partner on your own is to post an ad online. Make sure your "resume" includes basic information about you (see standard criteria).

You can also find a partner at the dance club or choreography school where you take classes (your coach, who has more experience, may help you) or at another club. Don't forget that people in your circle might also support the idea of taking up jive.

Thus, in jive as a ballroom dance style, it is very important to choose the right partner. Your training productivity and success in competitions or performances will depend on this choice. We wish you good luck in achieving your goals!