Dance Skills
Physical Skills:
Extension- lengthening one or more muscles or limbs
Stamina- the ability to maintain physical and mental energy over periods of time
Coordination- the efficient combination of body parts
Alignment- correct placement of body parts in relation to each other
Posture- the way the body is held
Isolation- an independent movement of part of the body
Strength- muscular power
Mobility- the range of movement in a joint; the ability to move fluently from action to action
Control- the ability to start and stop movement, change direction, and hold shape efficiently
Balance- a steady or held position achieved by an even distribution of weight
Flexibility- the range of movement in the joints (involving muscles, tendons, and ligaments)
Expressive Skills:
Spatial awareness- consciousness of the surrounding space and its effective use
Sensitivity to other dancers- awareness of and connection to other dancers
Musicality- the unique qualities of the accompaniment evident in performance
Facial expressions- use of the face to show mood, feeling, or character
Focus- use of the eyes to enhance performance or interpretive qualities
Communication of choreographic intent- making the dance idea clear through appropriate movement content and interpretive skills
Phrasing- the way in which the energy is distributed in the execution of a movement phrase
Projection- the energy the dancer uses to connect with and draw in the audience
In dance, physical skills refer to the body's abilities and movements, such as extension, stamina, coordination, alignment, posture, isolation, strength, mobility, control, balance, and flexibility. These skills are essential for executing dance movements effectively and safely.
Expressive skills in dance refer to the ability to convey emotions, moods, and themes through movement and performance. This includes spatial awareness, sensitivity to other dancers, musicality, facial expressions, focus, communication of choreographic intent, phrasing, and projection. These skills are crucial for creating a compelling and impactful dance performance.
Dance study notes for students at different levels, such as KS2 and GCSE, often include both physical and expressive skills as part of the curriculum. These skills are taught through various lesson plans and learning objectives, which aim to develop students' competence and confidence in dance.
For example, a PE dance lesson for primary school students may focus on introducing basic physical skills like coordination and balance, while also incorporating expressive skills by encouraging students to use their facial expressions and body movements to convey a specific mood or theme.
In GCSE dance, students are expected to demonstrate a deeper understanding of both physical and expressive skills, as well as apply them in choreographed routines and performances. This requires a nuanced interpretation of the music, use of space, and effective communication of emotions and ideas through movement.
Overall, the development of physical and expressive skills in dance is essential for students to become proficient dancers, as they enable them to execute movements with precision, artistry, and emotional depth. As students progress in their dance education, they continue to refine and expand these skills, ultimately becoming more versatile and expressive dancers.
