In the dance world there are certain topics or names of things that can be a mystery. One of those is what is known as a ‘dance dot’. In this article we clearly define and explore what a dance dot is, who should use one, the best dance dots, and much more.
What is a dance dot?
A dance dot (or dance disc) is a round disk form of portable flooring which is used when floors are not suitable for dancing on. Types of dance activities used on dance dots can range from ballet Pirouettes, Fouettes, or A La Seconde Turns to tap dancers looking for a crisp and safe surface. A dance dot size ranges from 16inches to 48inches depending on your needs. The dancing side is Marley Vinyl flooring which is a hiqh-quality layered floor type with good amounts of surface tension + cushioning and is the main type of flooring used in dance studios. The flooring side is a fitness mat rubber material to provide further shock absorption but also prevents the dot from slipping on floors.
A good example of dance dot use can be seen below.
Do you need a dance dot?
Dance dots can be useful if the surface you are dancing on is not ideal, is unsafe or you wish to protect the flooring you are dancing on.
However dance dots cannot replace a full size dancefloor given their maximum size is 48 inches. In this context, a dance dot is best suite to those who need a small amount of space to practice:
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- More stationary movements such as Fouettes
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- Or vertical based movements such as jumps
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- Or in situ movements such as turns.
For example, let’s say a ballet dancer is warming up to go en pointe at a foreign performance stage. However, the backstage flooring is not smooth or too slippery or or is too hard or contains wood splinters. In this case a dance dot can be useful to provide that safe and secure dance floor.
Or perhaps a tap dancer wishes to practice at home but their home is fully carpeted. In this case a dance dot can provide the correct acoustics and amount of slip needed for tap.
Another scenario is if the flooring is relatively fine for dancing on, however the dancer wishes to protect that flooring from scratches or dents. In this case a dance dot can provide that protection whilst also providing a non slip contact with the flooring.
What are the best dance dots?
Our team dug deep and reviewed the best dance dots available on the market. We discuss their unique features, ratings, price and overall summary below to give you the knowledge to make an informed purchase.
- USA Handcrafted with authentic Marley Dance and Stage Flooring that produces a Safe controlled slip. Multiuse with a non-slip gym mat back that helps the user stay Safe and Protects your floors at home. Use both sides! Petite Size 24 inches, weighing 7.6 pounds.
Summary
The Rolls Royce of dance dots, Dot2Dance is the top selling dance dot on Amazon. It has won the coveted ‘Dancers Product Of The Year’ award.
Features
- Handcrafted with exceptional quality
- Guaranteed authentic 'Marley' dance flooring
- 4 versatile sizes ranging from 16 to 48 inches
- Multi-use stable surface with a Marley front side and non-slip gym mat back side
Rating on Amazon
- Premium Marley Floor use by Professional Competitions and Dancers
Summary
The Dancing Disk is a well thought out device, with a 2014 inception with many high reviews since then. It’s inventor was a US fireman/father so you can be assured it is tailored to a practical parenthood. It’s unique feature is the carry handle which makes it great for travel.
Features
- Premium handcrafted Marley floor
- Safe for hardwood floors
- Ultra-strong 4 panel seat belt handle
- Tapered edge safety
Rating on Amazon
- IDEAL for ALL Ages, Levels, & Tapping Styles. A TAP DANCERS MUSICAL INSTRUMENT with IMPECCABLE TONAL CLARITY, BRILLIANT SOUND and FULL RANGE MUSICALITY.
Summary
As the name suggests, the Dot2tap is targeted towards tap dancers and is a sister product of the acclaimed Dot2dance. It is unique in that it promotes tap acoustics and shock absorption for young tap dancers knees.
Features
- Impeccable tonal clarity
- Handcrafted in the USA with highest grade natural White Maple
- Protects knees by absorbing shock with Sprung Floor Technology
- Highly portable as comes in a custom adjustable, waterproof backpack tote with tap dance shoe pocket.
Rating on Amazon
- 【Inspire your improvement】Envision the ultimate dance studio with a printed tap floor that’s engineered for greatness. With effortless installation and balanced glide, our ballet floor tiles are the perfect partner for almost every style of dance.
Summary
Rounding up our list as a notable mention are the IncStores Tiles. Whilst technically not a dance dot, these tiles are highly rated due to their practicality and utility. They are particularly well suite to those who want the option to scale their dancefloor.
Features
- Effortless installation
- Six dazzling finishes to choose from
- Limitless potential to scale/expand tile area
- Made with ultra-resilient polypropylene and topped with vinyl
- Tiles measures 12 x12 inches
Rating on Amazon
Dot2dance vs dancing disc
The Dot2dance and Dancing Disc are the two main dance dot brands available. You may be wondering what are the differences between these two brands and if one is better than the other. We have compared these two brands and outlined below the similarities and differences.
Dot2Dance | Dancing Disc | |
Preview |  |  |
Handcrafted | ✓ | ✓ |
Marley Vinyl | ✓ | ✓ |
Size range (inches) | 16, 24, 32, 48 | 16, 24, 30 |
Colour range | Black, Ballet Grey Marley | Black |
Carry bag | ✓ | ✓ |
Amazon rating | ||
Price for 24 inch (USD) | $176.5 | $174 |
What size dance dot should you get?
Dance dots range in size from 16 inches diameter to 48 inches diameter.
We have compiled a table below which shows which size you may need depending on your use/skill level.
Size | Portable | Use | Ideal for | Weight (pounds) |
16- Inch | ✓ | Warming up | Advanced dancers | 2 |
24- Inch | ✓ | Warming/practicing | Intermediate dancers | 8 |
32- Inch | – | Small floor routines | Beginner dancers | 12 |
48- Inch | – | Medium floor routines | Beginner dancers | 26-27 |
You will notice that the smaller sizes are for more advanced dancers. The reason for this is that the smaller the disc the more skill it takes to remain on the disc, particularly when turning or going en pointe.
A tip is that many reviews of dance dots in general advise to overestimate the size you need. So if you feel the 24 inch size will fit your needs, it is advisable to go one size up to the 32 inch.
A final tip is to be aware of the weight of dance dots, as you can see the largest dance dot weighs up to 27 pounds or 12kg. This may not sound like much but the long and wide shape of the dance dot means it may feel heavier than it actually is.
Can you tap on a dance dot?
The beauty of dance dots is that you can use them for a variety of uses including tap dance. Dance dots make use of Marley flooring which is a light weight, cost effective, durable variety of roll-out vinyl which can be used for tap.
Many dance dots have a cushioned backing which negates the need for a sprung subfloor. However if you would prefer a sprung subfloor and improved acoustics, the dot2tap would be a perfect option. However keep in mind that you do pay for the tap specific assets within the dot2tap and it it only comes in 32 inch sizing.
Further reading
If you found this article useful then you will likely enjoy our article Dance Turn Boards Full Guide: Best Turn Boards + safety + FAQ where we talk you through all things Turn Boards so you can make a fully informed decision on which one to purchase.