Games · Contact · Chapter 8

#20

The Rolling Table

④ Flowing Contact
Players
2–3
Time
12 min
Contact
broad, weighted, dynamic

Purpose

Advances Surfing the Table into continuous flow: the supporting surface itself moves and morphs, and the supported dancer travels across a changing landscape — training dynamic, on-the-move weight support.

Setup

Experienced pairs/trios, warm.

Play

  1. Recap the table/surfer roles (#15).
  2. "Now the table is alive and moving — it travels, tilts, rises to a stand, sinks to the floor — offering a constantly changing surface."
  3. "Surfer: ride the changing landscape continuously. As the table sinks, roll off; as it rises, drape on."
  4. "Trade table/surfer roles fluidly, without stopping — whoever's lower becomes the surface."

Cues

"The landscape is always changing — stay curious." · "Trade roles by feel, not by plan." · "Support travels through the strong bones."

Variations

  • Easier: table moves slowly, low to the ground.
  • Harder: trio — two make a shifting landscape, one surfs; rotate.

Debrief

"How did it feel to be supported by something that wouldn't hold still? When did role-trades happen cleanly?"

Watch For

Rising tables carry real load — only strong, warm bodies, and never weight on spine/neck. Keep the surfer low enough that any fall is a short roll.