<P> Sometime in that decade or the one following , a dance teacher had his students compete with arms held firmly down to their sides , hands in fists , to call more attention to the intricacy of the steps . The adjudicator approved by placing the students well . Other teachers and dancers quickly followed the new trend . Movement of the arms is sometimes incorporated into modern Irish stepdance , although this is generally seen as a hybrid and non-traditional addition and is only done in shows and performances , not competitions . </P>
why do irish dancers dance with their arms by their sides
to call more attention to the intricacy of the steps