In vienesse waltz turns, is the person in the inside of the turn (backing LOD) supposed to "fling" the partner around so that (s)he can makes a bigger step on beat 2 than if (s)he was practicing alone?

If so, about how much bigger is the step with this assist?

You're not really ever supposed to "fling" your partner. As my instructor puts it, the inside person "brings" the other around, but it's more something the inside person does with his/her own body, not TO the other person. Very hard to explain in writing. If your partner is flinging you or telling you to fling, take the problem to a coach. (If it's your instructor doing the flinging, I'd recommend shopping around for a new one.)

I was amused to see a person who calls himself "Hesitation" asking about flinging his partner. (-:

In all seriousness, "fling" is a pretty dangerous word... I would try to find something more accurate to describe whatever action you're imagining (e.g. send, swing, sweep, shift, etc). If you really think "fling" is an accurate depiction of what you do, it's wrong.

Being on the "inside of turn" means a lot of things, and I can't say that taking a smaller step isn't one of them. But when all of the other elements are there and properly executed, the step size differential is so minimal that it should hardly be evident.

It has been my personal experience that students who put too much stock in step size differential are typically lacking in other areas. Techniques such as proper execution of CBM, timing of rotation to direction, proper drive and swing, well-timed hip angle changes, and even basic body contact all work together to minimize the need for a differential.

More importantly, these techniques will most certainly eliminate any feeling that you're "flinging" your partner.

Regards,
Jonathan Atkinson
www.ballroomdancers.com

Another technique that helps our VW is thinking more about going straight line instead of going around the partner.

hi JillD
You're correct. Especially for the person going forward.
Here in Ireland we have a slow version of the Viennese (called 'old-time' waltzing) It's essentially the same, but at 55 bars per minute. This slghtly slower pace makes it much easier to 'feel' little techincal problems.
I've always been taught (as a man) "strong 1-2-3, easy 4-5-6". The person going forward is driving. When it's the lady, the man has to let her drive and not move back strongly (on the 4-5-6) otherwise he will pull her.The same applies for the man going forward, but there is rarely a problem with this.
Dancing with good and not-so-good lady dancers (see how diplomatic i am! ) one thing that really shows up in the old-time waltz is that the not-so-good dancers are hesitant on the driving forward and the flight of the couple is affected. Good lady dancers do the right things and it's great.
No pulling.