There are no close-ups or detailed break-downs of heel turns in our video collection yet. The best I have is video clips of basic figures which incorporate heel turns, such as the Foxtrot Reverse and the Waltz Double Reverse Spin. Our next video shoot will focus on creating new footage with instruction (as opposed to the simple demonstrations we have now), but that is still a little ways off. In the meantime, I'll see if I can whip up something quickly in studio if I get a chance. But I can't promise anything.

J

I once saw a teacher introducing the foxtrot heel turn by getting the pupils to practise the movement but without the turn! (Yes - i know!! i live in ireland etcc....). But think about it. You step back onto the right heel, bring feet together and transfer weight onto the left, rise and then come out forward onto the right ball/heel. Much of the detail but without the complication of the actual turning action, which puts beginners off balance. Worth a try

I have taught the heel turn that way for some time now.
Ladies and gents, dancing solo, starting with no turn, then gradually introducing and building up the turn. I try not to explain how to turn and just let it happen naturally without the dancers thinking about it.

Thanks, Jonathan. It does show the heel turn well in the lady's part of the Fox Trot Reserve in the International Fox Trot video clip. You don't have the Waltz Double Reverse Spin posted yet.
I learned the heel turn in the same way as SocialDancer describes -- it just came naturally over time and the instructor never really called any special attention to it by calling it a heel turn. But I like the idea of telling the student what it is they are doing and showing them the difference, and having them master that balance while doing it properly.
It's obviously an important element, as it tightens the turns and changes in direction in such a fluid manner.

In answer to your question, here is how I remember the first wall of the amalgamation:
Feather
Fallaway Reverse and Slip Pivot
Open Telemark
Open Natural
Outside Swivel
Weave
Three Step
Hover Cross (turns corner)
I'm not surprised that a lot of professionals may disagree with our instructor's approach. But eventually it worked, and now my partner and I enjoy dancing this sequence. Whether we could have advanced more quickly with a more conventional approach is anybody's guess.

Given the telemark that doesn't avoid the issue of heel turns.

Actually, it sounds like the kind of "use all of silver" routine that often prompts students to spend thousands on lessons to address special-case challenges, without developing a feel for the underlying essence of the dance.

Show me a couple who can do a feather, reverse, f.finish and three step with fullness and unhurried confidence, and I'd say they have a grasp of the dance.

Given a good foundation in the basic amalgamation, what do we think are the best figures to develop next, both for their usefulness on the dancefloor, and to develop technique and style?

I think my votes would go to: Change of Direction, then Reverse Wave (in full), but also with Basic Weave after Step 4, and Impetus Turn after Step 6. Introduce the Open Impetus next, then the Weave from PP, and perhaps add a Hovercross. A good 'basic repertoire'?

Open Tele. would be ( and is ) what I introduce in the early stages .. this solidifies the use of heel turns, and is readily transferable to waltz... its " follows ", allows several other good variations from a Prom. position...

The difficulty of Heel Turns is. We learn them solo. There is no other way.But it gives the wrong idea from the start. Because when with a partner the man should turn the lady and not the lady turn herself. On a Reverse Turn Foxtrot after the RF is in position the lady should go for a ride using nothing phyisical at all.

Hi Terence2:
I didn't know how to contact you. I wanted you to know I really enjoy your posts. I have been teaching for 35 not always full time. I apologize as this is not about Foxtrot I wanted to know if you taught or competed in B.C. in the 1970's I was looking for a few old friends. I didn't know if maybe I met you along the way.