The responses to learning how to practice reverse heel turn by onself have been overwhelming. I thank all of you for such explicit information.

Don your remark about the moving foot too early has me a bit puzzled. You are referring to my right foot that I turn on and after I have transferred weight to the left where I then move the right forward for slow beat. Is this right? Does my partner control that?

That is a problem for I tend to step out too quickly by myself with the right and I am wondering about leg position on this to continue smooth if I am dancing with a partner.

Everyone has given me a lot to practice correctly before I develop bad habits.

One more thing, is there any good foxtrot song with a distinct beat for beginners to use to help with timing.

My practice started today.
Thanks

Problems leading a Heel turn into a Natural Weave. Try a right shoulder lead inviting the lady onto your right side. Think of it if you like as a V Six in the Quick Step where you lead your partner to your right side. Whatever you do don't lift your right shoulder. That creates other problems, and make sure your partner knows how to use her sides, and has a good knowledge of CBM and CBMP. Otherwise her hips will be sticking out, and you will loose your centres in relation to each other.You know, until I wrote this I never new how complicated it can be.My advice, just do it.

Heel turns just take lots and lots of practice, no matter what kind of shoes you are wearing.Heel turns can definitely be done in American Style. They're even done in Latin, you use them in certain Paso Doble moves (so much for the Latin sandals makes it harder theory).Just keep working on them, and talk to a teacher about the problems you are having. Perhaps you are turning yourself, or closing your feet too quickly, or are weighted funny, or any of a dozen common errors. Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it over time!!! They're tricky but once you get them they'll be with you always

I am just learning heel turns in the foxtrot. What tips can you give in learning to practice in heels so that my heels don't make me topple to the left side. I have trouble as soon as I put my right heel down, and bringing my left heel to my right heel in sqq.

What is the easiest way just to practice alone in heel turns to timing (sqq) without loosing balance.

Needing some advice to be able to do this.

Thanks

Hoping that I don¡¯t sound snotty or anything, this discussion just reminds me that I have come a long way. I remember that I used to admire professional female dancers¡¯ heel turns. Now heel turns has become so natural part of my dance that I cannot even think how I do¡¦like what part of my foot I use and where is my weight, etc. (I may be able to describe it if I try to do it, but I am at work right now and I cannot just stand up and do it.) Only thing that I can say is that I initiate on one heel. I can do one heel turns after another after another. I can do it like breeze in waltz, fox trot, and quick step. I love heel turns. Now I just cannot believe it was such an intriguing step for me. I know I am not helping much on this thread, but at least I can tell you that you will get it one day and you will say the same thing I said here. Of course after a lot of practice.

hey! thanks for all the advice. i just have to keep practicing them. i did accidentally post this 2 times. and i was reading all the replies on the other post. thanks for letting me know. some of the replies here really helped me out! keep them comming guys!

One more tip: when I was first learning heel turns, I somehow was under the impression that I had to release my toes! When I was corrected and started keeping my feet flat on the floor, it got a heck of a lot easier. :) I've practiced them in latin heels...I don't have any harder time in them than court shoes. If anything, if latin heels are harder to do them in, it'll be that much easier when you get your court shoes!

As for the ronde, remember that ronde means "round." Start by sending your foot forward, then around. The ending really depends on what dance you're doing and what comes next, but you'll probably need to bend the knee that you're swinging around to complete it. Rondes are generally done on or close to the floor, not high up like a kick or something. Does that answer your question?

Well to be specific, you do have to release the toe of the standing leg when stepping into the heel turn.

But during the actual turn, the standing foot will have it's toe very nearly on the floor, while the toe of the moving foot will slowly lower as it collects. I assume this holding them near the floor is what twnkltoz meant by not releasing the toe.

The turn itself feels like it goes from one heel to the opposite toe - and the exit is rising to the toe, knees bent, to step out forward.

Oops, I did mean what Sarcastic Smoothie meant.

I can do heal turns in my practice shoes great. :)

i agree with you totaly with the heel turns and doing then in 2.5 inch heels hard stuff.