Now we have DVD's and disks. We can see steps clearly, and we can zoom in and have a real good look at what the best are doing. Apart from the Open Telemark I've turned to one important part of a Reverse Turn in the Foxtrot for the man.That is at the end of the first step when does the heel leave the floor. It certainly was not what I saw recently where the second step was in place and the heel of the left foot was still on the floor. This does'nt help the lady with her Heel Turn, and it also creates a bad foot position. It's those little things that can make all the difference to a persons dancing. I chose that particular part because there are so many complaints from people both man and lady on that move. Hands up those who have ever given that part any attention at all.

Yes, any time the footwork says "HT" the heel must be up before (or at the latest, as) the other foot passes for the next step. But this is even more important when leading a heel turn.

The feet are properly turned out in standard in lots of situations:

Any pointing alignment such as the back half of a turn

At the beginning of most closing actions

Many picture lines

probably many others too

I am really pleased to have started such an interesting topic for dancers everywhere. it shows how interested you all are in what is a physical and mental artistic interpretation of music, NOT a sport

Ice Skaters move (dance) to music too

oh NO!! The "is it a sport" argument rears its head again!!
The first thing to sort out is "What EXACTLY is a sport?"
But to be honest, i think i'll just practise my dancing and not worry about whether it's a sport.
I play tennis and that's definitely a sport. I don't have to smile while i'm serving!

Hi Phil,

How often do you double fault?

In Clean Sport,
Andrew

Ususally when i smile, or when i do a heel-toe instead of a toe-ball-flat

Let's leave the balls alone now and see if we could understand the art of serving the lady
As we are on Basics, what does the engineer in you think of this?
A series of Closed Changes down LOD.
Four graphs with horizontal time-axes.
1. Forward speed
2. Rise and fall
3. Sway (displacement)
4. Angular velocity
Superimpose them.
Notice the maximum rotational speed on step 3. Is this what is being called body swing?
Also on step 3, forward progression is momentarily at rest, rise is at maximum but vertical movement has ceased and sway is at maximum but there is no horizontal movement in the moment.
Correct me if I am wrong.
It seems to me that this would explain some things clearly.

Andrew

I am a veteran athlete involved in road running and believe me when you compare that to ballroom dancing the difference between a sport and an artistic interpretation of music becomes very clearly defined indeed