Well of cause, there are always exceptions ,pivots and heel turns included, but again its important to reinforce the general rules of good dancing and not confuse begginers by being picky.

I should add,its not just to create space for the persons foot moving forward, its possable for both to lower without moving a foot?

It's not a minor detail or an exception - the general case is that forward foot movement needs to be delayed until the body is on its way, which means that if you have closed your feet they will be immobile together throughought the lowering and then a bit more. With the feet apart, delay is also applicable, especially when moving forward outside partner. Note that the body first action also means that heel leads begin as if they were going to be toe leads - they develop to the heel only right as the step reaches its full extent.

In backwards actions the foot moves a little ahead of the body to provide clearance. This makes sense because there's nobody in the way there, and it's easy to do since the human knee bends backwards.

How lucky I am to obtain excellent instructions from you all timely. I often re-read the posts relating to the fundamental basic in great interesting .
Yesterday, I found accidentally some functional buttons which enabled me to eye into the step piece by piece in this vidoe clip .I could not help laughing: my God! that is what I have been desiring.
Following your expert advices with these wonderful clips, I obtained clearer concepts and pictures for copying. I gained more confidence in coordination . How wonderful it is! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!

Kawaiidance.Read the letter to Phil.I think you need it more than he.

Anonymous. One of the worlds top teachers does suggest that as a pracise stand slightly apart. If the girl is pushing her front forewards it will show up, looking at the couple from the side. The push forwards will create an arched back. Balance will not be as it should. Would we climb a pair of steps to change a light bulb with that balance. I doubt it. Now put the navel back were it should be. Now we are on balance. So I have been told.
Just my own thoughts. Because ladies see this incredible shaping in our better couples we seem to forget, or don't see, that the shaping in the most is in a stationery position or leaving a stationery position. Shaping in the initial set up. I have a back view of a lady, a former British Champion which I have before me now. If I hung a plumb bob down her spine, which I can clearly see, it will hang spot on. The shaping by the lady to the left starts from above the shoulder blades, not from way down at the backside level. Which proves to me that what we think we see is not always correct. The bit about standing up straight with the navel pushed back is for the man also.

Don, couldn't agree more. Many people break their sides and arch their back thinking this creates shape, but if you look at the best really closely it's not what they are doing at all. Unfortunately the misunderstanding is so widespread, and extends into the professional and even judging ranks, to a degree that means that often couples who do it right are overlooked as boring because they do not have the now expected look of "expressive" overshaping. You have to search amazingly far up the ranks before mastery of such basic concepts becomes a requirement to winning. With so few people doing it right, the role models who could inspire improvement are too few and far between - and too infrequently seen/consulted for the secrets of what they are actually doing in terms of basic techniques to be noticed.

Kawaiidancer. One upon a time the lady used to dance much more in front of the man, very square. They were more concerned with where their feet were in relation to the man. So to get space between the two heads thay arched the back. Now we are more concerned with both parties being balance over their own two feet. The lady goes more to her left side and doesn't lean back. The contact position is now much higher. You could swing a brick between them just below the ribs and wouldn't touch any part of the body or legs. As it was pointed out. Would you climb some steps and change a light bulb leaning backwards. I doubt that you would make it past the second rung.

To be specific. When lowering,the free foot is preparing to move forward or backward. It is to late to think of moving the foot once you are lowerd. Next time you go for a walk you tell me at what point in time no foot is moving.

Next time you go for a walk tell me at what point you are lowering from foot closure with another body in front of you.

Apples. Oranges.