Lightness and softness, in a way yes. More smooth coordination. They key point is that both a gold swing and a dance swing are coordinated actions, and both have concepts of form, grace, efficiency, power, timing, etc. But while they look superficially similar, they have very different goals, and so must be different in the proportions of their details. A dance swing would be bad form for hitting a gold ball, and a golf swing would be bad form for waltzing.

Annon. Since you arn't recomending that I dance around the golf course perhaps you might explain.Low Center. Thanks.

cdroge. Nobody as said yet how important it is not to lose conact with the floor. Without contact with the floor you are standing on one leg. The only time it would be possible to slow down or stop would be when the foot landed. Timing is all about contact with the floor. That's why I would disagree with your feeling the weight of the foot. If the lady also loses contact with the floor at the same time, you both are standing on one leg a piece. If lifting the foot was not what you meant then disregard all of the above. But if there are any beginners out there you might like to think about this. The worse offenders are those person moving backwards, which is in the main the lady. To see is the best way to learn. So next time your out look at the feet of those who are dancing. Another one to watch is step six ladies Spin Turn. How many are in contact with the floor at that point.

Onlooker. We still have to draw patterns with our feet ,but my main point is that many dancers don't make good use or correct use of the foot from the knee on down by not allowing it the time to swing freely,or by swinging the leg as though it was all one piece so I thought that if we try to feel the weight of the foot at critical times we will use the whole leg as it was designed to be used.

Crdoge, not utilizing the lower leg in the swing is not really a priority problem for many people - they might not be doing all they can, but most in that situation have other things they would need to fix to be in a position to make an attempt.

The principle time the lower leg and foot aren't used enough is when the weight is on them. We think of the moving foot in steps, but it would almost be worth rewriting the book in terms of the standing foot.

The other time is very early in the process of moving a leg backwards, when it is only the foot and leg below the knee which are extending - this has to progress a bit before the thighs start to seperate.

In general, if you don't swing your body enough to enable a complete swing of the leg then it is possible you won't get the leg straight at the extent of the swing. However, if you try to do a full leg swing before you do a full body swing (try to allow more time by starting it earlier, etc) you won't achieve you a usefull result, you will merely break the coordination of the actions in your dancing.

Boy some of the threads on this board are kind of curious, this is sure one of them
While I am aware of my feet, when i am moving forward i am lowering & driving off the standing leg, utilizing the power in my hips.That is my focus, i use my body to create movement, not my feet. What is your first movement in Rhumba? It's settling your weight into your hip PRECEDING your first step. That is also the part of the bar that is emphasized in the music, funny how that works huh?
Simple

As was explained in a dance book? you can stand in place and swing the leg from the hip without moving. Movement comes not only from swinging the body but also from swinging the weight of the leg

"As was explained in a dance book? you can stand in place and swing the leg from the hip without moving."

You can but you shouldn't.

"Movement comes not only from swinging the body but also from swinging the weight of the leg"

You should swing the weight of the free leg only after the swing of the weight of the body is well underway.

I don't think this is true for all steps. Take for example the backword steps of the slow foxtrot natral weave,we have to give the Lower Leg more time to swing back into position just like the third step of the fox RT. Eager feet can cause slight reaching of the back foot if you wan't to stick with the basic timing of all quicks.

"I don't think this is true for all steps. Take for example the backword steps of the slow foxtrot natral weave,we have to give the FOOT more time to swing back into position just like the third step of the fox RT"

There's a small element of truth here, but it's much smaller than you might think.

In continued weave action there is no body swing. As a result, there's not much leg swing either - an an extent, the legs are simply doing a return swing from their trailing position to under the body - yes, a little ahead of where it is now, but it's not a full-out leg swing to a large leg extension. Also note that the knees are flexed - the weave is definitely an example of "nice and easy does it".

The reverse turn has a body swing, which will be continued in a leg swing. (continued, NOT preceded by)