A step has a beginning and an end. I think it begins as my feet are side by side and ends the same way. If i stop anywhere in between any normal person would indeed call that a check. I have checked my walk into a new direction.

Not remotely true - many steps end with the foot in a forward or backward position .

/* It should be remembered that the Close Hold used in the Latin dances is not static. For example during the Basic Movement in the Rumba the arms 'breathe' a little to allow for the fact that the Checked Forward Walk and the Backward Walk are not EXACT COUNTERPARTS.*/

The above is from the Technique of Latin Dancing, by Walter Laird.

Forget about a close hold. Every week in this Technique class as well as Rumba Walks to music we also do Backward Walks, as many as the music will allow. It is soon learned that a Backward walk is not a mirror image of a Forward Walk. This drill is done without a partner. Both the male and female are doing exactly the same drill solo, all facing the same way.To quote Karen Hardy once again when asked. How long will you keep doing these Walks. Her answer was forever.

Hi,
So you now understand why there is no such walk as a Checked Backward Walk? By the way. Karen Hardy is only quoting what Walter and Julie Laird said in one of their lectures. Also said by many others; Burns; Fairweather; Salberg (all trained by Walter and Julie)and many more. Today it looks like Karen is suffering from a weight problem, bless her.

lluv2Dance. A weight problem. With years of training and competing unless a person can replace that amount of excercise with something else they will in most cases put on weight. A friend of mine who does train fairly hard took a holiday. She went on that Alaskian Tour. She came back 10 kilos heavier. Back into her normal routine and can't lose an ounce, even after stepping up her training to six nights a week and cutting down on the eating..
I still think the step under fire here is still badly named. Check is to stop or slow the progress of . It is a Verb. If I don't to a full step then I must have Checked it.
You are probably aware that in the original ISTD book there is no mention of a Forward or Backward Walk being checked. You are also probably aware that in the Rumba there was no New York in that book. I was present at a set to over this by two Professionals. One from the past and the other from the present. Bit stupid really by the elder. I mean who wasn't doing New York's in the Rumba. But they wouldn't have it. Even got the book out.

The whole basis of the dance was predicated on the Bolero ( Pierre, freely admits that ).

The bolero in use at that moment in time, was an American version of the " show " type, being performed -by the likes of Veloz and Yolanda .

The content adapted to " 2 " of the bar , instead of "3 ", made a huge impact on its interpretation. The N. Yorker ( crossover break ) was an integral part of the social Bolero being taught at that time . The " checked " actions, were designated as " breaks ", still are ..
In real terms, a checked action can perform 2 functions, a momentary delay on a fwd progression-- or-- a " return " to a preceeding position.

I believe this discussion, is as much about semantics, and little about definition.
To my mind,something " checked " is something " delayed ".
A rocking or breaking action, denotes a fairly prompt return, to the non supporting leg , retained in its same position .

/* I still think the step under fire here is still badly named. Check is to stop or slow the progress of . It is a Verb. If I don't to a full step then I must have Checked it.*/

What you don't understand is that you do do a full weight transference and not a Check, as the counterpart to a Checked Walk. This is why in the Close Hold description the mention of the arms being allowed to 'breathe' (move forward) The reason for this is for the dancer who is dancing a backward walk can then get a weight transference with a hip settling. What you often see is when the lady is dancing a Checked Forward Walk the male of the partnership pulling the lady forward when he does his weight transference. In each case the gent allows the arms to move forward when dancing step 1 and step 4, in the basic movement, when dancing the Rumba and step 1 and step 6 in the CCC. Why don't you discuss this with your coach?

Who's in a Close Hold. If i am apart from my partner . What then. Maybe we should say a Walk Stopped if the word Check , which wasn't in any of the original books, causes too much hysteria.

Hi to Anon or is it Don; Quickstep; Serendipidy, etcetera,

If I had quoted Laird's technique and said Closed Hold you would have replied it is Close and not Closed.
This will be the last time I'm going to reply to a post about the Checked Walk, unless it is not nonsensical. I know you live down-under but please stop reading my posts stood on your head. Maybe you can clear up a small point. It seems to me that you are not a Registered User of this board. I say that because you can return with a posting under any nom de plume even to defend yourself under another name. Why I say this because on two occasions I've tried this and have not been posted. Maybe the Administrator has a check to read an IP number and if it recognizes the number as a Registered User it refuses to post under a Guest Name.