It depends who is teaching. Lectures I have been to the visiting Professionals have started a preperation step on the 8th beat as a quick. Then the first of the Feather which is a Slow using Basic timing.
The Three Step is the hardest to explain if you are reading Alex Moore. I believe one of the other books, more updated, has the Three Step starting on the man's LF. with the count S Q Q. Thank Goodness.