"Could anyone suggest any ideas as to why the drag hesitation (as standardised) DOESN'T have basic waltz rise and fall ?"

Because it does not have the usual swinging body action. Instead, you step into place while down, and then "drag" closed with moderate rise.

The footwork is HT because the second step is toe. If the second step where HT, only then would the first step be H(implicitly flat) as seen occurring for example with the three step.

"The footwork is HT because the second step is toe."

It would be just as logical to say that the second step is a toe because the first step is HT.

jj

"It would be just as logical to say that the second step is a toe because the first step is HT."

Perhaps, but if the leader has a goal, it's probably the character of the figure late in the second step and during the third - what he causes the partnership to do in the first step is simply what is needed to enable the later achievement of that goal.

"It would be just as logical to say that the second step is a toe because the first step is HT."

The second step is a toe because it is a step to the side. This is usually sufficient to require a toe but certainly when reaching around on the outside of a turn. Trying to do that with a heel would look very ugly.

The figure uses a late but abrupt rise to allow the rotational energy to be dissipated and to achieve the hesitation effect. This of course also acts as a lead to the lady to ensure she does not dance a normal reverse turn or double reverse spin.

"The second step is a toe because it is a step to the side."

This is an interesting idea.

Given the lack of usual full-body swing,
it may actually be that this step is more substantially sideways earlier in its action than step 2 of a reverse turn would be - instead of swinging forwards towards the foot and turning it qualify as sidways only as you arrive, this less swinging step may actually be placed as a sideways action.

A point of interest is there is no Sway, so there is no Swing.
This step the Drag Hesitation is often used in Sequence Dancing.

polished. there is no sway on a weave in waltz time, but there is still swing.


but, the role of sway and the causal links between swing and sway is an interesting subject and something i would be keen to hear more about

anymouse. but why less swing on this figure. is it because the man is not trying to move so far across the lady, but rather the lady is swinging up to him ? ie does it just reflect the man ending preparing to step back with P/0. the zig-zag in QS also ends in this way. would that also have reduced swing.

"anymouse. but why less swing."

Because it's not a big swingy figure.

I might just as well ask you why we do not have any swing in the tango. And the answer is that swing is not what tango is about. Similarly here, there is some swing, but it's limited because swing is just not what the figure is about.

Hi, Interested,
Are you happy with the answers to your query, if so I will not subscribe.

Which society are you hoping to take your exam with?