The Heel Turn commences on the Ball and transfers to the Heel( NOT HEELS ).. BUT.. the weight should be transfered back to the Balls of the feet as when appropriate.

In other words, do NOT settle back into the heels as the turn is completed.. the forward poise at completion of turn, if in its correct position, should eliminate that problem.

Thanks, terence2. That describes exactly what I hope I am doing, and will stop me from thinking I have to settle the weight back into the heel. Your description makes it clear that to do so would throw off balance and quite frankly would look kind of clumsy. I was somehow equating the weight transfer back on the heel to making it easier for a more complete turn. That's obviously not true, and in fact, could result in the opposite. I am thinking the same would be true of getting too hung up on proper heel leads .. that the weight transfer is quick to get back to the ball of the foot.

The "heel" that is actually the most critical in a heel turn is not actually in the turn at all: it's making sure that the body movement of that first backwards step drives by rolling through and pushing from the heel of the departing foot. Get that action right, and a good heel turn is likely to follow, get it wrong and it's going to be very hard to compensate for lack of a full beginning. This is doubly true of the more complicated precedes like a slip pivot - the pivot must complete and the standing foot cycle when launching the heel turn, otherwise the bodies just fall into it and the action will not be right.

In terms of where the weight is at the ending, as the turn completes, allow the knees to soften somewhat forward. This will set up for the exiting step and put the weight in the proper part of the standing foot.

A step into a Heel Turn. Very few of us ever do the footwork correctly. Swing the LF back from the hips. First with the ball of the foot and then the toe skimming the floor.. How many ever get to the toe. Possibly it is an aquired thing only perfected with a lot of practice. The standing leg must come into this equation. Nobody can extend if the weight from the standing leg has been released too early.
Do yourselves a favour and go to International Foxtrot Reverse Turn and Feather Finish found in " Learn The Dances " on this site. The little picture which we click on to our right . Take a good look at Jonathan's right leg to the toe. Copy that and you wont be far wrong. Ladies also.
Right click, print and hang it on the wall so that it will be remembered

That's just an ordinary backward walk, and if we are not extending backwards on the toe, we are making a very odd action indeed. I have moved from ball to toe before the moving foot has finished passing the standing foot. It isn't going to be much of a back stride if I don't.

The full extend of the backstride is reached by lowering back to the BOF, and then, having released the front toe, I reach the the moment of divided balance (heel front foot, ball of rear foot) I then transfer weight to the back foot, and can start a heel turn, if that is required, the turn commencing on ball of foot.

terrence. re heel turns - could you expand on your point about turning on the heel not heelS, as i think this is an interesting point.

A common mistake is to "transfer " the weight too early to the left foot..




add to this the Sway,to Right for lady combined with body "swing", also should prevent,a too early transfer to the Left side... remember.. lady is on the INSIDE of the turn and the momentum and dynamic is not of equal proportions ( its what I like to call " hurry up and wait/weight )

Terrence. At the point of transferring weight to the LF is the L heel still down and is turn stil taking place ? (I presume your last post was coigned in terms of the lady's foxtrot reverse turn ?)

The heel is essentially down thruout the action ( skimming the "top" ).. one should retain a softness thru the knees/legs, and the poise needs to be addressed upon achieving the forward position .

This specific action really needs to be taught in person.. the literal translation does not address all the nuances ( like shape and absorbed rise, etc. ) The "speed " by which one enters the rotation also has much to do with HOW the feet are handled.

You probably have noticed how some ladies finish with their toes of both feet apart and or raised ( or both ).This may be caused thru several different unintended actions .

Peter Egg. has a theory that CBM should be kept at a minimum in the rev. closed turns, which I happen to agree with .

As i stated , the dynamics and kinesis involved, need to be addressed. ( the rhythm is also sometimes in dispute ,as to a Slow and or a quicker action moving into the heel turn . ).

And as to turn, it is essentially a continuous action whilst the non supporting leg is closing its foot.

terence, when you say the rhythm is sometimes in dispute as to a slow or quicker action moving into the heel turn, do you mean it could be either slow or fast, or do you mean one is more correct than the other?
I am thinking it would depend on the music bpm?
Which, in your opinion, looks better -- or does it not make a difference, and it's more of a personal preference?
The advice about softness in the knees and legs that has come up a couple of times in the postings on this topic is a great tip, by the way. I was tightening my knees too much on these particular turns.