The feel of hips level or not in tango can be very misleading. You have to practice in front of a mirror to learn what level feels like before you can trust your feelings.

Also, to take a backwards step start with the weight in the ball of the foot (in the heel is for a forwards step). You move the weight through the foot only as you commit to the size of the step. If you move it too early your partner will feel that you are pulling him across the floor - moving the weight through his and your standing feet is his way of signalling the size and timing of the step to you. Be especially sure to arrive after a backwards steps with the weight forward, or the pulling feeling will result.

With the proper use of alternating CBMP and side lead all the steps are diagonal in tango so you can reach your feet without hitting your partner. This is part of the character of tango, the action is not smooth like the other dances.

I have to respectfully disagree with the orignal poster....

As lady, sure I know the steps, but I cannot be a mindreader.... The gent MUST lead me into the step that he wants to dance... I am waiting for the lead... If I just took the step without any indication of what he was leading, we could quite possibly be dancing two different steps...

Here is an example... In promanade, if he opens his hip, I know we are going into a chasse, or a right turn. Yet if he crosses my path and stops my swing , he is telling me we are going into a left turn, a completly different reaction from me.

I can be quite proficeint in my steps, but that is not enough.... I need the lead to tell me what his intention is.... If we just dance our own steps with no communication, then that is all we are doing.... Dancng our own steps, rather than dancing as a partnership...

Having said all this, I am glad to be the lady!!.... Not only does the gent have to anticipate the next step while dancing the present step, he has to figure out how to communicate to the lady what the step is, and place her so, that she can successfully accomplish it... My biggest issue is to stay on my supporting foot, and wait for the lead... not jump the gun...AUGGG, hard!!

Janet,

I totally agree with you about the lady's part in being led by the gent. Yes, we must dance as partnership and let the gent, or lady dancing gent's step, to dictate the figure that is to follow, with due regard to the actual hall situation, music and other factors.

This is especially important in social dancing where your 'partner' may be dancing with you for the first time!