New Vogue- that's what I meant- the standing foot! LOL- thank you for phrasing that better.

I've waited a while untill enough has been said.
Who beleives that they can change what is acepted as the correct technique and do a please themselves job.If it hadn't been for a techniquue book it is possible that some would be dancing absolutly flat on the floor. Or heel leads in the Rumba. One very important gentelman wrote. If it is going to be accepted, and marked by adjudicators and it is not part of the correct technique then the technique book must be rewritten to accomedate which ever part is being questioned.
If it is to be accepted as correct that the front heel lowers to the floor whilst the feet are apart. Then next year how far apart will the feet be then when the heel lowers.
Lets go to the extreme. What would you say if on the Feather Step somebody reintroduced the Lock Step as it was in the very early 20' s. After a better way was found the technique book on that was rewritten.
So the question is . Do you think that you can alter the correct technique as printed in the book.
Or do you think should abide by the correct technique as it is in the books. Yes or No.
Lets look at this one. The body moving before the foot. The movement is from the heel to the ball which would be several inches. Once the weight gets to the ball the foot takes over. Isn' t that what the technique book is telling you. If not why doesn' t it say get your weight in front of your front foot. It at no time says that, does it. It says from a closed position the weight must always be bought forward over the balls of the foot before the foot is moved. I will say again. At no time does it say the body gets in front of the front foot.

Yes, "weight over" and "weight in front of" are two very different things.

If this can be itemised as in frame by frame. Wouldn' t you say that at the full extent of the stride the heel is on the floor the toe isn' t. As out weight arrives over that foot the toe has been lowered. Our weight is passing from over the heel to over the ball. Page 10. There is your body moving before the foot has moved but only to the ball of the foot. Unless you are doing Latin the body will not go any further forward than the leg.

" Who beleives that they can change what is acepted as the correct technique and do a please themselves job."

Apparently you do, otherwise you wouldn't be arguing with those who are explaining the accepted technique to you.

"If it is to be accepted as correct that the front heel lowers to the floor whilst the feet are apart. Then next year how far apart will the feet be then when the heel lowers."

In both years they will be the appropriate distance apart.

"So the question is . Do you think that you can alter the correct technique as printed in the book."

Yes, but I do so very rarely. Your mistake is thinking that I'm doing so, when IN FACT I AM NOT. The details I am arguing about are details of SITUATIONS THAT ARE NOT FULLY DOCUMENTED IN THE BOOK, HENCE THEY CANNOT CONFLICT WITH THE BOOK - because the book doesn't have anything to say that contradicts me on this.

"Lets look at this one. The body moving before the foot. The movement is from the heel to the ball which would be several inches. Once the weight gets to the ball the foot takes over. Isn' t that what the technique book is telling you. If not why doesn' t it say get your weight in front of your front foot."

Becuase projecting your weight beyond your standing foot is the natural action. Fail to do so, any real teacher will take you to task for your error!

"At no time does it say the body gets in front of the front foot."

Actually it DOES say that, when it reminds you to feel that the BODY MOVES BEFORE THE FOOT. If we start with the body over the feet and the feet closed, than ANY movement of the body PRECEDING movement of the foot MUST PUT THE BODY AHEAD OF THE FOOT.

i think you mean the foot passes not closes. That could be a Waltz. As the book says the weight moves from the heel to the balls of the feet before a foot is moved. You will notice that right there there is a full stop. End of subject. Page 10 if you would like to look.
Now you tell me on what page does it says continue to move the weight forward ahead of the feet.
Remember we are discussing what is written in the book. Some people will do it with a difference I would imagine. But this is not how Fred Flintstone does it. It is all about the correct technique as is written in the book. Because that is the only written guide we have to consult. I corresponded with a guy who in his country there are no professional teachers. Dancing is popular mainly Latin because standard is more difficult. We have to teach ourselves we have no choice. Without a technique book where would they be.

"i think you mean the foot passes not closes. That could be a Waltz. As the book says the weight moves from the heel to the balls of the feet before a foot is moved. You will notice that right there there is a full stop."

DEAD WRONG.

"Page 10 if you would like to look."

WRONG. There is no instruction there to stop the progress of the weight.

If you think there is, quote the exact sentance. Otherwise, kindly shut up.

"It is all about the correct technique as is written in the book."

The correct technique as written in the book is for a smooth and sustained motion, not any of the stop-and-start nonsense you've been advocating.

CAn i just ask. Which book are we talking about?

The balance points once again are felt but not seen. The feeling is miniscule but they are there after the third step of the Feather on the count of an and. That is splitting the last beat of the bar of music into two. Which brings us into a neutral or if you like to call it a balanced position or a collection of weight. If you would like me to give to you a transcript off the Video by John Wood I will gladly. You might be suprised how the Feather Step is divided .First we have the drive action which is three half beats and a collection. Following the mans centre the lady moves to the mans right as he rotates clearing a path which allows the man to step outside. The timing of the feet are as the normal timing . The movement of the shoulders are different . They are Quick Medium Slow. That's probably enough for you to absorb at this time.
Page 10 Alex Moore.
The distribution of weight.Forward Walk.
When commencing a Walk from a closed position the weight must always be brought forward over the balls of the foot before a foot is moved.
In the actuall Walk the weight is first on the stationary foot. At the extent of the stride it is divided for a moment between the heel of the front foot and the ball of the rear foot. It is taken immediately onto the front foot as this foot becomes flat.
Points to remember are
From a stationary position always feel the body commences to move slightly before the feet.Remember the speed of the foot is always greater than the foot. If the foot is moved before the body the weight will be too far back and a sitting down effect will result.
As you may or not realise the movement spoken about is from a stationary position. If it was from a moving position they would have said so. Go to any video you like, or any video of a competition you will not see the body ahead of the feet. Let your own common sense tell you that if the body is ahead of the feet you are leaning forwards and have no control. You are falling.And your partner will be falling backwards. Look Read Record.
More from the tape. Ladies on the second step of the Feather lift the right hip and rotate. Men lift the left hip and rotate the body.
Teach anything other than above and you are giving the wrong information.

"You might be suprised how the Feather Step is divided."

You still don't get that there is a difference between how things are broken down for teaching, and how they are actually performed. As a result, you put break in a motion that everyone with a clue dances continuously.

"The distribution of weight.Forward Walk.
When commencing a Walk from a closed position the weight must always be brought forward over the balls of the foot before a foot is moved."

Yes. But it does not stop there, it KEEPS RIGHT ON MOVING.

"From a stationary position always feel the body commences to move slightly before the feet."

So nice to hear you admit it

"As you may or not realise the movement spoken about is from a stationary position."

Actually it is rather clearly taken from a moving position, as the FEET ARE NOT CLOSED when the description of the walk starts.

"Go to any video you like, or any video of a competition you will not see the body ahead of the feet."

Odd, this essentially detail is all over every video I own!

"Let your own common sense tell you that if the body is ahead of the feet you are leaning forwards"

GROSSLY IGNORANT. The body remains VERTICAlLY ALIGNED, even as it projects BEYOND THE STANDING FOOT.

Until you udnertand how that is possible, you will remain AN IDIOT WITHOUT A CLUE ABOUT DANCE TECHNIQUE.