There is a difference between too far forward and still having a forward impetus. Balance is one of the keys to athleticism. As one leg moves forward, the other side of the body sways forward to compensate, providing a smooth forward impetus. By using the body instead of pumping the arms, the runner saves a great deal of energy, since less blood needs to be pumped to the extremity of the arms.

However, competitive running has one goal, get to the finish line first. There are no style points.

While we can certainly learn from the athleticism required to run fast and long, one generally doesn't run a race in an embrace with a partner, one of whom has to go backwards. Nor are we judged on how soon we get there, but on how good we look getting there. I would therefore suggest that we look to maintaining balanced movement as the key to a smoother style. Balance promotes control, and control is essential to achieving a specific style.

So, just as the long distance runners body sways relative to the leg movement, so should the dancers. This promotes balanced movement, especially, since the arms cannot be used (that whole frame thing).

ericlund. This brings up another question. As a dancer we must not get our feet apart , that is width wise. If we do and move from foot to foot we will lurch to the sides.It is possible to have the feet apart and stay right in the middle. That is not right because we must dance completely onto the supporting foot in such a way that we would be able to lift the moving foot completely off the floor and still be balanced. We would do this in practise as an excercise. Now watch Marcus on youtube and see how the third step in a Reverse Turn in the Foxtrot. See how close that third step is to the second step before it goes to the rear. Running I am no expert but I believe they also would not get any sideway movement. All of their movement I believe is forward in the direction they are going. They like us would drive their spine or centre straight forwards.