I was discussing dance technique and dance technique books with a friend recently and i realised how poorly modern competition dancing is served by written texts. I don't mean to sound irreverent here, but sport dancing is no different from many other skills and professions. Techniques, skills, change with time: they evolve, get refined, become out-moded and so on.
In many professional and sporting areas there isn't just one or maybe two text books on technique. In my area of computer engineering (which of course i realise is very different from sport dancing - but the general point i'm making still holds) there are hundreds of texts on different aspects. Nobody would dream of claiming that a particular text is "THE" text to follow.
I believe that in dancing ,the existing technique books have indeed become a little out of date. Perhaps a better dancer would comment on this point. But in any case, where are the books written on specific topics - like "modern tango technique" - by the top dancers? Yes, there are videos and CD's but they don't go into the level of detail and refinement that's sometimes needed, and there is definitely a place for a multimedia approach to specific dances. Harry-Smith-Hampshire's superb short text on Viennese is the sort of thing i'm talking about - with a CD to'show' the important bits.
OK - there's less money in dancing (certainly compared with computer engineering) but i believe such texts/cd approaches would be very popular with dancers.

Phil Samways.You are dead right in what you say. I have never seen one, but there was a leather bound book by Henry Jaques which went into more detail. It was way before the days of Alex Moore book which is really only a step guide.And he added that this book is not intended to be used with a Parrot like mentality. That says it all. If somebody was to say to me that according to the text book that step is wrong. I would point them in the direction of Page V111. in the Preface.
Sam. That stretching you are doing, to help with sway. We have a Polates Program on the cable. In it she kneels down on one knee. Gets a nice shape, and extends the hands above the head as says "UP AND OVER". No crunching as she sways. I think the up and over is the key. Ladies can also use this term and shape for their initial setup. The instructor Australian Zosha Protowski From the above also does the turning side to side with the arms extended. All of the above is good for balance. I am much more comfortable on my right knee than my left. Up and over.

Don. What other information have you about the leather bound Jacques book. I have a cloth-bound copy written by Henry who was assisted by the late Eric Hancox, who at that time was Henry's head teacher. It's a bit cruel to refer to Alex's book 'as only a step guide'.

lluv2dance.My information was second hand. But I am told Richard Gleeves has one. There must be others somewhere. A Sydney dance teacher had one, but it went up in flames with the studio. If you know of any, Don Herbinson-Evans. He's the person who wrote the History of Ballroom Dancing, which is on another web-site, would love to know. A local rare book shop here believes she once had one, it was bought by a guy in Canada. I don't think I was unkind to Alex Moore. I am sure that by his own writting he never intended the book to be set in cement. Take the ladies steps in the first of a Reverse Turn in the Foxtrot. Who today takes the left foot back diag to centre. The lady clears a path for the man. See John Wood's tape and listen to Anne Lewis. Her words are I turn my hips to the new alignment and I don't particularly care where my left foot goes.She then demonstrates the above. Best wishes

Hi Don,
There has been quite a few posts about the lady's heel turn (1-3 Rev). The alignment although written has 1. Backing DC. will almost end backing centre. Not too much importance should be made about that. It does start backing DC but at the e/o 1 it's almost backing centre (toe turned in). This turn is inherent and should not be taught. There are 4 fundamental movements in ballroom dancing, which are: The Walk; CBM; Rise & Fall and Sway and alignment is not one of them. There is no noticeable foot swivel between 1 & 2 of the Rev for the gent. Lots of teachers, besides myself, teach, starting with a Feather, 5 forward walks and then turn on the RF. Here is another tip. Rise & Fall. Dance under the floor then on top of the floor: NOT OFF. Apply that to the 5 walks and notice how much more you have travelled.

DON. You have never seen the book but you would point then in the direction of page 8 in the Preface. What's all that about?

Puzzled. When I refered to the preface and page V111. That is the Alex Moore's book which I have. Not the Henry Jaques book which I have not.