Modern Waltz . Natural Spin Turn. Mans step four. Does it go back straight down the LOD. Or does the man step back on a slight diagonal. Lady step four. Does she go straight ahead down Lod but still keeping on the mans right hip, which is right side to right side. Before anybody comes into this one boots and all, I suggest that they find a teaching tape, or a tape of a major competition and study.

Step four is supposed to be placed directly down LOD, but many competitors erroneously continue the path for progression from 1-3 and place step to DW with a sideways action instead of redirecting the motion at the top of the rise so that step 4 will go down LOD.

There needs to be a 'dog leg' in the path of every 3/8 turn figure. With foot passing, it happens between steps 2 and 3. With foot closure, it happens in the same place, but the new direction is only visible in the following step 4. (When only 1/4 turn is made, the change in path of progression is between steps 1 & 2)

I suppose the footwork of man's step 4 will shed light on this one here. He is to do THT with toe turn-in.

The direction from man's step 3 will continue at step 4 initially: down LOD. But the toe turn-in at the first T of the THT will make his body back DW so as to give room for the lady to proceed her step 4 LOD straight.

The subsequent man's HT of the THT, step 4 will enable him to catch up, with spin action, the lady, who should keep her hip contact all the time so that her step 5 will land at the right spot diagonally right forward from her step 4, not too far away from the man.

Man's T of HT of step 5 will let him spin continuously to the correct alignment that he is to execute the figure, e.g. back DC in full turn.

The timing may be adjusted a little in this one, such as:

4: man step 4, step LF back T, toe turn in, withdraw RF as soon as possible
&: lady step 4

5: lady step 5
&: man step 5 (lady first ^_^ or after you)

6: man spin into the right alignment continuously from step 5
&: both land the last step (step 6) of the figure

Hope this will help.

The direction in which a foot is pointing is independent of the direction in which the step is taken. You can toe in as much as you feel like, while still placing step 4 directly down the LOD.

Also, it is very important NOT to withdraw the right toe too early. As you leave the foot the toe releases, then the toe lowers and drags for most of the travel of the foot. Finally the toe rises for the heel lead of step 5.

Skipper. I was once told to imagine a Bullfighter. how he uses CBM to allow the Bull to pass, and not to allow any part of him to get rammed. That allows the lady to take the straight line. I think we all know that the book says , and the charts show. both man and lady
stepping straight down the LOD. A friend of mine says the technique book comes with a soft cover so that it can be bent.

CBM is a twisting motion by which the body turns while moving straight. Hence you step straight backwards down the LOD, but turn various body parts - absolutely the hips and shoulder, and possible the moving foot toe in as well - to create an open path for your partner. Those with insufficient flexiliby do tend to step to the side though.