One thing to keep in mind with all the talk of CBM, CBMP, side leads, shallow diagonals, etc. We think of these things as being special and unique cases. In fact, they are the only cases.

It's moving square, foot and body pointing in the same direction that has no place in closed hold ballroom dancing.

Beginners try to do it of course, and it's why beginners are always in each other's way. It's the diagonals, either same side or contrary, that provide the clearances which make close partner dancing actually comfortable.

The squarer the step, the less room to take it.

Anonymous, you put that in the clearest and most excellent manner. My partner and I were working on this today, and your post said exactly what we both needed to hear. I've even forwarded it to him.

Of course, you can overdo the CBMP if you're too gung-ho about it. We found that out today...we were practicing setting up and then swinging our first half natural in the waltz, and he roated so much in the set up that I could feel the tops of his thighs starting to cross. Naturally, the half natural ended up looking and feeling very un-natural. We tried it with less rotation through the top the next time (but with more than we usually used), and discovered what you so cogently explained above.

So thanks for putting it so well!