Hi,What exactly is a pencil turn? Do you turn on both feet or on one foot? I am always impressed by those who can execute more than one revolution on the same spot without any assistance. And I notice it is mostly men who can do this well. Is it just a matter of core strength? I can execute chenaine turn but have trouble with pencil turns.

By definition, a pencil turn is a turn on the spot with feet held together. There is nothing in the definition that implies where the weight is held (eg one foot or both feet, over the ball or over the heel), but in real life most people turn with the weight held over the ball of one foot.

If you think about it, it would be difficult to keep the feet together if the weight is truly distributed between them. When both feet are fixed to the floor, they turn independently of each other, and so throughout the rotation their position relative to one another changes -- feet that begin in 2nd position, for example, end in 4th position after a simple quarter turn. In order for feet to remain in 2nd position, one foot has to be free of enough weight that it can move along the floor, and therefore keep its position relative to the primarily-weighted foot. The same goes for feet in first position.

Take a look at the spins & turns lesson on this website for some hints on how to improve your own turns.

Regards,
Jonathan

Dear Waltz123.
Would you please describe the big top ( lady part in waltz, tangl, and foxtrot ). I heard this figure name twice , but off chance to learn it via book or video , ( some coach said there is a heel turn + pivot , some said it is a one foot ball turn + pivot ) . I wonder what it is ? why it is called big top? When is the right timing of body weight transfer from left foot to right foot pivot ? The head position ? thanks!

Yichen-1. The Big Top is for advanced dancers usually not danced untill Championship leval,but who knows anything goes in the U.S. Although some prechamps may dance it if they have the balance and coordination to perform it well. Your coach can show you if he feels your ready for it.

Lady's part of a Big Top:

1. LF forward & across in PP & CBMP
2. RF side, around partner's RF, in promenade position.
3. While pivoting on RF, brush LF to RF, without weight.
4. LF forward in CBMP (reverse pivot). Return to closed position between 3 & 4, similar to a slip pivot action.

If I had to approximate the amount of turn, I might break it down like so:

3/8 between 1 & 2
3/8 between 2 & 3
3/8 on 3 (pivot)
1/8 between 3 & 4
3/8 on 4 (pivot)

Resulting alignments would be:

Begin facing center in PP.
1. Moving towards DC facing center.
2. Backing DC
3. Facing LOD
4. Towards DC, end backing LOD.

Hope that makes sense.

Regards,
Jonathan