Most of us make the same mistake when learning. We dont read the introduction part of the book. We go straight into what we think is the good stuff. On this site under Learning Centre. If you want to know what the Fan Position is, and should look like, then click on Dance Positions. There it is. Take note. Is there a difference in alignament between the hips and the upper body ?. Look at all the poises, understand them before diving in the deep end. On this site there are hips in Latin, Spins as well as stance for the Standard Style and lots more. It is all here.

Don: What's your point?. I think I understand what you are saying but each individual is the one to determine their own pace so, arent we reiterating what we all already know?. Owen

Owen. The point is not reading the introductory section.. I have no idea what the latest books say. In mine it gives a run down on NFR. and yet we still have people asking what it entails. How many can honestly say they know that in the Reverse Turn Foxtrot step four for the man , what is the correct footwork plus the correct rise and fall. And why. And even though the man is on the inside of the turn does he have NFR. Answere No. It's all there right in the front of the book. But as I said how many read it.That is my point exactly.

the introduction isn't really of much benefit until you have some experience doing it wrong

In a discusion with Espen Salsburg, Ray Rivers now living in the USA said. In this country we have beginners trying and being taught to do groups they are not capable of doing. We should have one discipline and no more for a minimum of one year. Espen agreed.But that doesn't please the social dancer. I sometimes go to a Social teaching class where they teach a group nobody is capable of doing, and next week is forgotten.But they do have had a couple of hours of entertainment. Some do venture into competition, but they have already picked up disastrous basic habits. The message here is don't try to learn too much too soon.

A few points to make here:
First, surely in the reverse turn (foxtrot) the man is on the outside of the turn?
Second, If important technical material is written into an introduction to a text book, it's been written into the wrong place/ Maybe by 'introduction' you mean a preliminary chapter detailing general technical points which are important. but an introduction just introduces the textbook - or should
third, i agree entirely with the points which have been made about teaching beginners inappropriate material which is too difficult. But social dancers want 'steps' which they're proud to show off, even if executed terribly. I guess it's human nature.
The 'strictly come dancing' programme in the UK (is it called 'dancing with the stars in the US?) was a perfect example of it

Phil. In my book there is a Foreward which is when some important person writes some nice things about the author. Then we have a Preface when the author writes what and why the book was written. Then we come to the Introduction where many of the important parts of the steps , foot use all about heels and toes and so on are written. In Wally Laird's Latin book ,it comes under the heading of General. The steps in question, that is the fourth to the fifth of the Reverse turn Foxtrot. If you were to ask is the fourth step a TH you would probably agree. A toe heel with NFR. That is wrong Even though the man is on the inside of the step he has a THT. If the Introductory Section is read the person reading would know what it is and why it is so.

Phil. Just checked. The word is Forword and not Forward.

Hi Don
I was making a general point about book 'introductions'
I read lots of text books (in another discipline) and i rarely read the introductions because they just talk about the layout of the book and so on. Maybe dance technique books are different. A chapter called 'general' sounds like a good idea.
I'm still confused about the man being on the inside of a reverse turn. Maybe i'm thinking of the wrong thing. I'm thinking "feather step - reverse turn - feather finish" where the man would be on the outside of the reverse turn.

You can be a first class dancer without reading a book or know a thing about technique, or you have to do is find a top pro who will spend hours dancing with you.