Hi everyone, just searching for some devine inspiration to keep my desperation at bay...

After several lessons with 4 different teachers, I have come away with 4 differnt opinions on a basic forward walk. I know that after 10 years of competing I should have got it sussed (!) but if anyone has any ideas or comments then please let me know!

So, each selection offers a brief description of the front foot and the "way" of movement"... I guess they're all right in a way, but it would improve my practice if I had just one theme to concentrate on.

Many thanks

PS: As the body never stops moving, the example I would like to use is a forward walk on RF, on a full beat (not "a")

fao: Twnkltoz

Sorry, should have explained this more clearly. As you explained I would describe a side lead as a rib-cage kinda thing.

As always, this would be much easier to demonstrate than explain! Thanks for everyone's poll answers though...

Sarah: yep, it's latin. Although one teacher was keen on pointing out that he finds it quite similar to a foxtrot feather action...

Social dancer: thanks you for a much more concise explanation, that was what i was trying to ask in a round-a-bout way! I can appreciate the odd-looking action of a forward side action, but I was assured that it would only be for a split second.

You should keep in mind that "side leading" results naturally from keeping your upper body perpendicular to the direction of your walk. It helps complete the settling action in your hip. So you can have one coach tell you to lead with your side and another tell not to turn shoulders. They are both telling you to do the same thing but have different ways to express it.

Blair

Indy-
If you stretch your torso, you'll find that the foot tends to line up with the rib cage. But if you allow too much play through your abs and lower back, that won't happen.

A forward rhumba walk is like the feather? Not sure about that. That's sort of like saying a forward (low) waltz stride is like a forward samba stride.

is this latin or modern? I would guess latin from the desriptions but i'm not big on technique so i don't know for sure....

Assuming you're talking about latin...

I don't know that I would use the term "side lead," although I'm sure you don't mean what that could imply. I am being taught to lead with the side of the ribcage of the foot that's moving...ie, left foot moves forward, the left ribcage moves forward with it (with no turn of the shoulders). A slight turnout is used on the forward walk for balance and to free up the hip, more turn out for a checking action like a break.

Techniques have changed over the ten years you've been competing, including a complete re-write of the ISTD books, but I suspect you may have changed physically even more.

If I can add some thoughts behind my vote;
The front foot would not be turned out for a forward walk when the forward motion is to continue, only for a checked fwd walk to be followed by a backward movement.
Hip action will result in some feeling of a side lead but don't add it deliberately. Just imagine what it would look like to walk along the road using side leads.

Just my opinion of course.