I was here once before when our teacher was trying to get me to do several underarm spins at once. Thanks to the great help on this site, I now can do those to my heart's content! But, now we are working on what she calls a continous pivot. I have seen them done in many kinds of dances, but her plan is to put it in our waltz routine. For lack of a better way to describe it, my partner and I take giant pivoting steps around each other to move along the dance floor. (I know that probably makes no sense!) You spread your feet apart, and pivot 180° each turn as you move along the line of dance. We have finally managed to do them without the movement along the line...Sort of like a Tasmanian Devil who doesn't go anywhere. Where do we go from there? Any hints on how to use them to get from point A to point B?

Thanks for any advice you can give. Our teacher has confidence in us and keeps challenging us...There's plenty more that I can't do yet. I'm sure I'll be back with more questions soon!

Sheryl

Hmmm. Where to start. I like continous pivot turns a lot. It is definately hard step, but beautiful and powerful when it is done right. I will say this for now: 1. make sure that your foot pivots enough. 2. Be careful not to have rocking motion. 3. Be careful not to invade each other's space, especaiily with your upper body. I will add some more later. It would be helpful knowing what makes it hard for you to travel along the line. (We never tried to do this step in one place even when we first learned the step.)

Maybe we aren't spreading our feet far enough apart? Maybe we aren't pivoting far enough...When trying the step without a partner, just one stretch at a time, both of us can make the full 180°. The few times we have managed to move out of our spot, we have wandered way off the line (Still working on the spotting!), and nearly fallen all over each other. Between that, the ridiculous facial expressions I must be making, and the feeling that I am a cowboy trying to avoid any unfortunate steps while walking the back 40, I'm feeling pretty clumsy!

Remember that footwork is only part of the pivot. Keeping your head properly positioned and your shoulders turning are just as if not more important.

jj

Correcting your problem sight unseen, is akin to diagnosing an electrical problem on a car , over the phone.

Sheryl. Why don't you Google Marcus Hilton Basic Foxtrot. About half way through their demonstration they go into a couple of Pivots. You might pick up something there that will help.
Good Luck.

(Actually, we aren't try to stay in one place...We just can't seem to move! )

Thanks so much for suggestions to help me analyze what problems I may be encountering. The video may help. I will go take a look. When I am learning someone this challenging, it helps to collect whatever hints I can get and be able to see others do it. I will try to incorporate what you all have suggested, and I'll definitely take a look at the video.