How much would you say the lady shifts to the man's right (in terms of body position) when moving from an in line position (eg step 1 of the feather step) to a position where the man is stepping OP (eg step 3 of the feather step). A significant distance ? Or none at all ?

My real question is to what extent the placing of a step OP as opposed to in line is controlled by the changing track that comes from CBMP and to what extent it comes from a physical shift in the body centre.

I am a newbie and it is amazing how you can discuss movements in technical terms. I hope to be able to reach that kind of expertise.

I don't think that Lady shifts to the right at all: it is the man that makes a slight movement to the left, but only a slight one, over the sequence of a first step with CBM, a second, preparing to step OP with a side lead (ie slightly more open than the first step) and a final step in CBMP OP. The feet are on divergent tracks, but the couple maintain good body contact by rotation.

*sigh*

I miss foxtrot...It's been so long since I got to dance foxtrot. It is sucha beautiful dance.

re telemark:



that's very much in line with my own thinking. but how much is "slight" relative to the shift in the track of the RF.

PS: note to editor: cant seem to reply in a way that maintains the threaded structure. perhaps the blue button provided within each post is the way to do that, but mine never seem to work.

Very little.

Hearn says that the body is shaped by rotation to create side leading, and in this shape, the body weight moves diagonally across the foot to place the next in CBMP, when the moving foot is placed on the line of the standing foot, making one track (ie not 'forward and across in CBMP'). It seems to me that the sideways movement should be the least necessary to allow the foot to take that track, rather as we would limit the openness of the V- shape of promenade position, and for much the same reason.

The easiest way to takle the problem is to make a model. Take a small plate. With a felt pen put a mark at the top which represents the man. To the right another which is the lady. Rotate the plate a little clockwise. Where does the mark which is to the right go to. Dont forget CBMP is a foot position only once that shoulder is in position dont turn your body even the slightest bit anti clock otherwise you are no longer in CBMP I was told to picture an archer about to fire an arrow before stepping through..