Can someone help me in finding a web site at which basic and advanced steps are described step by step? I am thinking about, for example, the zig-zag, the hinge, lilt, etc,

Descriptions of basic figures should be available on a number of sites. I think this one has some. Just web search and you should be able to find some more. Advanced figures are much more difficult to find descriptions of, especially if you want open figures. You may have to subscribe to some service of the web site in order to access them. In that case, you might be better off just buying a book like Popular Variations by Alex Moore (I think) for standard; it describes a lot of figures, most of them open level, and you don't have to be at a computer or on line to read a book. You might want to consider buying some books like this instead. They're generally a pretty good investment as long as you know enough to make use of them. And if you're looking for open figures, you probably are.

Dronak,

Thanks for this helpfull advise! I ordered the book Ballroom Dancing of Alex Moore.

How is the book by Alex Moore written, in comparison to the technique book published by the ISTD? Can someone use Moore's as a textbook or for reference in conjunction to taking dance class?

Many thanks.

Alex Moore book is very comprehensive, for beginner. There's graphics that help to visualize a lot.

My opinion is ISTD should not be read by beginner, since it's very tough to figure out, unless you alread have a good knowledge

The ISTD book was also originally written by Alex Moore. It is more terse than "Ballroom Dancing" so it does not provide as much information at the beginning, but I've heard some hints that at times "Ballroom Dancing" says too much - making the ISTD technique book the best day-to-day reference for the serious dancer.

"Popular Variations" is vastly different from the other two. It is a book of ideas - a collection of phrases a few figures long, including syllabus material, comparable material not on the syllabus, and some very advanced actions. Figures are described only when it is assumed the reader whouldn't know them - and then only briefly. It's assumed the reader already has a thorough understanding of ballroom technique and can deduce most of the details without assistance.

And of course the general assumption is that none of these books are going to serve in isolation - they are to be interpreted through someone's substantial experience - either the reader's, or the reader's teacher's.