Is he/she truly stepping back on the right? Or Left? Which is it?

[Dancing Teeth]

All this stuff about foot work over the last few weeks got me thinking.


This is how I do it.


I push off with the Left foot, this is a silent count.
I step back on my Right foot, which becomes the “And” count, (the is the pre count before the one)

Now here is the catch, were the left foot ends up depends on the move I’m doing.

I’ll generally have my left foot remaining forward (with a small tap) on the “one” when I’m about to do an unti clock-wise turn, that’s a turn to the left. At times I find myself doing this on the first move too but usually when I’m teaching the move slowly.

When I’m in flight, the left foot will in 95% of the time go back. This becomes the same “one” count as above.

So, from someone that’s watching, it becomes tricky to understand if I’m going back on the left or the right.



Was dancing with someone I usually dance with every week in oxford last night and realized that she has always stepped back on her Left, however, this didn’t affect my leading in anyway because she somehow managed to get on the right foot when I need her to. So horses for courses.

[Andreas]

I as the lead change my feet frequently in the variations of the FM. But at the same time I am pretty confident saying that the ladies I lead into an FM always step back with their right foot. Some may close the feet before stepping forwards again but I'd be surprised if somebody managed to step back left in the first place.

[Anita]

Was dancing with someone I usually dance with every week in oxford last night and realized that she has always stepped back on her Left, however, this didn’t affect my leading in anyway because she somehow managed to get on the right foot when I need her to.

I find that I just syncopate the timing if I need to swap feet. Although I start the FM stepping back on the left I noticed that I often don't step right foot behind left in the middle of the step, but switch feet half way through with syncopated timing. The man shouldn't notice this happening I hope

I think that people generally copy a teachers feet rather than listen to the verbal instruction, I know I do. Though there isn't really much defined footwork in MJ. In general would a teacher say "Step back on your left/right" or just "Step back"????

[Saxylady]

The man shouldn't notice this happening I hope

Have you put it to the test by dancing with Andy McGregor?

[Anita]

Have you put it to the test by dancing with Andy McGregor?

Only ever had one dance with him.

I'll try to ensnare him and put some tests in place

[Andreas]

In general would a teacher say "Step back on your left/right" or just "Step back"????

Considering the problems people tend to have identifying their respective left and right extremities, I always used to say 'step back on the outside foot'. That sorted it.

[DavidB]

I'm supposed to move my feet?

[Mr Cool]

[QUOTE=Anita] Only ever had one dance with him.

Well i've danced with him three times he is a superb follower. Ha

ladies dont worry which leg to step back on its down to the man to lead it.
There is a old saying in dance;
( at first you take lessons and then one day you learn to dance it is so different)
Real dancing is lead and follow not a choreographed routine

[Andreas]

I'm supposed to move my feet?

NO!! Don't you worry! For as long as you get the follower to move her feet, all good and dandy.

[Gadget]

NO!! Don't you worry! For as long as you get {your partner} to move {their} feet, all good and dandy.

Go Lou!!

{}