2360  I step back while i dance

Date: Tue, 6 Apr 2004 06:02:49 -0700
From: Patricio Touceda <tangueros2001@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: I step back while i dance

I personally step backward in the line of dance very often.
Of course carefully, and i crash with other couples while doing
that as much as anybody crash on a front or side step.
so, i think we should say:
STEP backward only when needed ( because sometimes is..) and carefuly.
dont you think?

bye!

----- Original Message -----

Date: Tue, 6 Apr 2004 12:00:36 -0500
From: donnay@DONNAY.NET
Subject: Re: I step back while i dance

Beginners often like to walk backwards, I think for two reasons: because
they are used to it from other dances and it's not as scary - they don't
have to worry about stepping on the follower. I feel this is upsetting to
the follower, because she is already focused forward-she feels like she is
falling. It can also put her in the uncomfortable position of "leading" -
being responsible for watching where the leader is going so he doesn't hit
someone.

Right now there's a local guy who only learns by doing, not taking lessons.
When I tell him not to back up he says "but I see other guys backing up!"
Does he think I would lie to him?

Lois ,Minneapolis

>
> I personally step backward in the line of dance very often.
> Of course carefully, and i crash with other couples while
> doing that as much as anybody crash on a front or side step.
> so, i think we should say: STEP backward only when needed (
> because sometimes is..) and carefuly. dont you think?
>
> bye!

Date: Tue, 6 Apr 2004 19:11:44 EDT
From: LGMoseley@AOL.COM
Subject: Re: I step back while i dance

tangueros2001 wrote:-

"I personally step backward in the line of dance very often.
Of course carefully, and i crash with other couples while doing
that as much as anybody crash on a front or side step.
so, i think we should say:
STEP backward only when needed ( because sometimes is..) and carefuly.
dont you think?

bye!"



My view is that whether stepping back is dangerous or impolite depends on
which way you were facing when you stepped backwards. You can, for example, step
backwards towards the wall, or you can make a turn (say a turning closing
finish), which gives you the chance to look around to see who is nearby (for
example, behind you), before stepping backwards into a corner or towards the
centre of the room. The important point is that you have in advance manoeuvred
yourself and your partner so that you can see any dangers nearby.

Of course, there are many situations in which a backward step is the most
natural movement to make. A back right followed by a long, slow, low side left
(effectively a Salida) occurs all the time. When turning a corner, a closing
finish into the the corner can be followed by a longish step back with the left
foot which sets you up either for a Besso, or to lead the lady to Ocho or Giro
past you, or to swivel anti-clockwise - all of which are ways to turn a
corner. Similarly, if you do a Corridita, then steps 3 and 4 will naturally be in a
backwards direction, but along the line of dance, not against it.

As in most of Tango, it depends where and how you do it, not what you do. At
least that is my opinion.

Best wishes

Laurie

Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2004 22:16:04 +0200
From: Alexis Cousein <al@BRUSSELS.SGI.COM>
Subject: Re: I step back while i dance

LGMoseley@aol.com wrote:

> tangueros2001 wrote:-
>
> "I personally step backward in the line of dance very often.
> Of course carefully, and i crash with other couples while doing
> that as much as anybody crash on a front or side step.
> so, i think we should say:
> STEP backward only when needed ( because sometimes is..) and carefuly.
> dont you think?
>

Plus, as I said before, you can also do a 1 nanometer step back if you
don't know who's behind you ;).

--
Alexis Cousein Senior Systems Engineer
Silicon Graphics/SGI Belgium & Luxemburg
--
If I can see further, it is by standing on reference manuals.