Swaying the Prep Walk

[Adwiz]

During a competitor practice time last night, I noticed that the higher-level Standard competitors were applying a bit of a swaying motion in their Prep Walk (left-foot closed change) as they start the Waltz, Quickstep and Slow Fox.

As my coach hasn't bothered covering this (I'm just competing at Bronze level and it isn't seen at that level), I was wondering if anyone could provide some insight on how this is done. Is it created by lowering one one knee more than the other or what?

[msc]

That sounds strange.

Are the shoulders actually tilting, or is one side (the right side for the man) simply leading the other through the prep step and the first step of the half-natural or feather?

[Adwiz]

The man's shoulders tilt left (as the left foot goes forward), then right as the right foot goes forward.

I'm not sure if this is just a styling thing or a new trend or just wrong. It doesn't look bad, but I don't know if it's proper or if it should be done at all. And I'm curious if it's just the result of some extra technique I haven't learned yet.

[msc]

That makes no sense at all to me, unless the left side is breaking as the man tries to project his right side forward, which is a very bad thing.

Maybe taita has seen this?

[Adwiz]

I saw this again last night, and it appeared to be caused by the man sliding forward with a slightly bigger stride than normal on the Prep Walk. The body wasn't broken, so it had to be happening in the leg, and I suspect it is just the result of the heel sliding forward a few extra inches, causing the left side of his body to lower.

What's interesting is that I only see this at one particular venue. Perhaps an instructor there teaches this or models it.

[Vince A]

I saw this again last night, and it appeared to be caused by the man sliding forward with a slightly bigger stride than normal on the Prep Walk. The body wasn't broken, so it had to be happening in the leg, and I suspect it is just the result of the heel sliding forward a few extra inches, causing the left side of his body to lower.

What's interesting is that I only see this at one particular venue. Perhaps an instructor there teaches this or models it.
I "think" I've seen what you are describing . . . but it was rare. I'm trying to make my mind paint a picture of it, and I can only recall a follower doing that.

I believe that it may just be a stlying thing of someone's, and they are probably doing something wrong . . . I don't know.

I do know, that when I was competing in the Waltz, my Pro would probably slap me upside the head if I dipped or lowered a shoulder. Also, she was always after me to take "bigger" strides . . . and in learning this, I did have a tendency to lower the left shoulder, but that was corrected in short order.

[twodance]

The side step on the prep walk is to simply get the weight off of one foot and onto the other. It's a way to lead the lady to start dancing. The idea is to get the body moving first then start dancing.