Forwards or Backwards, which is more stable?

Chris Stratton

Chris Stratton

New Member
Do you feel that the forwards or backwards walking action in the 'swing dances' of standard/smooth is more stable? In which is it easier to draw out the step, so that it floats rather than crashing down before you wanted it to?
 
Wearing the shoes you personally find most suitable for smooth/standard ballroom. Using the book footwork for the role you are dancing.
 
Seriously - I feel more stable going backwards if I'm wearing heels that are tall and have a smaller surface area, but it's easier for me to swing going forwards, which is only stable if I'm wearing less precarious shoes. I think the real problem is just that I need to work on strengthening my ankles, though . . .
 
Yes, I too find going backwards easier to control.

In fact, I often tend to leave a hip or something behind when going forwards, for defense against falling ahead of where I want to be. After comparing figures in both directions a bit and thinking about it, I'm beginning to wonder if the person moving backwards is perhaps in a position to make a world of difference. Excessive body speed on the backwards partner makes the forwards one either fall or hold back. In contrast, slight resistance from the backwards party drawing out and supporting the step seems like it can encourage the forwards one to really commit their entire body to the step with all "blocks of weight" moving forward in alignment.
 
I think backwards is easier because you are controlling the momentum. When moving forwards, the other person can end up pulling you and you're putting up resistance to compensate for that. Moving forwards shouldn't really put you off balance though if the lead is light enough. The lead should merely indicate that you're moving forward, not force you to go that way.
 
I am not sure I understand the question. Do you mean for the couple as a unit, or as an indivdual? If as an individual, do you mean dancing with a partner or practicng by yourself?
 
Angelo said:
I am not sure I understand the question. Do you mean for the couple as a unit, or as an indivdual? If as an individual, do you mean dancing with a partner or practicng by yourself?
Click to expand...

I was initially asking about the comparative stability of the individual actions.

I'm starting to think that the difference is large enough we could almost consider the backwards action to have a surplus of stability to lend to the forwards - it may possibly be slightly easier to dance a nice forward action in concert with a skilled backwards moving partner than it is to do so alone.
 
Going backwards at the moment is more stable for me. Though I suspect it has a lot to do with driving forward as opposed to being driven back.

Once I get my forward "drive" working consistently, I'll let you know if it's still the same. :D
 
Chris Stratton said:
Do you feel that the forwards or backwards walking action in the 'swing dances' of standard/smooth is more stable? In which is it easier to draw out the step, so that it floats rather than crashing down before you wanted it to?
Click to expand...

My strongest dance is Tango, which isn't really a swing dance...
But my favorite dance at this moment in my life is Waltz. It used to be Foxtrot.

In Waltz, I feel stable going forward or backward. A lot of the Waltz movements involve turns or chasse action, which to me is as easy going forward or backward.
I find your question is geared more towards Foxtrot as the drawing-out quality characterizes the dance. Going backwards has always been easier for me to draw out. All of dancing has to do with what you do with your standing leg and if it is strong and used properly, it can help you achieve the effect you're looking for. I would say a heel lead in Foxtrot can look short, but if you think of your back leg (which includes ankles and feet) doing the work, it will give you a floating effect.
 
Chris Stratton said:
Angelo said:
I am not sure I understand the question. Do you mean for the couple as a unit, or as an indivdual? If as an individual, do you mean dancing with a partner or practicng by yourself?
Click to expand...

I was initially asking about the comparative stability of the individual actions.

I'm starting to think that the difference is large enough we could almost consider the backwards action to have a surplus of stability to lend to the forwards - it may possibly be slightly easier to dance a nice forward action in concert with a skilled backwards moving partner than it is to do so alone.
Click to expand...

I'm still not sure what you are getting at. Since no one dances standard alone unless they are practicing alone, the stability of the action will depend heavily on the interaction between partners. I personally find going forward to be more stable but this may be due to the fact that I spend much more time going forward than backward when I dance standard and thus the forward action gets more practice.

Its probaly also easier to dance a nice backward action in concert with a skilled forward moving partner than it is to do alone
 
Whether or not you have a partner in front of you should have no effect on your stability.
 
I feel slightly more comfortable going forwards. Given that most other people seem to feel more stable going backwards I guess its just more proof that I'm some sort of mutant.
 
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