I reeeeally think that's simply another preference. BTW, have you ever seen a cat land on anything other than the ball of it's foot?
yes. I've seen a cat land on our fence.. its a flaws comparison since1. if you look at the bone structure its front and back tarsals meta-tarsals and phalanges are arranged differently to a human foot. 2. Cats mostly walk on four legs not two. 3. Cats don't dance to tango music, they prefer jazz.
How are the backward steps musically for you? I can not see how to take those steps without the toe landing first followed by heel.
Apparently you missed the part of his post (that I was replying to) that said a woman should walk exactly as he had described for a man So in light of that rather important detail, I agree with you. It is pointless for you and I to discuss this.
I've seen a cat land on it's head... but not while dancing tango... that's usually more of a hip-hop thing. My cats have been trying for years to master the difference between sacadas and paradas. Their inability to either sacada my trailing foot rather than my leading one, or get to the correct placement in time for a parada of my leading foot, usually results in me tripping over them. I've given up on them every learning these complex moves
Mechanically, stepping backward allows for the toe to roll onto the heel. There is only one impact and energy transfer (if the knees are straight) when the toe lands first so there isn't a ka-plunk as there is stepping forward, heel-toe.
I get a feeling that the forward walk plunk is created by an extra big foot without control, otherwise there is a kind of rolling movement when the weight is transfered. If there is not control /strength in the backward step it will be ka-fall when the partner is falling backwards on the low heel.
With respect to leading, sometimes when a person insists "toe / heel / whole foot / etc." is the only way, it's because they never learned how to do it well any other way. It really can be done well in a variety of ways, so if you have a preference, just go with it.
Heel leads, toe leads, ball-flats, releves, eleves, compressions, etc., are very seldom a question of choice nor style, but rather the result of an intentional FUNCTION OR MOVEMENT that needs to be accomplished. Thus the decision of which part of the foot should land first must be made a matter of logical extrapolation rather than misinformed conjecture. In short, putting heel lead decisions BEFORE the purpose of the movement is like putting your shoes on before your socks---it can be done, but it won't look good nor will it function very well. m
I have to disagree. There is usually one way that provides the best stability, maneuverability, balance, and energy savings. You can figure this out if you spend an inordinate amount of time socially dancing and investigative practicing. This practice will lead you to try many different ways to do the same thing including heel-toe, toe-heel, and flat. However, you can keep on doing something just because you feel like it even if it isn't very effective. It's also possible that you don't have time or simply don't want to engage in investigative practice.
I'm wrong here ^. The energy transfer occurs when the heel contacts the floor in a backward step. Thus, the heel strikes on the beat, not the toe.
Not this: But this: Leading from the chest results in you being slightly tilted forward and needing to walk "into" the floor, the foot landing flat. Being upright usually requires an initial push from the floor to move, maybe a larger step and then heel strike/lead results. It depends how you want, can, or have been taught to dance. The overriding point is you can try these things, experiment and work on them. Tango often starts only once teaching stops.
Well I think you were right in the first place. Ignoring the (wrong?) concept of energy transfer, the beat is always naturally marked by a foot landing whether it be a heel strike or flat foot landing walking forwards or a ball of the foot landing when walking backwards. The idea of walking backwards and landing the foot ahead of the beat in order for the heel to land on the beat seems to be an impractical goal. In any case, the heel does not strike the floor when walking backwards (man or woman), the sole does.
IMHO, the answer is simple. It's whatever works for YOU, the leader. Heel, Ball, flat...blah, blah... It doesn't matter, for as long as your leading becomes crystal clear, smooth, safe, and beautiful (on any surface, and in any type of shoe) for the benefit of your partner.
