[Tango-L] Heel-first versus Toe-first, teaching history

[Tom Stermitz]

A student of mine pointed out that the footwork of a really good  
dancer is extremely subtle. It may be difficult to visually determine  
whether the weight was taken first by the heel or toe. Rolling  
through the foot? Landing on ball but not heel? Landing on ball then  
back to heel?

Even on stage the foot placement may not be as important as the  
particular visual line of leg and foot.


LAYERED OF LEARNING

My position comes from the fact that I am teaching normal, (mostly  
middle-aged) adults. When I teach ballerinas or someone from  
ballroom, I pull them aside for more specific words.

Focussing on details of foot placement, specifically telling a  
beginner to land toe first, is a huge distraction from more important  
things, like standing upright, walking boldly forward, walking in a  
straight line, leading the follower, learning tango steps.

More than that, the focus on toe first creates bad habits and really  
weird walking. Again, it isn't about the foot placement, but about  
what happens in the torso, hips and upper legs. Normal, "sidewalk"  
walking is a great foundation for tango walking. Details of foot  
placement should come later when the student has balance, posture and  
confidence.



On Mar 15, 2007, at 11:10 AM, Trini y Sean (PATangoS) wrote:

> ...
> Thanks, Tom & Randy.
>
> ...
> So, I agree with Tom and Randy that stepping heel-first is
> a good way of starting normal beginners.  However, I also
> see the value of walking toe-first for those who might be
> ready to try it.  Does that mean that they are training for
> the stage?  No, just that they are simply trying to be the
> best dancer they can be.
> ...
> I think it takes more work to dance toe-first.  It is those
> additional pieces that I am trying to fit together.
>
> Trini de Pittsburgh