[Tango-L] Heel-first versus Toe-first: Lucha libre observations

[Barbara Garvey]

Just returned from an evening of Lucha Libre in the non-tourist part of 
town ( if you've seen the movie Nacho Libre, the real thing-- which film 
critics have evidently never experienced-- is more outrageous) and I 
observed that the luchadores walk heel first going forward and toe first 
going back (and for back flips out of the ring).

Of course their aim is not to look good, but to make their opponent, and 
maybe the referee,  fall flat on his back.
Viva Mexico,
Barbara



Lois Donnay wrote:

>I've made my decision to suggest to students a heel-first walk through a
>little different method. When I dance with a gentleman and it is wonderful,
>or if friends come back to my table tingling, I spend a lot of time
>observing how he dances. I find that heel-toe is how they are mostly
>dancing. This is true even for teachers who teach toe-heel. However, they
>may change this up for certain circumstances. 
>
>At this juncture in my tango career, I can feel when a leader is
>toe-walking. It doesn't have the flow-through feeling that I prefer.
>
>Anyway, tango is a highly individualized dance, and I tell students that
>they will develop their own style. I like this poem, which can be applied to
>so many things:
>
>"Of course I'll gladly give de rule
>I meks beat biscuit by.
>Dough I ain't sure dat you will mek
>Dat bread de same as I
>Case cookin's like religion is-
>Some's 'lected an' some ain't,
>An' rules don't know more mek a cook
>Den sermons mek a saint."  Miss Howard Weeden, 1899
>
>Lois Donnay
>Minneapolis, MN 
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Tom Stermitz [mailto:stermitz at tango.org] 
>Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2007 12:37 PM
>To: Tango-L
>Subject: Re: [Tango-L] Heel-first versus Toe-first, teaching history
>
>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
>>    
>>
>
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