Who would like to give an opinion . In the International Foxtrot on the Reverse Turn. In the technique books there are 3/8 of a turn between 1 and 3. How much of that turn is made over the LF. Is most of the turn taken on the LF. Taking into consideration that the second step is a sideways step and the third step is straight back down the LOD. Also look at the ladies step on step one on which she is turning on the Right Heel only. Which makes most of the turn on which foot for both the man and lady.

This is not an opinion, but a direct reading from the ISTD syllabus. The man does a 1/4 turn between steps 1-2, 1/8 between 2-3; the lady does all her 3/8 turn between 1-2.

nigelgwee. It gets interesting because what I am looking at on two demonstrations is no further turn on the RF step two and nothing on step three which is straight back
When reading the ladies steps How is it, if that turn is on step one Should two have been mentioned as part of the 3/8 turn when the 3/8 is not part of step two. The same for the man on step three. Why include it. Do you see what I mean. It can be so easily misread. Look at Luca and Hilton for a demonstration of a Reverse Turn.

Serendipidy. As I understand it, turns are measured BETWEEN foot placements, and refer to the feet rather than the rest of the body (which often turns less, especially on backward movements).

Looking at Alex Moore's descriptions, I see where you might have got the description of 3/8 turn between 1-3 (Man) [the ISTD syllabus is just a little more detailed]. You're right about Step 3 moving straight back containing no turn (Moore's description is "...3/8ths of a turn between 1 and 3, and 3/8ths of a turn between 4 and 7"--notice there's no turn between 3 and 4).

This would explain why the lady's 3/8 turn is described as between steps 1 and 2. Her (heel) turn is complete by step 2.

On the man's step two, however, perhaps you might want to look at the feet specifically--the upper body in the demonstration may hardly rotate at all at this point. This isolation between the upper part of the body and the feet is what I find especially beautiful about much of standard/smooth dancing.

Hope this helps. In the meantime, I'll pursue your suggestion and check out Luca and Hilton--ultimate models of standard technique, IMHO.

Cheers.

nigelgwee. It does get interesting and the books somewhat contradictory. When it says On the Reverse Turn in the Foxtrot on the second step " RF to the side across the LOD. Then it says"
" Continue to turn on the RF ".
Why would I continue to turn on a step that I have completed. So I go to the demonstrations of both Luca and Marcus.
Then I start to see other things that I hadn't noticed before. The raising of the left heel at the end of step one. And how close to the RF the LF goes ,brushing and under the body before stepping back LF.
This is also interesting. Richard Gleave teaches that on an Open Imputus Turn. As the LF goes back on step four the head goes back with it. This ensures that the turn is made over the LF. Good Luck.

Serendipidy. At the risk of sounding over-technical and alienating some readers:

"Continue to turn on the RF": Refers to the 1/8 turn between 2-3. The RF is placed on step 2 but the rotation continues until step 3.

"The raising of the left heel at the end of step one" indicates to the lady the heel turn.

Re. the Open Impetus Turn: You're probably referring to the maintenance of sway to facilitate going into promenade position.

nigelgwee. First the Fourth step on an Open Impetus as taught by Richard Gleave has nothing to do with sway. The instruction is that the head goes with the man's LF as he steps back down the LOD. If you don't, you will walk away from your head leaving it in a forward position in relation to your LF and the body weight. Also from the book. Close RF to LF turning on the Left Heel. This is also a Closed Impetus Turn.If you can find Luca and Lorain's Slow Foxtrot Demo. Which is on a tiled floor therefore it is simple to see exactly where he is stepping and on what alignment. If you can see any turning over the RF after step two is in place then you can tell me. After that you might find Marcus Hilton's Basic Foxtrot which you will find is exactly the same.
One more point. Whenever we step to the side in any of the dances we will step from a toe to a toe in a position which is up, having raised the heel of the supporting foot. This is attention to details.
Looking at Luca again on the eighth bar of music see how he takes a half a turn over his left foot into a Reverse. The RF , the one under question can be seen as clear as day.