this thread is outrageous nonsense. the size of the step is deteremined by how much the body moves, period. if you bend your knee, you must move the body a corresponding amount.

Anonymous. I'm no super athelete. But I can bend my knee and point my foot in any direction and still stay dead center.
Written up above, if you are the same person. You couldn't be more wrong when you said something about the side step comes from momentum and not from the standing leg. Why do you, or who bend the supporting knee. And what happens then. I hope you are also not one of those who forgets the sway on three.

Hi Quickstep
Just stepping back 2 or 3 posts, i agree completely about propulsion coming from the knee or thigh, as Ann Lewis apparently said (i don't have that tape), In fact i think it's obvious. Lowering will create energy, yes, but it would be almost impossible to dance without propulsion from the standing leg.
Makes me wonder how i dance tango (with little rise and fall) without using my standing leg for propulsion!!

Phil. When Michael Barr said that the Tango is a step step dance, and not a swinging dance It all began to make sense. No Rise or Fall. No Sway. John Wood said that feel as though you have a tail straight to the floor like a dragon. The weight very much to the rear. That was the example he gave. All the Best.

Great thanks for explanation especially the idea of why side step emphasized swing action , not be treated as a driving step.
I am practicing to acomplish turning lock to right following natural spin at one go .My teacher said : dance this 2 figures continuously with your strong ankles ,( He forgot I am 60 not 35 .) less flexed knee on 1, & , left toe slides forward as far as possible on beat 2, I felt a little bit panic for its farer distance based on limited flexed knees.( I will be appreciated if I may flex more knee, lower center , more propulsion generated, although the price is shorter line. ) Any way, I should overcome it if I want to dance better.
Ylchen