Hi Don,
/*Foxtrot there is NFR on each and every step going backwards*/
You have stated this before, so you should now know this is not true. Check gent's 4th step in the Reverse Turn in the Slow F/T.

I have a feeling Squeezed will be very confused by now.
Squeezed - can't your teacher work out what's happening? I'm not sure whether you're competitive dancers or not.
The other option is to video your dancing and study it carefully looking for the causes

"Foxtrot there is NFR on each and every step going backwards."

Except of course for the steps where there isn't, such as the ones that are TOE ONLY with FOOT RISE.

"Anonymous. I hope we are both writting about the International Style. I have never heard of a flat walk, if you can explain where this would fit into a Backward Walk."

Any backward walk taken with zero rise and zero fall, of either the body or the foot.

How many examples can you think of? Not many, though there are a few. See if you can find them. These are the ONLY places where the book description of the backwards walk is literally applicable in its entirety. Everything else is a different step requiring a slightly different action.

Anonymous. I still don't get it. There is only one Backward Walk . The lady or man whoever is going backwards has, according to the book, a TH. It doesn't matter if it is the first step of a Waltz or the first step of a Foxtrot or Quickstep. The step according to the manual is the same. Rise and fall (Body Rise) at the end of one NFR. If it's Waltz or Quickstep the difference is Commence to Rise at the end of one NFR. The Foxtrot it is Rise at the end of one NFR. In both cases the rise is through the body and not the feet. Having said that I have an IDSF World Championship Final. Some of the couples do stretch the technique a bit. One couple on their Feather Step at the beginning of their Solo performance. The lady couldn't possibly get any higher on her first quick if she tried. Only the tip of the toe is on the floor. It resembles a Press Line in Latin. And she lowers real late, way after the moving leg has passed. So there you go. As I keep saying if it looks good, which it does, then it can be done. I should point out though that it is the first step of a Backward Walk that is under discussion and not the first quick even though that step is supposed to have NFR as does the following step .

"Anonymous. I still don't get it. There is only one Backward Walk . The lady or man whoever is going backwards has, according to the book, a TH. It doesn't matter if it is the first step of a Waltz or the first step of a Foxtrot or Quickstep.":

Well, you're wrong, and more importantly you are ignoring the ample evidence that demonstrates why you are wrong.

If there is "only one backwards walk" then you must be reservering the term "backwards walk" for the action literally states in the text. Which is a situtaion without rise or fall of body or foot, without CBM, and perfectly in line with the foot and body without CBMP or side lead. Such an action is essentially never used outside of a class exercise - can you find any example of it in dancing? I can find a few things that come close, but no actual "backwards walks" that meet all of these restrictions.

Or you could use a broader definition of "backwards walk" that includes a great variety of different actions common in dancing, each requiring its own unique adjustments to technique including the detailed foot timing. You have upswing walks and downswing walks, each with their own foot timing. You have side lead walks and CBMP walks, and walks with CBM - again, each with their own details and timing.

Your choice - you can simplify the term to the point where it literally matches the text but does not describe anything usefull in actual dancing, or you can broaden it to include a number of commonly danced actions with their unique details. What you can't do is try to literally and fully apply a specific description to a situation different than the one being described - without coming off as one of those idiots who can recite the text word for word while completeling missing the meaning of what is being said.

Anonymous. Going Backwards. Of course there is rise at the end of the first step and CBM or CBMP where it is applicable which is step three on a Feather.. The rise takes place after step one has been taken. There is no lowering on step one because you are already down at the end of three.There is not supposed to be a double lowering Most seem to agree that you never lower and then move, always blend the two, lower and move.
CBM or CBMP don't try to get your foot under your opposite shoulder, or your shoulder over your opposite foot. This is where a twist in the spine can happen, which is wrong In other words don't over do the CBM's. And keep that spine straight with the shoulders over the hips. There are many other things that can affect the dancing. Not keeping the head to the left. Dropping the right elbow which destroys the top line as well as making it hard for the lady. Also this can give a person a small right side and a big left side, which looks bad, and from the other end of the hall makes a couple look small. Smaller than a couple who hold there top line. Keeping the elbows up at shoulder level will solve that problem. These are very common faults. Next time you are out just look around at the others dancing. Look at that right elbow and how slack the right arm can become. I often read how somebody is being taught by an instructor who has only been dancing a few weeks. And we in our lessons have been going over those Basics on a regular bases. And still it is not perfect. Not perfect enought to satisfy our teacher.

quickstep, please take some dance lessons before you make another post full of bad advice

lluv2Dance. You know as well as I do there is a special note on the 4th step of a Reverse Turn Foxtrot which makes it different to the 4th step of a Waltz Reverse or a Natural.There is a reason for this. Maybe you could tell us why that is. Anyway , nice try.

Obviously I've never seen your partner dance, but perhaps he is try to "present" himself too much (like a matador - it's pretty common for men to do that I've noticed). Does that make any sense? Also, close the ribcage, engage arms to shoulder blades to back, and keep elbows in front.