TIP#1: Over the years I've seen many students very confused about "Ball-Flat" and Latin's stepping on the 'Ball of the Foot only'. I've seen many professionals, who, though they performed properly, failed to explain the technique properly.

So let me put my two cents in and attempt to make an explanation of Proper Weight Exchage in Stepping:


There are two methods of stepping forward - Heel-Flat or Ball-Flat. (Every step you take in Ballroom Dancing must be either 'Ball-Flat' or 'Heel-Flat')

Forward Steps:

Heel-Flat: When you step Heel-Flat you place all your weight momentarily into your heel as you pass over it transferring all your weight to the ball of your foot to step again. As your weight transfers to the ball of the foot the heel comes off the floor. Heel-Flat is utilized in the smooth dances, such as Foxtrot and Waltz.

The Other Heel-Flat: In Tango you extend your forward step with the Ball of the foot, but instantaneously as your weight is transferred to your foot the toe "reaches for the sky" to receive weight totally on the heel to pass over to the ball as in the above Heel-Flat explanation.l


Ball-Flat: Utilized in the Latin Dances, the body leans forward(as if falling). bypassing the heel to land squarely on the ball of the foot. However, as the body moves over the foot, it lowers into a 'Flat' position, the heel actually touching the floor with miniscule weight, continuing to carry the weight of the body on the ball of the foot. Every "Ball" step must be "Ball-Flat".


Backward Steps:

To step backwards the the weight of the body must be taken in the Ball of the foot, with the foot lowering to a flat position as the body weight passes over it. However, in Latin, generally, no weight is transferred to the heel during a step. Backward Rocks, however, can have total weight over the heel for accented body and hip action shaping.


Any questions, just confront or call me.