[MartinHarper]

Originally Posted by Dazzle

Being aware comes from consideration and experience.

So, if I pay attention to what I'm doing, this should get better with time? That's reassuring, if not immediately helpful. So, how to get my experience without crippling anyone in the process?

I like spindr's and jiveholic's advice about keeping backsteps under my body - and moving the body before the foot. I also like spindr's point about putting your hand behind you before stepping back (bonus point: something else to do with the spare arm!). But I was unsure about this:

Originally Posted by spindr

Don't lower your foot quickly when you step back -- keep most of the weight on the ball of the foot

Doesn't that leave your heel in the air at perfect tendon-snapping height? I was even wondering if it would help to slide my feet back, keeping the heel closer to the ground. Still the possibility of bumping feet, but they'd be heel-to-heel more.

Originally Posted by Andy McGregor

To say that RobC might be irresponsible is libellous.

I didn't say that. What I did say wasn't libellous. With all due respect, I rarely take legal advice from pink bunnies...