[spindr]

Originally Posted by MartinHarper

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:

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.

Ah Grasshopper -- you must learn the empty step, to step without stepping.

Push the (right) foot back toe on the floor keeping weight on the left -- if the right foot makes contact with anything close it back to the left foot instantaneously (as you haven't any weight to shift, it should be quick).
Transfer weight from left to right foot fairly gradually -- if you feel a toe under your heel shift weight back onto left foot and close right foot back.
(see also tai-chi and Argentine tango -- thanks Mike Lavocah for his class at the last Tango Tanck workshop).

If you keep your weight "forwards" you should be able to move quickly away when you touch an obstacle behind you.

Hence, the suggestion of a back rock idea.

If you commit your weight on the back foot -- you have no choice but to squash whatever's underneath the landing zone.

One other thought, try stepping back slightly diagonally towards the other foot, i.e. with a slight twist -- you take up a smaller amount of space for the same amount of step.

Oh and watch your partner -- if they're looking behind you and pulling faces then there might be someone behind you.

More hints'n'tips at: http://www.afterfive.co.uk/guide/lat...loorCraft.html

SpinDr.