[Gadget]

Originally Posted by Graham

The first thing to bear in mind is that all basic moves such as the first move have been developed to help you learn basic building blocks which can be used to develop more complex dance movements later on, and also to get you and your partner used to the basic elements of lead/follow.

EDIT: As David has pointed out, when the move is really flowing and natural, the distinct positions start getting rounded off, so in fact you will start the rotation during count 2.

I don't think that it's quite right: you actually start to prepare for the rotation during count 2, but the lead is actually on count 3: perhaps your elbow raises slightly, your shoulder comes forward a bit, your body tenses, your hand positions it's self on the lady's hip and gets some feedback... but the movement and lead that transfers to the lady does not start untill count 3. It only really "flows" when you continue in the same direction - otherwise i t should be like a shock-absorber between changes in direction.

Originally Posted by MartinHarper

n step two of the first move, I've been told that the ladies shouldn't rotate at all, but should stay facing in the starting direction, so that we are hip-to-hip. Does anyone know why this is meant to be? In freestyle, lots of ladies do rotate. Should I lead differently?

Yes, they should be hip to hip: it's a positional thing that can be used to get into a plethora of other moves -
- Push into the lady's arm to lead her into a side-step as you side-step; slide lady's hand accross your chest and down arm to catch R-R {carefull with your trailing R hand }
- Lift and duck under the L hand then either rotate L to face or turn into a shoulder-slide
- Lift and duck under while snakeing R hand behind lady on far hip instead of infront, walk for a couple of turns, stop and continue to lead the lady behind you.
- Take the L hand above and infront of the lady while stepping 180 degrees to her left; she ends in sway position to your right
- Take L hand above and infront to turn her while turning to face; use R hand to break and draw lady in as L hand snaps straight upwards
- Let go of L hand and use R hand on hip to turn lady into a free-spin
- Block in this position, face partner as l hand extends to L and braces in ball-socket grip and R hand secures lady's hip; lunge left into a lean - lady braceing on her R hand.
... and that's without entering into any true "first move" variations like following the lady instead of turning her out, going straight into a turn rather than returning to the hip to hip, blocking after the turn out by keeping the R-hand on the hip,...

As Graham said at the start - the first move (and all other begginer moves) are not really there to show you how to do a first move, but how to lead and some of the positions that can be led into/out of.

Anyone have any preference, or consider one of these "wrong"?

No such thing as a wrong move (unless it hurts). While doing a begginer Ceroc Class, the "Ceroc teaches me to step feet together, and rotate the lady to the same position as step two" is right. While doing a begginer's JazzJive, the "JazzJive teaches me to step left foot forward, and lead the girl forwards, without rotating much." is correct. (Actually doing whatever is taught from stage is right - no matter what/how it's done )