Hi Larinda,
Not being lined up was exactly our problem. I found out the hard way that pivots don't work unless you're in good position first. At any rate, that was exactly the point that I was trying (weakly, I guess!) to make - if you don't wait until the second step (man back LF, lady forward RF), you won't have the position necessary to pivot *as a couple*.
Sheesh - I still like your explanation better than mine.

--Eric

Here are my thoughts on the topic. Question 1, part A -- which step are you talking about? If it's the first step, then maybe the heel does touch/brush the floor, but I'm not sure. If it's the second step, then I'm pretty sure the heel does not touch/brush the floor. Question 1, part B -- I don't know enough American style to tell you what the same sorts of figures are called in American style. I dance international, so I'm used to using terms like telemark. Question 2 -- I don't do natural pivots, not good enough yet, but I thought the most common entry was a Natural Spin Turn. Step 4 is already a pivot, so you could make that your first pivot and continue from there. Perhaps someone else can provide some additional help for you.

James Marshall
marshall@astro.umd.edu
http://www.astro.umd.edu/~marshall

Are you refering, in question 1, to the mans footwork or the ladies? The lady IS doing a "heel turn". As for the man, he is turning on the ball of his foot. I assume you are meaning the mans second step, his Right Foot. It is up so his heel shouldn't be touching.

Question 2, the two most common entrances to the pivots are the Twinkle to Promenade/Hover Telemark OR the Natural Spin Turn. Either one is fine, it really just depend on your style. I think American favors pretty much the Twinkle to PP/HoverTele. While Intl favors the Natuarl Spin to Pivots, until much later on. Then you can enter with Open Naturals or the HoverTeles. There is also a running chasse from Promenade that I do and see used ocassionally in upper level International dancers. I don't really ever see it used in American style but I like it and it works fine.

For Eric, Let me see if I can interpret what you are saying.

Twinkle to PP/ HoverTele to PP
123
Pivots
456

So you are in PP on beat 3. On beat 4, mans right foot, he must swivel/pivot to close up to the lady. The actual PIVOTING isn't happening yet, because the lady is not pivoting with you. But YOU are pivoting, closing your hips and feet around to the right to line up with her, being sure not to turn your top to the right as you do this. THEN the couple is free to pivot together with the mans left foot going back. Perhaps you are already doing this, I couldn't tell from your post. But if things feel klunky perhaps you are just not taking the time to line up the bodies before starting the actual pivots. Just something to think about.

Larinda

I'll leave the first question to those who really know their technique.

As far as the second question goes, every set of natural pivots in my gold smooth routines entered from promenade. The problem with this entrance is that it's a bit awkward; it's tempting to pivot on the first step from promenade, but doing that can really throw the movement off balance. Waiting until step 2 (ie, stepping backward with the LF for the man) usually leads to smoother, more cohesive pivots in my experience. Of course, this emulates the entrance to pivots given in the natural spin turn. The "drawing" action of taking the first pivot backwards tends to make things more stable....

--Eric