Understanding The Technique

RISE AT THE END OF is used primarily in Foxtrot, but also occurs in Quickstep and in Waltz. In Quickstep it tends to be used in figures with a base timing of SQQ (Natural Turn, Chasse Reverse Turn). It is also used in by the Leader all HEEL TURNS danced by the Follower (in all dances.)

In Waltz and Foxtrot, all the basic figures start having lowered at the end of the previous figure. In general we lower to our ‘set height’, i.e. the amount of knee bend that is normal of you.

At the end of a step danced as RISE AT E/O you should be standing at your full height with legs straight, but not locked, and on a flat foot. The footwork of all forward steps danced as RISE AT E/O is always HEEL TOE, but the action of moving through the toes occurs as you leave the foot to take the next step, rather than as an extra vertical lift while still balanced over that foot. If you ‘pop’ up to the toes your forward momentum would be lost.

Lets do some exercises with RISE AT THE END OF:

• Find a table, or ballet barre, or counter top that you can stand next to.
• Stand with your feet together, your LEFT hip next to the barre (table, etc.), legs straight, but not locked, weight on your LEFT foot and your feet parallel to the barre. (Free foot away from the barre.)
• Touch the barre with your LEFT hand.
• Look and see where the top of the barre is relative to your body. This is position relative to the barre you will want after you have taken the step.
• Bend your knees to your set height, with your RIGHT knee higher than your LEFT knee and your RIGHT heel well off the floor.
• Look and see where the top of the barre is relative to your body. Your body should be lower relative to the barre. This is your starting position.
• Take a forward step, transferring 100% of your weight onto your RIGHT foot.
• Make sure you are stepping with a HEEL lead, i.e. your heel of your foot touches the floor first
• When your heel strikes start to straighten both legs so that as full weight is transferred to your RIGHT foot you arrive with both legs straight but not locked.
• Leave the LEFT leg extended behind you. Do NOT collect the free foot.
• Your step should also be straight forward so that your foot is parallel to the barre.
• Look at the barre again. You should be standing comfortably balanced on your RIGHT leg with both legs straight and your LEFT leg extended behind you.

Repeat this action several times. This type of forward step occurs over and over again in the technique, so it is important that you can smoothly and easily transfer weight from a bent leg to a straight leg.

Once you can easily take a forward step from your LEFT foot to your RIGHT foot and arrive onto a straight (but not locked) leg, then turn around so that your RIGHT hip is near the barre and repeat stepping from your RIGHT foot to your LEFT foot.

Since RISE is elevating the body (by straightening the legs), NO RISE would seem to mean NOT elevating the body. And in some cases, that is true. But the more general meaning is actually NO CHANGE in height.

In Waltz and Foxtrot, all the basic figures start having lowered at the end of the previous figure. In general we lower to our ‘set height’, i.e. the amount of knee bend that is normal of you.

If you execute a step with NO RISE, you should be at the same height when you put full weight that foot as when you were standing on the previous foot.

Here is a simple way to understand NO RISE:

• Find a table, or ballet barre, or counter top that you can stand next to.
• Stand with your feet together, your LEFT hip next to the barre (table, etc.), weight on your LEFT foot and your feet parallel to the barre. (Free foot away from the barre.)
• Touch the barre with your LEFT hand.
• Bend your knees to your set height, with your RIGHT knee higher than your LEFT knee and your RIGHT heel well off the floor.
• Look and see where the top of the barre is relative to your body.
• Take a forward step, transferring 100% of your weight onto your RIGHT foot.
• Make sure you are stepping with a HEEL lead, i.e. your heel of your foot touches the floor first, then as you complete the weight transfer, your foot goes flat.
• Your step should also be straight forward so that your foot is parallel to the barre.
• The step should end with the knee of the free leg (LEFT in this case) pointing down towards the floor and the free foot behind you. Do NOT draw the feet foot under the body. In most cases you do not want to collect the free foot.
• Look again and see if the barre is at the same place relative to your body.

If YES, good. That is NO RISE.
If NO, then try again.

Actually, try it again anyway. Practicing simple actions helps to create a stronger foundation for your dancing. Get really good at the fundamental techniques so that when you combine the technical elements into increasingly complex figures, you still have control over them.

Once you can easily take a forward step from your LEFT foot to your RIGHT foot and maintain your set height, then turn around so that your RIGHT hip is near the barre and repeat stepping from your RIGHT foot to your LEFT foot.

Now that we have looked at CONTINUE TO RISE for steps taken SIDE & SLIGHTLY FORWARD, we can move on to steps taken SIDE & SLIGHTLY BACK.

Aside from the obvious difference in direction, there are some important differences that make these actions a bit more challenging.

First, moving backward onto the ball of the foot and achieving a clear point of balance tends to be more difficult for most people. The problem is that we want a smooth, easy transfer of weight, but must at the same time make sure that the weight does not shift too far backward, causing the heel to lower or our balance to tip backward pulling our partner over on top of us.

Second, in most instances the technique that a Leader employs on a step with a backward component, to the ball of foot and with RISE, is different than the technique used by the Follower (at least, in most circumstances.) As I describe the physical action, I will point out the differences so that you can practice the appropriate one.

We will start with CONTINUE TO RISE ON 2:

• Stand on the flat of your LEFT foot with your RIGHT foot free.
• Your LEFT knee should be bent a comfortable amount.
• Place the ball of your RIGHT foot about 24 inches (60 cm) to the side AND enough backward so that the toes of the RIGHT foot line up with the arch of the LEFT foot. NO WEIGHT and the RIGHT heel as high off the floor as you can.
• As you place the foot say out loud “ONE THOUSAND”.
• You want the step to be wide enough that the placement of your RIGHT foot is outside the line of your RIGHT side, and when weight is transferred your spine will have to shift sideways (and slightly backward) in order to fully place weight on that foot.
• Transfer weight to the RIGHT foot, keep the RIGHT heel high and fully straighten BOTH legs. (Straight, but not locked.)
• Because of the sidewards action of the step, the heel of the LEFT foot will release from the floor while the TOES of the LEFT foot remain in contact with the floor.
• Make sure the heel does not lower and your balance should be slightly forward, clearly over the ball of your foot.
• LEADERS:
  • Leave the LEFT leg extended side and in front of you. The LEFT foot may draw slightly toward the RIGHT foot.
• FOLLOWERS:
  • Allow the LEFT foot to draw up to the RIGHT foot, NO WEIGHT (A BRUSH).
• As you transfer and straighten say “TWO THOUSAND”.
• By the time 100% of your weight is on your RIGHT foot both legs should be straight (but not locked).
• LEADERS:
  • the free leg is extended
• FOLLOWERS:
  • the free foot has brushed to the touch the standing foot
• Make sure that your RIGHT hip is ‘square’ once the weight is on it.
• Hold this position of balance for a couple of seconds (say “THREE THOUSAND.”)

You have executed a step that is SIDE & SLIGHTLY BACKWARD, no turn, and CONTINUE TO RISE ON 2.

Return to the starting position and repeat this action several times. It is important that you learn to balance high on the ball of the foot with both legs straight and the free leg in the appropriate position depending whether your are practicing the Leader’s part, or the Follower’s part. Try ‘bouncing’ in the knees to test your balance and maintain availability to movement.

Now, let’s practice the action starting with the weight on the RIGHT foot and stepping up to the ball of the LEFT foot. Repeat this action several times, concentrating on making sure that both legs straighten and that you achieve a position of clear balance which you can maintain for a couple of seconds.