Existing and new Lines of Dance (LOD)
Alignment refers to where the foot is pointing relative to the room. You must first determine which line of dance you are on since a room with four walls will have exactly four lines of dance, each one running parallel to the closest wall. Then, based on your line of dance, you must be able to clearly see eight possible alignments on that line of dance.
Facing and Backing
When you are giving alignments, you will start by giving the words “Facing, “Backing or “Pointing”. You will use “Facing” when moving forward, “Backing” when moving backward, and “Pointing” when stepping sideways when the body is facing a different alignment from the foot. When taking a step-in promenade position, the alignment will frequently be given in two parts because the direction you are moving is more often than not, different from the alignment of the foot. An example is the first two steps of a Promenade Basic in Foxtrot. Step One: Moving Down Line of Dance, Facing Diagonal Wall. Step Two: Also Moving Down Line of Dance, Facing Diagonal Wall. In Tango, all forward and backward steps are given as direction rather than alignment, because the combination of CBM, CBMP, and Side Leads create a movement where the feet and body are never quite in the same alignment.
Amount of turn to the right
Amount of turn to the left
