The following guidance was provided by Alex Moore in 1947:

Walking movements in the Tango are not taken with the man facing the Line of Dance (LOD). In practically all forward movements the man should stand rather obliquely, with his right hip and shoulder in advance of the left. In backward movements the reverse will apply.

The positioning of the body at the commencement of the dance will affect the Walk in the following ways:

1. Each step taken forward with the left Foot will give the effect of moving across the body (called "Contrary Body Movement Position" CBMP) and the legs will be locked together above the knees. The left toe will tend to turn out.

2. As a step is taken on the Right Foot the legs will unlock. The right toe will end to turn inwards.

3. This action will result in the Walk taking the line of a wide curve to the man's Left.

Although the balance and distribution of weight are similar to those in other dances, there are important characteristics in the Tango that should be noted.

1. Knees: The knees are kept slightly relaxed throughout the dance.

2. Placing of Feet: All Walking steps in the Tango are picked up from the floor slightly and placed into position. This is in direct opposition to the sliding movement of other dances. Care must be taken not to exaggerate this action. It is preferable to keep the ball of the foot of the moving leg skimming over the floor until it nearly reaches the supporting foot, then lifting it slightly from the floor and placing it sharply in position. The curving of the Walks to the left will result in the weight being taken on the left edge of both feet in all forward movements and right edge in backward movements.

3. Sharpness; The crisp action of the Walk is obtained by delaying the movement of the foot that is not supporting the weight of the body.

The internet is awash with videos and websites with lots of information on Ballroom & Latin American Dancing. However, for my teaching, I still use a book published in 1947 by Alex Moore as a useful guide.

The tips below are taken from Alex's book and are still valid to this day:

Closing the Feet in Tango

The feet are closed frequently in the Tango, and much more character can be given to this action by attention to the following details.

1. The feet are usually closed after a step to the side. The closing foot should be delayed, and then closed quite sharply.

2. As soon as the closing foot is in position, the other foot should commence to move by raising the heel from the floor resulting in the knee becoming more relaxed.

3. In side movements, as in forward movements, the knees are kept slightly relaxed, and they should tend to veer towards each other.


I shall be adding more useful tips from Alex so pop back again soon.