Merrylin - Straight or Diagonal?

Hi.. Just to clarify on the Merrilyn Foot Positions. The original script was written incorrectly. One cannot dance RF Side and Diagonally Forward. It is either Side, Side and Slightly Forward, Diagonally Forward, Forward and Slightly Leftwards or Forward.

After the second Check back on the RF, the LF is Fwd. There is a swivel of an eighth of a turn to the left, whilst the RF closes without weight. The foot does not stop in this position, but passes through. The RF is then taken Fwd. LF is taken Side, RF closes to LF, then LF Side again.

The confusion is simply present because of the lack of clarity in what each technical term means. Foot Position simply describes the position of one foot in relation to the other at the end of a step. This is why the RF is forward, because once you have swivelled on the LF, it logically goes forward.

Foot Position has no relationship to the room. Alignment and Direction both talk in relation to the room.

Also, just to point out, After the RF is taken Fwd, Facing Diagonal to Centre, there is no 'technical' swivel on the RF before the side step. Despite what your teacher might say.

A swivel is used for only two reasons, and must always be accompanied with a brush (or closing without weight). There is no brush, therefore there is no noteable swivel.
This does not mean that the foot does not complete any turn on the floor. It just does not fit the definition of a swivel.

I hope this helps.