I think maybe I'll give sideways a go as a compromise.
Colin
Seriously, we all have our different styles of trimming & whatever works for you & looks right on your dog is fine
I have always trimmed throats/chests by holding the scissors upwards but that's just what works for me - it's not set in stone
You can ask 3 different Cocker people how to do something & get 3 different answers so best not to get too hung up about exact techniques. I can remember when I first started being told how to trim feet in a certain way & was then told by a very well-known person that this was completely wrong in no uncertain terms :wink: Confusing at the time but you learn to live with it