Learn how to beautifully dance
the Closed Impetus
& Feather Finish
This page gives detailed information on how to dance the Closed Impetus & Feather Finish in the Slow Foxtrot.
It includes the requisite timing, steps, footwork, alignment, movement, turn, sway, rise & fall and hold — for both the Man/Leader and the Lady/Follower, as per “The Ballroom Technique” publication.
It also contains notes, tips and advice that has been manually collated and typed in, from a variety of online and offline sources, as well as a compilation of (3rd party) YouTube videos demonstrating and teaching how to do a beautiful Closed Impetus with Feather Finish!
The Closed Impetus & Feather Finish is usually a pre-bronze level Foxtrot figure. For the full list of Foxtrot figures corresponding to each medal level, as per the Imperial Society for Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), see the Figure List for Foxtrot.
Closed Impetus & Feather Finish (Man)
Commence in Closed Position, backing LOD.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | |||
| 1 | 12 | S | LF back | T H | Backing LOD | LOD | com to turn R | Closed | |||
| 2 | 3 | Q | RF closes to LF (heel turn) | H T | Facing DC | under body | 3/8 (1→2) | L | Rise e/o 2 | Closed | |
| 3 | 4 | Q | LF to side to end side & slightly back | T H | Backing DC against LOD | Centre | 1/4 (2→3) | Up. Lower e/o 3. | Closed | ||
| 4 | 56 | S | RF back | T H T | Backing DC against LOD | DC against LOD | com to turn L | Rise e/o 4 | Closed | ||
| 5 | 7 | Q | LF to side & slightly fwd | T | Pointing DC | DC | 1/4 (4→5) body turns less | R | Up | Closed | |
| 6 | 8 | Q | RF fwd in CBMP | T H | Facing DC | DC | R | Up. Lower e/o 6 | OP |
Technical Notes (for the Man)
In step 1,
- when preceded by an Open Natural Turn (silver) or a Curved Feather (gold), step 1 will be taken in CBMP with the lady outside.
In step 7,
- Body will complete turn on step 1 of the following figure
Closed Impetus & Feather Finish (Lady)
Commence in Closed Position, facing LOD.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | |||
| 1 | 12 | S | RF fwd | H T | Facing LOD | LOD | com to turn R | Closed | |||
| 2 | 23 | Q | LF to side, then brush RF to LF | T | Backing DC | LOD | 3/8 (1→2) | R | Rise e/o 2 | Closed | |
| 3 | 4 | Q | RF diagonally fwd | T H | Facing DC against LOD | Centre | 1/4 (2→3) | Up. Lower e/o 3 | Closed | ||
| 4 | 56 | S | LF fwd | H T | Facing DC against LOD | DC against LOD | com to turn L | Rise e/o 4 | Closed | ||
| 5 | 7 | Q | RF to side & slightly back | T H | Backing LOD | DC | 1/8 (4→5) | L | Up | Closed | |
| 6 | 8 | Q | LF back in CBMP | T H | Backing DC | DC | 1/8 (5→6) body turns less | L | Up. NFR Lower e/o6 | OP |
Technical Notes (for Lady)
In step 1,
- when preceded by an Open Natural Turn (silver) or a curved feather (gold), step 1 will be taken in CBMP, outside partner.
In step 7,
- body will complete turn on step 1 of the following figure.
General Notes
In steps 4-6,
- these are known as the Feather Finish, which is used in the following figures: Reverse Turn & Feather Finish, Closed Impetus & Feather Finish, Cured Feather to Back Feather & Feather Finish
See also general technical notes on Foxtrot technique, and also general Modern Ballroom technique.
Preceding Figures
Commenced backing LOD (as described above)
| Bronze | 1-3 Natural Turn |
| Silver | 1-6 Reverse Wave |
| Gold | 1-3 Curved Feather to Back Feather & Feather Finish |
Commenced backing DW
(turning 1/8 less between steps 1-2)
| Silver | Open Natural Turn |
Following Figures
Ended Facing DC (as described above)
| Bronze | Reverse Turn 1-4 Reverse Turn to Basic Weave |
| Silver | Closed Telemark Open Telemark Outside Swivel Reverse Wave |
| Gold | Bounce Fallaway with Weave Ending Fallaway Reverse & Slip Pivot |
Ended Facing LOD (having rounded a corner)
| Bronze | Three Step Change of Direction 1-4 of Reverse Turn to Basic Weave |
| Silver | Outside Swivel Reverse Wave Top Spin |
Ended Facing DW of new LOD (having rounded a corner)
| Bronze | Three Step Change of Direction 1-4 of Reverse Turn to Basic Weave |
| Silver | Outside Swivel Reverse Wave Top Spin |
List of Abbreviations
| Timing | S: Slow Q: Quick |
| Steps | RF: Right foot LF: Left foot fwd: forward diag: diagonally CBMP: Contra Body Movement Position i/e: inside edge |
| Footwork | T: Toe H: Heel F: Flat |
| Turn | L: Left R: Right cont: continue com: commence |
| Alignment & Moving | LOD: Line of Dance DC: Diagonal Centre DW: Diagonal Wall |
| Rise & Fall | NFR: no foot rise com: commence cont: continue e/o: end of |
| Position | OP: outside Partner PP: Promenade Position CPP: Counter Promenade Position PO: Partner outside |
| Sway | L: Left R: Right F: Forward |
For a more detailed explanation of terms and abbreviations, see the Glossary.
Demonstrations
These 3rd party (external) demonstration videos typically show the Closed Impetus and Feather Finish being performed from different angles, perspectives and speeds. However, they generally have little or no commentary or explanation.
For videos that also include commentary and tips that are aimed at assisting you perform the figure properly, see the next section “Tutorials”.