Learn how to beautifully dance
the Closed telemark
Silver Level Figure. Smooth turn transitioning from diagonal center to diagonal wall.
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The Closed Telemark elegantly redirects movement across the floor with a controlled rotation, essential for navigating corners in Foxtrot. Its timeless beauty lies in the seamless blend of sway, rise, and partnership harmony, evoking the grace of a swan gliding across a moonlit lake. Mastering this Silver-level figure enhances flow and musical expression in intermediate routines.
For the full list of Foxtrot figures corresponding to each medal level, see Foxtrot Figure List.
Closed Telemark (Man)
Commence in Closed Position, facing DC.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | |||
| 1 | 12 | S | LF fwd | H T | Facing DC | DC | com to turn L | rise e/o 1 | Closed | ||
| 2 | 3 | Q | RF to side, then brush LF to RF | T | Backing DW | DC | 1/4 (1→2) | L | Up | Closed | |
| 3 | 4 | Q | LF to side & slightly fwd | T H | Pointing DW | DW | 1/8 (2→3) | Up. Lower e/o 3 | Closed |
Count 1 (Slow):
Step forward on the left foot along diagonal center, using contra body movement to initiate a left turn while keeping hips aligned with your partner. Maintain a firm frame as you lower into the heel with gentle compression through your right side, preparing for gradual rise at the count’s end. Ensure shoulders remain level and avoid overturning; focus on guiding the lady into rotation through connected torso movement. Anchor your stance with controlled weight transfer to enable her smooth heel turn.
Count 2 (Quick):
Swing the right foot sideward along line of dance as body completes 1/4 left turn, backing diagonal wall with toe lead and sustained rise. Engage left-side connection by drawing the shoulder blade inward while allowing natural left sway to develop from ankle to ear. Keep the head poised leftward with soft eye focus, ensuring the frame remains expansive yet responsive to the lady’s momentum. Sustain upward energy through the legs to lift the lady into her pivot, avoiding forward pitch.
Count 3 (Quick):
Step side-left slightly forward toward diagonal wall on the ball of the foot, allowing body turn to ease while reducing sway to neutral. Extend through the right side to create space for the lady, maintaining consistent height and a light but secure handhold. Rotate the head smoothly to face diagonal wall as hips settle into alignment with feet. Stabilize your core to lead her into CBMP without rushing the final step.
Count 4 (Slow):
Step forward right in CBMP outside partner toward diagonal wall, lowering to the heel with controlled finish. Hold sway neutral while applying CBM to prepare for progressive figures, preserving frame integrity through the shoulders. Conclude with grounded connection to transition fluidly into the next figure.
Closed Telemark (Lady)
Commence in Closed Position, backing DC.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | |||
| 1 | 12 | S | RF back | T H | Backing DC | DC | com to turn L | rise slightly e/o 1. NFR | Closed | ||
| 2 | 3 | Q | LF closes to RF (heel turn) | H T | Facing LOD | Under Body | 3/8 (1→2) | R | cont to rise on 2 | Closed | |
| 3 | 4 | Q | RF to side & slightly back | T H | Backing DW | DW | 3/8 (2→3) body turns less | R | Up. Lower e/o 3 | Closed |
Count 1 (Slow):
Step back on the right foot along diagonal center, initiating a left turn with contra body movement while rising slightly on toe. Lengthen the left side upward as the right shoulder anchors downward, resisting early rotation to maintain hip contact with the leader. Feel his lead through the compression in your upper back. Delay rotation until count two to ensure synchronized movement.
Count 2 (Quick):
Close left foot to right for a heel turn, pivoting 3/8 left on the heel to face line of dance while continuing to rise. Develop right sway by stretching the left hip across and upward, keeping the head tilted gently left without losing frame connection. Engage the inner thighs to control momentum. Let the leader’s torso guide the turn while sustaining upward resistance.
Count 3 (Quick):
Step side-right slightly back toward diagonal wall on the ball of the foot, completing 3/8 turn while lowering softly through the toe. Maintain subtle right sway and body flight leftward, with head flowing naturally to face diagonal center. Preserve frame tension by drawing the right shoulder blade toward the spine. Sync your descent with the leader to achieve weight-sharing unity.
Count 4 (Slow):
Step back left in CBMP, lowering fully to the toe with closed finish. Hold sway neutral and upper body forward, matching the leader’s outside partner position. Complete with poised balance to enable effortless continuation.
General Notes
Core Points
- Lead gradual turn initiation with CBM on count 1 to prevent rushed rotation.
- Rise steadily through the slow count to support the lady’s heel turn timing.
- Align feet under the body on count 3 to stabilize sway transition.
- Apply CBMP precisely on the final slow to ensure outside partner clarity.
- Maintain consistent foot pressure throughout for smooth weight transfers.
Advanced Elements
- Develop sway as a full-body incline from ankles to head for elegance.
- Extend the free side during turns to create sweeping body lines.
- Synchronize head flow with body rotation for visual harmony.
- Sustain frame elasticity to absorb momentum changes without stiffness.
| Common mistake | Solution |
|---|---|
| Leader over-turning on step 2 | Complete only 1/4 turn before step 3. |
| Follower collapsing frame in pivot | Strengthen back muscles during heel turn. |
| Uneven rise between partners | Match ascent timing on slow counts. |
| Insufficient sway on step 2 | Tilt body fully from ankles to head. |
| Broken CBMP on final step | Step directly along moving direction. |
| Rushed musical phrasing | Stretch SQQS across full measure. |
“Moonlight tracing a slow arc across water.”
Preceding Figures
Commenced Facing DC (as described above)
| Bronze | Closed Impetus & Feather Finish Feather Step |
| Silver | Feather Ending Hover Cross Hover Feather Natural Telemark Top Spin |
| Gold | Natural Hover Telemark Natural Twist Turn Natural Twist Turn with Closed Impetus & Feather Finish Ending Natural Zig-Zag from Promenade |
Commenced Facing LOD
| Bronze | Feather Step |
| Silver | Feather Ending |
| Gold | Fallaway Reverse & Slip Pivot Natural Twist Turn (at a corner) Natural Twist Turn with Closed Impetus & Feather Finish Ending (at a corner) Natural Zig-Zag from Promenade |
Commenced Facing DW
| Bronze | Closed Impetus & Feather Finish (at a corner) Feather Step Reverse Turn & Feather Finish Basic Weave Natural Weave |
| Silver | Feather Ending Hover Feather Natural Telemark (at a corner) Top Spin Weave from Promenade |
| Gold | Bounce Fallaway with Weave Ending Curved Feather to Back Feather & Feather Finish Fallaway Reverse & Slip Pivot Natural Hover Telemark (at a corner) Natural Twist Turn (at a corner) Natural Twist Turn with Closed Impetus & Feather Finish Ending (at a corner) Natural Twist Turn with Weave Ending Natural Zig-Zag from Promenade |
Following Figures
Ended Facing DW (along side of floor)
| Bronze | Three Step Change of Direction 1-4 of Reverse Turn to Basic Weave |
| Silver | Hover Telemark Outside Swivel Reverse Wave Top Spin |
Ended Facing DW (into a corner)
| Bronze | Change of Direction 1-4 of Reverse Turn to Basic Weave |
| Silver | Hover Telemark Reverse Wave Top Spin |
| Gold | Fallaway Reverse & Slip Pivot |
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 Reverse Turn & 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”.