Learn how to beautifully dance
the Hover Cross
This page gives detailed information on how to dance the Hover Cross 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 Hover Cross!
The Hover Cross is usually a silver 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.
Hover Cross (Man)
Commence in Closed Position, facing DW at a corner.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | |||
| 1 | 12 | S | RF fwd | H T | Facing DW | DW | com to turn R | rise e/o 1 | Closed | ||
| 2 | 3 | Q | LF to side | T | Backing DC | DW | 1/4 (1→2) | R | Up | Closed | |
| 3 | 4 | Q | RF to side | T | Pointing DW of new LOD | wall of new LOD | 1/2 (2→3) body turns less | Up | Closed | ||
| 4 | 5 | Q | LF fwd in CBMP, small step | T | Facing DW | DW | L | Up | OP on L | ||
| 5 | 6 | Q | Transfer weight back to RF in CBMP | T | Backing DC against LOD | under body | Up | OP on L | |||
| 6 | 7 | Q | LF to side & slightly fwd | T | Pointing DC | Centre / DC | 1/4 to L (5→6) body turns less | R | Up | Closed | |
| 7 | 8 | Q | RF fwd in CBMP | T H | Facing DC | DC | R | Up. Lower e/o 7 | OP |
Technical Notes (for the Man)
Hover Cross (Lady)
Commence in Closed Position, backing DW at a corner.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | |||
| 1 | 12 | S | LF back | T H | Backing DW | DW | com to turn R | rise slightly e/o 1. NFR | Closed | ||
| 2 | 3 | Q | RF closes to LF (heel turn) | H T | Facing LOD | under body | 3/8 (1→2) | L | cont to rise on 2 | Closed | |
| 3 | 4 | Q | LF to side | T | Backing new LOD | wall of new LOD | 1/2 (2→3) | Up. | Closed | ||
| 4 | 5 | Q | RF back in CBMP, small step | T | Backing DW | DW | 1/8 (3→4) body turns less | R | Up | OP on L | |
| 5 | 6 | Q | Transfer weight fwd to LF in CBMP | T | Facing DC against LOD | Under body | Up | OP on L | |||
| 6 | 7 | Q | RF to side | T H | Backing LOD | Centre /DC | 1/8 (5→6) | L | Up. NFR | Closed | |
| 7 | 8 | Q | LF back in CBMP | T H | Backing DC | DC | 1/8 (6→7) body turns less | L | Up. NFR. lower e/o 7 | OP |
Technical Notes (for Lady)
General Notes
The amount of turn between 4-5 may be decreased at a corner
Alternate timings for steps 4-6 may be used including: SS(S) and SQQ
See also general technical notes on Foxtrot technique, and also general Modern Ballroom technique.
Preceding Figures
Commenced facing DW (as described above)
| Bronze | Natural Turn (at a corner) Three Step Change of Direction (at a corner) |
| Silver | Closed Telemark Hover Telemark (at a corner) Reverse Wave (at a corner) |
Commenced facing LOD
| Bronze | Natural Turn (at a corner) Three Step Change of Direction (at a corner) |
| Silver | Reverse Wave (at a corner) |
Following Figures
Ended Facing DC (along side, as described above)
| Bronze | Feather Step |
Ended Facing new LOD (into a corner)
(having turned only 1/4 between 4-5)
| Bronze | Feather Step Natural Turn Natural Weave |
| Silver | Hover Cross Natural Telemark |
| Gold | Curved Feather to Back Feather Natural Hover Telemark Natural Twist Turn Natural Twist Turn with Closed Impetus & Feather Finish Natural Twist Turn with Open Impetus Ending Natural Twist Turn with Weave Ending |
Ended Facing DW of new LOD (at a corner)
| Bronze | Feather Step Natural Turn Natural Weave |
| Silver | Hover Cross Natural Telemark |
| Gold | Curved Feather to Back Feather Natural Hover Telemark Natural Twist Turn Natural Twist Turn with Closed Impetus & Feather Finish Natural Twist Turn with Open Impetus Ending Natural Twist Turn with Weave Ending |
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 i/e: inside edge |
| 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 Hover Cross 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”.