Beautiful ballroom Dancing

Commence in Closed Position, facing DW at a corner.

Count 1 (Slow):
Step forward on the right foot, facing diagonal wall, using heel-toe footwork while initiating a right turn with contra body movement (CBM). Maintain neutral sway as you rise slightly at the end of the beat, ensuring your spine stretches diagonally to lead the lady’s heel turn smoothly. Keep your frame expansive and shoulders level, directing energy toward the lady’s inside without collapsing your left side. Focus on maintaining a consistent connection through the center, allowing your body flight to flow forward like a steady current. Ensure your forward step is purposeful but unhurried to establish a stable foundation for the turn.

Count 2 (Quick):
Move the left foot forward and slightly to the side, transitioning to backing diagonal center, with toe footwork as you complete a quarter turn right between counts 1–2. Rise continuously while introducing gentle right sway, keeping your hips aligned under your shoulders to avoid overturning. Sustain a light but supportive frame, with your head poised left and eyes focused toward the lady, enabling her to pivot freely. Allow your body to glide laterally without tension, ensuring connection remains fluid as weight transfers fully. Lead with subtle rotational energy in your torso to guide her heel turn without pushing.

Count 3 (Quick):
Step the right foot to the side, pointing diagonal wall of the new line of dance, using toe footwork as you complete a half turn between counts 2–3 (body turns less than feet). Dissolve previous sway and shift to neutral sway while staying elevated, letting your base swivel more than your torso to avoid jerky momentum. Extend your right side elegantly while keeping your head steady, preserving frame integrity as you brush past the lady with feather-light contact. Feel your center slide laterally like a pendulum, harmonizing with her motion. Minimize upper-body rotation to prevent destabilizing your partner.

Count 4 (Quick):
Step forward on the left foot in CBMP, outside partner on your left side, facing diagonal wall, with toe footwork and a subtle right body turn. Introduce left sway while staying lifted, ensuring the step is compact to avoid overstepping her space. Shape your left side toward the lady, head turned slightly left, to create a sheltered “arch” of connection as she passes. Maintain forward body flight with controlled sway, letting your frame absorb her movement fluidly. Keep this step small and controlled to prevent collision or loss of balance.

Count 5 (Quick):
Transfer weight back onto the right foot in CBMP, backing diagonal center against the line of dance, with toe footwork and CBM for an incipient left turn. Return to neutral sway while sustaining elevation, grounding through your standing leg without sinking. Stabilize your frame as your torso re-centers, head oriented toward the lady, to support her transition to your left side. Move with cohesive unity, ensuring connection remains elastic and responsive. Avoid dropping your heel prematurely to maintain seamless rise.

Count 6 (Quick):
Step the left foot side and slightly forward, pointing diagonal center, with toe footwork as you complete a quarter left turn between counts 5–6 (body turns less). Shift to right sway while elevated, letting your body realign neutrally as weight settles. Extend your right arm and shoulder to open the frame, head turned gently left, fostering spaciousness for the lady’s return. Coordinate sway with her motion like synchronized pendulums. Slide laterally without leaning to preserve vertical elegance.

Count 7 (Quick):
Step forward on the right foot in CBMP outside partner, facing diagonal center, with toe-heel footwork and sustained right sway. Lower smoothly at the end of the beat while keeping frame connection resilient and forward intention. Guide her into closed position with quiet upper-body control, eyes focused ahead, to conclude with poised readiness. Lower with controlled softness to prepare for the next figure without abruptness.

Commence in Closed Position, backing DW at a corner.

Core Points

• Footwork precision: Heel-toe for forward steps and toe-heel for backward steps ensure smooth weight transfers and prevent stumbling.
• Compact steps: Especially during side steps and weight transfers, avoid overstepping to maintain balance and partnership harmony.
• CBM initiation: Use contra body movement to signal turns early, providing clear direction without forceful leading.
• Rise timing: Elevate gradually at the end of slow counts and sustain through quicks for a floating quality.
• Alignment awareness: Strictly observe directional changes (e.g., diagonal wall to diagonal center) to navigate floorcraft confidently.

Advanced Elements

• Sway fluidity: Transition between neutral, right, and left sway seamlessly to enhance momentum and visual lines.
• Frame resilience: Keep arms supple yet supportive to absorb turns and sway without rigidity.
• Head shaping: Turn the head right during counts 4–5 to elongate the neck and complement body rotation aesthetically.
• Body flight cohesion: Move as a single unit by matching the man’s propulsion, creating the illusion of effortless flight.

“Dappled sunlight dancing on a tranquil stream.“

Commenced facing DW (as described above)

Commenced facing LOD

Ended Facing DC (along side, as described above)

Ended Facing new LOD (into a corner)
(having turned only 1/4 between 4-5)

Ended Facing DW of new LOD (at a corner)

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”.