Learn how to beautifully dance
the Hover telemark
This page gives detailed information on how to dance the Hover Telemark 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 Telemark!
The Hover Telemark 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 Telemark (Man)
Commence in Closed Position, facing DW.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | |||
| 1 | 12 | S | LF fwd | H T | Facing DW | DW | com to turn L | com to rise e/o 1 | Closed | ||
| 2 | 3 | Q | RF diag fwd, then LF brush toward RF | T | Facing LOD | DW | 1/8 (1→2) | L | cont to rise on 2 | Closed | |
| 3 | 4 | Q | LF to side & slightly fwd | T H | Pointing DC | Centre / DC | 1/8 (2→3) body turns less | Up. Lower e/o 3 | Closed |
Technical Notes (for the Man)
- May be ended in PP, by taking step 3 to side in PP facing LOD, moving DC.
Hover 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 DW | DW | com to turn L | com to rise e/o 1 | Closed | ||
| 2 | 3 | Q | LF diag back, then RF brush toward LF | T | Backing LOD | DW | 1/8 (1→2) | R | cont to rise on 2 | Closed | |
| 3 | 4 | Q | RF side & slightly back | T H | Backing DC | Centre / DC | 1/8 (2→3) body turns less | Up. Lower e/o 3 | Closed |
Technical Notes (for Lady)
- May be ended in PP, by taking step 3 to side in PP facing Centre moving DC
General Notes
- Note the unusual rise!
See also general technical notes on Foxtrot technique, and also general Modern Ballroom technique.
Preceding Figures
Commenced Facing DW (as described above)
| 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 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 Natural Hover Telemark (at a corner) |
Following Figures
Ended Facing DC (along the side of floor)
(With step 1 or following figure danced in CBMP, OP)
| Bronze | Feather Step |
Ended Facing new LOD (at a corner)
(With step 1 or following figure danced in CBMP, OP)
| 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 Ending Natural Twist Turn with Open Impetus Ending Natural Twist Turn with Weave Ending |
Ended in PP (along the side of floor, moving DC)
| Silver | Feather Ending Natural Zig-Zag from PP |
Ended in PP (around a floor, moving DW of new LOD)
| Silver | Curved Feather to Back Feather & Feather Finish Feather Ending Natural Weave commenced in Promenade |
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 Hover Telemark 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”.