Learn how to beautifully dance
the Hover telemark
Silver Level Figure. Elegant Transition to Promenade
______________________________
The Hover Telemark is a silver-level figure that gracefully transitions dancers from closed position to promenade, embodying Foxtrot’s signature smoothness and flight. Its unique rise-and-fall pattern and controlled sway create a seamless, floating quality across three slow-quick-quick steps. Like a swan gliding from shadow into sunlight, this figure captures Foxtrot’s timeless fusion of power and poetry.
For the full list of Foxtrot figures corresponding to each medal level, see Foxtrot Figure List.
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 |
Step 1 (Slow):
Begin facing diagonal wall with left foot forward, heel-toe footwork, using contra body movement to initiate a left turn while maintaining neutral sway. Rise slightly at the end of this count, keeping shoulders level and spine elongated as you lead the follower into the turn. Transfer weight smoothly onto the left foot, ensuring your frame remains expansive but soft to communicate direction without rigidity. Maintain a gentle forward poise through the abdomen to prevent collapsing the frame during the turn.
Step 2 (Quick):
Step right foot to the side (slightly diagonal forward) along line of dance, brushing left foot toward right with inside edge of toe, completing 1/8 left turn to face line of dance. Continue rising while swaying left, allowing hips to swing freely beneath a stabilized upper body. Keep head poised left with subtle leftward rotation, and stretch the right side of your torso to enhance connection and sway. Sustain equal pressure between your right palm and the follower’s shoulder blade to guide momentum without pushing.
Step 3 (Quick):
Step left foot diagonally forward and side into promenade position, pointing diagonal center as body faces line of dance, using toe-heel footwork. Lower at the end of this count with neutral sway, allowing minimal body turn while feet adjust to promenade alignment. Extend your left arm forward in promenade position while keeping elbows softly rounded and right side of the rib cage open for harmonious body lines. Initiate promenade rotation from the center of your back, not the arms, to preserve flow.
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 |
Step 1 (Slow):
Start backing diagonal wall with right foot back, toe-heel footwork, matching the leader’s contra body movement while maintaining neutral sway. Rise slightly at the end of this count without foot rise, anchoring the right shoulder as the left hip releases back to create swing potential. Keep your spine in a gentle backward poise, engaging abdominal muscles to support the diagonal stretch from hip to armpit. Resist the urge to overturn; let the leader’s frame guide rotation while keeping hips aligned under shoulders.
Step 2 (Quick):
Step left foot to the side (slightly diagonal back) along line of dance, brushing right foot toward left with inside edge of toe, swaying right as you complete 1/8 left turn to back line of dance. Continue rising, lengthening the left side of your torso and shaping your head gracefully to the right without losing shoulder alignment. Keep elbows forward and stomach engaged to prevent arching the back or crossing the centerline. Visualize your shoulder blades sliding toward the leader’s hands to maintain frame integrity during turns.
Step 3 (Quick):
Step right foot to the side and slightly back in promenade position, pointing toward center as body faces center, using toe-heel footwork. Lower at the end of this count with neutral sway, dissolving prior sway while adjusting to promenade. Extend your right arm fluidly in promenade, keeping chin lifted and eyes directed over the leader’s right shoulder for elegant lines. Allow the leader’s CBMP (Contra Body Movement Position) to draw you forward-across without stepping too widely.
General Notes
Core Points
- Complete 1/8 left turn on step 2 and minimal body turn on step 3 to achieve correct promenade alignment, preventing rotational errors.
- Execute “unusual rise”: commence rise end of step 1, continue through step 2, and lower end of step 3 for seamless elevation.
- Lead/follow contra body movement on steps 1 and 3 to facilitate turns while maintaining hip-shoulder harmony.
- Use heel-toe (leader) and toe-heel (follower) footwork on step 1 for controlled momentum.
- Brush unweighted feet on step 2 to maintain balance and enable smooth sway transitions.
Advanced Elements
- Sway left (leader) and right (follower) on step 2 creates pendulum-like suspension, enhancing flight.
- Keep frame expansive yet responsive—like a hammock supporting shared weight—to absorb momentum shifts.
- Shape the head gently away from sway direction (e.g., leader left on step 2) for polished body lines.
- Coordinate rib cage rotation with footwork in promenade to avoid disjointed upper/lower body movement.
| Common Mistake | Solution |
|---|---|
| Overstepping Step 1, disrupting balance. | Take smaller steps, keeping weight centered between feet. |
| Stomping Step 3 descent. | Lower gently by bending knees, not dropping heels abruptly. |
| Overturning shoulders on Step 2. | Let hips lead rotation; keep shoulders aligned with hips. |
| Rising too early on Step 1. | Delay rise until the step’s end for gradual elevation. |
| Leaning instead of full-body sway. | Engage core muscles to curve torso from ankles upward. |
| Elbows drifting back in turns. | Maintain forward elbow projection to preserve frame shape. |
“A breath held mid-air, then tenderly released into the dance’s embrace.”
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”.