Learn how to beautifully dance
the Natural Weave
This page gives detailed information on how to dance the Natural Weave 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 Natural Weave!
The Natural Weave is usually a bronze 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.
Natural Weave (Man)
Commence in Closed Position, facing DW.
| # | 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 almost DC | DW | almost 1/4 (1→2) | R | Up | Closed | |
| 3 | 4 | Q | RF Back, R side leading | T | Backing DC | DC | Slight turn to R (2→3) | Up | Closed | ||
| 4 | 5 | Q | LF back in CBMP | T | Backing DC | DC | L | Up | OP | ||
| 5 | 6 | Q | RF Back | T | Backing DC | DC | Com to turn L | Up | Closed | ||
| 6 | 7 | Q | LF to side & slightly fwd | T | Pointing DW | DW | 1/4 (5→6) body turns less | R | Up | Closed | |
| 7 | 8 | Q | RF fwd in CBMP | T H | Facing DW | DW | R | Up. Lower e/o 7 | OP |
Technical Notes (for the Man)
In steps 4& 5,
- these steps may be repeated once (and this is known as the Extended Weave)
In step 7,
- although the feet are facing DW on step 7, the body remains facing Wall, and will complete turn on step 1 of the following figure
Natural Weave (Lady)
Commence in Closed Position, facing LOD.
| # | 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 DC | Under body | 1/4 (1→2) | L | Cont to rise on 2 | Closed | |
| 3 | 4 | Q | LF fwd, L side leading | T | Facing DC | DC | Up | Closed | |||
| 4 | 5 | Q | RF fwd in CBMP | T | Facing DC | DC | Up | OP | |||
| 5 | 6 | Q | LF fwd | T | Facing DC | DC | com to turn L | Up | Closed | ||
| 6 | 7 | Q | RF to side | T H | Backing Wall | DW | 1/8 (5→6) | R | Up. | Closed | |
| 7 | 8 | Q | LF back in CBMP | T H | Backing DW | DW | 1/8 (6→7) body turns less | R | Up. NFR Lower e/o 7. | OP |
Technical Notes (for Lady)
Steps 4& 5,
- may be repeated once (this is known as the Extended Weave)
In step 7,
- Although the feet are facing DW on step 7, the body remains backing Wall, and will complete turn on step 1 of the following figure.
General Notes
In steps 4-6,
- these are known as the Feather Finish, which is used in the following figures: Reverse Turn & Feather Finish, Closed Impetus & Feather Finish, Cured Feather to Back Feather & Feather Finish
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) |
Commenced in PP (moving down LOD)
| Silver | Hover Telemark to PP (at a corner) Open Impetus (at a corner) Open Telemark Outside Swivel (at a corner) |
| Silver | Natural Twist Turn with Open Impetus (at a corner) |
Commenced in PP (moving DW)
| Silver | Hover Telemark to Promenade (at a corner) Open telemark Outside Swivel (at a corner) |
| Gold | Natural Twist Turn with Open Impetus Ending (at a corner) |
Following Figures
Ended Facing DW (along the side of the 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 Natural Weave 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”.