Learn how to beautifully dance
the Open Natural Turn
Silver Level Figure. A smooth, turning transition from promenade back to closed position.
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The Open Natural Turn is an essential Foxtrot figure that provides a graceful and practical means of returning to closed position from promenade. Its flowing three-step structure, danced to the classic ‘Slow, Quick, Quick’ rhythm, allows dancers to maintain the dance’s characteristic smoothness and continuity around the floor. It is the seamless unwinding of a silk ribbon, effortlessly elegant and timeless.
For the full list of Foxtrot figures corresponding to each medal level, see Foxtrot Figure List.
Open Natural Turn (Man)
Commence in Closed Position, facing Wall, body facing DW against LOD
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | |||
| 1 | 12 | S | RF fwd | H T | Facing Wall | DW | Com to turn R | Com rise e/o 1 | PP | ||
| 2 | 3 | Q | LF to side & slightly back | T | Backing LOD | DW | 1/4 (1-1) | Cont to rise on 2 | Closed | ||
| 3 | 4 | Q | RF back, R side leading | T H | Facing DW | DW | 1/8 (2-3) | Up. Lower e/o 3 | Closed |
On the first step, the ‘Slow’ count, step forward with your right foot along the line of dance in promenade position, commencing a slight right turn with your body. Use contra body movement by leading with your right side to initiate the turn while beginning to rise slightly at the end of this step, ensuring your footwork is heel to toe. Your frame must remain steady and supportive, providing a clear signal of intention to your partner without any independent arm movement. Maintain a consistent and gentle forward pressure into your partner’s hand to guide the upcoming turn smoothly.
On the second step, the first ‘Quick’ count, step diagonally forward and to the left with your left foot, continuing the right turn so that you are now backing the line of dance. Continue to rise onto the toe of your left foot as you turn, using this step to powerfully block your partner’s forward progression and start closing your body position to hers. Your left side should now lead strongly as you rotate your frame as a single unit, keeping your head poised to the left to maintain a elegant top line. This blocking action is achieved through the coordinated rotation of your entire body, not by pulling with your arms.
On the third step, the second ‘Quick’ count, draw your right foot back and slightly to the side under your body, completing a total of 3/8 turn to the right between the first and last step to end backing diagonal to center. Control the descent by lowering onto the toe and then the heel of your right foot at the very end of this step, ensuring your body weight is well collected over the foot. Your right side leads on this step as you settle into a strong closed position, with your frame returning to a neutral and balanced poise ready for the next figure. The final step acts as a brake and settling action, absorbing the momentum to conclude the figure with control and stability.
Open Natural Turn (Lady)
Commence in Promenade Position, facing LOD, body facing DC
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | |||
| 1 | 12 | S | LF fwd | H T | Facing LOD | DW | Com to turn R | com to rise e/o 1 | PP | ||
| 2 | 3 | Q | RF fwd & slightly to R | T | Facing LOD | DW | cont to rise on 2 | Closed | |||
| 3 | 4 | Q | LF fwd, L side leading | T H | Facing DW | DW | 1/8 to R (2-3) | Up. Lower e/o 3 | Closed |
On the first step, the ‘Slow’ count, step forward with your left foot along the line of dance while remaining in promenade position with your partner, commencing to turn to the right. Begin to rise at the end of this step with a heel to toe footwork, feeling the gentle pressure from your partner’s right hand as the signal for the turn. Keep your left side extended and connected to the leader’s frame, allowing your head to follow the natural line and remain turned slightly to the left. Trust the lead completely and focus on moving as one unit with your partner, not anticipating the turn.
On the second step, the first ‘Quick’ count, step forward and slightly to the side with your right foot, continuing to rise onto the toe as the leader blocks your forward momentum and begins to turn you back to a closed position. Your body will now be turning more sharply to the right in response to the leader’s block and frame rotation, so maintain a soft but firm arm connection to follow this guidance. Your head will begin to turn back to the right to follow the rotation of your body, ensuring your spine remains straight and your posture tall. Keep your steps flowing directly forward along your own line of dance unless actively turned by your partner’s body.
On the third step, the second ‘Quick’ count, step forward with your left foot, with your left side leading, to conclude facing diagonal to center and wall, completing the 3/8 turn to the right. Lower smoothly onto the toe and then the heel of your left foot at the end of the step, arriving in a perfect closed position with your weight well forward over your foot. Your frame should now be fully settled back into the closed position, with your head turned gracefully to the left to restore the classic partnership alignment. Your final step should be a confident and committed movement into the closed position, completing the harmonious transition.
General Notes
Core Points
- Commence in a strong and well-defined promenade position, as this is the launch point for the entire figure.
- The leader must initiate the turn with contra body movement on the first step to provide a clear and early lead.
- The leader’s second step is a powerful blocking action across the lady’s path, which is the primary mechanism for closing the position.
- The total amount of turn is approximately 3/8 to the right, which should be controlled and not over-rotated.
- The rise is gradual, commencing at the end of the first step, continued on the second, and held until the lowering at the end of the third step.
Advanced Elements
- The sway is neutral throughout this figure; the elegant body lines are created by side leading and contra body movement, not by tilting.
- The frame must rotate as a single, unbroken unit to guide the lady smoothly and without any independent arm movements.
- The partners must move in perfect coordination, with the lady’s forward energy being seamlessly converted into turning energy by the leader’s block.
- The feeling should be one of effortless flight and rotation, as if carried on a current of air, perfectly matching the flow of the music.
| Common mistake | Solution |
|---|---|
| Leader attempts to turn on the first step | The first step is nearly straight; the turn happens primarily between steps one and two. |
| Leader uses arms to pull the lady around | The turn is led by the rotation of the leader’s entire body and the blocking step, not the arms. |
| Incomplete rise or a jerky lowering action | Practice the rise and fall separately to ensure it is continuous and smooth throughout the three steps. |
| Lady over-turns or anticipates the movement | The lady must wait for the lead and respond to the physical block and frame rotation, not anticipate. |
| Partners end in a weak or misaligned closed position | Ensure the leader’s third step is taken under the body with right side leading to settle correctly. |
| The figure feels rushed and loses Foxtrot character | Practice to a slow tempo, focusing on the sustained ‘Slow’ count that generates the necessary power. |
- When the Feather Step is commenced with the Man moving back and turning Left, it’s called the Feather Finish
- When the Feather Step is commenced in Promenade Position (silver), it’s called the Feather Ending
- When only the second and third steps of the Feather Step are used (silver), it’s called the Feather Hover
- When the Feather Step is curved strongly to the Right (gold), it’s called the Curved Feather
- When the Man and the Lady dance each other’s steps (gold), it’s called the Back Feather
Preceding Figures
Commenced facing DC (as described above)
| Bronze | Natural Turn Change of Direction |
| Silver | Hover Telemark Reverse Wave |
Commenced facing LOD
| Bronze | Natural Turn (at a corner) Three Step Change of Direction (at a corner) |
| Silver | Reverse Wave (at a corner) |
Commenced facing DW
| 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) |
Following Figures
Ended Facing DC (as described above)
| Bronze | Reverse Turn & Feather Finish |
| Silver | Closed Telemark Open Telemark Outside Swivel Reverse Wave |
| Gold | Bounce Fallaway with Weave Ending Fallaway Reverse & Slip Pivot |
Ended Facing LOD
| Bronze | Three Step Change of Direction 1-4 of Reverse Turn to Basic Weave |
| Silver | Outside Swivel Reverse Wave |
Ended Facing DW (along a 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 x
These 3rd party (external) demonstration videos typically show the Open Natural Turn 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”.