Learn how to beautifully dance
the back whisk
This page gives detailed information on how to dance the Back Whisk in the Modern Waltz.
It includes the requisite timing, steps, footwork, alignment, turn, rise & fall, contrary body movement, sway, direction of movement, and hold — for both the Man/Leader and the Lady/Follower, as per “The Ballroom Technique” publication.
It also contains personal notes, tips and advice that has been manually collated and typed in, from a variety of online and offline sources.
Also included is a compilation of (3rd party) YouTube videos demonstrating and teaching how to do a beautiful Back Whisk!
Finally, at the end are some test questions which you may informally use to test your understanding of this figure, or it may be used more formally as part of your pathway to becoming a teacher or adjudicator.
The Back Whisk is usually a bronze level Modern Waltz figure. For the full list of Modern Waltz figures corresponding to each medal level, as per the Imperial Society for Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), see the Figure List for Modern Waltz.
Back Whisk (Man)
Commence in Closed Position, backing DC against LOD.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | ||
| 1 | 1 | LF back | T H | Backing DC against LOD | DC against LOD | 1 | – | com to rise e/o 1. NFR | Closed | |
| 2 | 2 | RF diag back | T | Backing DC against LOD | against LOD | – | L | cont to rise | Closed | |
| 3 | 3 | LF crosses behind RF | T H | Facing DW | under body | – | L | Up. Lower e/o 3 | PP |
Technical Notes (for the Man)
In step 1,
- Although step 1 is almost always taken back in CBMP with the Lady outside, in its basic form following a 1-3 of a Natural Turn, step 1 is taken with the Lady in line.
- The footwork for step 1 may be danced THT (using foot rise)
- CBM is only slight
In step 2,
- when this figurte is commenced backing LOD or DW, the Man will step 2 as side and slightly back and turn 1/4 or 3/8 to R between steps 1-2, with body turn to the R on step 3 to end to move DC or down New LOD.
In step 3,
- although the feet end facing DW, the body will end facing Wall.
Back Whisk (Lady)
Commence in Closed Position, facing DC against LOD
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | ||
| 1 | 1 | RF fwd | H T | Facing DC against LOD | DC against LOD | 1 | com to turn R | com to rise e/o 1 | Closed | |
| 2 | 2 | LF to side | T | Facing Centre | Against LOD | 1/8 (1→2) | R | cont to rise | Closed | |
| 3 | 3 | RF crosses behind LF | T H | Facing DC | under body | 1/8 (2→3) | R | Up. Lower e/o 3 | PP |
Technical Notes (for Lady)
In step 1,
- Although step 1 is almost always taken in CBMP, OP, in its basic form following a 1-3 of a Natural Turn, then step 1 is taken in line.
In step 3,
- Although the feet end facing DC, the body will end facing Centre
In step 1,
- When this figure is commenced facing LOD or DW, the Lady will turn 1/4 or 3/8 between steps 1-2 and then 1/4 between steps 2-3 to end ready to move DC or down New LOD.
- Keep your shoulders and arms towards the Man
General Notes
See also general technical notes on Modern Waltz technique, and also general Modern Ballroom technique.
Preceding Figures
Commenced backing DC against LOD (as described above)
| Bronze | Reverse Corte (at a corner) |
| Silver | Cross Hesitation (at a corner) |
| Gold | Left Whisk with Twist ending |
Commenced Backing against LOD
| Bronze | Reverse Corte |
| Silver | Cross Hesitation |
| Gold | Left Whisk with Twist Ending Hover Corte |
Commenced Backing LOD
(Turning to the Back Whisk to the R, as per note above)
Commenced Backing DW
(Turning to the Back Whisk to the Right, as per note above)
Following Figures
Ready to move down LOD (as described above)
| Bronze | Chasse from Promenade |
| Silver | Cross Hesitation Wing |
| Gold | Left Whisk |
Ready to Move DC
| Bronze | Chasse from Promenade |
| Silver | Weave from Promenade Cross Hesitation Wing |
List of Abbreviations
| Steps | RF: Right foot LF: Left foot fwd: forward diag: diagonally CBMP: Contra Body Movement Position |
| 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 Back Whisk 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”.