Learn how to beautifully dance
the Hover Corté

Gold Level Figure. A suspended poise during a side-step.
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The Hover Corte is a gold-level Waltz figure celebrated for its dramatic suspension and controlled transfer of weight. It demands precise coordination between partners to achieve the illusion of hovering mid-movement, much like a bird momentarily held aloft by a thermal breeze. Mastering this figure enhances musical expression and enriches the dance’s emotional texture.

For the full list of Modern Waltz figures corresponding to each medal level, see Figure List for Modern Waltz.

Hover Corte (Man)

Commence in Closed Position, backing LOD.

#	Count	Steps	Footwork	Alignment	Moving	CBM	Turn	Sway	Rise & Fall	Position
1	1	RF back	T H	Backing LOD	LOD	1	com to L	S	com to rise e/o 1. NFR	Closed
2	2	LF to side & slightly fwd	T	Pointing DW Backing DC against LOD	LOD		3/8 (1→2) body turns less	R	cont to rise	Closed
3	3	Transfer weight to RF	T H	Backing DC against LOD	against LOD		–	S	Up. Lower e/o 3	Closed
(4)	1	LF back in CBMP	T	Backing DC against LOD		4		S		OP

Count 1:
Step back along line of dance with the right foot, using contra body movement to initiate a left turn while keeping sway neutral. Maintain a strong frame with shoulders level and head poised left, ensuring controlled rise starts at the end of the beat without foot rise. Keep the left foot in contact with the floor to prepare for the side step, using subtle pressure through the standing leg to control momentum. Focus on smooth rise initiation while preserving connection through a stable, grounded frame.

Count 2:
Swing the left foot side and slightly forward toward diagonal wall, completing a 3/8 left turn between steps 1–2 while developing right sway. Continue rising through the body, keeping hips forward and upper body aligned over the feet to avoid tilting. Extend the right arm gently to guide the lady’s shaping, ensuring head remains left and frame expands without stiffness. Sustain rise with controlled body flight, allowing sway to flow naturally from hip to head.

Count 3:
Transfer weight smoothly to the right foot placed side and slightly back, backing diagonal center against line of dance with neutral sway. Lower softly at the end of the beat, keeping knees flexed and upper body lifted to maintain elegance. Prepare for the following step back in CBMP by settling weight fully and adjusting frame subtly. Achieve seamless weight transfer with quiet feet and unhurried lowering.

Hover Corte (Lady)

Commence in Closed Position, facing LOD.

#	Count	Steps	Footwork	Alignment	Turn	Rise & Fall	CBM	Sway	Moving	Position
1	1	LF fwd	H T	Facing LOD	cont to L	com to rise e/o 1	1	S	LOD	OP
2	2	RF to side, then brush LF toward RF	T	Facing Centre	1/4 (1→2) 1/8 on 2	cont to rise		L	Centre	Closed
3	3	LF diag fwd	T H	Facing DC against LOD		cont to rise. Lower e/o 3		S	against LOD	OP on L
(4)	1	RF fwd CBMP, OP		Facing DC against LOD			4	S

Count 1:
Step forward along line of dance with the left foot, using contra body movement to match the man’s left turn initiation with neutral sway. Rise gradually at the end of the beat, keeping the head closed or opening to promenade position for added expression. Extend through the spine while maintaining hip contact, ensuring the step is full but controlled. Emphasize grounded power in the forward step to fuel the upcoming hover.

Count 2:
Step side with the right foot toward diagonal center, brushing the left foot toward the right while completing a 1/4 left turn with pronounced left sway. Continue rising, stretching the right side toward the man with expansive upper-body extension while keeping arms forward. Articulate the head gracefully left, creating a high-shouldered “up-and-over” arc without collapsing the waist. Create volume through rib-cage expansion and sustained flight, not by pulling the arms.

Count 3:
Step diagonally forward with the left foot against line of dance, facing diagonal center while continuing rise and neutralizing sway. Lower gently at the end of the beat, arriving with poised balance and softened knees. Keep the body inclined slightly forward to maintain flow into the next CBMP step. Ensure the step travels with purpose, using momentum to enhance lightness.

General Notes

Core Points

Initiate rise late on count 1 with no foot rise for the leader, early for the follower, ensuring synchronized elevation.
Complete 3/8 turn for the leader and 3/8 turn for the follower between counts 1–2 to align correctly against line of dance.
Transfer weight to the right foot on count 3 without stepping, minimizing sway for stability.
Use CBMP on the preceding/following step to transition smoothly into or out of the figure.
Employ heel leads for follower’s count 1 and toe leads for side steps to control momentum.
Lower softly at end of count 3 with flexed knees to absorb movement gracefully.

Advanced Elements

Develop sway actively on count 2 by stretching opposite sides: leader right, follower left, creating complementary curves.
Sustain frame expansion during the hover (count 2) through breath-controlled rib-cage lift, not arm tension.
Articulate the head progressively: closed on count 1, left on count 2, centered on count 3 for fluid lines.
Connect steps through “high jump” energy on count 2—lifting the center, not just the feet.
Match musical phrasing by elongating the hover to highlight the Waltz’s “down-up-up” cadence.

Common mistake	Solution
Leader steps too far back on 1	Shorten step to retain balance over feet.
Follower rushes brush on count 2	Isolate brush action without weight shift.
Incomplete turn on step 2	Rotate shoulders fully between counts 1-2.
Early rise on leader’s step 1	Delay rise until beat ends, no foot rise.
Sway collapses on step 3	Maintain spine elongation to neutralize sway.
Frame contracts during hover	Stretch laterally from center, not arms.
Weight transfer lacks control	Engage standing leg for gradual settling.

Preceding Figures

Commenced Backing LOD (as described above)

Bronze	Natural Spin Turn 1-3 Reverse Turn
Silver	Outside Spin (at a corner)

Commenced Backing DC
(Man turning only 1/4 between steps 1-2, and the Lady only 1/8)

Bronze	Natural Spin Turn Closed Impetus (at a corner)
Silver	Outside Spin

Following Figures

Ended Backing against LOD (as described above)

Bronze	Back Whisk
Silver	Outside Spin

Ended Backing New Centre (at a corner)

Bronze

Outside Change

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 Hover Corte being performed from different angles, perspectives and speeds. However, they generally have little or no commentary or explanation.

For videos that also include commentary that are aimed at assisting you perform the figure properly, see the next section “Tutorials”.