Learn how to beautifully dance
the natural spin turn
Bronze Level Figure.
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the enchanting Natural Spin Turn – a cornerstone figure that is a beautiful blend of flow and control. This graceful turn spans two bars of music (six counts) moving diagonally across the floor with a gentle clockwise rotation. Think of it as two connected phases: the first three steps mirror a Natural Turn, while the second half features a controlled pivot and spin (which is smoother and smaller than the name suggests!) that gives this figure its name. The magic lies in maintaining continuous movement through the turn – like a feather floating on a breeze
For the full list of Modern Waltz figures corresponding to each medal level, see Figure List for Modern Waltz.
Natural Spin Turn (Man)
Commence in Closed Position, facing DW.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | ||
| 1 | 1 | RF fwd | H T | Facing DW | DW | 1 | com to turn R | com to rise e/o 1 | Closed | |
| 2 | 2 | LF to side | T | Backing DC | DW | 1/4 (1→2) | R | cont to rise | Closed | |
| 3 | 3 | RF closes to LF | T H | Backing LOD | under body | 1/8 (2→3) | R | cont to rise. Lower e/o 3 | Closed | |
| 4 | 1 | LF back & slightly to side, toe turned in | T H T | Backing DW to facing LOD | LOD | 4 | 1/2 to R on 4 (pivot) | Closed | ||
| 5 | 2 | RF fwd in CBMP | H T | Facing LOD | LOD | 5 | cont to turn | rise e/o 5 | Closed | |
| 6 | 3 | LF to side & slightly back | T H | Backing DC | LOD | 3/8 (5→6) | Up. Lower e/o 6 | Closed |
Technical Notes (for the Man)
Count 1 (RF forward)
Step forward on your Right Foot (RF) along the Diagonal to Wall (DW), initiating a gentle right turn using Contrary Body Movement (CBM) – meaning your left shoulder and hip move slightly forward as you step. Keep your spine straight but tilted slightly left at the hips to maintain connection with your partner; avoid leaning your upper body right. Footwork is Heel-Toe (HT), starting to rise late in this step. Drive powerfully from your standing leg, imagining pushing the floor away behind you. Keep your frame stable – don’t twist your feet independently from your upper body. This step is about forward progression first; let the turn develop gradually. Resist leaning right; instead, focus on sending your left side toward your partner. Imagine you’re lowering into a gentle dip before driving forward—this “sinking and springing” creates power.
Count 2 (LF to side)
Swing your Left Foot (LF) smoothly to the side (not forward!), aligning roughly Backing Diagonal Center (BDC). Your body continues turning right (approximately 1/4 turn total from count 1). Footwork is Toe (T), continuing the rise initiated on count 1. Maintain right sway (a gentle lean from the ankles up, head centered over your feet) to balance the turn and create a beautiful line. Keep your left side forward (CBM position) to guide your partner. Swing your leg freely from the hip – don’t place it stiffly. Maintain forward momentum; don’t “sit” on this step.
Count 3 (RF closes to LF)
Close your Right Foot (RF) smoothly to your Left Foot (LF) without weight initially, then transfer weight, ending Backing Line of Dance (BLOD). Complete an additional 1/8 turn right. Footwork is Toe-Heel (TH), reaching the peak of your rise and then lowering at the end of the step. Maintain right sway and keep your frame connected. This is a controlled “settling” action – compress gently through your knees, preparing to drive backwards. Avoid rushing; let the lowering happen smoothly over the full count. Picture a bird landing softly – controlled, graceful, and perfectly balanced before the next movement.
Count 4 (LF back with pivot)
Step back diagonally with your Left Foot (LF), turning the toe in approximately 1/8 to the right to prepare for the pivot, aligning Backing LOD initially, pivoting to face LOD. Footwork is Toe-Heel-Toe (THT) – you’ll be on the toe during the pivot, but the heel will be lightly touching the floor, too. Use strong Contrary Body Movement (CBM) (right shoulder/hip forward) but no rise. Keep your step small and directly under your body; stepping too far back blocks your partner. Maintain a consistent frame connection (CBMP) and keep your head strongly left (looking down LOD). Think of your spine as an axis around which you turn.
Count 5 (RF forward)
Step forward strongly on your Right Foot (RF) in Contrary Body Movement Position (CBMP) – meaning your foot steps across the line of your body – directly down Line of Dance (LOD). Footwork is Heel-Toe (HT), rising late at the end of this step. Continue turning right. This is a larger, driving step as you move around the outside of the turn. Avoid rising onto your toe too early; use a clean heel lead and let the rise develop gradually with the turn. Keep your left side well forward (CBM) to maintain the turn and connection. Let the turn and rise happen together, like a door swinging smoothly on its hinge.
Count 6 (LF to side & slightly back)
Step your Left Foot (LF) to the side and slightly back, aligning Backing Diagonal Center (BDC). Complete approximately 3/8 turn right between steps 5 and 6. Footwork is Toe-Heel (TH), staying “Up” (on toe) and then lowering at the end of the step. Keep sway neutral. Step directly under your body – avoid swinging the leg out. This step stabilizes the turn and prepares for the next figure (often a backward step for the leader). Maintain frame connection and balance. Like a sailboat coming out of a turn – this step catches the wind smoothly to set your new course.
Natural Spin Turn (Lady)
Commence in Closed Position, backing DW.
| # | Count | Steps | Footwork | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position |
| 1 | 1 | LF back | T H | Backing DC | DW | 1 | com to turn R | com to rise e/o 1. NFR | Closed | |
| 2 | 2 | RF to side | T | Pointing LOD | DW | 3/8 (1→2) body turns less | L | cont to rise | Closed | |
| 3 | 3 | LF closes to RF | T H | Facing LOD | under body | body completes turn | L | cont to rise. Lower e/o 3 | Closed | |
| 4 | 1 | RF fwd | H T | Facing LOD to backing LOD | LOD | 4 | 1/2 to R on 4 (pivot) | Closed | ||
| 5 | 2 | LF back & slightly to side, then brush RF to LF | T | Backing LOD | LOD | cont to turn | rise e/o 5 | Closed | ||
| 6 | 3 | RF diag fwd | T H | Facing DC | LOD | 3/8 (5→6) | Up. Lower e/o 6 | Closed |
Technical Notes (for Lady)
Count 1 (LF back)
Step back on your Left Foot (LF) along Diagonal to Wall (DW), starting the right turn with Contrary Body Movement (CBM) – your right shoulder/hip moves slightly forward. Footwork is Toe-Heel (TH), starting to rise late at the end of the step (No Foot Rise – NFR – meaning you rise with the leader’s lead, not independently). Keep your spine upright – avoid leaning forward or sticking your hips back. Take a strong, driving step back; your toe might turn in slightly to facilitate the turn, but the direction is still back, not side. Focus on sending your center forward towards the leader, maintaining your frontal curve and frame connection. Lift your left hip slightly “up” to the leader to create space. Imagine opening a door for your partner with your body – creating a clear path without moving away.
Count 2 (RF to side)
Step swiftly to the side (slightly forward) on your Right Foot (RF), aligning Pointing Line of Dance (PLOD). Your body turns less than your feet (approximately 3/8 turn total). Footwork is Toe (T), continuing to rise. Press your foot into the floor for balance. Maintain left sway. Move your foot promptly to get out of the leader’s path, but don’t place it until you feel his lead. Keep your weight forward; avoid being “back-weighted”. Let the momentum from count 1 flow – don’t re-drive. Stretch your right side up and lengthen your left side towards the leader. Keep your head left initially, then smoothly turn it right as your body completes more turn, creating beautiful extension. Picture unfurling a ribbon – your body turns smoothly underneath while your head lingers, creating elegant lines before catching up.
Count 3 (LF closes to RF)
Close your Left Foot (LF) smoothly to your Right Foot (RF), completing the turn to face Line of Dance (LOD). Footwork is Toe-Heel (TH), reaching the peak of your rise and lowering at the end of the step. Maintain strong left sway. Keep pressure on your feet for balance as you collect. Showcase the extension created on count 2! As you lower, keep your knees slightly flexed and forward (don’t lock them), preparing to drive forward. Send your ribcage and hips forward towards the leader. Think of gathering a flowing skirt – a controlled, graceful collection of energy and position.
Count 4 (RF forward with pivot)
Step your Right Foot (RF) powerfully forward along LOD in CBMP, with Heel-Toe (HT) action. Pivot 1/2 right (from facing LOD to backing LOD). Sway neutral. No rise. Connect your shoulder weight to your standing (left) leg before driving. Step first, then pivot, keeping legs close to avoid collisions. Crucially, maintain strong left-side connection (your rib/hip to your partner) and thigh contact. Turn as one unit—avoid “squaring off.” Ensure your feet end in separate tracks to give the leader space for his next step. Your head stays left; visualize your nose passing your left elbow to avoid invading your partner’s space. Imagine stepping onto a moving walkway – a committed forward step that then gets carried by the momentum of the pivot.
Count 5 (LF back, then brush RF to LF)
Step back and slightly to the side on your Left Foot (LF), aligning Backing Line of Dance (BLOD). Take a large step to stay behind your partner. Footwork is Toe (T), rising late at the end of this step. Maintain strong left sway and keep your head firmly left, looking down LOD. Use pressure on your supporting right foot (toe) to maintain balance. After stepping, immediately brush your Right Foot (RF) to your Left Foot (LF) without weight – this collects your hip for the spin, and lets your partner pass. Keep your right side (hip/rib) connected to the leader as you turn. Pull your center back slightly to continue the turn. Balance here until led forward—like pausing on a stair step. Imagine drawing a circle around a central point – your body turns around your connection point with the leader, your free foot brushing close to collect.
Count 6 (RF forward)
After brushing, step diagonally forward on your Right Foot (RF), aligning Facing Diagonal Center (FDC). Complete approximately 3/8 turn right. Footwork is Toe-Heel (TH), staying “Up” (on toe) and lowering at the end of the step. Keep sway neutral. Let your leg extend smoothly from the brushing/collecting action – don’t place it too early or make it “short”. Lengthen your left side and send your center forward towards the leader, while letting your head arrive last for elegant extension. Hips should be “up” towards the leader. Find your own balance. Like a flower opening towards the sun – your body extends gracefully forward from your core, with your head the last petal to unfold.
General Notes
Core Points
- Step size: Leaders: keep step 4 (LF back pivot) small and directly under you, and make step 5 (RF forward) larger because you go around the outside. Followers: make step 4 (RF forward pivot) a strong driving step before the pivot.
- Footwork Precision: Heel leads, toe releases, pivots on the ball of the foot, and clean closing/brushing actions are the key to balance and smoothness. Leaders, turn your toe in on step 4! Followers, ensure clean brushing on step 5.
- Timing & Flow: Rise late on 1, sustain through 2-3, lower late on 3. No rise on the pivot (count 4), rise late on 5, settle late on 6. Flow like uninterrupted music.
- Controlled Rotation: Resist rushing or forcing the rotation! The turn is achieved through Contrary Body Movement (CBM), body position, sway, and a controlled pivot – not force. Leaders: don’t start turning too early on step 1. Both, avoid leaning into the turn; maintain upright posture with sway from the ankles.
Advanced Principles
- Rise & Fall Together: Synchronize your rise (gradual ascent starting late in count 1, peaking at count 3) and fall (controlled lowering completing at end of count 3 and count 6). Leaders, rise more through the legs; followers, focus on extension.
- Sway for Line & Balance: Use sway gently but purposefully (right sway for leaders on steps 2-3, left sway for followers on steps 2-3 and 5) to enhance the turn, create beautiful body lines, and maintain equilibrium. Keep your head aligned over your supporting foot.
- Connection is King: Maintain hip/thigh contact, especially during pivots. Leaders: keep steps 4 & 6 compact. Followers: drive powerfully on 4 without leading. Maintain consistent frame pressure and body contact. This is the foundation for leading/following the turn smoothly. Don’t pull or push – maintain your own balance within the partnership.
- Elegance: The overall movement should flow like “a winding river—continuous, powerful, yet serene“.
See also general technical notes on Modern Waltz technique, and also general Modern Ballroom technique.
Preceding Figures
Commenced facing DW (as described above)
Following Figures
Ended Backing DC (as described above)
| Bronze | 4-6 Reverse Turn Reverse Corte Reverse Pivot |
| Silver | Turning Lock (to Left) |
| Gold | Hover Corte |
Ended Backing DC against LOD
| Bronze | 4-6 Reverse Turn Reverse Corte Reverse Pivot |
Ended Backing LOD
(turning 1/2 between steps 5-6)
Ended Backing DW
(making normal amount of turn at a corner)
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 Natural Spin 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”.