Learn how to beautifully dance
the open impetus & Cross hesitation
This page gives detailed information on how to dance the Open Impetus followed by a Cross Hesitation in the Modern Waltz.
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 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 Open Impetus followed by a Cross Hesitation!
The Open Impetus & Cross Hesitation is usually a silver 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.
Open Impetus & Cross Hesitation (Man)
Commence in Closed Position, backing LOD.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | ||
| 1 | 1 | LF back | T H | Backing LOD | LOD | 1 | com to turn R | Closed | ||
| 2 | 2 | RF closes to LF (heel turn) | H T | Facing DC | under body | 3/8 (1→2) | L | rise e/o 2 | Closed | |
| 3 | 3 | LF to side | T H | Facing LOD | DC | 1/8 (2→3) | Up. Lower e/o 3 | PP | ||
| 4 | 1 | RF fwd across in CBMP | H T | Pointing LOD | LOD | RF: 1/8 to L | com to rise e/o 1 | PP | ||
| 5 | 2 | LF closes to RF without weight | RF: T | Facing LOD | body copletes turn | – | cont to rise | Closed | ||
| 6 | 3 | Hold position | RF:T H | Backing against LOD | – | cont to rise. Lower e/o 3 | Closed |
Technical Notes (for the Man)
In step 1,
- Maintain (do not dissolve) the sway from the previous Natural turn and transition into PP
In step 2,
- rise through the diagonal of the body. Rotate the body. Pass the base and stretch the right side. Ensure your head is foward, sending your body diagonally back.
- Do not life your foot. Keep your foot very flat during the heel turn. Ensure the balls of your feet are just free enough to swivel.
In step 3,
- think about diagonal line to come out in PP
In step 5,
- as you bring your feet together, rise on your toes.
- Note that this is different from leading the Wing, in which you allow your upper body to do extra rotation to allow the Lady pass from one side of your body to the other
- In this Cross Hesitation, your arms remain on your right side and you want the Lady to stay in your right front.
Open Impetus & Cross Hesitation (Lady)
Commence in Closed Position, facing LOD.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | ||
| 1 | 1 | RF fwd | H T | Facing LOD | LOD | 1 | com to turn R | Closed | ||
| 2 | 2 | LF to side, then brush RF to LF | T | Backing DC | DW | 3/8 (1→2) | R | rise e/o 2 | Closed | |
| 3 | 3 | RF to side | T H | Pointing Centre | DC | 3/8 (2→3) body turns less | Up. Lower e/o 3 | PP | ||
| 4 | 1 | LF fwd & across in CBMP | H T | Facing DC | LOD | 4 | com to turn L | com to rise e/o 1 | PP | |
| 5 | 2 | RF to side | T | Backing DW | LOD | 1/4 (1→2) | L | cont to rise | PP | |
| 6 | 3 | LF | T H | Facing against LOD | under body | 1/8 (2→3) | L | cont to rise. Lower e/o 3 | Closed |
Technical Notes (for Lady)
In step 1,
- keep right side positive and connected to the Man
- Big step. Depending on the Man’s lead, there may be a big swooping action here.
In step 2,
- Rise front is still positive. Do not pull your right shoulder away. Allow your base to turn first. Turn your feet underneath your body, and then turn your head last. Create a soft action.
- Try not to anticipate promenade and turn too early. Delay the turn. Turn through the feet first.
- Your step should be sufficiently large in order to keep your balance. Keep extending your left side, then life your left side to turn your head to the right at the end of step 2.
In step 3,
- feel the turn. Delay the head.
- Keep your shoulders and arms towards the Man
- Developer strong left side, and then stretch at the end.
- Lift the left side of your hip to the Man, which will make it feel like your shoulder line is tilted upward.
- Extend your shoulder and chest “rotate up” feel like high jump. Don’t break the neck.
In step 4,
- shape to the left. Stay with the Man. Don’t peel your right shoulder of the Man
In step 5,
- monitor the Man’s position
- Don’t step big. Turn your feet underneath your body.
General Notes
- This figure may end in Promenade Position
See also general technical notes on Modern Waltz technique, and also general Modern Ballroom technique.
Preceding Figures
Commenced backing LOD (as described above)
Commenced backing DW
(turn only 1/4 between steps 1-2 to end at correct alignment)
Following Figures
Ending Backing against LOD (as described above)
| Bronze | Back Whisk |
Ending Backing DW against LOD
| Silver | Outside Spin |
Ending Backing new Centre
| Bronze | Outside Change |
Ending Backing DC against new LOD
| Bronze | Back Whisk |
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 Open Impetus & Cross Hesitation 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”.