Learn how to beautifully dance
the OUTside SPIN
This page gives detailed information on how to dance the Outside Spin 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 Outside Spin!
The Outside Spin 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), see the Figure List for Modern Waltz.
Outside Spin (Man)
Commence in Closed Position, backing against LOD.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | ||
| 1 | 1 | LF back CBMP (small step) | T H T | Backing LOD to facing DW against LOD | DC against LOD | 1 | 1/4 to R on 1 (pivot) | – | – | OP |
| 2 | 2 | RF fwd CBMP | H T | Facing DW against LOD | DW against LOD | 2 | body to R | – | rise e/o 2 | OP |
| 3 | 3 | LF to side, pivoting to end LF back | T H | Backing Wall to facing DW | Against LOD | 3/8 (2→3) plus 3/8 on 3 (pivot) | – | Up. Lower e/o 3 | Closed |
Technical Note (for the Man)
In step 1,
- This is outside partner. Leave your right foot back in CBMP, in order to give the Lady room to get by
- Start by turning right from the knees up. Your upper body should twist much faster than your feet.
- This is a very small step with toe turned in. Then just swivel /slip your left foot. Your weight should be kept well forward as tis step is taken.
- The rotation is much more in the base area (waist to fee), leaving right side through diagonal. Don’t over turn your upper body.
- Keep your head on your own left
In step 2,
- Maintain CBMP by stepping forward on your right foot. Step behind the Lady (step outside the Lady, otherwise your leg is going to bloack the Lady and knock her of balance). Give the Lady a chance to come around and close before stepping back and pivotting on your left foot. This feel like a rock turn.
- Really drive deep. Ensure a sharper rise to make the Lady close her feet.
In step 3,
- step to the side, ending with your frame aligned with your feet.
- Don’t over turn your body at the end, as this will make it hard to collect and brush your feet for the following reverse turn
- the twisting of both your upper bodies will get both out of each other’s way
Outside Spin (Lady)
Commence in Closed Position, facing against LOD.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | ||
| 1 | 1 | RF fwd CBMP | H T | Facing against LOD | Against LOD | 1 | com to R | – | com to rise e/o 1 | OP |
| 2 | 2 | LF closes to RF | T | Facing DW | under body | 5/8 (1→2) body turns less | – | cont to rise | OP | |
| 3 | 3 | LF fwd pivoting to end in CBMP | T H | facing DW against LOD to backing DW | DW against LOD | 1/4 (2→3) +1/4 pivot | – | Up. Lower e/o 3 | Closed |
Technical Notes (for the Lady)
In step 1,
- Think about stepping “behind” the Man’s feet.
- In the Outside Spin your right side is the axis and centre for the turn.
In contrast, in the Spin Turn, your left side is the axis for turning. - To tell if it’s an outside partner spin turn or an Outside Spin, be patient and wait. The Outside Spin has an earlier and sharper accelerated rise (and the axis is on your right foot).
- Relax your right shoulder down. Turn your centre and spine to your right foot. Ensure your weight is centrally strong on your right side.
- Don’t lose right side connection to the Man. Really work hard to give your right side to the Man, and it will look like you didn’t chance (otherwise, right side will pull away from the Man)
- Take your head to the widest point, following the elbow
- It’s important to keep your left side up and not drop it, otherwise it feels heavy to the Man
In step 2,
- Stretch and keep your right side to the Man. Don’t drift into the Man’s space. Allow your left arm to rotate and get in front of body.
- Ensure you turn your head gradually and smoothly. Start your head on the left, and as your body changes shapes during th epivot, your head changes. Your head turning heps the spin.
- As your feet close (make sure to keep close feet), keep your centre to the Man. The waist area and down is still continuing to rotate (your hip conitnues to rotate which gives room for the Man to step), then your body catches up with your hip and foot in the next step.
- During all your steps make sure your right side is kept to the Man. Don’t bend your right side. Stay with the Man, so that you won’t cross his middle to the wrong side.
- Don’t keep knees bent. Finish rising during step 2, and ensure you don’t pop up on 3.
In step 3,
- Ensure your right foot step is between the Man’s feet. Don’t pop up.
- Your body catches ups. Keep rotating and extending your upper body (otherwise it pulls the Man). Don’t rush to exit.
- Ensure you send your right hip toward the Man.
- Ensure you are really on your right foot and balanced, then lower your right knee and prepare to move your left foot back. Don’t rush off.
- Create shape by sending the middle of your body forward. Turn your head to the right. Don’t go to the right and get in front of the Man. Also don’t lean back from your lower back. Shaping is from the sternum up.
- Don’t take this step too quickly, other you will be obstructed by the Man’s right toe.
General Notes
(none)
See also general technical notes on Modern Waltz technique, and also general Modern Ballroom technique.
Preceding Figures
Commenced Backing against LOD (as described above)
| Bronze | Reverse Corté |
| Silver | Cross Hesitation Drag Hesitation (at a corner) |
| Gold | Left Whisk (with Twist ending) Hover Corté |
Commenced Backing DW against LOD
| Bronze | Reverse Corté |
| Silver | Cross Hesitation Drag Hesitation (at a corner) |
| Gold | Left Whisk (with Twist ending) |
Commenced Backing DW
| Bronze | Back Lock Progressive Chassé to Right |
| Silver | Drag Hesitation |
Following Figures
Ended Facing DW (as described above)
| Bronze | Natural Turn Natural Spin Turn Hesitation Change |
Ended Facing LOD
(having commenced backing DW at a corner, or backing against LOD but turn only 3/8 on the Pivot)
| Bronze | 1-3 Natural Turn |
Ended Backing DW
Ended Backing DC
(having commenced backing DW and using the optional additional turn)
| Bronze | 4-6 Reverse Turn Reverse Corté Reverse Pivot |
| Silver | Turning Lock |
| Gold | Hover Corté |
Ended Backing New LOD
(having commenced backing DW at a corner and not using the optional additional turn)
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 Outside Spin 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”.
Tutorials
These 3rd party (external) tutorial videos include commentary and advice, that are aimed at teaching you how to perform the Turning Lock (to the Left), properly.