Learn how to beautifully dance
the reverse Corté
This page gives detailed information on how to dance the Reverse Corté 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 Reverse Corté!
The Reverse Corté 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.
Reverse Corté (Man) *
Commence in Closed Position, backing LOD.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | ||
| 1 | 1 | RF back | T H | Backing LOD | LOD | com to turn L | Closed | |||
| 2 | 2 | LF closes to RF without weight | RF: H T | Backing DC against LOD | 3/8 (1→2) | R | rise on 2 | Closed | ||
| 3 | 3 | Hold Position | RF: T H | Backing DC against LOD | R | Up. Lower e/o 3 | Closed |
Technical Notes (for the Man)
In step 4,
- the following step will be taken in CBMP with the Lady outside.
In step 2,
- the turn between steps 1 and 2 may be danced on the toe of the RF instead of a Heel turn, in which case the footwork on step 1 is THT, and on step 2 is T.
- the turn between steps 1-2 may be increase by 1/8
Reverse Corté (Lady)
Commence in Closed Position, facing LOD.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | ||
| 1 | 1 | LF fwd | H T | Facing LOD | LOD | com to turn L | com to rise e/o 1 | Closed | ||
| 2 | 2 | RF to side | T | Facing Centre | LOD | 1/4 (1→2) | L | cont to rise | Closed | |
| 3 | 3 | LF closes to RF | T H | Facing DC against LOD | under body | 1/8 (2→3) | L | Cont to rise. Lower e/o 3 | Closed |
Technical Notes (for Lady) *
In step 4,
- The following step will be taken forward in CBMP, OP.
In step 2,
- When the overall turn of this figure is increased, the Lady will turn just over 1/4 between steps 1-2, then just under 1/4 between steps 2-3.
General Notes
See also general technical notes on Modern Waltz technique, and also general Modern Ballroom technique.
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
| Bronze | Natural Spin Turn Closed Impetus (at a corner) |
| Silver | Outside Spin |
Commenced backing DC against LOD
Following Figures
Ending Backing DC against LOD (as described above)
| Bronze | Back Whisk |
Ending Backing DW
| Bronze | 4-6 Natural Turn Back Lock Back Whisk Closed Impetus |
| Silver | Open Impetus Outside Spin |
Ending Backing against LOD
| Bronze | Back Whisk |
| Silver | Outside Spin |
Ended Backing DW against LOD
| Silver | Outside Spin |
Ended Backing new Centre
| Silver | Outside Change |
Ended Backing DC of new LOD
| 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 Reverse Corté 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”.