Learn how to beautifully dance
the reverse Turn
This page gives detailed information on how to dance the Reverse Turn 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, as well as a List of Common Abbreviations, and a Basic Glossary of Terms
Also included is a compilation of (3rd party) YouTube videos demonstrating and teaching how to do a beautiful Reverse Turn!
The Reverse Turn is usually a pre-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 Turn (Man)
Commence in Closed Position, facing DW
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | ||
| 1 | 1 | LF fwd | H T | Facing DC | DC | 1 | com to turn L | com to rise e/o 1 | Closed | |
| 2 | 2 | RF to side | T | Backing DW | DC | 1/4 (1→2) | L | cont to rise | Closed | |
| 3 | 3 | LF closes to RF | T H | Backing LOD | under body | 1/8 (2→3) | L | cont to rise. lower e/o 3 | Closed | |
| 4 | 1 | RF back | T H | Backing LOD | LOD | 4 | com to turn L | com to rise e/o 4. NFR | Closed | |
| 5 | 2 | LF to side | T | Pointing DW | LOD | 3/8 (4→5) body turns less | R | cont to rise | Closed | |
| 6 | 3 | RF closes to LF | T H | Facing DW | under body | body completes turn | R | cont to rise. Lower e/o 6 | Closed |
Technical Notes (for the Man)
Reverse Turn (Lady)
Commence in Closed Position, backing DW.
| # | Steps | Alignment | Moving | CBM | Turn | Sway | Rise & Fall | Position | ||
| 1 | 1 | RF back | T H | Backing DC | DC | 1 | com to turn L | com to rise e/o 1. NFR | Closed | |
| 2 | 2 | LF to side | T | Pointing LOD | DC | 3/8 (1→2) body turns less | R | cont to rise | Closed | |
| 3 | 3 | RF closes to LF | T H | Facing LOD | under body | body completes turn | R | cont to rise. Lower e/o 3 | Closed | |
| 4 | 1 | LF fwd | H T | Facing LOD | LOD | 4 | com to turn L | com to rise e/o 4 | Closed | |
| 5 | 2 | RF to side | T | Backing Wall | LOD | 1/4 (4→5) | L | cont to rise | Closed | |
| 6 | 3 | LF closes to RF | T H | Backing DW | under body | 1/8 (5→6) | L | cont to rise. Lower e/o 6 | Closed |
Technical Notes (for Lady)
General Notes
See also general technical notes on Modern Waltz technique, and also general Modern Ballroom technique.
Preceding Figures
Commenced facing DC (as described above)
| Bronze | Reverse Turn Right Foot Closed Change Double Reverse Spin Hesitation Change Reverse Pivot |
| Silver | Wing |
| Gold | Fallaway Reverse & Slip Pivot |
Commenced Facing LOD
(Dance only steps 1-3 to end backing DW to follow with Basic Weave)
| Bronze | Reverse Turn Right Foot Closed Change Hesitation Change (at a corner) Double Reverse Spin Reverse Pivot |
| Silver | Wing |
| Gold | Closed Wing Fallaway Reverse & Slip Pivot |
Preceding Step 4 Commenced backing DC against LOD
Preceding Step 4 Commenced backing DC
| Bronze | Natural Spin Turn Closed Impetus (at a corner) |
| Silver | Outside Spin |
Following Figures
Ended facing DC (as described above)
| Bronze | Reverse Turn Back Whisk Double Reverse Spin Progressive Chasse to Right |
| Silver | Drag Hesitation Closed Telemark Open Telemark |
| Gold | Fallaway Reverse & Slip Pivot |
Ended facing LOD
Ended facing DW (along the side of the floor)
| Bronze | Left Foot Closed Change Whisk |
| Silver | Drag Hesitation |
| Gold | Contra Check |
Ended Facing DW (at a corner)
| Bronze | Whisk Outside Change |
| Silver | Drag Hesitation |
| Gold | Fallaway Reverse & Slip Pivot |
Following Step 3 (Backing LOD)
| Bronze | Reverse Corte Reverse Pivot |
| Gold | Hover Corte Left Whisk |
Following Step 3 (Backing DW)
| Bronze | Basic Weave Reverse Pivot |
Following Step 3 (Backing new Wall at a corner)
| Bronze | Basic Weave |
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 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”.