Learn how to beautifully dance
the reverse Turn
Bronze Level Figure: A graceful left-turning figure, alternating forwards then backwards.
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The Reverse Turn is the foundational left-turning figure in Modern Waltz, essential for navigating the dance floor with elegance. Executed over six counts across two musical bars, it combines controlled rotation with the signature rise and fall of waltz. Like a swan gliding across a moonlit lake, this figure embodies timeless fluidity and partnership harmony.
For the full list of Modern Waltz figures 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 |
Guiding with Clarity and Flow
- Count 1 (Left Foot Forward): Begin facing Diagonal Centre, stepping forward onto your Left Foot heel, rolling smoothly to the toe. Use Controlled Body Movement (CBM) – a slight rotation of your upper body to the left before the step – to initiate the turn. Start rising very slightly at the end of this step (No Foot Rise – NFR, meaning minimal lift). Keep your frame stable; the turn comes from your movement, not twisting your upper body. Feel your body starting to turn left as you complete the step. Imagine you are a ship’s rudder; your body direction steers the turn, not your arms.
- Count 2 (Right Foot to Side): Swivel slightly left on your Left Foot toe, then step directly sideways onto the ball of your Right Foot. Turn 1/4 left between counts 1 and 2, ending backing Diagonal Wall. Continue rising gently throughout this step. Allow a gentle sway to the Left – a subtle lean from your ankles, keeping your spine straight. Track your feet; bring them together without a circular sweep (“no ronde”). Feel the floor with your foot; maintain pressure for control. Picture yourself drawing a straight line sideways with your foot, keeping your movement clean and efficient.
- Count 3 (Left Foot Closes): Close your left foot to your right foot with a Toe-Heel (TH) action, turning a further 1/8 left to end backing line of dance. Maintain left sway and continue rising, then lower smoothly onto your whole foot at the end of the count. Keep your body aligned over your feet; avoid leaning forward. Feel this close as a gentle gathering of energy, like a bird settling its wings, preparing for the backward drive.
- Count 4 (Right Foot Back): Step back down the line of dance with your right foot, using a Toe-Heel (TH) action. Use Contrary Body Movement (CBM) (rotating your upper body left as your right leg moves back) to continue the left turn. Start rising slightly at the end of the count (No Foot Rise – NFR – meaning the rise starts in the body, not by pushing off the floor). Keep sway neutral. Drive this step back confidently but smoothly, as if pushing a boat gently away from a dock.
- Count 5 (Left Foot to Side): Swivel left on your Right Foot toe, then step directly sideways onto the ball of your Left Foot. Turn 3/8 left between counts 4 and 5, ending facing (pointing towards) Diagonal Wall. Your body turns slightly less than your feet initially. Continue rising. Allow a gentle sway to the Right. Step precisely sideways relative to your body direction, not your previous path. Keep your right side connected to your partner. Visualize your left side extending gracefully outwards, creating space for your partner while maintaining your shared axis.
- Count 6 (Right Foot Closes): Close your Right Foot smoothly to your Left Foot, ending on the ball and then lowering through the heel. Your body completes the turn, ending facing Diagonal Wall. Maintain the Right sway. Lower fully onto the heel at the end of this count, softening your knees. Ensure a clean, controlled close with weight fully transferred. Feel grounded and balanced. Finish like a leaf settling gently onto the ground – poised and elegant.
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 |
- Count 1 (Right Foot Back): Begin stepping straight back along Line of Dance onto the toe of your Right Foot, lowering slightly to the heel. Use Controlled Body Movement (CBM) – a slight rotation of your upper body to the left before stepping back. Start rising very slightly at the end (NFR). Keep minimal sway (Sway Straight). Start from perfect balance, releasing into your left knee and hip as you step back. Maintain constant, gentle pressure on the floor with your foot for a smooth glide. Imagine drawing a straight line backward, keeping your spine aligned and head poised.
- Count 2 (Left Foot to Side): Swivel left on your Right Foot toe (pushing off), then step directly sideways onto the ball of your Left Foot. Turn 3/8 left between counts 1 and 2, but your body turns slightly less than your feet. Continue rising. Allow a gentle sway to the Right. Crucially, track your foot under your body; ensure it moves straight sideways relative to your new direction. Extend your left side gracefully while keeping your right side connected to the leader. Keep your head turned slightly right (in the direction of the sway) for elegant shaping and balance. Imagine your spine gently curving right like a beautiful arch, your head naturally following that line.
- Count 3 (Right Foot Closes): Close your Right Foot smoothly to your Left Foot, ending on the ball and then lowering through the heel. Your body completes the turn, ending facing Line of Dance. Maintain the Right sway. Lower fully at the end of this count, softening your knees. Keep your foot pressure on the floor and your upper body stable relative to your spine. Show beautiful extension between counts 2 and 3 before closing. Feel this close as a moment of elegant suspension before transitioning to your powerful forward drive
- Count 4 (Left Foot Forward): Step forward along Line of Dance onto your Left Foot heel, rolling smoothly to the toe. Use Controlled Body Movement (CBM) to continue the left turn. Start rising slightly at the end (NFR). Keep minimal sway (Sway Straight). Drive forward confidently with a full stride, using the power from your standing leg. Keep your upper body aligned over your moving foot. Push strongly into the floor like a swimmer pushing off the wall, creating momentum while staying connected to your leader.
- Count 5 (Right Foot to Side): Swivel left on your Left Foot toe, then step directly sideways onto the ball of your Right Foot. Turn 1/4 left between counts 4 and 5, ending backing Diagonal Centre. Continue rising. Allow a gentle sway to the Left. Step precisely sideways, ensuring your foot tracks under your turning body. Extend your right side while keeping your left side connected. Keep your head position aligned with your spine as it sways left. Feel the stretch along your left side, creating a beautiful, long line.
- Count 6 (Left Foot Closes): Close your Left Foot smoothly to your Right Foot, ending on the ball and then lowering through the heel. Turn a final 1/8 left between counts 5 and 6, ending backing Diagonal Centre. Maintain the Left sway. Lower fully at the end of this count, softening your knees. Ensure a clean close with weight fully transferred. Finish with quiet confidence, grounded and poised, like a leaf settling gently onto water.
General Notes
Core Points
- Heel-toe forward, toe-heel backward: Ensures smooth weight transitions and prevents staccato movement.
- Quarter turn (man) and three-eighths turn (lady) in first half: Achieves precise backing alignment without over-rotation.
- Rise late, lower late: Commence rise at the end of counts 1/4; lower at the end of counts 3/6 to embody waltz’s wave-like cadence.
- Contra body movement on all forward/backward steps: Facilitates natural turn initiation and partnered unity.
Advanced Principles
- Sway as counterbalance, not lean: Use sway to manage momentum (e.g., left sway on man’s step 2 prevents centrifugal spill).
- Head follows spine in turns: Automatically harmonizes with sway for elegant lines and reduced partner resistance.
- Frame as conduit, not force: Transmit lead through responsive ribcage connection, not rigid arms.
| Common Error | Fix |
|---|---|
| Stomping toe on back step | Lower heel gently after toe contact. |
| Incomplete turn on step 5 | Swivel standing foot before stepping. |
| Early rise on count 1 | Rise only when body passes standing foot. |
| Frame collapse in sway | Elongate spine against sway’s curve. |
| Rushed musical timing | Stretch the second beat of each bar. |
| Head fixed during turns | Let head follow torso rotation fluidly. |
“A whispered conversation between partners,
where lead and response flow like shared breath.”
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”.