Learn how to beautifully dance
the Closed IMpetus
The Closed Impetus is a foundational Bronze figure in Quickstep, essential for creating dynamic turns and seamless transitions across the floor. Danced to “slow, slow, slow, slow” timing, it combines controlled rotation with progressive movement, allowing partners to shift direction elegantly. Like a sailboat smoothly tacking against the wind, this figure harnesses momentum to redirect energy with timeless grace.
The Closed Impetus is usually a bronze-level Modern Waltz figure. For the full list of Quickstep figures corresponding to each medal level, as per the book “Ballroom Technique” or Imperial Society for Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), see the Figure List for Quickstep.
Closed Impetus (Man)
Commence in
| # | Count | Alignment | Steps | Footwork | Turn | Rise & Fall | CBM | Sway | Moving | Position |
| 1 | S | com to turn | com to rise e/o 1 | |||||||
| 2 | S | (1→2) | cont to rise | |||||||
| 3 | S | (2→3 | cont to rise |
Step 1: Left foot back (Slow)
Commence backing the line of dance with your left foot, using strong contra body movement to initiate a right turn while keeping sway neutral. Place the heel first, then lower smoothly into the step without rising, ensuring your shoulders align with the direction of travel. Maintain a steady frame to support your partner, keeping your head poised toward your left side. Focus on a grounded connection through your standing leg, allowing your body flight to flow backward without hesitation. Ensure your frame remains resilient to guide the turn without rigidity.
Step 2: Right foot closes to left foot (Heel Turn) (Slow)
Close your right foot to your left foot with a heel turn, completing a three-eighths right turn between steps one and two to face diagonal center. Rise slightly at the end of this step by straightening your legs late, using heel-toe footwork to control momentum. Apply left sway to counterbalance the turn, keeping your hips aligned under your torso as your upper body rotates. Sustain a forward-focused head position and a softly flexed frame to absorb your partner’s movement. Delay rising until your partner passes you to avoid blocking her path.
Step 3: Left foot to side and slightly back (Slow)
Step left foot side and slightly back along diagonal center against the line of dance, executing a quarter right turn between steps two and three to back this alignment. Maintain neutral sway while staying on the toe, then lower gently at the end of the step. Keep your frame expansive yet responsive, allowing your right side to lead the rotation while your head turns subtly left. Track your right foot under your body before stepping back to prevent imbalance.
Closed Impetus (Lady)
Commence in Closed Position, facing DC.
| # | Count | Alignment | Steps | Footwork | Turn | Rise & Fall | CBM | Sway | Moving | Position |
| 1 | S | T | com to turn | com to rise e/o 1 | ||||||
| 2 | S | (1→2) | cont to rise | |||||||
| 3 | S | (2→3 | cont to rise |
Step 1: Right foot forward (Slow)
Step forward along the line of dance with your right foot, using contra body movement to initiate the right turn while keeping sway neutral. Start with heel-toe footwork, lowering smoothly without rising as your partner moves backward. Extend your left side toward your partner, maintaining light but consistent pressure through the frame to signal readiness for rotation. Apply strong contra body movement to make this step lighter for your partner.
Step 2: Left foot to side (Slow)
Move your left foot to side toward diagonal center, turning three-eighths right between steps one and two to back this alignment, rising onto the toe at the step’s end. Use right sway to shape around your partner, keeping your left side elongated and head extended right. Brush your right foot to your left foot without weight, contracting thigh muscles to create space for rotation. Limit this step’s size to avoid pulling your partner off balance.
Step 3: Right foot diagonally forward (Slow)
Step right foot diagonally forward along diagonal center against the line of dance, turning a quarter right between steps two and three to face this alignment. Rise onto the toe, then lower softly at the step’s end while keeping body flight forward and sway neutral. Sustain a close yet fluid frame connection, allowing your left side to lead as your head turns left. Keep your leg tension controlled to avoid premature lowering if transitioning to a Reverse Pivot.
General Notes
Core Points
- Execute a three-eighths right turn on step two and a quarter turn on step three to achieve precise alignment changes.
- Leaders must rise late on step two to allow followers space to pass, using heel turns for stability.
- Followers should minimize step-two size to maintain partnership balance and rotational harmony.
- Lower smoothly at the end of step three with controlled footwork (heel-toe or toe-heel) to preserve momentum.
Advanced Elements
- Coordinate head positions with body rotation to enhance elegance and visual lines.
- Apply sway only on step two (left for leaders, right for followers) to counterbalance rotation without tilting.
- Maintain a pliable frame to absorb momentum shifts, ensuring uninterrupted body flight.
“A key turning smoothly in a well-oiled lock.”
Following Figures
Ready to move DC
| Bronze | |
| Silver | |
| Gold |
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 Turning Lock to Right 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”.