Beautiful ballroom Dancing

Commence in Closed Position,

Count 1 (Slow):
Step forward onto the right foot in CBMP outside partner, facing diagonal center, using heel-toe footwork while initiating a gentle right turn with CBM and no sway. Rise slightly at the end of this count, maintaining forward momentum without tracking sideways, ensuring your center remains connected to your partner. Keep your frame stable and left side extended, allowing the pendulum swing from left to right to originate from your core. Ensure your forward step is decisive yet controlled, preventing any collapse in the frame during the rise.

Count 2 (Quick):
Cross your left foot tightly behind the right foot, turning 1/8 to face line of dance, rising onto the toe with distinct right sway. Rotate your upper body smoothly to align with the footwork, keeping shoulders level and hips forward to avoid tilting. Maintain a firm but flexible frame, allowing the sway to flow naturally from your spine while keeping your head poised slightly left. Focus on a compact cross to sustain rotation and momentum, avoiding any backward inclination.

Count 3 (Quick):
Step forward diagonally onto the right foot with a small stride, facing diagonal wall, turning a further 1/8 right with no sway and staying on the toe. Position this step between the lady’s feet, lowering slightly into the knee while preparing to rise into the lock, akin to a tipple chassé action. Sustain body flight toward diagonal wall, keeping your right side gently extended and frame resilient to guide the lady’s rotation. Keep this step modest to maintain balance and connection, ensuring no loss of drive.

Count 4 (Quick):
Step diagonally forward onto the left foot with left side leading, facing diagonal wall, rising fully with no sway. Move along the line of dance with sustained energy, using CBM subtly to prepare for the cross, while keeping hips forward and spine tall. Extend your left side elegantly, ensuring head weight remains right and frame supports the lady’s sway. Move decisively but smoothly, avoiding any jerking in the shoulders.

Count 5 (Quick):
Cross your right foot neatly behind the left foot, rising with no sway, maintaining alignment toward diagonal wall. Control the rotation from your core, ensuring feet close tightly without displacing your upper body. Keep your frame symmetrical and head steady, allowing the lady space to complete her lock. Prioritize foot precision over size to preserve poise and timing.

Count 6 (Slow):
Step diagonally forward onto the left foot, lowering to heel-toe by the end of the count with no sway. Complete the figure with controlled forward progression, settling your weight fully with soft knees. Sustain elegant body lines, gently closing the right side to return to a neutral position. Lower smoothly to prepare for the next figure, maintaining consistent contact with your partner.

Commence in Closed Position,

Count 1 (Slow):
Step back onto the left foot in CBMP, backing diagonal center, using toe footwork while initiating a right turn with CBM and no sway. Rise slightly at the end, keeping your center tilted toward the man and right side connected without breaking at the hip. Extend your left side gracefully, ensuring head weight remains left and frame responsive. Avoid dropping your left shoulder during the rise to prevent imbalance.

Count 2 (Quick):
Cross your right foot snugly in front of the left foot, turning 1/8 right to back line of dance, rising onto the toe with pronounced left sway. Rotate fully from your core, keeping the heel lightly in contact initially, then lifting into the rise with flexed knees. Maintain a strong left-side stretch, with head sharply left and frame yielding to the man’s lead. Keep the cross compact and centered, avoiding any backward lean.

Count 3 (Quick):
Step back and slightly to the side onto the left foot, backing diagonal wall, turning a further 1/8 right with no sway and rising. Move with controlled power, keeping your upper body forward of your feet and right side stretched to support rotation. Sustain torque through your torso, head firmly left, and frame engaged to match the man’s sway. Prevent “tracking back” by driving through your standing leg.

Count 4 (Quick):
Step diagonally back onto the right foot with right side leading, backing diagonal wall, rising fully with no sway. Travel decisively down the line of dance, using subtle CBM to facilitate the lock. Extend your right side fluidly, keeping hips under shoulders and head weight left. Maintain momentum to avoid slowing the locking action.

Count 5 (Quick):
Cross your left foot securely in front of the right foot, rising with no sway. Close feet tightly with controlled rotation, keeping your spine upright and frame connected. Focus on elegant body lines, ensuring head position remains steady and left side lifted. Avoid “sticking” the hip out to connect; rotate from the core instead.

Count 6 (Slow):
Step diagonally back onto the right foot, lowering to heel-toe by the end with no sway. Settle weight completely with soft knees, preparing for the next figure. Sustain a gentle right-side stretch, returning to neutral alignment. Lower with control to ensure seamless transition.

Core Points

• Begin in CBMP outside partner with CBM, ensuring centered weight transfer and no lateral tracking.
• Execute precise foot crosses (behind for man, front for lady) with compact steps to maintain rotation and balance.
• Use gradual rise from count 1 (peak on count 2) and controlled lower on count 6, synchronizing with knee flexibility.
• Turn totals 1/4 right over counts 1–3, with alignment progressing smoothly from diagonal center to diagonal wall.
• Keep steps 3 (man) and 4 (lady) small and placed between partner’s feet to preserve connection.

Advanced Elements

• Sway is distinct only on count 2 (right for man, left for lady), flowing from spine rotation without tilting.
• Maintain resilient frame and matched body flight to enable harmonious rotation and momentum.
• Lady should Emphasize left-side stretch and head weight left during rotation for elegant line continuity.
• Musicality: Drive energy through quick counts to embody Quickstep’s buoyant character.

Commenced Backing LOD

Ready to move DC

For a more detailed explanation of terms and abbreviations, see the Glossary.

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”.