Beautiful ballroom Dancing

Commence in Closed Position,

• Count 1 (S): Step forward onto the right foot, heel leading, straight down line of dance, initiating a right turn with strong contra body movement. Commence rising slightly at the end of the count, keeping body weight centered and frame stable. Maintain neutral sway, ensuring the upper body leads the turn without leaning excessively. Focus on a smooth, unhurried forward step to establish balance and connection before the turn intensifies.
• Count 2 (Q): Swing the left foot diagonally forward and slightly to the side, landing on the toe across line of dance, turning a quarter turn to the right between steps 1 and 2. Apply strong right sway, keeping the body lifted and continuing the rise initiated on count 1. Ensure the frame remains firm but supple, with the head held naturally over the spine, looking towards the direction of travel. Use the sway to control the turn and maintain a powerful connection with your partner through the frame.
• Count 3 (Q): Close the right foot smoothly to the left foot without weight, then transfer weight onto the right foot, toe-heel, turning a further eighth turn to the right between steps 2 and 3, backing line of dance. Maintain right sway and the body elevation, lowering smoothly onto the whole foot at the very end of the count. Keep the head position steady and frame connection consistent, allowing the body rotation to complete naturally. Control the closure precisely to avoid jerking your partner and prepare the body for the pivotal step.
• Count 4 (S): Step back onto the left foot, toe-heel-toe, along line of dance, executing a strong half turn pivot to the right on this foot, finishing facing line of dance. Apply contra body movement and maintain neutral sway; avoid leaning forward or collapsing the frame. Keep the body upright and centered over the pivoting foot, ensuring the right side remains forward to lead the lady. Pivot smoothly on the ball of the foot without dragging, maintaining a strong core to support your partner.
• Count 5 (S): Step forward immediately onto the right foot, heel leading, in contra body movement position, straight down line of dance, continuing the right turn. Initiate rise slightly at the end of the count, keeping the body moving forward with neutral sway. Maintain a firm frame and consistent head position, looking along line of dance, ensuring the forward step is directly towards the lady without deviation. Step decisively forward to lead the lady’s backward step and sustain the figure’s momentum.
• Count 6 (S): Step side and slightly back onto the left foot, toe, backing diagonal centre, turning three eighths to the right between steps 5 and 6. Apply strong right sway and continue rising, keeping the body flight moving diagonally back. Turn the body fully within this step, ensuring the right side leads strongly and the frame remains connected, with the head turning slightly to the right to follow the body rotation. Use the sway and body rotation to drive the turn efficiently, keeping the frame unified.
• Count 7 (S): Step back onto the right foot, toe-heel, along line of dance, right side leading, turning a further eighth turn to the right between steps 6 and 7, backing line of dance. Maintain right sway and the elevated position, lowering smoothly onto the whole foot at the end of the count. Keep the upper body posture tall and frame connection solid, allowing the head to settle naturally facing diagonal wall. Control the lowering precisely to prepare for the running finish, ensuring stability.
• Count 8 (Q): Step back onto the left foot, toe, in contra body movement position, along line of dance, continuing the right turn and preparing to step outside partner. Commence rise at the end of the count, maintaining neutral sway. Keep the frame resilient and the body moving smoothly backwards, ensuring the step is taken directly back along line of dance without veering. Step back decisively with controlled power to lead the lady forward into the outside partner position.
• Count 9 (Q): Swing the right foot forward and slightly across the body, landing to the side and slightly forward on the toe, facing diagonal centre, turning a quarter turn to the right between steps 8 and 9. Apply left sway and continue rising. Keep the frame expansive, head turning left to face the new direction, ensuring the step flows smoothly from the previous action. Allow the leg to swing freely from the hip for a graceful side step.
• Count 10 (S): Step forward onto the left foot, heel leading, down diagonal centre, left side leading, body turning slightly right to face diagonal centre. Maintain left sway and the elevated position, lowering smoothly onto the whole foot at the end of the count. Keep the frame connected and head position consistent, looking towards diagonal centre. Step forward with purpose, settling smoothly to conclude the figure with balance and poise.

Commence in Closed Position,

• Count 1 (S): Step back onto the left foot, toe-heel, straight down line of dance, initiating a right turn with contra body movement. Commence rising slightly at the end of the count (no foot rise), keeping weight centered and frame responsive. Maintain neutral sway, using contra body movement to subtly open the right side, creating space for the man to pass. Keep the step smooth and flowing, avoiding any staccato movements, and feel the man’s lead for the turn.
• Count 2 (Q): Step side and slightly forward onto the right foot, toe, pointing towards line of dance, turning three eighths to the right between steps 1 and 2, body turning slightly less. Apply left sway and continue rising. Extend the head strongly to the left, keeping the frame connected and ensuring the right leg tracks the man’s path to maintain partnership closeness. Maintain a strong left side stretch and head extension to create beautiful lines and connection.
• Count 3 (Q): Close the left foot smoothly to the right foot without weight, then transfer weight onto the left foot, toe-heel, allowing the body to complete the turn to face line of dance. Maintain left sway and the elevated position, lowering smoothly onto the whole foot at the end of the count. Keep the upper body posture tall, avoiding breaking at the waist, and settle the weight fully. Close the feet precisely and settle the weight to prepare the legs for the pivotal action.
• Count 4 (S): Step forward onto the right foot, heel-toe, along line of dance, executing a strong half turn pivot to the right on this foot, finishing backing line of dance. Apply contra body movement and maintain neutral sway; keep the head strongly to the left, ensuring it stays on the man’s right side and doesn’t encroach into his space. Keep the right side “positive” – stretched forward and engaged – throughout the pivot, leaving the left leg extended back to create space. Pivot smoothly on the ball of the foot, maintaining a strong, stretched right side and stable head position.
• Count 5 (S): Step back and slightly to the side onto the left foot, toe-heel, along line of dance, continuing the right turn. Initiate rise at the end of the count (no foot rise), maintaining neutral sway. Step back along the path created by the extended left leg, keeping the frame responsive and body flight moving diagonally back. Step back decisively along the established line, feeling the curve of the movement.
• Count 6 (S): Draw the right foot back towards the left foot, executing a heel turn (weight transfer from toe to heel of right foot), turning half turn to the right between steps 5 and 6, facing line of dance. Apply left sway and continue rising; the man may slightly lift your right side to facilitate the turn. Maintain an extreme left head extension, sending the middle of the body forward towards the man while turning, enhancing the connection and line. Perform the heel turn smoothly and continuously, keeping the body rotation controlled and connected.
• Count 7 (S): Step forward strongly onto the left foot, toe-heel, along line of dance, left side leading, preparing to step outside partner. Maintain left sway and the elevated position, lowering smoothly onto the whole foot at the end of the count. Push powerfully from the standing right leg, sending the middle body and left side forward and around the man, keeping the body rotated strongly to the right with head extended left. Focus on projecting the body forward and around the man to maintain connection and create dynamic movement.
• Count 8 (Q): Step forward onto the right foot, heel leading, in contra body movement position, outside partner, down line of dance, commencing a right turn. Commence rise at the end of the count, maintaining neutral sway. Keep the left side stretched up and around the man, ensuring the whole right side remains connected; a styling option is to turn the head to the right while keeping the body left. Step strongly forward outside partner, maintaining body contact and avoiding collapsing the left side.
• Count 9 (Q): Step side onto the left foot, toe, backing centre of the new alignment, turning a quarter turn to the right between steps 8 and 9. Apply right sway and continue rising. Swing the left leg forward initially, then swivel it to land as a side step; if head was turned right, commit fully to the shaping. Keep the frame expansive and body moving fluidly with the turn. Allow the leg to swing freely for a graceful, flowing side step.
• Count 10 (S): Step back onto the right foot, toe-heel, along the new diagonal centre, right side leading, turning an eighth turn to the right between steps 9 and 10, body turning slightly more, finishing backing diagonal centre. Maintain right sway and the elevated position, lowering smoothly onto the whole foot at the end of the count. Keep the head at a natural distance from the man, maintaining the frontal curve and left side position; ensure the right side remains “positive” (forward). Settle smoothly onto the supporting leg, maintaining poise and connection for the next figure.

Core Points

• Precise Pivots: Execute the half-turn pivots (Man step 4, Lady step 4) smoothly on the ball of the foot with an upright posture, avoiding leaning or sticking out the seat.
• Clean Heel Turn: The Lady’s heel turn on step 6 must be controlled and continuous, drawing the heel slowly without snapping the feet together, facilitated by the man’s lead.
• Footwork Clarity: Maintain distinct heel leads on forward steps and toe-heel or toe-heel-toe actions on backward steps, ensuring clean foot articulation.
• Contra Body Movement: Apply strong contra body movement on turning steps (especially Man steps 1, 4, 5, 8; Lady steps 1, 4, 8) to initiate and control rotation effectively.
• Rise & Fall Timing: Commence rise at the end of count 1 (slight), continue rising through counts 2-3/5-7, and lower smoothly at the end of counts 3, 7, and 10.

Advanced Elements

• Sway Coordination: Apply strong sway (R for Man/L for Lady on steps 2-3/6-7; L for Man/R for Lady on steps 9-10) to counteract centrifugal force and create beautiful, balanced lines. Neutral sway is used on pivotal and direct forward/backward steps.
• Frame Integrity: Maintain a firm, yet flexible frame throughout, especially during pivots and the heel turn, to provide clear connection and support.
• Head Position & Extension: The Lady’s strong left head extension (especially steps 2-7) is crucial for line, balance, and connection; maintain it consistently unless stylistically turning the head right during the running finish.
• Body Flight & Flow: Focus on continuous movement and body flight, particularly through the running finish (steps 8-10), avoiding any settling or stopping between steps.
• Musicality: Dance the standard SQQ timing for the running finish (steps 8-10), ensuring the steps match the quick, flowing character of the Quickstep music.

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”.