Forward Lock

Quickstep Forward Lock

The Quickstep Forward Lock is a Newcomer level figure. This online reference gives a detailed description of the dance steps, including timing, footwork, alignment, and movement; steps diagram; a list of figures that may precede or follow the pattern; and videos providing instruction and demonstration of the figure, techniques and practice routines that include it.

Leader

  1. S: RF fwd in CBMP, OP | FDW | HT | -- | -- | slight CBM | start to rise e/o 1

    • Travels DW, rotate the body, body should be facing between wall and DW.

    • Do not lean on Lady or drop R shoulder. keep R shoulder flat.

  2. Q: LF diag fwd | FDW | T | -- | -- | cont to rise on 2 and 3

    • Keep feet parallel FDW

  3. Q: RF cross behind LF | FDW | T | -- | -- | --

    • Lock is lead by moving more toward LOD relative to step 2

  4. S: LF diag fwd | FDW | TH | -- | -- | Up, lower e/o 4

    • next step, starts CBMP

Follower

For follower, this is Back Lock step, which is a Bronze figure.

  1. S: LF back in CBMP | BDW | TH | -- | -- | slight CBM | start to rise e/o 1, NFR

    • Step CBMP, on or across the line, additional shoulder rotation to R.

  2. Q: RF back | BDW | T | -- | -- | cont to rise on 2 and 3

    • More rotation to partner. Hip is quite rotated to R, swinging diagonally back and up.

    • Keep feet parallel in the direction of travel, toe not turning in or out.

    • Lady must release the toe of LF from floor as it starts to move back to become step 3. (Toe Release) Keep Lady grounded to the floor.

  3. Q: LF crosses in front of RF | BDW | T | -- | -- | --

    • Lock moves straight back, along one direction.

    • Taking weight to the center, but still poised forward, not back weighted.

  4. S: RF diag back | BDW | TH | -- | -- | Up, lower e/o 4

    • Gauge Man's step size (step tends to be too small, need to be bigger), get onto foot, knee (circular movement), roll the feet, smooth, push to move to next step.

    • When pushing to step next step, it almost feels like left side is even more forward, hip is more rotated to R.

    • Don't stop, the movement is continuous into next step.

    • LF drag on L toe, collect close to RF before stepping back out again,

Notes

  • Point the feet in the direction of movement. That is, when locking, both the leader's feet should be pointing DW, and both the follower's feet should be BDW.

  • Lock step has zero turns, more rotation for side leads.

Preceding Figures

  1. Closed Telemark

  2. Cross Chasse

  3. Fish Tail

  4. Forward Lock

  5. Four Quick Run

  6. Natural Turn

  7. Progressive Chasse

  8. Running Finish

  9. Running Right Turn

  10. Tipsy To R

  11. V6

  12. Zig-Zag, Back Lock And Running Finish

Following Figures

  1. Forward Lock

  2. Natural Turn And Back Lock

  3. Natural Pivot Turn

  4. Natural Spin Turn

  5. Natural Turn With Hesitation

  6. Natural Turn

  7. Quick Open Reverse

  8. Fish Tail

  9. Four Quick Run (at corner, LF back with Lady OP, TH, S into Four Quick Run)

  10. V6 (2-12, at corner, LF back with Lady OP, TH, S into 2-12 V6)

  11. Tipsy To L (then into 2-12 V6 DC or 2-5 Back Lock down LOD.)

  12. Six Quick Run (at corner, LF back with Lady OP, TH, S into Six Quick Run)