Running Right Turn
QuickStep Running Right Turn
The QuickStep Running Right Turn is a Silver 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.
Think of Running Right Turn as a couple of figures strung together: Natural Pivot, Half Natural Turn (Heel Turn for Lady), Running Finish (OP)
Leader
S: RF fwd | FDW | HT | Start to turn R | Sway(S) | CBM | start to rise e/o 1
Step straight forward, do not veer to right,
Q: LF side | BDC | T | 1/4 to R between 1-2 | Sway(R) | up
Q: RF closes to LF | BLOD, down LOD, toe turned in | TH | 1/8 to R between 2-3 | Sway(R) | up, lower e/o 3
Settle at end.
S: LF back | FLOD | THT | 1/2 to R on 4 (pivot) | Sway(S) | CBM | --
(Pivot): do not lean forward and stick butt out.
S: RF fwd in CBMP | facing LOD | HT |continue to turn | Sway(S) | CBM | rise e/o 5
Man step straight fwd
S: LF to side | BDC | T | 3/8 btwn 5-6 | Sway(R) | up
Man does not have to complete turn with his body on this step, the turn completes through next step
S: RF back R side leading | BLOD | TH | 1/8 btwn 6-7 | Sway(R) | up, lower e/o 7
Body completes turn
Q: LF back in CBMP | BLOD | T | continue to turn | Sway(S) | CBM | rise e/o 8
Running fish.
Q: RF to side and slightly fwd | Facing new LOD | T | 1/4 btwn 8-9 | Sway(L) | up
S: LF fwd, preparing to step OP L side leading | LOD | TH | - | Sway(L) | up, lower e/o 10
S: RF fwd in CBMP, OP | LOD | H | - | Sway(S) | CBM | --
Follower
S: LF back | BDW | TH | Start to turn R | Sway(S) | CBM | start to rise e/o 1, NFR
Don't be "steppy" - all steps are smooth flowing.
Slightly to side to give Man room to step. Use CBM to open door for Man to pass.
Q: RF to side | Pointing LOD | T | 3/8 to R between 1-2, body turns less | Sway(L) | up
R leg track Man's R leg. Otherwise Lady will gap with Man.
Extend head to L.
Q: LF closes to RF | Facing LOD | TH | body completes turn | Sway(L) | up, lower e/o 3
Feet together, settle and prep legs. Do not break at hip or stick butt out.
S: RF fwd | LOD | HTH | 1/2 to R on 4 (pivot) | Sway(S) | CBM | --
Pivot on RF.
Lady can keep head strongly to the left; be careful not to bring head into Man's space.
Or, Lady can turn her head to right (which, when done right is preferable, will help Man with the pivot.).
Head should stay on Man's right side, do not let head get in front of Man if turning head to right.
When shaping head to right, it's both a slight "dip" to right, as well as rotating to the right at the same time.
Keep L leg where it is, do not close up with R leg after pivot, need to leave room for Man. Man is tracking the leg.
During the pivot and heel turn, keep right side "positive" (in front of body, stretched)
S: LF back | BLOD | TH | continue to turn | Sway(S) | CBM | rise e/o 5, NFR
L leg should have been been left where it was during pivot, just step back.
Curve.
S: RF closes to LF (Heel Turn) | facing LOD | HT | 1/2 btwn 5-6 | Sway(L) | up
Heel turn. Draw in R heel slowly, R side is slightly raised for a quick moment. (Man lifting side for heel turn.) Do not close both feet too fast.
Leave head, head stretched very left, send middle forward to Man, turn body, so head is stretched to left even more. hip more forward. which makes head extension bigger. Then stay connected with Man.
S: LF fwd preparing to step OP, L side leading | facing LOD | TH | - | Sway(L) | up, lower e/o 7
At beginning of this step, R side is still positive till getting ready for next step (RF OP).
Rise on toes and sending middle part of body and left side strongly forward and around Man (to keep connection with Man). LF forward, push from standing R leg. Keep body rotating, very twisted to R, head stretched.
It appears to have big extension, when in fact it's just sending middle body forward. L toe keep pressure on floor to keep balance.
Q: RF fwd in CBMP, OP | facing LOD | HT | starts to turn | Sway(S) | CBM | rise e/o 8
This timing is QQS. Running Finish is also often danced as SQQ.
SQQ: Running Finish, head turned to R. Don't get too close to Man, body to Man, but extend to R. Ending weight on RF, get into R knee.
RF strong forward step. Keep left side up and around Man. Do not break at the hip. Make sure the whole R side including middle of body is still connected with Man, then stretch as much as possible.
Styling option: head turn to right, but body still needs to stay to left, only turn head
Q: LF to side | BDC of new LOD | T | 1/8 btwn 8-9 | Sway(R) | up
Point LF forward, big step, swing L leg out ahead of body, then swivel LF (it becomes a side step).
Styling option: turn head to R (if shaping to R, commit to it, don't do it half way.)
S: RF back, R side leading | BLOD | TH | 1/8 btwn 9-10 | Sway(R) | up, lower e/o 10
Ending weight on RF, get into R knee. Don't fall back to next step.
Keep head distance from Man, don't close up head space with Man, keep frontal curve back. Stay left.
At end of the step, R side is positive.
S: LF back in CBMP | BLOD | T | - | Sway(S) | CBM | --
e.g followed by a Natural Turn. If head had turned to right earlier in the Running Finish, keep head there, turn body to right, which will return head to normal left position. Keep it smooth.
Notes:
Other alignments:
Across corner: 3/8 on Pivot, 1/2 on Natural Turn, 3/8 on Running Finish.
Two corners: 3/8 on Pivot, 3/8 on Natural Turn, 1/4 on Running Finish
Side of room: 1/2 on pivot, 1/2 on Natural Turn, 3/8 on Running Finish
When 3/8 is made on Running Finish, using "pointing" instead of "facing" at step 9 for Man.
Alternative timing SQQ may be used on steps 5-7, in which case, SQQS will be used on the Running Finish.
Preceding Figures
Following Figures
Fish Tail (normal; or when ended DC)
Quick Open Reverse (when ended DC)
Tipsy To L (Tipsy to L into 2-12 V6 DC or 2-5 Back Lock down LOD)