Natural Twist Turn

The Foxtrot Natural Twist Turn is a Gold 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.

Natural Twist Turn with Hover Feather Ending

Leader

1. S: RF fwd | Facing LOD | HT | Continue to turn R | Sway(S) | CBM | - 

   • No upward swing (rise) on first 3 steps.

2. Q (1/2): LF to side | Backing DC | TH | 3/8 between steps 1-2 | Sway(R) |  -

3. & (1/2): RF crosses behind LF slightly back | Backing LOD | T  | 1/8 between 2-3 | Sway(R) | -

4. Q: Twist on both feet.  | Facing DC | Twist on T of RF and H of LF with feet flat. End with weight on RF | 3/8 on steps 4-5. Body turns slightly more. | Sway(S) 

5. S: End as in Heel Pull | Facing DC | T of RF with pressure on IE of T of LF | Sway(L) | Rise on 5. Body overturns on step 5.

6. Q: LF diag fwd preparing to step OP L side leading | Facing DC | T | - | Sway(L) 

   • Complete figure with a Hover Feather

7. Q: RF fwd in CBMP, OP | Facing DC | TH | - | Sway(S) 

8. S: LF fwd | Facing DC | H | - | Sway(S) | CBM 

Follower

1. S: LF back | Backing LOD | TH | Sway(S) | CBM | Continue to turn R

   • No upward swing (rise) on first 3 steps.

   • Head can keep left during the whole figure. Don't go back to straight position. Keep very left, more extended back during Weave.

   • Connect L shoulder down, Feel partner on the right side.

   • Styling option: start with head to L and by end of Q&Q, head shape to R.

2. Q (1/2): RF closes to LF (Heel Turn) | Backing LOD | HT | Sway(L) | 1/2 between 1-2

   • Heel turn. Positive R side stretch. 

   • (Man is in an awkward leg position.  Man will be stationary. Lady can't step too big.)

3. & (1/2): LF fwd, preparing to step OP, L side leading | Facing almost DW | T | Sway(L) | -

   • A series of T steps. Keep compact steps, soft relaxed knees and ankles. It's very cushioned actions. Even though it's on Toe, do not stand straight tall.  

   • R side connected to partner.

4. Q: RF fwd in CBMP, OP | Facing DW | T | Sway(S) | CBM | 1/8 between 2-4

   • Don't hesitate to place the RF. Continuous movement, no hold.

   • Head changed shape to R

5. S: LF to side, RF brushes to LF | Backing DC | T and IE of T of RF | Sway(R) | 1/4 between 4-5

   • Don't be hesitant to place the foot . First, place LF, finish the shape to R (L side very stretched, feel like sitting on L leg, compress, and then change shape) and 2nd part (&), change head shape to L (stretch R side) and compress into L knee.

   • RF will brush, before pushing off on L leg.

   • Head styling: starting with head shaped to R, when finishing the S, head is shaped to L.

6. Q: RF diag back, R side leading | BDC | TH | Sway(R)

   • This is a Hover Feather ending.

7. Q: LF back in CBMP | BDC | TH | Sway(S) 

8. S: RF back | BDC | T | Sway(S) | CBM

Natural Twist Turn with Natural Weave Ending

Leader

1. S: RF fwd | Facing LOD | HT | Continue to turn R | Sway(S) | CBM | - 

   • No upward swing (rise) on first 3 steps.

2. Q (1/2): LF to side | Backing DC | TH | 3/8 between steps 1-2 | Sway(R) | -

3. & (1/2): RF crosses behind LF slightly back | Backing LOD | T | 1/8 between 2-3 | Sway(R) | -

4. Q (and with next count S)

5. S: (With previous count Q) Twist on both feet. Ending with RF fwd and slightly to the side | Facing LOD 

   • No sway on S.

6. Q: LF to side and slightly back | Backing almost DC

7. QQQQQS: Continue with 3-8 of Natural Weave

Follower

1. S: LF back | Backing LOD | TH | Sway(S) | CBM | Continue to turn R

   • No upward swing (rise) on first 3 steps. Keep head extended very left during the twist.

2. Q (1/2): RF closes to LF (Heel Turn) | Backing LOD | HT | Sway(L) | 1/2 between 1-2

3. & (1/2): LF fwd, preparing to step OP, L side leading | Facing almost DW | T | Sway(L) | -

4. Q: RF fwd in CBMP, OP | Facing DW | T | Sway(S) | CBM | 1/8 between 2-4

5. S: LF to side and slightly back | Backing LOD | T  | turning R

   • No Sway, LF swivels, knee and ankle relaxed. The foot ends in a slightly back position (after swiveling). 

6. Q: RF diag. fwd | Facing DC | T 

   • R shoulder goes down. Swinging side (L) is not the driving side, R side is driving side.

7. QQQQQS: Continue with 3-8 of Natural Weave | Finish BDW | T T T TH TH  

   • Head keep very left. Don't go back to "safe" straight position. Extend head even more left back during Weave. Send ribs to Man.

Note:

1. • Lady optional styling: head could change to R during Weave. 

Natural Twist Turn with Closed Impetus And Feather Finish Ending

Leader

1. SQ&QQ: As for Natural Twist Turn 

2. Q: LF to side and slightly back | Backing DC against LOD

3. SQQS: RF back into Feather Finish

Follower

1. SQ&QQ: As for Natural Twist Turn

   • Last Q: T, RF brush, small step, then bring stomach muscle back, brush RF to LF before stepping out. 

   • Lady needs to monitor where Man's body is, where his center is.

2. Q: RF diag fwd having brushed to LF | Facing DC against LOD | TH

   • Need to have own individual balance.

   • L shoulder forward with RF fwd, opposite side of body is working with moving leg..

3. SQQS: LF fwd into Feather Finish | Ending BDC | HT TH TH 

   • Dissolve sway, use range of motion, taking head, spine to LF, Swing, turn feet underneath body.

   • Keep shoulders quiet.  Arms belong to partner at all times (especially when going backward.)

Natural Twist Turn with Open Impetus Ending

Leader

1. SQ&QQ: As for Natural Twist Turn

   • Last Q: LF to side, but body is not traveling to side, flat. "side" is the finishing position. Think about stepping forward and finish to side.

   • Do not step too big. 

2. Q: LF diag fwd in PP L side leading | Pointing DC. body facing LOD | TH

   • Turn feet under waist, keep body with partner.

3. SQQS: RF fwd in PP and CBMP | Pointing DC. body facing LOD

   • Feather finish

Follower

1. SQ&QQ: As for Natural Twist Turn

   • Last Q: T, RF will brush LF

2. Q: RF to side in PP | Pointing to center, moving DC | TH

   • This is the Open Impetus.

3. SQQS: LF fwd and across in PP and CBMP | Pointing to center, moving DC

   • Feather finish.

Preceding Figures

1. Closed Telemark

2. Hover Telemark

3. Three Step

Following Figures

1. Three Step

2. Reverse Turn (just Reverse Turn with Feather finish, or 1-4 Reverse Turn check and Basic Weave)

3. Change Of Direction

4. Closed Telemark

5. Open Telemark and Feather Ending

6. Open Telemark, Natural Turn, Outside Swivel and Feather Ending

7. Hover Telemark

8. Reverse Wave

9. Top Spin (check back after step 3 of feather finish)

10. Outside Swivel (check back after step 3 of Feather Step)

11. Fallaway Reverse and Slip Pivot

12. Bounce Fallaway with Weave Ending

13. Natural Weave (after step 5, continue with 3-8 of Natural Weave)

14. Closed Impetus and Feather Finish (after step 5, continue with 3-7 Closed Impetus and Feather Finish)

15. Open Impetus (ater step 5, continue with 3-4 of Open Impetus)