Open Impetus

Foxtrot Open Impetus

The Open Impetus 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.

Leader

  1. S: LF back | BLOD | TH | start to turn R | Sway(S) | CBM | --

    • Maintain the sway from previous figure as you lower through CBM, keep the diagonal stretch.

  2. Q: RF closes to LF (Heel Turn) | FDC | HT | 3/8 btwn 1-2 | Sway(L) | rise e/o 2

    • Do not lift the toe off the floor. The ball of the foot needs to stay skimming the floor.

  3. Q: LF diag. fwd in PP, L side leading | Pointing DC, body facing LOD | TH | slight body turn to R | Sway(S) | up, lower e/o 3

    • Change sway to PP, pull across thighs, hips, rib cage, sending head forward, rotate to right to send lady to PP.

    • Finish with body slightly ahead of Lady.

  4. S: RF fwd in PP and CBMP | Pointing DC, body facing LOD | HT | -- | Sway(S) | rise e/o 4

Follower

  1. S: RF fwd | FLOD | HT | start to turn R | Sway(S) | CBM | --

    • Keep traveling forward. Big step.

    • Do not think about turning head position too early. Think about body position staying closed as long as possible.

  2. Q: LF to side | BDC | T | 3/8 btwn 1-2 | Sway(R) | rise e/o 2

    • Do not turn too early, swing left side up (do not drop left shoulder, to be light on Man), stay behind Man.

    • Follow Man's hip, gauge step size, if too big, it can gap and throw Man off. Just big enough to stay behind Man.

    • Allow feet to turn. Pull center back.

  3. Q: RF to side in PP having brushed to LF | Pointing Center, moving DC | TH | 3/8 btwn 2-3, body turns less | Sway(S) | up, lower e/o 3

    • Let head finish the action at the very last. Head turn slowly.

  4. S: LF fwd and across in PP and CBMP | Pointing Center, moving DC | HT | start to turn L | Sway(S) | CBM | start to rise e/o 4

Preceding Figures

  1. Curved Feather to Back Feather

  2. Natural Turn

  3. Natural Twist Turn

  4. Reverse Wave

Following Figures

  1. Feather Step

  2. Weave from PP

  3. Natural Weave (Natural Weave from PP)

  4. Natural Zig-Zag from PP

  5. Curved Feather to Back Feather (starting in PP)