Reverse Turn

Waltz Reverse Turn

The Waltz Reverse Turn is a Newcomer 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. Count 1: LF fwd | FDC | HT | Stars to turn L | Sway(S) | CBM | Start to rise at end of 1

    • In Reverse turning figures, Man should maintain the frame orientation. The turn is achieved through movement (than position).

  2. Count 2: RF to side | BDW | T | 1/4 btwn 1-2 | Sway(L) | Cont to rise on 2 and 3

    • Track and brush feet. No ronde.

  3. Count 3: LF closes to RF | BLOD | TH | 1/8 btwn 2-3 | Sway(L) | Lower at end of 3

  4. Count 1: RF back | BLOD | TH | Cont to turn L | Sway(S) | CBM | Start to rise e/o 4, NFR

  5. Count 2: LF to side | PDW | T | 3/8 btwn 4-5, body turns less | Sway(R) | Cont to rise on 5 and 6

  6. Count 3: RF closes to LF | FDW | TH | body completes turn | Sway(R) | Lower e/o 6

Follower

  1. Count 1: RF back | BDC | TH | starts to turn L | Sway(S) | CBM | Start to rise e/o 1, NFR

    • Start from perfect balance, lower first, release into L knee and hip, hip rotates, body and drive big, gliding smooth steps, keep pressure on floor. Curve.

    • Then release L leg to prepare next step and make room for Man, but don't step onto LF yet, wait till Man decides how big 2nd step is.

    • At end of 1, RF swivels to L and then pushes off.

    • Keep the head/upper body turning left with counter-balance in the shoulder for stability

  2. Count 2: LF to side | PLOD | T | 3/8 between 1 and 2, body turns less | Sway(R) | Cont to rise on 2 and 3

    • LF really needs to track under body, collect to RF before stepping to side (pushes off RF).

    • Lady is on inside of the turn and will finish the rotation early (which doesn't mean she'll step early).

    • When there is big movement, there is sway to stop the movement, then we need shaping. In Reverse Turn, Lady could turn head to right and be very careful not to get in front of Man.

    • LF to side, extend left side, keep R side to Man, stretch up and leave head, so head effectively turns to R, keep it there, it will create shaping to R.

    • Lady's head turning comes from Man's shaping/sway. When spine shapes/sways to one side, it's comfortable (and looks better) for head to go with the spine and shape/turn. If Man shapes, and Lady's head doesn't turn, Man feels resistance. Shaping is for improved balance and it looks better.

    • Sway: remember to go forward, don't do broken sway which gets Lady in front of Man.

    • Keep shoulder, head position all the same, relative to the spine. Spine sways.

    • This step will appear that left elbow is aiming upward, be careful not to raise shoulder.

    • Stay very left. Show off extension between 2 & 3

  3. Count 3: RF closes to LF | FLOD | TH | body completes turn | Sway(R) | Lower e/o 3

    • Keep foot on floor with pressure.

  4. Count 1: LF fwd | FLOD | HT | Cont to turn L | Sway(S) | CBM | Start to rise e/o 4

    • Really drive, bigger step.

  5. Count 2: RF to side | BW | T | 1/4 between 4 and 5 | Sway(L) | cont to rise on 5 and 6

  6. Count 3: LF closes to RF | BDW | TH | 1/8 between 5 and 6 | Sway(L) | Lower e/o 6

Preceding Figures

  1. Closed Change RF

  2. Closed Impetus

  3. Closed Wing

  4. Double Reverse Spin

  5. Fallaway Reverse And Slip Pivot

  6. Hesitation Change

  7. Natural Spin Turn

  8. Outside Spin

  9. Reverse Pivot

  10. Wing

Following Figures

  1. Drag Hesitation (After normal Reverse Turn, or 4-6 Reverse Turn after Natural Spin Turn or Closed Impetus)

  2. Closed Change LF

  3. Whisk

  4. Double Reverse Spin

  5. Fallaway Reverse And Slip Pivot

  6. Progressive Chasse To R (after 4-6 of Reverse Turn ended DC after undertuned Natural Spin Turn or Closed Impetus)

  7. Basic Weave (after 1-3 of Reverse Turn when is commenced LOD; or after 1-3 of Reverse Turn when ending BLOD near corner, then turn either 1/8, 1/8, 3/8; or 1/4, 1/8, 1/4 on Basic Weave to end DW of new LOD)

  8. Reverse Pivot (after 1-3)

  9. Reverse Corte (after 1-3 Reverse Turn)

  10. Closed Telemark (after 4-6 Reverse Turn ended DC after underturned Natural Spin Turn or Closed Impetus)

  11. Open Telemark (after 4-6 Reverse Turn ended DC after underturned Natural Spin Turn or Closed Impetus)

  12. Contra Check

  13. Left Whisk (after 1-3 Reverse Turn, start Left Whisk with RF back on step 1)

  14. Hover Corte (after 1-3 Reverse Turn)