Dance step
There are several types of lock step in waltz dancing, including International Standard waltz . A "lock step " is when the moving foot approaches to the standing foot and crosses in front of or behind it, creating a "check " position.[ 1]
There are several locking steps in waltz, including: the back lock , which is a Bronze syllabus figure; the turning lock , of the Silver syllabus ; and the turning lock to right , of the Gold syllabus .[ 2]
Back lock
The back lock is a Bronze syllabus step. It is a progressive figure borrowed from quickstep . It is commonly used as the ending to a progressive chassé to right .[ 2]
Leader (man)
Beat
Foot position
Alignment
Amount of turn
Footwork
1
Left foot back in contra body movement position (CBMP)
Backing diagonal wall
Toe – heel
2 (1 ⁄2 beat)
Right foot back
Backing diagonal wall
Toe
& (1 ⁄2 beat)
Left foot crosses in front of right foot
Backing diagonal wall
Toe
3
Right foot diagonally back
Backing diagonal wall
Toe – heel
Follower (lady)
Beat
Foot position
Alignment
Amount of turn
Footwork
1
Right foot forward in CBMP , outside partner (OP)
Facing diagonal wall
Heel – toe
2 (1 ⁄2 beat)
Left foot diagonally forward
Facing diagonal wall
Toe
& (1 ⁄2 beat)
Right foot crosses behind left foot
Facing diagonal wall
Toe
3
Left foot diagonally forward
Facing diagonal wall
Toe – heel
Forward lock
The forward lock is the same figure as the back lock, only with reversed roles between leader and follower.[ 3]
Turning lock
The turning lock is a Silver syllabus step. It transitions from a right turning figure into a left-turning one.
Leader (man)
Beat
Foot position
Alignment
Amount of turn
Footwork
1 (1 ⁄2 beat)
Right foot back, right side leading
Backing diagonal center
Toe
& (1 ⁄2 beat)
Left foot crosses in front of right foot
Backing diagonal center
Toe
2
Right foot back and slightly right
Backing diagonal center
Start to turn left
Toe
3
Left foot to side and slightly forward
Pointing diagonal wall
1 ⁄4 between 2 and 3, body turns less
Toe – heel
1
Right foot forward in CBMP , OP
Facing diagonal wall
Heel
Follower (lady)
Beat
Foot position
Alignment
Amount of turn
Footwork
1 (1 ⁄2 beat)
Left foot forward, left side leading
Facing diagonal center
Toe
& (1 ⁄2 beat)
Right foot crosses behind left foot
Facing diagonal center
Toe
2
Left foot forward and slightly left
Facing diagonal center
Start to turn left
Toe
3
Right foot to side and slightly back
Backing diagonal wall
1 ⁄4 between 2 and 3, body turns less
Toe – heel
1
Left foot back in CBMP
Backing diagonal wall
Toe
Turning lock to right
The turning lock to right is a Gold syllabus step. It was only added to the ISTD syllabus after 1966, due to its increasing popularity.[ 4]
Leader (man)
Beat
Foot position
Alignment
Amount of turn
Footwork
1 (1 ⁄2 beat)
Right foot back right side leading
Backing line of dance
Toe
& (1 ⁄2 beat)
Left foot crosses loosely in front of right foot
Facing center
1 ⁄4 to right between 1 and "&"
Toe
2
Right foot to side and slightly forward, small step, between partner's feet
Facing diagonal center
1 ⁄8 between "&" and 2
Toe
3
Left foot diagonal forward, left side leading in promenade position (PP)
Pointing diagonal center, body facing line of dance
Slight body turn to right
Toe – heel
Follower (lady)
Beat
Foot position
Alignment
Amount of turn
Footwork
1 (1 ⁄2 beat)
Left foot forward, left side leading
Facing line of dance
Toe
& (1 ⁄2 beat)
Right foot crosses loosely behind left foot
Backing center
1 ⁄4 to right between 1 and "&"
Toe
2
Left foot to side and slightly back
Backing diagonal center
1 ⁄8 between "&" and 2
Toe
3
Right foot to side in PP , having brushed towards left foot
Pointing to center, moving diagonal center
3 ⁄8 between 2 and 3, body turns less
Toe – heel
References
External links