Monday, February 07, 2011

Quickstep - 1-3 Natural and Back Lock

If you have not already looked at the basic Lock Step in Quickstep, I recommend you practice that before this sequence.

This step essentially takes the dancing couple into a lock step in the reverse direction to what they are each usually moving (the Lead is going backwards while the Follow is moving forwards) and in order to get them in that position, we are using the first three steps of a Natural Turn.


Leaders'/Men's Footwork


Starting facing Diagonal Wall, you step forward on your Right foot, side onto your Left foot, and together (Right foot to Left) to end up backing Line of Dance. (Slow, Quick, Quick)


Then begin the Back Lock by stepping back once onto your Left foot, backwards again onto your Right foot, Cross your Left foot in front of the Right, and then backwards again with your Left foot. (Slow, Quick, Quick, Slow)


Followers'/Lady's Footwork


Backing Diagonal Wall, take your first step backwards on your Left foot. Step side onto your Right foot, and then bring your Left foot together with the Right foot. (Slow, Quick, Quick)


You are then facing Line of Dance, and begin the lock step by stepping forward on your Right foot, another step forward on your Left foot, then cross your Right foot behind your Left foot, and one more step forward with the Left. (Slow, Quick, Quick, Slow)



Notes for both the Leader and the Follower:

- As with the "normal" lock step, be careful not to have the Lady end up under the Man's armpit. You ARE slightly outside each other, as it would be impossible to be on the same foot track, but remember you are working together... not running a race. It doesn't matter who gets there first!

2 comments:

  1. The way to avoid the lady being stuck under the man's arm is for the man to turn his body (in one piece from hips up to shoulders and arms) to the right, using the spine as the axle. The lady turns her body the same amount, led by the man.

    This twist is called contra-body-movement position - ie the body and the movement are in different directions - the body is turned away from the direction of movement.

    Bryan

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  2. Absolutely, Bryan. CBMP is defined here: http://www.ballroomdancething.com/2009/06/glossary-contra-body-movement-position.html (A resource which was cited on a Wikipedia page on the subject - much to my amusement!)

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