Wrapping up our series on how to do a dance turn, we’re targeting the reverse and natural turns, those smooth and elegant rotations of the smooth/standard arena. Before we get into how to do these dance turns though, what’s the difference between them?
‘Reverse’ VS ‘Natural’
Why are they called ‘reverse’ and ‘natural’? The answer lies in having your partner offset to the right in your ballroom frame. When you make a right, or natural turn, it’s easier for your partner to get past you, because they are already partly out of your way. By contrast, the reverse, or left turn is more likely to result in tangled feet if you're not moving in sync. So natural = easier, and reverse = the reverse of easy!
To make your life difficult, the turns vary slightly where they appear in different dances:
How do I master them?
When learning how to do a dance turn in closed position, the first challenge we face is how to get around our partner. Here’s how:
- Begin the turn on step ONE.
- Rotate from the toe, hip, and shoulder, so your partner feels the turn evenly.
- The forward-stepping partner needs to swing their frame to move their partner out of the way, while traveling forward and through the space they occupied.
- Likewise, the back-stepping partner must allow themselves to be swung just off their partner’s track, but not so far they pull them off-track with them.
- The person stepping forward needs bigger steps, and the person stepping back should take smaller steps, to make it easier to pass.
Practice is ever-important when learning how to do a dance turn better. Start with left and right turning boxes (same footwork as the turns below, but only make a 1/4 turn every three steps) before trying to rotate further.
Putting it all together: The waltz reverse and natural turn
Using the video above as your visual, here’s how to execute the basic reverse and natural turn in slow waltz.
Reverse turn:
- Face the far corner of the room (start near opposite corner). Leader steps forward with LF and begins rotation to the left. Follower steps back with RF and turns with leader.
- Leader passes RF under his body and steps straight forward-ending-side, making a 1/4 turn left with the right toe turned inward. Follower makes a smaller step side and slightly forward with delayed body rotation, LF pointed down the line-of-dance.
- Both close feet, making a 1/8 turn to the left (follower completes body rotation).
- Repeat, with leader stepping using the follower’s steps 1-3, and follower using the leader’s. End facing the near corner (3/4 turn left total).
Natural turn:
- Begin facing the near corner towards the line-of-dance. Dance the first three steps of the progressive step together.
- Leader steps forward with right and begins rotation to the right, follower steps back with left and turns with leader.
- Continue as with the reverse turn 2-4, except with opposite feet and turning rightwards. Leader should end facing the far corner (3/4 turn right total).
- Finish with the second half of a progressive step together.
Want to know how to to MORE dance turns? What turns would you like to know more about? Let me know!
Previous articles in the series:
The Secrets to Making a Perfect Dance Turn
The 5 Elements of a Good Dance Spin
Ballroom Dance Spins: Pivots VS ‘Pivoting Actions’
The Secrets of the Chaine Turn
About the Author
Ian Crewe has been dancing ballroom for almost 20 years, and has a Licentiate in American smooth and rhythm. His passion for dance and his endless seeking for ways to reach new audiences eventually led him to blogging and the World Wide Web. Ian currently teaches ballroom at the Joy of Dance Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Got one question: in Slow Waltz, the movement called Fallaway&Box, what kind of turn is that and how to practice it? Thank you
Hi Lora, pardon the wait. The key turn in the fallaway box is called the slip pivot, and it can be practiced in the same way you practice regular pivots. The only difference is you start a slip pivot from a back step, rather then a forward step. This means your BACK leg is the axis you turn on, and the FRONT foot is held in front of you without weight during the turn. Remember to lock those thighs!