Lock (waltz)

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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]

Contents

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)
BeatFoot positionAlignmentAmount of turnFootwork
1Left foot back in contra body movement position (CBMP)Backing diagonal wall Toe – heel
2 (12 beat)Right foot backBacking diagonal wallToe
& (12 beat)Left foot crosses in front of right footBacking diagonal wallToe
3Right foot diagonally backBacking diagonal wallToe – heel
Follower (lady)
BeatFoot positionAlignmentAmount of turnFootwork
1Right foot forward in CBMP, outside partner (OP)Facing diagonal wall Heel – toe
2 (12 beat)Left foot diagonally forwardFacing diagonal wallToe
& (12 beat)Right foot crosses behind left footFacing diagonal wallToe
3Left foot diagonally forwardFacing diagonal wallToe – 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)
BeatFoot positionAlignmentAmount of turnFootwork
1 (12 beat)Right foot back, right side leadingBacking diagonal center Toe
& (12 beat)Left foot crosses in front of right footBacking diagonal centerToe
2Right foot back and slightly rightBacking diagonal centerStart to turn leftToe
3Left foot to side and slightly forwardPointing diagonal wall14 between 2 and 3, body turns lessToe – heel
1Right foot forward in CBMP, OP Facing diagonal wallHeel
Follower (lady)
BeatFoot positionAlignmentAmount of turnFootwork
1 (12 beat)Left foot forward, left side leadingFacing diagonal center Toe
& (12 beat)Right foot crosses behind left footFacing diagonal centerToe
2Left foot forward and slightly leftFacing diagonal centerStart to turn leftToe
3Right foot to side and slightly backBacking diagonal wall14 between 2 and 3, body turns lessToe – heel
1Left foot back in CBMP Backing diagonal wallToe

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)
BeatFoot positionAlignmentAmount of turnFootwork
1 (12 beat)Right foot back right side leadingBacking line of dance Toe
& (12 beat)Left foot crosses loosely in front of right footFacing center14 to right between 1 and "&"Toe
2Right foot to side and slightly forward, small step, between partner's feetFacing diagonal center18 between "&" and 2Toe
3Left foot diagonal forward, left side leading in promenade position (PP)Pointing diagonal center, body facing line of danceSlight body turn to rightToe – heel
Follower (lady)
BeatFoot positionAlignmentAmount of turnFootwork
1 (12 beat)Left foot forward, left side leadingFacing line of dance Toe
& (12 beat)Right foot crosses loosely behind left footBacking center14 to right between 1 and "&"Toe
2Left foot to side and slightly backBacking diagonal center18 between "&" and 2Toe
3Right foot to side in PP, having brushed towards left footPointing to center, moving diagonal center38 between 2 and 3, body turns lessToe – heel

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