Lock (waltz)

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

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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 (12 beat) Right foot back Backing diagonal wall Toe
& (12 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 (12 beat) Left foot diagonally forward Facing diagonal wall Toe
& (12 beat) Right foot crosses behind left foot Facing diagonal wall Toe
3 Left foot diagonally forward Facing diagonal wall Toe – heel

Forward lock

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The forward lock is the same figure as the back lock, only with reversed roles between leader and follower.[3]

Turning lock

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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 (12 beat) Right foot back, right side leading Backing diagonal center Toe
& (12 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 14 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 (12 beat) Left foot forward, left side leading Facing diagonal center Toe
& (12 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 14 between 2 and 3, body turns less Toe – heel
1 Left foot back in CBMP Backing diagonal wall Toe

Turning lock to right

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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 (12 beat) Right foot back right side leading Backing line of dance Toe
& (12 beat) Left foot crosses loosely in front of right foot Facing center 14 to right between 1 and "&" Toe
2 Right foot to side and slightly forward, small step, between partner's feet Facing diagonal center 18 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 (12 beat) Left foot forward, left side leading Facing line of dance Toe
& (12 beat) Right foot crosses loosely behind left foot Backing center 14 to right between 1 and "&" Toe
2 Left foot to side and slightly back Backing diagonal center 18 between "&" and 2 Toe
3 Right foot to side in PP, having brushed towards left foot Pointing to center, moving diagonal center 38 between 2 and 3, body turns less Toe – heel

References

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  1. ^ DanceCentral.info
  2. ^ a b The Ballroom Technique; Moore, Alex (2006). Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing ASIN: B000PH46KI.
  3. ^ BallroomDancers.com
  4. ^ BallroomIndex.weebly.com
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