Natural spin turn
The natural spin turn is a ballroom dance step used in the waltz. It is typically used to advance a couple 5⁄4 of a turn down line of dance, although an underturned spin turn is also very useful for turning a corner. The natural spin turn is also considered an intermediary step toward learning pivots.[1]
Technique
The natural spin turn consists of the first half of a natural turn followed by an under-turned pivot.[2][3][4]
- Leader (man)
| Beat | Foot position | Alignment | Amount of turn | Footwork |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Right foot forward | Facing diagonal wall | Begin to turn right | Heel – toe |
| 2 | Left foot side | Backing diagonal center | 1⁄4 between 1 and 2 | Toe |
| 3 | Right foot closes to left foot | Backing line of dance | 1⁄8 between 2 and 3 | Toe – heel |
| 4 | Left foot back | Down line of dance, toe turned in | 1⁄2 to right (pivot) | Toe – heel – toe |
| 5 | Right foot forward in contra body movement position (CBMP) | Facing line of dance | Continue to turn | Heel – toe |
| 6 | Left foot side and slightly back | Backing diagonal center | Continue to turn 3⁄8 between 5 and 6 | Toe – heel |
- Follower (lady)
| Beat | Foot position | Alignment | Amount of turn | Footwork |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Left foot back | Backing diagonal wall | Begin to turn right | Toe – heel |
| 2 | Right foot side | Pointing line of dance | 3⁄8 between 1 and 2 (body turns less) | Toe |
| 3 | Left foot closes to right foot | Facing line of dance | Body completes turn | Toe – heel |
| 4 | Right foot forward | Facing line of dance | 1⁄2 to right (pivot) | Heel – toe |
| 5 | Left foot back and slightly to side | Backing line of dance | Continue to turn | Toe |
| 6 | Right foot diagonally forward having brushed to left foot | Facing diagonal center | 3⁄8 between 5 and 6 | Toe – heel |
Underturned spin
The underturned spin is a useful variation on the natural spin turn that allows a leader to navigate a corner. The step is identical to the natural spin turn but only rotates 3⁄8 of a turn on the pivot (beat 4) instead of 1⁄2, and 1⁄4 of a turn on 4 to 6 instead of 3⁄8.[3] This reduces the total amount of rotation by 1⁄4 of a turn.
References
- ^ BallroomDancers.com: Natural spin turn
- ^ EverybodyDance.com: Natural spin turn
- ^ a b DanceCentral.info: Natural spin turn
- ^ The Ballroom Technique; Moore, Alex (2006). Published by ISTD ASIN: B000PH46KI.